Page 20 of Insatiable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower 1)
My phone bings. It’s Dalton.
Spend tomorrow with me.
I hug the phone to my chest. As far as signs go, it isn’t definitive. He didn’t declare anything, or claim he’d had an epiphany. He simply wants to see me.
I remember what I said to him about people not being able to prove his theory about them wrong if he never gives them a chance to. I could decide right now Dalton and I are too different to ever work out, but how is that different from him closing everyone out of his life?
Coming to the Bachelor Tower was about proving to my sister that I am not who she thinks I am. It has become a learning experience for me as well. I’m more than I thought I was. I don’t want to make decisions based on old rules or out of fear. I want to be brave and bold, like Kylie, but in my own way.
Dalton might break my heart. Is he worth the risk? Maybe, if we take it slowly.
I text him my answer. Yes.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Dalton
A week later, I turn off my office computer at five o’clock sharp. I promised Penny I’d accompany her to the Fundraiser for Humanity, and forcing myself to stay later wouldn’t mean I’d get more work done. I finished what I needed to, and I’m too distracted to start something new—not while I know Penny is waiting for me.
If anyone had told me I would spend this much time with a woman without fucking her, and not be a miserable bastard, I would have said they were crazy. Penny is slowly challenging everything I thought I knew about myself. I don’t enjoy walks in the park, but the one we went on earlier in the week left me feeling oddly refreshed. I consider going to the movies a waste of time, but I have to admit the surprise ending of the thriller we went to see made me want to see the movie again. I definitely don’t sip on wine and stare at famous paintings, trying to figure out what sets them apart from every other painting in the world, but if Penny asked me to go to another museum with her I’d say yes. I enjoyed seeing which artwork Penny and I agreed on and others where we found no common ground.
The last week with Penny was good—so good it scares me. I don’t look at other women when I’m with her. Worse, I don’t look at them when I’m not with her. Ever since she asked me for one kiss and no more, it’s what I have given her each night. It’s slowly killing me and eating away my desire to do anything but follow her around. I’d end the whole thing right now if it didn’t feel so fucking good to be with her.
As I head to my car, images of Penny goad me to hasten my step. I love the way her face lights up when she sees me. I love how easy sexual banter has become between us even though we haven’t taken it further. The biggest turn on for me now is when I know something turns her on. I can’t get enough of that.
I also love to make her laugh.
Hear her voice.
Feel any part of her on any part of me.
Call me insatiable.
I make short time of my drive home. I shower and dress with efficient, impatient speed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Penny
“I honestly thought there wasn’t a bone in my body that was caught up in the princess nonsense.” This dress is like wearing a cloud. The chiffon, the tulle, it’s all huge, yet somehow it feels weightless. The dark mauve color is perfect for the gala and matches the accessories on Dalton’s tuxedo. Put a tiara on my head and I might break out in song and get little woodland creatures to follow me around.
“You look stunning.” Dalton laughs as his hand lands on the small of my back. “Who knew all it would take for you to fit into my world was a shower?”
“You’ll pay for that.”
“I hope it involves restraints. Please let it involve restraints.”
I knock my elbow into his ribs, but my cheeks warm. The sexual tension I felt for Dalton since the first time I met him is still there, but it has deepened. We’ve added a layer of friendship onto what we have, and being near him makes me feel good, body and soul.
“That dress was made for you.” Dalton gestures to the twinkling lights above our heads and spins me in his arms “And you were made for this.”
“Do you know all these people?” I’m still in his arms, pressed against his body as he stares deep in my eyes.
“What other people?” Dalton whispers and my heart thuds so hard against my ribs I wonder if the whole room can hear it.
“Dalton,” a chubby-faced man with suspenders and a ridiculous bow tie announces as he slaps him on the back. “You never show up to these things.”
“Mr. Cannington,” Dalton says, his hold on me loosening. “Some things are worth leaving the office for.”
“That’s not what I hear about you,” Mr. Cannington says, wiggling his overgrown brows at us. “A real go-getter. Just about every other person I run into tells me I should speak with you.”
“I’d love to chat,” Dalton says, then looks at me. He looks torn. “I think we have some real continuity in our business models to find mutually beneficial opportunities.”
“I agree.” Mr. Cannington nods. “But I don’t want to take you away from your lovely date this evening.” He holds out his hand for me to shake. “Miss—”
“Penelope Fuller,” I provide and shake his hand.
Dalton tenses at my side. He doesn’t think I understand what needs to be done in this moment. If I stand here doe-eyed and dumb, he’ll have to agree with Mr. Cannington, and they’ll miss their chance to talk. A less secure woman would do just that.
I want Dalton to make this connection. He graciously went everywhere I dragged him this past week. The least I can do is help him now. I know what it can mean for him. “I actually have some ladies over by the bar I promised to chat with.” I grin graciously. “It’s me you’ll have to excuse.”
“No problem at all.” Mr. Cannington beams with a tiny bow in my direction. Dalton however can’t seem to let me go completely. He masks the shock and relief on his face, but I can still read it in his eyes. He’s impressed. For some reason that matters to me. He holds me just another second and brushes a gentle kiss against my cheek.
“We won’t be long,” he promises.
I smile. “I might be plenty long myself. You know how women can get when they start talking.” My joke is made much funnier by the fact that I know no one at this party, and I only intend to go hide somewhere until they’re done. But Mr. Cannington is none the wiser as he laughs and waves me off.
I watch Dalton break right into a conversation about business, and his whole demeanor changes. He’s animated and excited as I hear terms like long-term acquisition and year-over-year growth pass between them. I recognize this enthusiasm as the same I always see in Kylie when she gets into the nitty-gritty of a business conversation.
I slip away to another small room where I find stacked champagne glasses towering more than two feet over my head. I flash with the anxiety of being the klutz who bumps the table and sends it crashing down. Note to self: stay away from that side of the room.
“That’s a lovely dress,” a woman says as she touches my shoulder and looks me over as though I might be up for auction later. “I haven’t seen you here before. What is your name?” Her hair is pulled so tightly it’s tugging back the corners of her eyes and her dress is so formfitting I can count her ribs.
“My name is Penny. Penelope Fuller.”
“I’m Darling Mewly.”
I nod as though that is a name anyone should actually have and shake her dainty ice-cold hand when she extends it.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Is your sister Kylie Fuller?” Darling asks as she scrutinizes my features. “Your mother is Elizabeth?”
“Yes,” I gulp out, feeling suddenly like the lights have been turned up, and they’re all pointing at me.
“Wow, what a pedigree you have,” Darling gasps. “I thought you were arm candy for one of these womanizing bastards. But you are a Fuller. A force in the business world.”
“They are,” I say. “I, on the other hand, don’t
exactly stack up to their reputations.”
“A late bloomer.” Darling waves off my self-assessment. “Can’t have that fierce blood in your veins and not end up demolishing a competitor’s company.”
“The only thing I demolish is a giant slice of cake.” I laugh but Darling only meets me with a weak smile.
“So then you are here with someone?”
“Yes.” I gesture over my shoulder to where I left Dalton animatedly chatting. “Dalton Croft.”
“Tonight,” she says, raising her brows high. “Really?”
I let out a nervous laugh.
“You want some champagne, dear?” Darling asks as she points to the tower of glasses.
“No, thank you.”
“Some advice?” Before I have a chance to refuse that as well, she adds, “I’ve never seen Dalton with the same woman twice. He’s the king of the one-night stand, if you know what I mean.”
“We’re actually seeing each other.” I blurt the words out half in defense of him and half of myself. I’m not a one-night stand for him.
“Wow,” Darling says. “Think you can tame the beast? I’m impressed, but then you are a Fuller.”
“I . . .” I stutter.
