Page 63 of The Penalty

The gentle hum that whispers through my body whenever she’s around picks up to a roar when she walks back in wearing a scrap of red satin and lace that hides nothing. Her heavy breasts hang loose, straining the fabric, and the fabric barely brushes the top of her thick thighs. I love that body so much.

Her lips curve up in a mischievous smile, the swaying of her hips is hypnotizing me. Making me forget all the reasons this is a bad idea. For me, yes. But mostly for her.

“Hey, there. Come here often?”

She leans in, dropping her hands to the bed beside me. My eyes are drawn to the creamy flesh displayed for me, and I reach up, needing to feel them in my hands.

I groan, and her eyes close, head tilting up to reveal the long line of her neck as I knead her breasts, brushing my thumbs over her hardened nipples.

My phone rings, shattering the moment.

I pull my hands away from her, glancing at it guiltily. It’s Beau’s ring tone.

“Ignore it. Please.” She grabs at my hands, trying to bring them back to her body.

I want to. There is nothing I want more than to rip that skimpy fabric off and explore her. Spend the rest of the night worshiping her, but I’ve got to get it. I don’t think she’d understand if I explained it to her. How important it is to answer the call. Because the one time you don’t, you might get home to find it was your last chance.

“I can’t. I’m sorry.” I hope she can read the apology in my eyes.

“Hello?”

“Hey, man. Where are you? I thought you were sulking in your room, but I got worried when you never came down. It was a rough game, but I wanted to at least touch base. Make sure you’re okay?”

The guilt that’s been riding me since I started sneaking around with Cece grips me hard, tensing my shoulders, clenching my jaw.

“Sorry. I went home with a girl.”

“A girl?” Beau sounds surprised. “Is this thing getting serious? You’ve been disappearing a lot lately. Anyone I know?”

“No.” The lie causes me physical pain.

“No, it’s not serious, or no, I don’t know her?”

“Neither. Both. It’s nothing. Just a fling.” Now I’m digging myself deeper. Cece is probably hanging every word.

“Okay. As long as you’re okay. Everyone’s pretty pissy tonight anyway, so it’s probably good you’re not here. It’ll blow over tomorrow. We’ll kill it next game.”

“For sure.”

“I’ll let you go. Just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re good. And one last thank you.”

His voice is getting a little rough around the edges, like he’s holding it together with a fraying rope.

“Thank you for what?”

“For defending my sister. And for looking after her last week. You’ve been there for her when I couldn’t, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me that I have someone I can count on to help look out for her.”

Fuck. I can’t do this. I can’t be here with her. Each word digs my well of lies deeper. How am I ever going to get out of this?

“Don’t thank me.”

“Of course I will. My sister is the only true family I have. And now you’re like a brother to me. So, thanks. Enough of this. Get back to your lady. I’m sorry for interrupting your night.”

He’s sorry. He has nothing to be sorry for.

My numb fingers can’t hold my phone anymore, and it slips to the carpeted floor with a soft thud.

“Is something wrong?” Cece sounds worried about me now too, and I don’t deserve any of it. I’m an asshole.

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