Penelope’s eyes widened a fraction, and her brow furrowed as she watched me, clearly trying to assess the situation. “Do you need me tomorrow?”
Fuck yes, I needed her tomorrow, and the steel shaft between my legs was making that very obvious. Thankfully, Penelope didn’t seem to notice, and I took that as confirmation that she was as innocent as I’d suspected. Which meant I would be the only man who would ever have his cock inside her. The knowledge was not helping to contain my desperation for her. I began to walk rigidly toward the front of the house, staring straight ahead. By the sound of her soft steps behind me, I knew she was following. Without looking back, I suggested, “Perhaps you could drop by for a couple of hours in the evening so I can get some work done?” I vowed to be in control of myself by then.
“I’ll be done at K-Corp by three. I can come over after that.”
We reached the front door, and I gritted my teeth as I turned the knob and pulled it open. I steeled myself against temptation and finally turned to look at her again. “That would be great. Thank you,” I replied with a taut nod.
I silently waited while she slipped on a pair of strappy sandals with orange flowers across the toes, then crossed the threshold out onto the porch. “See you tomorrow,” I rasped, giving her a brittle smile before shutting the door, but not before I clocked her sad expression.
Hell. I was in fucking hell.
Chapter 4
Jonah
“Hi, Jonah,” Blaire greeted me with a smile as I entered the daycare situated on the main floor of the K-Corp building. The one owned by her husband, Justice; his brother, Thatcher; and their business partner, Jamison.
My company had done a lot of tech work for K-Corp over the years, and we’d all become close friends. Justice had called that morning to ask if I wanted to get in a few games of racquetball and offered for Blaire to care for Tucker. I was nervous about leaving Tucker with someone—even though I hadn’t hesitated to leave him in Penelope’s care for one minute—but the gym was located on the same floor as the daycare, so I would be close. And it wasn’t like I didn’t know Justice’s wife or how amazing she was with kids. Still, he was my infant son, and I was incredibly nervous when I walked in carrying him in a baby carrier with a diaper bag slung over my shoulder.
“You look good with a baby,” she teased. “I was convinced you would go to your grave as a bachelor.”
“Ha-ha,” I responded dryly. “We all said the same thing about your husband, you know.”
A sly smile slid across her face, and she flipped her long blond hair back over her shoulder. “All it takes is the right woman.”
“Damn straight.”
I turned at the sound of Justice's voice to see him walking in with his eyes glued to his wife and a smirk on his lips. “And when you find her”—he looked at me—”I suggest you get a ring on her finger and a baby in her belly immediately.” He strolled over to Blaire and pulled her out from behind the desk and into his arms. Her large stomach was causing her to waddle a little, and I found myself envious as I watched Justice caress her bump and kiss her.
“You’re such a Neanderthal,” she scolded. But the blissful smile on her face and the giggle that followed made it clear she didn’t mind one bit.
Justice kissed her nose before letting her go and facing me. “You ready?”
I glanced down at Tucker who was happily chewing on his tiny fist and felt a moment of panic.
Blaire must have read my expression because she hurried to comfort me. “I promise, I’ll take perfect care of your little man. I have more help coming in a few minutes anyway, so he’ll have most of my focus.”
I sighed and set the carrier on a nearby bench and went to work freeing Tucker from the straps and buckles. I was barely listening to Justice and Blaire’s conversation until I heard the name Penny, and then my ears perked right up.
“How is Penny doing, bunny?” Justice asked.
I lifted Tucker onto my shoulder and swayed slowly as I pretended not to listen.
“She’s so great with the kids. A complete natural. I’m hoping she’ll come work for me full-time once she turns eighteen.”
That wasn’t going to happen. At least not right away. I would never stand in the way of what Penelope wanted, but I wanted to spend some time as a family, just us. Tucker and I weren’t going to be ready to share her for a while. Besides, I wasn’t sure if I’d let her out of our bed until I’d knocked her up. Then she’d need to be off her feet and relaxing while she grew our baby. After that, she’d have a newborn. It wasn’t like I could tell them all of that, so I kept my mouth shut.
“She’ll be here soon, so I’ll have her work with Lauren in the toddler room while I stick to the infant room to be with Tucker.”
I cleared my throat as I stood and tried to look nonchalant when I said, “I’m comfortable with Penel—Penny watching Tucker.” Blaire raised her brow, and I made sure to keep my expression neutral. “She’s my neighbor’s sister and helped me out yesterday. I’ve seen her with Tucker, and he already loves her. And you’ll be here to supervise anyway.” Not that she needed to be, but I didn’t want to have to give any more explanation as to why I trusted Penelope with my son.
“Okay.” Blaire studied me closely, but I didn’t give her anything. “Well, I guess I’ll put Penny in charge of Tucker.”
I nodded and gave my boy a kiss on the head before telling him to be good and not to break too many hearts. Then I nervously handed him over to Blaire. Justice had to practically drag me from the center while I looked back and second-guessed my decision to leave him.
“You need a break, Jonah. And you’ll be right across the building.”
“Yeah, alright,” I grumbled. At that moment, I happened to glance back and see Penelope walking inside the building with a bright smile as she headed toward the daycare. I also noticed the other men in the lobby who ogled her as she went by. My hands balled into fists when I saw a few of their gazes lingering on her ass. I took a step toward the worst offender but was jerked backward by my arm. By the time I regained my balance, the man was gone.
I whipped around, ready to rip Justice a new asshole, but I was caught off guard by the way he was scrutinizing me and the knowing look in his eyes. “You are aware that she is seventeen, right?”
My face transformed into a dark scowl. “Yes,” I snarled. Silently warning him to watch what he said next.
“Stop looking at me like you want to skin me alive,” he snorted as he rolled his eyes. “I was just clarifying, not judging.”
“What does her age have to do with anything?” I attempted to sound careless, but I wasn’t sure if I succeeded.
“You’re more transparent than you think, Jonah. Especially when you look as though you’re going to rip the head off every man who looks at Penny.” He inclined his head in the direction of the gym. “Let’s go work out some of your pent-up sexual tension and irrational anger.” He began moving again and shot me another glance as he said, “Trust me, there is no one who will understand your situation better than me.”