Chapter Fifteen
SPENCER
I checked on Ben before Penny and I headed to the bathroom to clean up. Fortunately, he was sleeping soundly, but just in case, I took the baby monitor with me.
Penny was so cute. She inspected everything in the bathroom.
"This bathroom is even bigger than the one below. And so fancy. Taylor’s is too. Honestly, before seeing her house, I always thought only hotels had bathrooms like this. I'd only ever seen them in movies before. And the tub”—she sat on the edge of it, caressing it—"is glorious."
"Want me to prepare a bath for you?"
She turned, eyes wide. "Now? But it's so late."
"There is never a bad time to take care of you."
"Oh, Spencer." She pressed her lips together. "I mean, if you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"But I know you're not exactly sleeping a lot, so…"
Was she always thinking about everyone before herself? Had anyone ever shown her that she was important too?
"If it is what you want, I’ll give it to you."
"Okay."
I turned on the faucet and searched in the cabinet under the sink. I couldn't find any bath essence or stuff like that.
"What are you looking for?" she said.
"Something to put in the water, but there is nothing. I don't take baths."
She gasped. "You have this amazing freestanding bathtub, and you don't use it? I would live in it if I were you. But you can pour in any shampoo, and I think it'll make bubbles."
"Good point," I said. Grabbing my shampoo, I poured some under the stream of water. She was right. It was turning into foam right in front of my eyes. I wanted to check the water temperature too, but just then, she went to put a foot inside.
"No, wait. Let me check." I dipped a hand right in front of her thighs, blocking her legs, and ran my hand under the stream. “It’s hot.” I turned it to medium heat. "Wait, I’ll put some cold water so it cools down."
"Okay." Her voice sounded uneven. I looked up at her, and she quickly glanced away.
I stood abruptly. "Penny, is everything okay?"
She turned to look at me, fiddling with her thumbs. "I don't even know how to react to all this."
"What, the bathroom?"
"No, Spencer, you. You checked the water temperature because I might burn myself. I… Never mind."
I realized that no matter what I said, it would be impossible to explain. I had to show her how important she was, and I was going to be very thorough about it. I dipped my hand in the water. "Safe now. You can get in."
She didn't need telling twice. She immediately stepped inside and slid down into the bubbles.
"I shouldn't have used the shampoo," I said.
"Why not?"
"Because now I can’t see you."
Penny grinned. "So, you were doing this for your benefit too."
"Obviously. I like looking at you, Penny."
"Hmm. We can do something better. You can jump in with me, and then you’ll be able to feel me."
"Woman, why are you tempting me like this?"
"It might have been my plan all along. Might." She winked.
I turned hard just listening to her. This woman had an interesting effect on my libido.
"I haven't used the tub at all since I moved in," I said. "You're the first person who’s ever been in it."
"You can't let this great tub go to waste. In fact, I can volunteer to come over and use it, so it doesn't get all rusty." She paused. "I didn't mean to invite mys—I mean, forget I said that. It was just a joke."
I sat in the tub at the opposite end and grabbed her ankles. "Forget about it? It sounds like the best idea ever. Besides, if you use it, I can watch you. One thing will lead to another. Next time I'll make sure not to put in so much shampoo."
"Next time," she mumbled, lying with her head against the tub. She lifted her blonde hair, arranging it so it flowed over the edge of the tub. "This reminds me so much of when I was a kid," she said. "I used to love baths. Mom would only allow me to take them twice a year."
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, it takes a lot of water, and it wasn't so easy to pay for it."
Sometimes I forgot what a privileged upbringing I'd had. Sure, my parents' marriage had imploded, and the fallout had been insane, but I still had it way easier than others, growing up.
"Where exactly does your mom live in Arizona?" I asked.
"In the middle of nowhere. I wish she would move to a city—somewhere she’d have all the facilities she needs. I taught her how to use the internet, and we regularly chat on WhatsApp, but I still worry about her.
“I once asked her to move to Phoenix, which is the closest city to her, and I'll never forget the death stare she gave me.
But at least she agreed to install outdoor cameras.
I don't check often, but it gives me peace of mind when she's not answering her phone. At least I can make sure nothing happened to her, like a bad fall or something.”
“You're a great person, Penny.” I couldn't imagine what that must be like. I'd always been right around the corner from my grandparents. We worried about them even though we saw them often.
I pressed my fingers on her ankles, then moved my hands up and down her calves. She sighed, closing her eyes. I loved seeing her so content.
"How about your father?" she asked.
I stilled. "What about him?"
"Where is he?"
"Sydney, probably. At least, that's where he moved after everything."
"You really don't know anything about him?" she asked. "Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
"He fucked off. Everything blew up behind him because of his actions, and he never bothered to do any damage control."
"Why did he leave? Shame? Embarrassment for what he did?"
"My father had a big ego. Reputation was important to him. Apparently, more important than his sons or his parents or the two women he was cheating on." I swallowed hard. "Let's change the subject. I don't want to get into a bad mood."
She nodded, pushing herself up a bit, brushing her arms against the edge of the tub. She straightened her head, and her hair reached the water. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. I just wanted to know more about you."
"Don't worry.”
“We were having such a great evening. I didn't want to dampen the mood."
She moved onto her knees and leaned forward.
She must have slipped or something, because she fell face-first into the water.
Her hand grazed my erection. Her face nearly collided with my cock.
I groaned. For a second, I completely forgot that she was underwater, and then I regained my senses and pulled her up.
She burst out laughing, spewing out foam and water from her mouth.
"Wait a second. Let me clear your eyes so you don't accidentally get soap in them." I turned on the faucet, taking some water and wiping her eyes.
She laughed even harder, reaching for the water herself and cleaning up her face. "That was amazing, wasn't it? Apparently, I can’t keep my balance even when I’m on my knees. Did I hurt you? I definitely drew my nails across your skin.”
“Nah, you ran them down my cock, but it's all good."
She pressed her lips together. "Are you sure?”
“Want to check him out? He won't mind."
She shifted and wrapped her hand around my dick.
"Jesus, Penny, I was joking." I dropped my head back. I heard her move in the tub, and then her mouth was on my Adam's apple. My cock twitched in her hand.
"Is that better?" she whispered against my neck.
“Much better."
"I thought you might say that."
I put an arm around her back, pressing her against me.
"I like this! Cuddling in the tub. I didn't realize this was possible. Wait, let me find a good position before I accidentally press my knees into your balls or something."
I burst out laughing as she shifted on top of me. Finally, she put one hand on the edge of the tub and the other on my shoulder.
"Your hair is all wet," I said.
"Yeah, I gave up trying to keep it out of the water. I'll just dry it afterward. Damn, you're so big."
"Music to my ears."
She laughed. "I didn't mean that, although that is also true. You're so tall that I can actually put my head on your shoulder, and we’re not underwater." She rested her head in the crook of my neck. "Oh, I like this. I found a perfect spot."
"I totally agree."
Having her here in my bathroom and my home felt more perfect than anything I’d experienced in months—years maybe. It was a foreign feeling to me. But I could get used to it.