Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Pen woke when the van stopped. They were back in California, outside Foster’s house. Willa yawned as she sat up and stretched.
They stepped from the van and the guys all gave her a hug. After she hugged Cy, Willa pulled her into a tight hug.
“Get some sleep, and we’ll get together for dinner tomorrow.”
Pen nodded. “I’d like that.”
Foster helped her inside and over to the kitchen where he put together a half sandwich for her. She sighed as she perched on a stool.
“I’m so tired, I just want to sleep.”
“Sure. But first, you need to shower. Trust me. You want to get clean.”
“I’m so tired.”
“I know. Eat the sandwich, drink some water then shower.”
She nodded but wasn’t sure how she was going to stay awake long enough to shower. Just chewing the sandwich was exhausting.
She closed her eyes then flashed them open when she started to pitch off the stool. Foster was right there and caught her. She stared up into his eyes.
“Thank you.”
He cupped her cheek. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”
She touched his cheek then turned on the stool to face him. Her thighs were framing his legs, and she glanced down, her gaze raking up his body to his face.
“When I opened the door and saw him with Willa, I was so scared.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I was so afraid when I came home and you weren’t there. It broke my heart to think you had been taken by him. If anything had happened to you, I would have ripped the world apart to find you.”
Her gaze shot to his. “Really?”
He nodded. “I know we’re moving slow, but my feelings for you run deep. I won’t push you, but I want you in my life forever. I love you.”
She threw her arms around him, tears coming fast as she sobbed. It took a moment for her to get her thoughts together. “Foster, you love me? You know what I’ve been through?”
“It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through. It’s where you are now that I care about.”
“While you were gone, I thought about my feelings for you a lot. I don’t want you think I’m just saying this. I love you, too.”
Foster’s eyes went wide. “I love you so much, Pen.”
His lips were on hers. She opened for the kiss, holding him close as his tongue slid against hers. A shiver slid through her and Foster pulled back.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I want you.”
“Hold up.”
Panic slid through her. “You don’t want me?”
“I want you. I just want to make sure you really are okay with us being together, me touching you.”
The nod was automatic. “Yes.”
“We’re going to take this slow. Now then, about that shower?”
“Join me?”
Foster swallowed hard, his eyes narrowed as he studied her. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want you. I want someone to touch me who cares about me. I want the new memories. I want life to be better for me, and I need to have good memories for that to happen.”
He cupped her cheek. “I promise to give you loads of happy memories.”
She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it up. Embarrassment hit as she glanced down and saw how pathetic she looked.
Foster saw the change in Pen’s expression, and he reached for her arms as she crossed them over her chest.
“You are beautiful. I know you aren’t satisfied with your body. You’ve been through a lot, but you are beautiful. I want you.”
When her gaze hit his, he felt like the force had been physical. She reached for him and her lips were on his again. The kiss sent electricity zipping through him. It would be hard to keep the desire from showing while they showered.
Her fingers were on his shirt, pulling it up. Now it was his time to shiver. She stepped back, her gaze on him as he removed his shirt. He liked the way she looked at him, the way her eyes stayed on him.
He decided to remove his clothes and let her see what she was in for. She didn’t step back, instead she moved closer to him, her fingers trailing over his chest then lower to his belly.
“You look amazing.”
He let go a harsh chuckle. “Right now, but only because I have to maintain a certain level of fitness. But things change. When I get out, I won’t look like this forever. Also things could go badly. My job is dangerous. I could get shot or worse.”
She held his gaze. “I’m with you. No matter what happens, I’m yours.”
“And I’m yours. No matter how long it takes, how slow we have to go, I’m dedicated to you.” He saw tears gathering in her eyes. “Hey, don’t cry.”
She laughed and wiped at her eyes. “I’m not sad. I just can believe anyone would want me.”
“Oh baby, I love you. You are desirable, funny, smart, and a joy to be with. I want to spend my life with you. Our bodies will change, life will change, but I will love you through all the changes.”
Pen had never felt this way before. She couldn’t believe a man like Foster loved her. How could this be her real life?
“Everything okay?”
She nodded. “Yes. I just don’t know how we’re together.”
“Because sometimes in life things align and everything works out just right. Certain people are supposed to be together, and that’s us. We’re supposed to be together.”
She stepped closer and put her arms around him. When the weight of his arms was on her shoulders, she felt like she could fly. This was where she was meant to be.
She leaned back and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For loving me.”
“I don’t think I could stop myself from doing that. You’re the right person for me. We were meant to be.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek. “Now, how about that shower?” He stepped back, his dick hard and pointing up. “Sorry about this.”
She giggled as a little embarrassment washed over her. “It’s impressive. Don’t apologize.”
“It’s going to be like this around you.”
She drew in a slow breath. “I’m good with that. We’ll go slow and we’ll be good together.”
“Exactly. We’ll be very good together.”
Before meeting Foster, if anyone had told her she would welcome the touch of a man, she would have told them they were lying. But she wanted this man like she’d never wanted anyone before.