Hunter’s leaning against the wall, wearing a stylish sports jacket and tan trousers I haven’t seen on him before. He’s alsowearing those hot-as-fuck reading glasses as he checks out the brochures for the shelter I know he’s seen a thousand times already. Even though he’s probably tense about being in a room with this many people in is, he fits right in with this crowd. Leaders of big companies who are interested in giving back and doing some good. He looks up and catches my eye, sending me a saucy wink, and that warm feeling settles into my chest for the long haul.
As I dive into the heart of the presentation, detailing the vision for the shelter, something clicks. The words flow effortlessly, fueled by my excitement about the possibilities of The Open Door. I never thought I could stand before a crowd like this, let alone command it. But here I am, doing exactly that, and it feels incredible.
As I’m finishing up, I catch Hunter’s gaze, intense and proud. His lips curve in a soft smile that tells me everything I need to know.
Chapter thirty-one
Hunter
Standing at the back of the room, heart pounding in my chest like a goddamn drum solo, I watch Penn take command of this room full of multimillionaires and billionaires, leading them to exactly where he wants them. They’re eating out of his hand as he describes his vision for The Open Door. His cheeks are flushed, his eyes sparkling brighter than any damn star in the night sky.
Penn always has this way about him that makes people listen. Maybe it’s the natural consequence of how well he listens to other people, how much he makes them feel seen and heard—I don’t know. But I do know that today is something special. Today, he’s on a whole other level. It’s like he’s not just talking; he’s weaving dreams out of thin air, painting futures with his words. And people are buying it. They’re eating it up because, how could they not?
After he finishes up, several people have questions for him, which he and Martin handle smoothly, and then it’s like the floodgates open. I smile when Jesse Greenwood is the first to speak.
“Well, I don’t know about anyone else here, but I’m extremely excited about this project, and I can say with certainty that Greenwood Communications will be making a sizeable donation,” he says with that million-dollar smile that, honest to god, makes him look like George Clooney’s twin brother.
“Absolutely,” Jeff chimes in.
For the next half hour, Penn and Martin are swarmed with potential donors wanting to shake their hands and tell them personally that their companies will be making sizeable gifts to the Open Door. And it’s all because of the incredible vision Penn painted and the way he connected with every single person in the room. I’m fucking thrilled, I swear I am, but if these people don’t clear out of here soon, I’m going to lose my mind waiting to get my hands on Penn Thompson, the man of the hour.
Finally, the last handshakes have been exchanged, and the room finally quiets down some. I begin making my way up to the front of the room when Serah and Logan burst in. I know Logan was here earlier, and I have no idea where he disappeared to, but he’s back now as both he and Serah throw their arms around Penn, joined quickly by Cooper.
“Hey, superstar,” Serah giggles, her bright eyes reflecting the same kind of pride in Penn that I’m feeling. “It went amazing. Logan told me you had ’em lining up to give you their money!”
Penn smiles almost shyly. “Yeah, I’m pretty happy with how it went.”
“Dude, ‘pretty happy’?” Logan scoffs. “You should be fucking dancing on the ceiling or some shit! Did you see their faces? They fucking loved the idea. They lovedyou.” His grin is wide enough to split his face. “You nailed it, man.”
“Totally crushed it,” Cooper agrees, and the three of them pull him into another group hug.
That’s it.I’m fucking done waiting my turn; Canadian politeness instinct be damned. Every cell in my body isscreaming to get to him, to make sure he knows how incredible he is and what he does to me.
“Thanks, guys. I couldn’t—” Penn starts to say, but his words evaporate as I’m suddenly standing before him, so close I can see his chest rising and falling as his breathing quickens. His eyes widen as he looks up at me, my eyes boring into his, and for a second, everything else fades away—it’s just the two of us, wrapped up in our own world.
“Hi,” I breathe, barely a whisper.
“Hi,” he echoes, a smile tugging at his lips.
“You were...” Words fail me for a moment. How do you describe watching someone you love surpass every expectation? “…everything.”
-RECORD SCRATCH:Holy fuck.Love? Am I in love with Penn Thompson?
His cheeks flush soft pink, and it gets me right in the gut, setting off sparks of desire low in my belly. And Iknow.I know it with every cell in my body. I am absolutely, completely, one hundred percent in love with Penn Thompson.
I reach out, grabbing his waist and pulling him toward me, feeling the heat of his body through the fabric of his shirt. Cupping the back of his neck with my other hand, I tangle my fingers in his unruly, blond locks. There’s an instant where our eyes hold, something significant passing between us, and then I’m crushing my lips onto his.
The kiss sends shock waves all the way down to my toes. It’s messy and imperfect, but it’s us—it’s raw and real, and I don’t give one tiny rat’s ass who’s watching.Penn Thompson is mine. Mine.
His response is immediate and fierce, winding his arms around my neck and meeting me with equal fervor. He groans into my mouth, fisting his hands in my shirt, trying to drag me even closer. His lips part, and I sweep my tongue inside.He tastes of mint gum and adrenaline, and something else, something uniquely Penn.
We’re messy and loud, a tangle of want and need and confusion all mixed up together. It’s lighthearted but earnest. It’s serious, no-nonsense plans mixed with devil-may-care living in the moment. It’s late-night texts and early morning coffees. It’s us.
“Get a room, you two!” Cooper’s voice breaks through our bubble, but I can’t stop, won’t stop, not when Penn is kissing me back like he’s a starving man.
“Well, it’s about time,” Serah adds, her tone teasing but happy.
“Damn, finally,” Logan chimes in, chuckling.
