“Awfully submissive, Mr. West.”
He laughs, his lips brushing over mine. “Yeah, that’s really fucking weird.”
“Just go with it.”
He smiles into a kiss, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
So utterly happy despite finding out about his lies only yesterday. I’m in deep, but everything feels right.
Leaving Hayden’s home was not easy, but I need to talk to Penelope. Even if that means having to take her wrath.
I knock on the front door of the house she shares with my brother, and it’s Linc who answers. “Hey, I’m not sure she’s ready to talk yet.”
“I know she’s upset, but I need to see her.”
“You’re wearing the same clothes you had on last night.” My eyes shift to Penelope who’s coming down the stairs.
Shit. I should have gone home and changed, but I don’t want to hide anything.
“I am.”
“You were with him last night, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
Linc looks uncomfortable as Penelope moves to stand by his side, her arms crossed. I’m sure she told him about me sleeping with Hayden. “You slept with him? After he fucking lied? You went to his house and spread your legs for him? Jesus, Lola, I thought you were smarter than that.”
Her disgust stings, but I stand with my shoulders squared. “I care about him.”
“You just met him. And I get it, more than most, Lola. The first dick always sticks with you.”
Now Linc looks really uncomfortable, which is odd for my brother. “Maybe I should let you guys talk.”
“Don’t leave.” Penelope’s eyes plead with him before she turns to me. “He’s a liar.”
“He’s not, Penelope. I’m sure this is hard to hear, but he is your brother.”
“He’s not, but even if he is, he’s still a fucking liar. And you’re willing to believe him and not just that but also let him into your body. Why? Because he’s the first male to give you any significant attention.”
“P.” It’s another warning from my brother, but it’s unnecessary. I know that she’s hurting.
“When I slept with him the first time, I didn’t know, Penelope. I thought he was just a client.”
She’s been crying. I can tell by how red and puffy her eyes are. “And last night, you knew the truth and still slept with him.”
“I’ve never felt like this before, Penelope. And you’re right, I don’t have much experience with men. I’ve put a lot on hold for my career and then trying like hell to put my family back together.” They both wince at that, but I keep up my momentum. “I don’t regret that at all, but now Hayden is here. And there is this wild connection with him I can’t explain.”
“He. Is. A. Liar. You’re smarter than this.”
“He is your brother. He comes from the same place as you.”
She leans in closer to me, her eyes darkened and angry. “If that’s true and he shares any blood with that horrible woman who birthed me, he is not to be trusted.”
“You share her blood too.” I don’t shy away from the intensity of her eyes. “And you’re one of the best people I've ever known. It’s not all about DNA.”
“No, it’s also about upbringing. And they were both shitty with her.”
“You turned out great.”
She looks so lost as her hands fly up in the air. “Because I was rescued by the fucking crazy-ass Sterlings.”
“You saved us just as much as we saved you.”
Linc’s lips turn up as he tugs her to his side. “That is the truest statement ever said.”
“I’m happy you found someone, Lola. I’ve wanted you to do something for yourself for a long time but not my fucking long lost ‘brother’.” She uses air quotations because she is in firm denial, especially when she’s angry and broody. I see the resemblance between Hayden and her clearly.
“Come to dinner tonight.”
Her brown eyebrow lifts in surprise. “What?”
“Come to dinner. Ash is here. I’m inviting Mom and Tony. And Hayden.”
“No fucking way.”
“Penelope,” I start, and she raises her hand.
“No.”
“You need to meet him, really meet him and get to know him.”
“I don’t want to know him.”
Surprisingly, Linc backs me up. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.”
Her eyes fly to his. “Wouldn’t be so bad? Are you insane? Maybe he’s a deranged psychopath banging your sister for some crazy-ass reason. Maybe he’s going to kill us all. Or just her. Or me. Not so bad?”
“Maybe you’re overreacting a little?” He may be whipped, but he doesn’t have a problem challenging her.
“I’m not going.” She turns back to me. “It’s not happening.”
With that, she heads up the stairs and leaves me alone with Linc. “Fuck. You know we were having a good go of things. Fucking daily. Showering together. Having a good life. She’s even going to marry my ass this fall and then . . . Boom.”
“Yeah well, it wouldn’t be a Sterling wedding if it wasn’t a little complicated.”
His lips tug into a smile. “No congratulations?”
“I knew you two assholes would get married sooner or later.” I smile and hug him. “Congratulations.”
I can feel him still smiling. “Thanks. I’ll work on her for tonight, but she doesn’t trust him.”
“I know.” I release him. “But she should get to know him.”
“Why do you trust him so easily, Lols? You don’t trust anyone.”
I think about that fact. “Why were you drawn to Penelope that day at the playground? You guys brought her home for dinner even though she was a complete stranger from across the tracks.”
His shoulders lift. “I don’t know. I just felt a connection with her.”
“That’s how I feel with Hayden. I don’t know what it is about them, but I feel safe with him.”
“Even though he lied.”
It’s not really a question, and I nod. “He was scared. Our father is a son of a bitch, but their mother was evil.”
He nods curtly, his smile fading when I mention their mother. “Yeah, she was.”
“He wanted to see if Penelope was anything like their mother. He wanted to get to know her from a distance.”
“Like a true stalker.”
I nudge his arm. “Stop it.”
He chuckles. “I’m happy for you, Lols. I mean, I wish it were anyone but Penelope’s maybe brother, but you seem different.”
“I am. But I'm still me.”
“Ah, the fixer.”
I stare at him, thinking about Asher’s words last night. “You think that I overstep my boundaries too?”
His eyebrow quirks up cautiously. “Who else thinks that?”
“Asher. And, you dick. ‘Who else thinks that?’ So, you do?”
He pulls me into another hug, kissing the top of my head. “You want everyone to be okay before they actually are. You’re a fixer. And I fucking love you for it.”