“You don’t seem into it. I must confess, I only suggested watching something because…I didn’t want to leave.”
Penelope smiled. “I didn’t want you to go either.”
Lucia pushed a strand of hair behind Penelope’s ear. “What do you want?”
She gritted her jaw. “Something I shouldn’t.”
“Hmm. What you gonna do about that?”
Penelope balled her hand into a fist to keep from trembling when Lucia’s intense gaze almost burned her.
Lucia just sat there, so calm and steady, holding Penelope’s gaze with endless patience, clear she’d not make a move.
It had to be Penelope’s choice. After all,shewas the one who kept saying she shouldn’t, how this was wrong—that they were over before they’d even begun.
She was a hypocrite because while her mind agreed with these assessments, her heart ached and her body burned for this kind, talented, funny, and beautiful woman who didn’t just bring joy and warmth into Penelope’s life: she offered comfort.
Her body betrayed her long before her words did—leaning closer, pulse hammering, breath shallow.
When “Please kiss me” finally slipped out, it wasn’t a choice at all but the inevitable spill of pressure that had been building since that time on Francesca’s balcony.
Lucia’s soft smile slipped, replaced by something fierce and reverent.
The way she looked at her—God—Penelope didn’t think anyone had ever looked at her with such naked longing before. She shivered.
Lucia’s fingers skimmed Penelope’s cheek, light, reverent, asking. She leaned in slowly, so damn slowly, Penelope almost snapped and yanked her close until the distance melted away.
A gasp escaped Penelope when Lucia’s lips found hers, soft, a gentle return that deepened in an instant.
Lucia gripped Penelope’s arm and tugged her closer.
Penelope followed, and pressing into the kiss, she licked into Lucia’s hot mouth, sucking at her tongue as heat flooded her veins.
God, yes.
Penelope’s thoughts stilled, lost in Lucia’s nearness, her taste, her scent.
She caught Lucia’s hand and guided it to her breast, a broken sound slipping past her lips. She drew back a fraction, mouthing, “Touch me.”
Lucia’s breathing hitched, and she claimed Penelope’s lips again, closing the distance and drawing her thumb over a stiffening nipple.
Arousal coiled low in Penelope’s belly.
Shifting, Lucia trailed her hand down Penelope’s torso and slipped quick fingers under her blouse. She scratched up Penelope’s quivering stomach before encasing her breast with her hand.
Penelope deepened their kiss, cupping Lucia’s face.
Lucia pulled down one side of Penelope’s bra, tracing her fingertips over a stiff nipple and rolling it between her fingers.
Penelope’s hips jerked forward as a soft moan spilled from her lips.
Their kisses intensified until Lucia’s hands traced back down to the waistband of her pants. She stopped, her fingers tapping along the fabric.
“Is this OK?”
Penelope could only nod, but her body was once more moving faster, and she took hold of Lucia’s hand to guide it beneath her linen slacks.
Lucia panted.
