Jacob #2
If she really is as sweet and innocent as she seems, then I’m at risk of feeling more for her than I should, and I’m twice the asshole for how I’ve been treating her.
Last night was a major judgment lapse. Sharing my bed with Penelope is too dangerous. My self-control isn’t strong enough.
It doesn’t make any sense throwing myself into a bonfire while believing I won’t get burnt alive. I’ll make her go back to sleeping on the couch and try harder to keep my hands off her.
Penelope lets out a soft snore and I turn my head to her again. She hardly ever looks this serene when she’s awake.
Because of me.
More often than not, when she looks at me, she’s either upset or suspicious or afraid. That bothers me. It bothers me that bothers me too. Her misery is supposed to be my goal, but I’m not enthusiastic about meeting it anymore.
Her bruises are smaller now. Without thinking, I reach out and run my thumb over the one at her temple, then I freeze. Jesus fucking Christ. I just promised myself to keep my hands off her.
Penelope sighs in her sleep and shifts her head toward my touch. Instead of pulling my hand away like I should, I trail the back of my index finger down her smooth cheek, along her jaw, stopping just under her chin.
She hums and moves her head again, dragging her chin over my finger, then she slowly opens her eyes. She blinks and I pull my hand back as she covers her mouth over a yawn. Her sleepy gaze sharpens and holds mine.
I was right.
Looking into her eyes is how my willpower dies.
I lower my stare to her lips. So pink, so full. A day hasn’t passed where I haven’t wanted to taste them. Every time I resist the urge, it comes back a little stronger.
Maybe the only way to get rid of it for good is if I sated it.
No. That’s another one of your terrible ideas.
Just this last time, then I’ll never touch her again.
I slip my finger under her chin again and gently pinch it with my thumb. Slowly, I lean in, expecting her to push me back and tell me I can’t kiss her. She lets me brush my lips to hers.
I cup the side of her neck and plant my lips more firmly to hers. Penelope trembles as she tentatively returns my kiss, and I’m instantly greedy for more. I’m about to deepen it when loud knocking makes us freeze.
Someone’s at the door.
The interruption couldn’t have come at the worst time. It also came at the right time, saving me from yet another poor choice despite my promises to myself. I pull away from Penelope and abandon the bed.
Whoever it is pounds on my door again as I head down the hallway. The tension in my brow increases. It’s inconvenient to go back for my phone to check my camera first. I yank open the door and my scowl is replaced by surprise.
“Jakey!”
My sister grins before flinging her arms around me. I return her hug with a couple of pats on her back.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when she pulls away.
“Happy to see you too, bro,” she says in a snarky voice before she breezes past me into the house.
I shake my head as I shut the door.
“My apologies, Your Highness. I forgot to fetch my trumpet so I could properly welcome you.”
She chuckles. “I’ll forgive you for now but I expect a song and a jig next time.” She shrugs off her jacket. “Holly told me about your call, but I kept forgetting to return it. I finally had some free time and figured I’d do better than a call back since I haven’t seen you in months.”
She’s in a black short-sleeved poplin shirt and blue jeans. Her hair reaches her shoulders, the dark strands even and straight. I’m concerned she’s slimmer than when I last saw her several months ago. She’s probably overworking herself and not eating enough.
After she hangs up her jacket, she snatches Penelope’s beanie from one of the hooks and holds it aloft with a smirk.
“Ooh! Since when do you like hats with pink hearts on them?”
I start to worry that she’ll be upset if she sees Penelope. Wait. No. She’s the one who sent her to me in the first place.
“It’s Penelope’s.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widen, their colour the same blue as mine.
“She was here?”
Penelope slowly ventures out into view, a nervous smile on her face. She has on her grey leggings and a shirt I bought her yesterday. I suspected she would like that green one. She seems to favour that colour.
“I’m still here, actually.”
Elizabeth spins to face her.
“Penny!” Then she gasps. “Oh my god! How did you get that bruise?”
Elizabeth hurries over to give Penelope a hug before peering at her forehead, making sympathetic sounds as Penelope tells her about the accident.
“That must have been terrifying,” Elizabeth says. “Thank god you’re alive.” She turns to look between me and Penelope. “So… are you guys…?”
Penelope goes still, alarm crossing her face. Panic spikes in me too, though I hope like hell I’m doing a better job at hiding it than Penelope.
“Are we what?” My tone is sharper than I intended.
“Are you guys on good terms?”
I relax at Elizabeth’s clarification but only a little. I can’t tell my sister the truth that last night—and maybe even this morning—I came close to fucking Penelope.
“It’s a work-in-progress.” I move away from the coat rack. “Speaking of work, I have to get ready and head to mine.”
Elizabeth frowns. “I thought you had Fridays off. That’s why I came to hang out with you today.”
“That was my last job in Georgian Bay. You would’ve saved yourself the trouble if you’d called first.”
“Then I wouldn’t be able to surprise you.” She smirks. “I know how much you love surprises.”
I let out an amused huff and shake my head. She knows how much I don’t love them, but that’s how little sisters are, I guess. They delight in poking buttons.
Penelope and Elizabeth’s gazes follow me as I walk past them and down the hallway. In my bedroom, I stare at the bed and rumpled sheets.
Fuck, that was close.
Less than ten minutes ago, Penelope and I were lying there and sharing a kiss that probably would’ve led to more if Elizabeth hadn’t shown up.
I quickly make the bed, then I dress and head out. Penelope and Elizabeth are sitting on the couch as they chat. Once again, their gazes are palpable as I throw on my jacket. I turn to face them.
“Sorry I can’t spend the day with you like you wanted, Elizabeth. I’ll try to come home early.”
Elizabeth smiles. “It’s OK. Penny’s here to keep me company.”
My gaze slides to Penelope, meeting hers. I want to say something to her. I don’t know what. Not like I can address the kiss in front of Elizabeth or want to talk about it at all.
Elizabeth darts a glance between us and I take that as my cue to leave. Since we were kids, my sister has always been good at reading people and figuring out their secrets. She’s only gotten better at it now that she’s a TV show producer.
Filthy memories of Penelope flood my mind on my drive to work. Then a horrifying realization grips me.
What if she tells Elizabeth all the sordid things I’ve done to her?
I clutch my steering wheel, tempted to make a hard U-turn and rush back to the house. Common sense prevails. Penelope won’t tell Elizabeth anything because it would jeopardize the reason she’s staying with me.
When I finally arrive at work, I resolve to focus on my job instead of Penelope. I hurriedly escape the biting cold into the operation building’s welcoming heat. Sat at the front desk, Cynthia perks up when she sees me.
She beckons me over, her eyes lit up despite the dismayed look on her face.
“Did you hear the news?” Her words are almost breathless.
“About what?”
“Fiona’s dead! She was murdered!”