Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
ELIJAH
I make my way upstairs, happy to put some distance between us. Memories of what was and could have been are coming thick and fast. Pen never knew I was going to ask her out. I called her up and cancelled our night out, choosing instead to get blind drunk with Jax and Zach.
I retrace my steps and grab my and Pen’s bags from the car. Pleased now I had the foresight to bring a change of clothes and my wash-bag before I left the office.
I head upstairs and enter a bedroom. I realise my mistake instantly. This is Pen’s room. I leave her case by the door and step inside.
A large four-poster bed sits in the middle of the back wall. A chaise longue positioned in the window. Because the bedroom is at the back of the house, one of its walls is entirely glass, like the kitchen it has spectacular views overlooking the picturesque landscape. I see the sun rising and realise Pen’s bed is perfectly positioned to enjoy the view.
I know I should leave, but I can’t. Instead, I make my way through the room towards another door. Opening it, I enter Pen’s en-suite. A claw foot bath sits in front of another all-glass window. My mind pictures Pen lying back amongst bubbles, her hair wet, her hands running over her body, taking in the view.
I turn away.
Fuck! I need to get a grip .
Pen is about to be married, and I am concentrating solely on Lottie for the foreseeable future. I’ve no right fantasising about Pen naked in the bath. We hardly talk these days—but being with her tonight. It feels like the past fifteen years have melted away. I felt it at the wedding, and tonight has cemented those feelings. We’ve fallen back into our old patterns and I realise I’ve missed it, missed her.
I shake myself and turn towards a large walk-in shower. I recognise Jax’s design. My brother Caleb’s is the same. I should find another bathroom.
I spot a set of folded, clean towels in the corner and grab one. The smell of washing powder, a scent familiar to Pen, wafts out.
I strip in record time, my cock aching.
I grab my body wash from my bag. The thought of walking around smelling like Pen for the day is a little more than my mind and body can take right now. It’s been a long time since I was with a woman I cared about. Not that I’ve been a saint. I’ve been careful about the women I’ve hooked up with. Darra and I have both been discrete over the years, or at least I have. After the truth came out about Lottie, I couldn’t touch her, didn’t want to. Too many lies, so much deceit. I could barely stand to be in the same room as her. I walled off my heart to protect my daughter. I knew Darra would not think twice about preventing me from seeing Lottie, it was her only bargaining chip left, so she maximised it, and that threat was not something I could risk. The thought of never seeing my daughter again was enough to keep my libido in check.
I stand under the thundering spray and close my eyes. I run my hands over my body, washing off the stress of the day and night. When my hand grazes my rock-hard cock, I bite my lip to suppress the groan that rises in my throat.
The flat of my hand hits the tiled wall, and I drop my head as I count to ten.
My cock throbs, begging for attention.
Wanking off in Pen’s shower, an engaged woman, my friend will not happen. I have more respect for her than that.
I squeeze my eyes closed and feel for the shower controls.
My muscles clench as I switch the setting from hot to ice bath cold. The sting of the spray stealing my breath, the icy shards, calming my raging libido.
I stand under the spray until my skin is red and tingling from the onslaught.
I flip the switch and turn off the jet, drawing in a deep, cleansing breath as I reach for the towel I collected. Drying off, I pull on a fresh set of jeans, a t-shirt, and a jumper, my standard office attire. Time to re-face the music.
When I make my way back downstairs, I hear a noise coming from the kitchen.