I settle in next to Dex, beer in hand. But then I hear movement behind me, glance up, and there she is.Penny. She’s spreading the tablecloth, leaning over the table, and those jeans hug her ass in a way that makes my mouth water.
“You got some drool there, bro,” Ethan laughs.
I glare at him.“Shut it.”
Doesn’t matter. My eyes go right back to Penny like they’ve got a mind of their own.
“What was that you always say, Dad?” Dex asks, grin wicked.
I groan.
“Hawthorne men fall hard, deep, and fast. That’s the rule.” Dad’s gaze flicks to me, pointed, while my brothers snicker.“It was like that for my grandfather, my own father, my brothers, and of course, me. I’m telling you boys, when you see her, you just know.”
My brothers burst out laughing. I grind my teeth.
“When I met your mama,” he continues over their racket,“I knew she was it. Didn’t need a sign, a test, or a second glance. Every other woman in the world went bland in comparison.” His voice softens, eyes warm.“Your mama had fire, heart, and beauty that made everything else fade away. Still does.”
The room quiets for a moment. Dad pats my shoulder with a knowing smile, then turns back to the game like he didn’t just drop a truth bomb.
“So,” Dex leans in, grinning,“how was the date?”
“None of your damned business.” I take a long pull of beer, ignoring their laughter.
“Dinner’s almost ready!” Penny calls, bringing a basket of bread to the table.
“Hey, Penny?” Ethan’s voice turns smooth, flirty.“I like that sweater on you.” He flashes his trademark grin.
I launch a pillow at his head while my brothers howl.
“Yeah, I like those jeans too,” Dex chimes in.
I’m on my feet before I realize it, crossing to her. Taking the bread from her hands, I set it on the table, keeping my eyes locked on hers.“They’re right, you know,” I murmur, leaning close, lips brushing her ear.“But truth is, you could wear a potato sack and you’d still be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Penny’s breath hitches, her cheeks blooming red. I lower my voice, meant for her alone.“Actually, if you wore nothing but that blush…” My tongue darts over my lips.“I’d be in heaven.” She swallows hard, then her sassy smile breaks through.“Only if you promise you’ll wear that cowboy hat. And nothing else.” Heat slams through me. I’m speechless. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering.“How about a second date, Sunset?” Her whiskey eyes sparkle.“Sure, cowboy. When?”
“Saturday. Pick you up at noon?”
“It’s a date.” She grins, then turns, leaving me standing there in the middle of the living room like a lovesick fool.
CHAPTER 15
Penelope
Cas is picking me up for our second date, and the memory of that goodnight kiss on the porch after dinner the other night has my stomach doing flips.What does he have planned for today? Last night, when he came over for dinner at the B&B after his shift, he just smirked when I asked. That sexy, knowing smirk that makes my heart leap every time.
I head downstairs, and just as I take the last step, the door opens. My mouth goes dry. Damn. He looks like a GQ model, black shirt, blue jeans that hug every muscle, black Stetson tilted low, and that wicked smirk when he sees me blush.
“Hello, Sunset.”
The nickname makes me smile.“Hi, cowboy.”
His gaze slides down my body, and the smirk softens into a devastatingly sweet, panty-melting smile. Dimples and all.
“You look…perfect.”
He pulls me into a hug, and I breathe in his scent. Safe. I feel so damn safe in his arms.
“I like you in black,” I say when I pull back.“It makes your eyes pop.”
