The wrong proposal, p.21
The Wrong Proposal, page 21
“Why don’t you have your own business?” I pop a piece of chicken in her mouth. We’re feeding each other like lovesick teenagers. A voice of the old me questions my behavior in public. This new man has no fucks to give. The only thing I crave is being with her.
She wipes her mouth with a napkin. “I don’t have the money.”
“I could help. Set you up and be a silent partner.”
She shakes her head. “You have to stop trying to save me. If it’s meant to be, I’ll find my way.”
“I’m not trying to save you. I know a good business proposition when I see it.”
“Perhaps you could recommend me to your friends.” She shrugs. “Start from there.”
“If there was an office in your home…” I tilt my head at her, “… it would be a start.”
She gives me a side-eye. “I can’t take that condo.”
“Too late. It’s in your name. It’s a perfectly good residence sitting empty. Or you could move in with me.”
“Franklin… don’t say things you’ll regret.”
“I’m not.” Premature, maybe, but why fight fate when I know she is the one I want to lie with at night?
She throws her napkin onto the plate. “What’s wrong with where I live?”
“Everything.” My face tightens. “Do I need to remind you of the other night when I exposed myself to strangers?” She covers her mouth with her hand. “I’m not okay with it.”
“All right, all right. Maybe I’ll take another look.”
“Today?”
“Yes, today.” She bats her lashes. “I’m a good girl.”
A groan comes from my throat. “Careful, Penny, or I’ll slide you onto my lap.”
After we eat, I convince Penny to drive with me. I have forgotten how liberating it is to leave the pressures of work behind and focus on the road.
The freedom.
She is playing her Spotify list through the speakers, and with every song, I feel like I’m learning a little more about her. The lyrics. The acoustic sound. Heartfelt words telling a story with only us listening. Our story evolving around us. Time feels limitless. Being with her is more liberating than I’d anticipated.
Hiring Royce gave me extra time to work in the car without having to focus on the hectic traffic. Cell calls, emails, and appointments all could continue from the back seat.
After thirty minutes with Penny, I’ve realized I need to drive more.
Instead of traveling north, we head south along the Pacific Coast Highway. “Could you please find somewhere where we can get a coffee?”
She reaches for her cell. “I’ll find a great place with good reviews. How soon do you want one?”
“We have all afternoon. You choose.”
She flicks off her shoes and crosses her legs on the leather seat. “Do you want a view?”
I glance down at her thigh. “The view is pretty good from where I’m sitting.”
“Keep your eyes on the road, Hendricks.”
“Hendricks,” I say, amused. “Okay, Gilbert. I see where I stand. As for views, we’ll swing by the condo.”
“I don’t want to argue with you,” she says softly. I feel her eyes on me.
“Not argue. Negotiate.” I want to nail down what she needs. “It’s closer to your work. It has an office space if you want to start your own business and plan your work week because I don’t see how you can do all that in your tiny bedroom.” I keep talking so she can’t interrupt. “It has a guestroom if your parents want to visit. Most importantly, I can stay over without your roommates intruding when we’re fucking.”
“Fucking,” she says under her breath and turns to the window. “I thought I was more to you than a fuck.”
“You are,” I say firmly. “You know what I mean.”
There’s a space of silence before she replies, “I’d love for my parents to stay over.” Her voice is light, as if she is thinking about what that would be like.
“It’s yours, Pen. Do what you want with it. Sell it to buy something you think is more suitable.”
“Why do I feel like I don’t deserve it?” she murmurs. “You’re a generous man.”
I take her hand and lay it on my lap. “Only to those I care about.” I squeeze it. “And I care about you, Pen.”
“I care about you too.”
Jesus, I love the sound of her voice when she’s like this. There’s a sweet kindness radiating from her, and it penetrates deep into my soul. I feel her entire presence, and it makes me want to be a better man.
“I found somewhere I want to stop.” She taps away on her cell. “It closes soon. We’ll check out the condo later.”
“Give me the directions.”
“Said no man ever.” She smirks. “I hope you like donuts.”
“Is that even a question?”
“These are not ordinary donuts.”
“Is the coffee good?”
She laughs. “I have no idea, but there is a coffee shop nearby, closer to the beach.”
“What is it with you and the beach?”
She glances at me. “Doesn’t the beach bring you happiness?”
It does now.
Somewhere near Huntington Beach, I pull over, and Penny dashes inside the donut shop. She returns with a box—it was worth the stop to see her broad smile.
“These are for later with our coffee.”
“Can I plug in the directions?”
“Keep driving for another twenty minutes.”
My girl is bossy—a side to her I rarely see.
Penny turns the music up and sings out of tune. I listen to her tone and how she sings as though the song was written for her. It’s a song about love and the joy it brings, and I want to be the one to give it to her.
“Turn right at the lights.”
We’re headed to Crystal Cove.
“Good choice,” I tell her.
“You’ve been before?”
“Years ago, when I bought some real estate on the beachfront for movies and photo shoots. The coffee is good.”
She doesn’t say anything.
“It’s a great spot. I think you’ll like it.”
She peers up at me, her brows tight. “Do you still have the house?”
“I do.” We pull into a parking space, and I point toward the left along a stretch of sand where a small wooden structure is located. “Can you see a shack on the beach?”
“Yes. Can I see inside it?”
“I don’t have keys since it’s being managed by a media company. We could look in the windows.” She takes her box of donuts and is out of the car before I’ve unclicked my belt.
Penny strides ahead and then turns to me with a smile that could make me agree to anything. “It’s so quaint and gorgeous. I love it.”
It’s an old wooden shack with a maintenance bill that has had me consider selling it in the past. It’s rundown, with the ocean pelting the exterior. I stride after her, inhaling the crisp, salted air stronger with the breeze from the ocean. She sits on one of the white wooden beach chairs on the porch and points to the other for me to join her.
“It could collapse beneath me.” I grunt.
Penny giggles as she stares out at the ocean. “Are you ready for your surprise?”
It’s just a donut. “What flavor did you get?”
The box lid lifts. What in the world? She hands me a stick.
“You have a pussy donut, and I have the dick donut.”
I take the stick and stare at the flattened, squishy donut with pink icing. It’s shaped like a woman’s vulva with an opening.
Penny giggles again. “The look on your face.” She holds her stomach as she laughs. “Take a bite.”
“It’s not going to taste as good as you.” I take a bite. It’s sugary and not the flavor I desire.
She raises one eyebrow and slides the dick donut into her mouth, and when she pulls it out, the chocolate sauce coats her lips. Between us is a table and the empty donut box. I drop my donut in there with a craving for Penny. Dropping to my knees, I take her face and lick her lips.
“Open your legs, Penny.”
Her eyes widen. She does what I ask, and I help to slide her panties down her thighs. I stuff them into my pocket. I take her ass and tilt it off the chair, my head under her dress. Fuck, she tastes good. With the ocean behind me, Penny before me, I lick and taste, flick her clit while stopping her hips from wiggling.
“What if someone sees?” She groans.
“I own the place. I can do what I want.”
Her breaths are fast.
Inserting two fingers, I rub and finger fuck her while my mouth claims her clit. It’s not easy with her bucking in the seat.
“Franklin,” she says with a groan of pleasure, and the wiggling stops as she comes.
I lift my head. Her dick donut is on the sandy wood beside her. Her arm hangs limply over the edge of the chair. I stand and say, “Sorry about your dick.”
Her eyes are level with my cock. “Sorry about yours.”
“Mine will be fine as long as it’s the only cock to pass those beautiful lips.” She lifts her gaze, and our eyes meet in understanding. “I expect exclusivity.” I lean and kiss her. “And you taste better than any donut.” My tongue sweeps over hers as I claim her lips.
Voices echo from the beach. In the distance, people congregate, erecting their navy and white umbrellas in the sand.
The café is a short walk away, so I take Penny’s hand to help her stand.
“My panties?”
“I’m not finished yet,” I state.
She stands and adjusts her dress. “Since all cocks are banned from that pretty mouth of yours…” I hand her the pussy donut. She takes a tiny bite, and I laugh.
Penny sets her eyes on me while her tongue licks the opening of the donut, her stare unwavering.
“Careful, Penny.” The sound comes from deep in my throat. I pick up the dick donut, place it in the box, and throw it in a nearby trashcan. Penny’s eyes are on me when I slide off my shoes and socks. She giggles and kicks off her wedge sandals.
I take her hand, and our bare feet hit the soft sand.
“I’ve changed my mind about coffee. I need something stronger to prepare me for the next surprise,” she says.
I chuckle. “It’s a nice change. For months, you’ve been the one surprising me.”
She stops walking and lifts to her toes to kiss me. “It’s always been you, since the day we met.”
Her words hit me like a sharp broadhead arrow to the heart.
I will bleed for this woman.
Seeming oblivious to the effect her words have on me, Penny links her hand with mine ever so gently. She lifts it and kisses one of the scratches. Seconds later, we walk up toward the café on the beachfront. We find a table in the sun under an umbrella where we can leave our shoes off rather than sitting inside.
The server appears, and I order a coffee.
“I’ll have a watermelon mojito, please.” Her smile is contagious. She begins to talk about her love of the ocean, rock pools, and the tiny creatures she would search out as a kid.
I have handfuls of sandy shells in my car.
Who have I become?
I watch her animated face as she speaks.
Tentatively, I touch the cut on the side of my face—a battle wound of proving my love.
Her gaze meets mine in understanding. “It was quite a day for you.”
“It was worth it.”
She giggles. Then, her brow changes as though a cloud is hanging over her thoughts. “Mom’s limp has worsened.”
“I did notice.”
“And you remembered?” She smirks. “I wasn’t sure how much you would retain from yesterday after the meds and your whiskey session with Dad.”
“I remember everything,” I tell her. “If you move into the condo, encourage them to take a holiday and stay with you.”
Her shoulders rise and fall while her gaze goes to the ocean.
My cell vibrates in my pocket. I need to ignore it, only I know better. Holding the cell low, I curse under my breath.
Paul.
“What’s happening?” My eyes are on Penny while I take the call.
“I know you said to call only if it’s an emergency. Well, shit has gone down. We need to be in New York by tomorrow.”
Penny stares at me, her lips thin with worry.
If my lawyer is anxious, I’m sure it’s written all over my face.
30
PENNY
Eleven days of barely talking to Franklin.
I miss him.
Every day, I receive a text before he falls asleep. It’s usually along the lines of… Wish I was there with you.
Following our day in Crystal Cove, we drove back to the condominium after I agreed to it and declined any payment for the renovation and redecoration of his Malibu home. However, the cost of the condominium is triple the figures in the contract.
It still feels wrong to accept such a generous gift.
We sat on the balcony at twilight. For a few minutes, it was only the two of us before he had to rush away to pack prior to Royce driving him to his family’s jet.
He gave me the codes and the number of a trusted mover. Not that I had much furniture to shift because my new residence is fully furnished so I donated my old bed to charity.
It has everything I need, for which I’m grateful. Franklin left the decorating to me to carry out in my own time. He said I could sell the couch and dining table or all of it if they’re not to my liking. Franklin ordered what he thought would appeal to me, and he was spot-on.
It’s Friday night, and the sun is low in the sky when I arrive back at my new condominium. Hugh, Sienna, and Zara will soon arrive to celebrate my move. The wine and food I ordered will be delivered shortly. A chime notifies me of visitors in the lobby.
After checking the screen, I wait by the glass doors for them to appear. Hugh exits the elevator, holding a wine bottle. Zara has a box with a ribbon, and Sienna is carrying more bags.
I press the button, and the glass doors part for my friends to enter my home.
“This is fancy,” Sienna says, eyes wide as she turns, checking out the space.
“It is. Here, allow me to take those from you.” I unpack the crackers, chocolate, and chips and giggle under my breath. “It looks like food for a movie night, not a celebration.”
“Honey, we’re celebrating all night with you, and it will probably turn into movies on that big-ass screen of yours.”
I turn to the massive television. “Yeah. I’m developing a relationship with that thing lately. It’s just the two of us.”
“We’re here to fix that.” Hugh spins in the kitchen. “Where do I find glasses for the champagne?”
I barely remember myself, so I go in search of the crystal glasses and then pour the champagne. We head out onto the balcony to watch the orange glow of the sunset between the surrounding buildings. Standing by the railing, we clink our glasses. For a moment, I think about what it would be like sitting with Franklin every night at sunset at his Malibu Beach house.
Romantic evenings together, just the two of us.
Or will it be just me?
“This is a little something from the three of us.” Zara hands me the large box with a pink ribbon. Hugh takes my drink so I can unwrap it, which I do, and lift the lid.
“Oh, it’s beautiful, thank you.” I raise the white ceramic curved vase from the box.
Zara smiles. “For when Franklin buys you flowers.”
“Or if you buy your own flowers,” Sienna adds.
“Either way, you’ll be thinking of us and not just him,” Hugh says, clinking his glass with mine.
I laugh at Hugh, always wanting the attention on himself but in a fun way.
When the sun disappears, automated lights turn on, creating an ambient glow over the balcony. We move to the chairs by the round, white concrete firepit. Matching sculpted white concrete chairs surround the fire with comfortable cushions wedged over them. One of my favorite things about this place is that the balcony is wide enough to entertain. I think it could be what sold Franklin on buying it. At this time of year, we don’t need the warmth, but watching the flames flicker and dance emits a calmness I feel all the way to my core.
The delivery arrives, and I grab plates and cutlery for the Thai food, which we all serve ourselves, and return to the balcony.
“Hugh finally booked our honeymoon.” Sienna’s smile is broad as she eyeballs Hugh. “He was so undecided I thought we’d miss out.”
Hugh shakes his head. “Babe, we were always going to find somewhere. I couldn’t choose between Fiji, Hawaii, and the Bahamas.”
“And where did you decide?” Zara asks.
Hugh taps his nose. “I have it under control, and it’s going to be a surprise.”
Zara and I groan. “Women need to know what to pack.”
Hugh waves his fork at us. “Bikinis for the water, some casual clothes for day wear, and nothing at night.”
We all groan.
“I guess you know by those three destinations,” I remark.
Sienna nods. Her eyes are bright with excitement. “I can’t wait, and if I don’t have appropriate clothing, I’ll buy it.”
Zara reaches across and pats her shoulder. “Right on, girlfriend.”
“The wedding is only a few months away,” I exclaim. “Where has the time gone?”
“This is probably my last weekend free as I have much organizing to do,” Sienna says before taking a bite of a spring roll. “How does Franklin feel about sitting with a table of strangers if you’re sitting with the wedding party?”
“He’s invited?”
“Of course,” Hugh says. “Give me his email, and I’ll send an invite.”
The idea of Franklin coming to the wedding excites me. I can visualize it all. His eyes on me as I walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid. How great it would be to laugh with him and my friends.
But am I kidding myself? Because behind me is an empty condominium. He can’t even make it back on weekends, so it’s unlikely he’ll get to their wedding.
“You know, maybe count him out. He’s stressed with work at the moment, and the last thing he told me is he expects to be in New York for a few months. It’s one of the reasons I took this place as I feel closer to him here as he picked out most of the things for me.”
