Page 61 of Rival Season
I inhale a shaky breath as a soft knock echoes against my bedroom door. My spine straightens. “I’m busy, Chadwick.”
He’s been on the living room sofa all day playing video games and knocking on my bedroom door every half hour to ask what I’m doing.
“It’s not Chadwick,” a deep voice filters through the closed door and wraps around me like a warm, fluffy blanket. A smile instantly tugs on my lips, and I cross the room and open the door, momentarily forgetting my existential crisis about my clothes.
Penn stands outside my bedroom, hands in his jean pockets, black long sleeve tee hugging his muscular frame, and a smirk lifting his full mouth. My heart stutters inside my chest.
“Penn, hey.” I smile. “Happy birthday.”
His eyes widen as they slowly drop down my body, lingering on my exposed stomach and then my thighs.Oh right, I’m wearing next to nothing, now I remember.
“Whoa, Bubbles. Damn.” He whistles, removing his hands from his pockets and running one palm down his face. “I’m…wow.”
I cross my arms, trying to look sassy instead of self-conscious, but probably failing. “This might be the first time I’ve ever seen you at a loss for words, Playboy.”
“You look incredible,” he says, still looking at my stomach. There’s a heat in his blue gaze that has my heart picking up speed.
“Well, I had to dress up for my man’s birthday party,” I joke, attempting a smile.
He finally looks up at my face, and his expression can only be described as dumbfounded.
“Best. Birthday. Ever.”
I laugh at the goofy look on his face, all my worries melting away now that I’m back in his warm, steady, presence. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Go where?” he teases.
I shake my head, unable to hide my smile.
Penn snakes a hand around my waist, his fingers sliding against the sliver of bare skin there. His hand is warm and rough and has the hair on the back of my neck standing at attention.
We pass through the living room, and Chadwick is at the kitchen sink washing his dishes—that’s a first. He never did bring up the dishes we stacked in his bed last week…but maybe he actually learned something. He does a double take when he sees me.
“Hazel, what are you wearing?” A mug slips from Chadwick’s soapy hands and clangs against the sink. “You cannot wear that in public.”
Penn’s hand tightens on my waist. “She’s a grown adult and can wear whatever the hell she wants to.” He leans in and kisses my temple. “Besides, it’s my birthday, and I like that she dressed up for me.”
Oh, he’s really laying it on thick. I roll my lips together to keep from laughing.
“Don’t wait up,” I call to Chadwick over my shoulder as Penn leads me out the front door.
As soon as the door closes behind us, we both start snickering. “You should’ve seen the way his jaw dropped when you said that.”
I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t really care. Let’s forget about Chadwick and just have fun celebrating your birthday tonight, okay?”
Penn holds my gaze. “Sounds good.”
We ride the elevator upstairs and walk into the loft, which is bustling with music, dancing, and laughter. Ally, Noah, and Fisher spot us and make their way over.
“There you guys are!” Fisher has two of the maple syrup cocktails in his hands. “Here’s your signature drink, the Canadian Stallion. Courtesy of Hazel.”
Penn takes it and lifts it to his mouth for a drink. When he pulls it away his tongue dips out to lick his bottom lip, and my mind drifts to what it would be like to kiss him, like really kiss him. Not a quick smooch for the cameras but slow and decadent, tasting and savoring…
“Mmm,” he hums. “This is damn good.”
Fisher hands me the other drink, and I take a sip. It’s dangerously delicious, the kind of drink that would have you drunk and dancing on a table before you could sayO Canada.
Penn downs the rest of his cocktail, and I follow suit, because I honestly need some liquid courage to get through a party wearing this outfit. Fisher must’ve made the drinks strong, because I’m already feeling relaxed after only one. Which is good, because I want to enjoy my evening with Penn and leave all my worries and responsibilities for tomorrow—for once.
