CHAPTER THREE #3
“Do you want to go upstairs?” he asked. “The bed is much more comfortable.”
She was still struggling to control her erratic breathing.
“N-no. Let’s just stay here for a while. I don’t think I can move.”
He laughed and pushed her against the backrest, so he could squeeze in beside her, then wrapped her in his arms.
Penny snuggled against his chest and breathed in his intoxicating scent. Now, his musky cologne had a new top note: her.
Minutes passed, and neither of them said anything. Penny was falling asleep, slowly but surely, and Enzo didn’t feel like breaking the silence. What had happened had been even more mind-blowing than he had expected or intended. What had he intended, anyway?
When Killian had introduced them, Enzo had thought she was just a family friend.
Then, he’d mentioned she was Richard Goldman’s personal assistant.
That had sparked his curiosity, but not by much.
Yes, Penelope Walton was sexy as sin, but the last thing he needed was a hot, curvy woman to distract him from his mission.
The next thing that had happened had made him reconsider his entire approach: Goldman himself had asked her to bring his two adopted twins downstairs.
He hadn’t gone himself, and he hadn’t asked his wife, nor a nanny or some random maid.
He’d asked Penelope Walton. That was when Enzo Salvador had known: the curvy goddess could very well be the key he’d been hoping for.
Oh, and she wanted him. Oh, how she wanted him!
He had smelled her arousal the second his lips had kissed the knuckles of her small, dainty hand.
“What are you thinking of?”
Her question came so out of the blue that it startled him. Could he, perhaps…? Why not? He’d had his fun. It was time to go back to his mission.
“Hmm… In fact, I was thinking about something.”
“Care to share?”
“I don’t know… I don’t want you to think I’m being weird.”
“You? Never! You just fucked me hard and fast against a wall while holding my entire weight as if it was nothing. The most normal guy in the world!”
They both laughed.
“Seriously, though. What’s up?” she insisted.
He released a heavy sigh and took a moment to think of the best way of wording what he wanted to ask.
“I was wondering… I’ve only known Richard Goldman for a little over two months, but… He already has four amazing, accomplished children. Why do you think he and his wife decided to adopt?”
Penny shrugged. That wasn’t what she had expected.
“No idea. It’s not my business, either. Good for them, if you ask me. They saved those poor twins from a miserable life in a Bulgarian orphanage, and then, maybe, on the streets.”
Enzo nodded slightly but didn’t agree with her verbally.
“You seemed close to them,” he said.
“I’m not. I just met them yesterday.”
“Did Goldman ask you to do anything specific regarding them?…”
Penny blinked and pushed herself up. Suddenly, she felt more awake and alert than ever.
“Why are you asking me these questions?”
He shrugged and tried to act casually.
“I’m simply curious, I guess. Juniper and Thorn… They don’t sound like Bulgarian names to me. Do you think Goldman changed their names? Did he give you any sort of files on them and their life before New York?”
“Wow!”
She pushed herself all the way up and jumped over him and off the couch.
As she began rearranging her dress, she didn’t even want to look at him anymore.
She remembered the look he had exchanged with the two children earlier, back at the party.
The small nod he had given them, the way Juniper and Thorn had seemed entranced by his presence… The whole thing gave her the creeps.
Enzo felt he had pushed it too far. He jumped to his feet and reached out for her arm. When she avoided him and took a step back, he bit the inside of his cheek hard. “Damn it! I screwed up.”
“I should go. It’s late.”
She grabbed her bag and fished out her mirror and her phone. As she checked her make-up, she waited for the Uber app to find her a car.
“I can drive you home if you want.”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Did I… Did I say something wrong?”
Penny blinked up at him. Should she tell him how creepy it was that he’d fucked her and then started asking her questions about two nine-year-olds as if that had been his only agenda all along?
“No, I’m just tired. I’m sorry. Thank you for the cheese, though. And the wine.”
All she had to do was forget about tonight and avoid him for the rest of her life. She should have known it was all too good to be true. Of course! Why would a hot, rich man like him bring her home and fuck her brains out? Because he wanted something from her. Obviously! She’d been such a fool…
She headed for the door and prayed to God that he wouldn’t follow her out. Her car hadn’t arrived yet, but she couldn’t stand another minute with him.
“Penelope, will I see you again?”
She rolled her eyes. Her hand was already on the door knob. She plastered a fake smile on her face and turned to him.
“Who knows? Only fate can tell, right? Good night, Enzo.”