I wanted to scoop Penny up, take her to my bed, and claim her as mine.
I spent the entire evening obsessing over Penny. I wanted her to stay after the party ended and finish what I had started. Like a ghost, she haunted my thoughts. But she didn’t strike terror, just plain lust.
* * *
My brothers didn't seemany the worse for wear the next morning. I fed them a savory breakfast—they had had enough sugar—then sent them outside to finish cleaning up and to catch one of the chickens that had wandered off.
I went up to the home office to catch up on work I had neglected due to Penny and party planning. Mace and Adrian were there as well, discussing the property situation for Thalian Biotech. I forced myself to concentrate on the task before me.
Several hours later, Archer threw open the door and announced, "They found the chicken!"
"Fine."
"You don’t sound excited," he said, flopping down on the carpet.
"Well, Penny was wearing that outfit yesterday. I think he's frustrated," Adrian joked then gulped when I turned a cold stare in his direction.
"Don’t forget," I told him. "You are still on my shit list. I have a ledger for each of you, and yours, Adrian, is bleeding red."
"Your pants were incredibly tight," Archer said, taking a broken cookie out of his pocket and sprinkling crumbs and sugar all over the carpet.
"I am trying to do business here," I snapped at him. "You all spend money like water, especially you, Archer. According to Mike, your conference center is hemorrhaging money, and I need to bring it under control."
"Dude, seriously, Mike exaggerates. Also, who had a truckload of pumpkins delivered just the other day?"
"Pumpkins are surprisingly cheap," I told him.
"Still, what are we going to do with them?" Mace said.
"Penny has several more Halloween events planned," I said. "I'm sure she has other uses for the pumpkins."
"Ah, young Halloween love!" Archer said, tossing a piece of the cookie into his mouth.
"I hope you're going to take Penny out on a nice date," Mace said with a frown. "She’s a normal human being. It's shocking you managed to find someone nice who can also tolerate you."
"Not that shocking considering that you found Josie," I retorted. "Besides, we've gone out."
"To the corn maze and to Hazel’s restaurant," Archer countered. "Up your game, Garrett. Take her out tonight."
* * *
I knew what Penny liked—well,not like that. But I would. No, I meant I knew she liked Halloween. I had the perfect date idea.
Garrett:Go out with me tonight.
Penny:You mean come pick you up to take you out lol!
Garrett:Right. Please keep reminding me that I have no license. I feel like a fourteen-year-old again.
Penny:You sure didn't look fourteen in that Mr. Darcy costume. *wink emoji*
Penny:Where are we going?
Garrett:A surprise
Penny:Am I supposed to drive with my eyes closed? What should I wear?
Garrett:Something normal.
