Page 44 of Holding Penalty

Bliss, pure bliss, floods my veins with her warm, soft shape pressed against me. My hands grip the small of her waist, and holding her like this feels so fucking good that I feel high. When my senses register that her firm tits are resting on my chest, hot pressure expands in my groin.

I can’t stop myself from raking my palms down the smooth fabric of her dress, tracing the curve of her hips. My palms burn, fingertips itching to press harder into her soft skin, but I restrain myself.

She lifts her head, and our eyes lock.

I want this. I want to look her in the eye, our faces close enough for our noses to brush, our bodies pressed together, with my hands on her. I want⁠—

Like a heavy foot slamming on a brake pedal, my better judgment manages to stop that train of thought.

She hops to her feet, and I immediately miss her against me.

“Sorry,” she sputters, “I can be so clumsy sometimes. Tripped over one of the Amazon boxes Hallie leaves lying around. Oh! I forgot something in her room! Be right back!”

She’s full of nervous energy as the words fly rapid-fire from her mouth, and then she’s high-tailing it out of the living room.

Did she feel that moment of contact just like I did? Was she so flustered and overheated that she needed to dash away to compose herself?

I should probably take a minute, too. Take some deep breaths to cool down the molten heat that’s still pumping through my veins.

But I don’t.

I’ve never seen Piper lose her composure like that before, and there’s a smug, satisfied feeling thrumming in my chest knowing that our first bit of full-body contact is what caused it. I follow her.

“Find what you’re looking for?” I ask, leaning in the doorjamb of her sister’s room, a taunt in my voice.

She startles, clearly expecting more time to cool down. “Yep!” she yelps, face flushed the prettiest shade of pink I’ve ever seen. I feel like I’m paying her back for all the times she’s looked smugly at me after saying something that made me blush.

“Good.” A wicked smirk slants on my lips. “Hurry up, wife. Wouldn’t want to be late for our first date.”

20

PIPER

I’ve never been to anything this fancy in my life.

The banquet is in a reception space in the fanciest hotel in Austin. The red and cream carpeted floors look like they belong in a British royal palace, and the glittering chandeliers look like they cost as much as a house in an upscale neighborhood.

I’ve had a good time so far. I met the owner of Nash’s team and his wife, and have enjoyed yapping in conversation circles with people who make more money in a year than I’ll see in a lifetime, with Nash standing stiffly by my side.

Having a hunky piece of arm-candy while sipping champagne and chatting with millionaires is something I could get used to.

Right now I’m standing a little bit apart from the action, taking some time to text my sister while Nash uses the bathroom.

HALLIE

OMG! NO WAY!

I just sent her a picture of Mike Marble, legendary lead anchor of the local Austin morning news broadcast. Even though broadcast television feels like something from the Stone Age, everyone who grew up in Austin knows Mike Marble. He’s infamous for his chemistry with his female co-anchors, who usually go on to major national jobs after a couple of years trading banter in the seat next to him.

He’s a total silver fox, too.

ME

I know, right!

HALLIE

Did you talk to him?