Page 93 of Lovestrung

I grinned down at her, loving that she was including me in her future, and opened the passenger door. Just as she was about to step in, I pulled gently on her hand. She raised her eyebrows at me.

“In case I forgot to tell you,” I murmured, “you take my breath away, Penelope Montgomery.”

Her eyes shined with tenderness. “I love that you think that, Ethan Collins. Thank you.”

“Good.” I bent to take her lips in a lazy kiss, only pulling back when I heard the hitch in her breath. “Now, let’s get going, or I’m going to succumb to temptation and take you right here against my truck.”

Eyes dark with want, she took a deep breath and turned to climb up, and my eyes zeroed in on the dress as it slid up her thighs. She planted her ass in the seat and buckled up. “Can’t give the neighbors a show, now can we?”

“No, but careful, darlin’. Keep that sass up, and I might be tempted to do just that.”

I laughed softly at the way she widened her eyes before I closed her door, walking leisurely to my side. Fuck how I loved that sass, but I loved even more when I was able to render her speechless.

“What makes you think I’d let you do that?” she asked the minute I got in my seat.

I winked at her. “Because you always let me do what I want, darlin’.”

She huffed, crossing her arms in front of her. “Maybe I just like to push your buttons once in a while.”

I leaned toward her and caught her lower lip between my teeth.

“Oh, believe me,” I growled, swiping the sting away, “I know that already. Doesn’t mean I’ll let you win.”

That got me a low giggle and she shook her head.

“You’re impossible,” she sighed. “Can we go now? I’m starving.”

I grinned and started the truck.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I began driving, deciding that if Ella did bring up Privé tonight, I’d have to be one hell of an actor and act as clueless as my girl, because the last thing I wanted was for Penelope to find out about me at a nightclub. I needed to be alone with her when I told her.

And that had to happen sooner rather than later.

* * *

“You’re telling me that there is no way for you to get in touch with the owner of this company?” Penelope shouted at Ella sitting across from her, wide eyed with her glass half raised to her lips. The night club, Clash, was packed, and I was beginning to get a headache from the loud beats of the music surrounding us. Luke being the suave entrepreneur that he was had gotten us a table in the VIP lounge on the first floor, and I had to admit it felt good being able to have a whole table to ourselves. The view to all the dancing couples below us wasn’t bad, either. The young people of Charlottesville were out having fun, taking advantage of happy hour, and the lighting, albeit bright as in any nightclub, wasn’t too harsh on the eyes.

I took a sip of my sparkling water, schooling my face into what I hoped was mild curiosity and nothing else.

Ella shook her head. “Nope. Well, unless I’m willing to pay the steep subscription fee, that is. The website doesn’t show an email address – or even a regular address – only a P.O. Box. It’s weird.”

“Hmm.” Penelope raised her glass. “That can’t be legal, can it?” she mused and leaned into my side.

“Actually, it is,” Luke butted in. “As long as there is one way of reaching them – notwithstanding perhaps a rather old-fashioned way – it doesn’t state anywhere that a company has to disclose an email address or even a phone number. Not to the public eye, anyway.”

Penelope tilted her head at him, not convinced.

“Look,” I started and smiled at Ella, “why are you so hooked up on this company? Why not choose another one to hunt down?”

Her eyes lit up with determination.

“Because I have a feeling that this one could actually turn out to be interesting. That I have an opportunity to turn this stupid assignment into something awesome instead of dreadful.” She turned her head back to Penelope. “You should take a look at their website, babe. It is elegant, sophisticated, and, yes, sexy.”

I laughed at the blush on Penelope’s cheeks.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. I don’t really watch porn.”