Penelope.
Wait.
Penelope with the pierced nipples? Oh, hell to the absolutely not!
“Excuse me,” I say involuntarily as I stand so fast I bump the table and everything shakes. Emerson catches a glass on its way to tumbling and spilling ice water everywhere. I’ll thank him later, right now I…I…I don’t know.
I have never been so—what is this? Jealous? Angry? Something, somethingunhinged—in my whole life.
“Hello,husband,”I say in an obvious way I’ll probably be embarrassed about later. I grab his bicep when I reach them and look adoringly at Ben, then, as I am taller than her, I relish in literally looking down at little blondie. Her face falls.
Yeah. He’s MARRIED, BITCH! To ME! Back off!
“Hello, my love,” Ben says before kissing my temple. Penny startles at that, like she’s forgotten how charming he is with everyone. Like she thought all hisdarlingswere only for her. He starts to introduce me but I cut him off.
“Penelope, right? I’m Janie.” I say, making sure she knows that I know all about her and am cool as a damn cucumber and in no way threatened because Ben chose me and not her. Even if it is temporary and for his father and for money, he could’ve chosen anyone. He chose me.
Mine!My brain keeps screaming that word at her.
“R-right, so nice to meet you,” She says, extending her hand.
I don’t take it because the petty train is so far out of the station at this point, I might as well enjoy the ride.
“I’m sorry but Evelyn needs us,” I say, dropping the Mom bomb. With my eyes, I try to say,Oh yeah, she and I are besties. His mom loves me. Cry about it.
I pull at Ben’s arm, then grab his hand and start moving.
“Janelle? Are you alright? Does Mum actually need us?” He says behind me, confused. Because I am acting like a lunatic. But Ican’t stop, won’t stopat this point. I keep a death grip on his hand as I lead him out of the ballroom into a side hallway. I scan the hall…bathrooms…exit…there!
I pull him straight to the supply closet door and—yes! Thank you, Lord—it’s unlocked.
He’s still stammering as I yank him into the small space, “If you could just tell me what’s—”
I slam him into the door, grab his wonderfully thick neck and smash my mouth to his because I can’tnotbe kissing him right now.
He makes a sexy groan noise, albeit a confused one.
One of my hands starts to move south but he grabs it.
“Wait,wait,”he says. I open my eyes and he studies me. “You’re angry?”
I look away and sigh and feel my cheeks turning crimson. I’m fighting a smile though. Because he is going to tease me endlessly about this and, hopefully, we’ll finally be back to normal.
“About Penny?”
“You meanPenelopewith thenipples.”
“Wait. You’rejealous.”After a beat, he beams at me and I’ve never been happier to see him gloat. He could light up the entire ballroom at this moment. “That isveryhot.”
“Care to do something about it?” I say, moving my hand to his belt.
He stops my hand again. I fight a whimper. “Oh, absolutely I do. I will. But not now and not in here.”
I look back at him, glaring, “You’re going to torture me all night long, aren’t you.”
“One thousand percent.”
“Fine,” I huff, pulling away and straightening my skirt. “Fine.” I say again, trying to convince him and myself that I can ignore the tremor in my fingers…and the grit in my voice…and the raging need throbbing between my thighs.
