Chapter Ten
SPENCER
“Why are you back so early?” Grandmother asked when I arrived home. "I hoped you and your brothers would go out or something and give me some more time with him. He's adorable, Spencer.”
She was strolling the living room, holding Ben carefully. He was awake and suspiciously still.
“I’m so glad I have a great-grandchild. I know this isn’t how you imagined becoming a father—”
“Finding out I had a son out of the blue? Kind of made me feel like Dad even though the situation couldn’t be any more different.”
Grandmother stopped pacing. “Spencer, the apple fell very far from the tree. Look, I love my son very much. A mother can't stop caring about her children, but he isn't a good person. You are. Now, how about going outside in the yard? I’ll stay for a bit longer, and we can chat.”
"Sure," I said. "I can carry him."
"No, no, no. I want to get as much time as possible with him before he grows too big for my arms and I can't keep up with him."
It was good that Grandmother was realistic about that, at least, though I was sure that when the time came, she’d fight me on it.
There was a knowing glint in Grandmother’s eyes.
She was up to something. I was sure of it.
As we stepped outside, I realized exactly what.
Penny was in her courtyard again, singing while she cleaned the windows.
This time, she wasn't being subtle. She was singing at the top of her lungs. I glanced away, exhaling sharply. Fuck! I couldn’t even look at her without remembering vividly how her body felt against mine. She’d tasted amazing.
"Oh, she's lovely."
"I agree," I said. Big mistake. The glint in Grandmother’s eyes turned from knowing to triumphant.
Penny stopped abruptly, straightening up and looking at us. “I keep forgetting that you can see… and hear so easily from one yard to the other. I’m so sorry."
"Never mind. We were enjoying the show." I loved seeing her blush.
She looked at Grandmother and then back at me. "I was really loud, wasn't I?"
Grandmother said nothing.
I was still fighting my laughter, but I wasn't going to be able to withhold it for too long. "Yeah, you were. I think half the street might have heard you."
She winced. "Whoops."
"You know what? You two youngsters should go out to dinner," Grandmother said out of nowhere.
Penny jerked her head back. I blinked. I was used to Grandmother’s obvious matchmaking and butting in, but Penny wasn't.
"Grandmother," I said in a warning tone.
"I'm not ready to say goodbye to this little one. I want a bit more time."
"I actually might have something in the fridge," Penny muttered.
"Three-day-old cheese?" I asked.
She blushed again. "Probably. I was going to order in."
I should let this drop, but all the reasons why this was a bad idea slid to the back of my mind.
"No, Grandmother’s right. I know a good Italian restaurant here in the neighborhood. You'll love it."
Penny pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
I wanted to close the distance, hold her face with both hands, and look her straight in the eyes until she said yes to my invitation.
Damn it, Spencer. Your grandmother and your son are next to you.
Common sense flew out of the window when I was around Penny.
No one had ever had this kind of effect on me.
"It’s the best restaurant in this neighborhood.”
Penny hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Okay. I'll be outside in fifteen minutes."
"We have a deal," I said triumphantly.
PENNY
I was ready ten minutes later. I was far too nervous to wait inside, so I stepped out of the house.
To my astonishment, Spencer was pacing in front of his door. He’d been wearing a polo shirt before, but now he’d changed into a cotton shirt. My heart gave a mighty sigh. He was incredibly handsome.
"You're early," he said, coming over to me.
"I was done quicker, and, well, I decided to come out, just in case." I fiddled with my thumbs.
Spencer stepped closer. "You're nervous."
"Yes," I admitted because there was no point denying it.
I was a basket case. I kept tugging at my black top even though it wasn't too short.
Also, I was a bit itchy between my thighs.
Yesterday evening, I'd done something I hadn't in months: I'd shaved completely.
Why? I couldn't tell you. I just had that impulse and decided to follow it.
"Penny, if I'm making you uneasy, we don’t have to go."
"No, it's not you. It's… everything."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm awkward, you know. I mean, obviously, you do. You probably remember Thursday evening just as well as I do."
"Vividly.” He trained those blazing blue eyes on my mouth. "Your taste, the sounds you made."
My entire being pulsed. His words lit me up. At the same time, I became even more flustered. "I don't know how to do this… be around a guy. Probably seems weird, since I was married for a long time. I’m just out of my element."
The more I spoke, the more awkward I felt. I kept eyeing Taylor’s door.
"Your man didn't appreciate you at all, by the sounds of it."
"It doesn't matter."
"It does fucking matter. You deserve everything."
Spencer saying that made me feel good. I needed that bit of encouragement.
"Time to test the best Italian food in town," he said.
"You really are serious? They're the best in town?"
"Yeah."
"Is the chef Italian?"
"No."
"Frauds," I muttered, making him laugh. “How far away is it?”
“Maybe ten minutes on foot. Are you up to walking?” He glanced down at my shoes. I was wearing flats. I’d never gotten the hang of gracefully wearing high heels. A few years ago, I’d totally embraced that, so now most of the shoes I owned were flat.
"Sure, that sounds good."
I wanted to stretch my legs a bit. Becky hadn’t been in the mood to walk too much today, and I got cabin fever even though the mansion was enormous.
"Let me check if they have tables," he said, taking out his phone and tapping a number.
"Hello, I would like a table for two. We'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Name?" I heard the other person practically yelling into the phone.
"Spencer Whitley." He said his last name in a slightly stronger voice. "Thank you, we will be there shortly."
That was all it took for him to get a table? Name-dropping? Then again, why not?
"We have a table."
"I got that." I pressed my lips together.
He winked. "You look like you want to laugh."
“The way you said ‘Spencer Whitley’ was fun. Sort of sounded like Bond. James Bond."
He burst out laughing. "Sometimes I have to do that to get my way.”
“You have to bring out your inner James Bond?" I teased.
"Whatever it takes to get the table for my lady."
My lady? Who was this guy? I was happy just walking next to him, taking in the charm of the neighborhood. I loved the gorgeous homes and manicured lawns. Beacon Hill truly was a national treasure.
Colonial-style homes lined the street with the restaurant. Il Mare was in a building with four floors.
"The restaurant's on top," he said.
“What’s on the other floors? It looks like offices.”
“Probably. Never checked. Want to go in?”
I nodded. I’d managed to relax on the walk here, but now I suddenly felt nervous again.
What if I made even more of a fool of myself than I had before?
I didn't think it was possible, but you never knew.
As we entered the building, I was surprised they had two elevators.
We stepped into an empty elevator, and Spencer pressed the button to the fourth floor.
The car lunged and then stopped abruptly.
"What the hell?" Spencer exclaimed, immediately reaching out for me and putting an arm around my waist, steadying me. I wasn't about to lose my balance, but I loved his protective instinct and the way he touched me.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah. We’re stuck, aren't we?"
"Feels like that."
The numbers 2, 3, and 4 were lit up. I assumed that meant we were caught in between the floors. I pressed to open the doors, but nothing happened. Spencer pressed the voice activation button. "Elevator service repair, how may I help you?"
"We're stuck."
"Where are you calling from, sir?"
"I don't know the exact address. It's on Longborn Street in the building with the restaurant Il Mare."
"I've got you. All right, we’ll send someone to deal with it. I think they're going to be there in about half an hour."
Holy shit. We were going to be stuck in here for half an hour? Talk about cabin fever.
"Can you make that twenty minutes?"
"The mechanic is working on another elevator in the area. They won't be ready that soon. It might actually take longer."
Spencer's eyes turned cold. "We’d appreciate if you get someone here faster."
"I’ll do my best, sir." The voice disconnected.
“This took a turn for the unexpected," I exclaimed.
"Yeah, it did. How hungry are you?"
I waved a hand. "Not too much. Don't worry."
"I'm sure they’ll be here faster,” he said.
"Are you always so confident?" I teased.
He flashed me a half smile. "Yes, most of the time."
"The guy didn't seem to be in a hurry," I said.
Spencer stood right in front of me. He was so close that I felt his skin radiating heat.
"I’ve wanted to do this all day," he said.
"What? Be stranded in an elevator with me?"
"No—" He tipped my chin up. "—this."
He sealed his mouth on mine. I parted my lips to allow him all the access he wanted.
I moaned. The intensity of the kiss took me by complete surprise.
He wasn't just exploring me—he was devouring me.
He lowered one hand down my back and then slid it up over my waist. Reaching the front, he slid it under my shirt, touching my bare skin.
I got goose bumps everywhere, even before he managed to bunch up the top, and then I felt his slightly curved fingers on my skin.
I moaned even louder than before, pressing myself harder against his mouth and his chest. I wanted to be closer to him.
I wanted to climb inside him. And I needed him to touch more than just my stomach.
"Fuck, you taste so good," he said, moving his mouth to the corner of my lips and then down to my ear. He bit my earlobe lightly before starting all over, kissing at the other corner of my mouth and down to my ear.
"Spencer," I muttered.
"Your perfume is driving me crazy. It's addictive. You are addictive."
He brought his mouth level with mine again. But instead of kissing me, he drew the tip of his tongue over my lower lip. I gasped, pressing my thighs together. I was so turned on. I didn't know how to get a grip on myself. Spencer didn't miss it. He looked down between us, then snapped his head up.
“You want me to touch you?”