Page 48 of The Anaconda Downstairs

“Great,” Declan grinned. “Hey, Pen, remind me to tell you about the bedazzled jockstrap Ev got for Christmas a few years back. It’s a classic Kingman tale.”

Oh god. Older brothers were the worst. “Dec, I swear to God...”

Pen laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, I definitely need to hear this story.”

Declan chuckled and started heading upstairs. “Tomorrow, I promise. Now everybody go to fucking bed. Ev, you know what the blankets and shit are.”

Declan had to practically drag Kelsey back up the stairs, and I swear she wagged her finger at Pen. God, I hope she didn’t suspect. As their footsteps faded, Pen and I were left alone in the living room. The air between us crackled with unspoken words and barely restrained desire.

“So,” I said, taking a step closer to her. “Fancy meeting you here.”

She bit her lip, looking up at me through her lashes. “Seems like the universe wants us together tonight, one way or another.”

I reached out, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Maybe we should stop fighting the universe, then.”

Pen’s breath hitched. “We definitely should.”

In one swift motion, I picked her up into my arms princess style, capturing her lips in a searing kiss as soon as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She melted against me as she kissed me back with equal fervor.

When we finally came up for air, I rested my forehead against hers. “Want to go break in Declan’s fancy new basement?”

“Why, Mr. Kingman, is that an anaconda in your pants or…?”

Oh Jesus. “Too soon, Pen, too soon.”

BAGGASFM

PENELOPE

My heart pounded as Everett carried me down the stairs to Declan’s newly finished basement. First of all, no one had ever carried me anywhere in my entire life. And while I felt like I should be worried about him dropping me, with visions of us both tumbling down the stairs, he didn’t even grunt or waver. Not once.

I’d never felt more safe or secure.

Each step felt momentous, like I was walking towards something that would change everything. Everett’s arms around me were so warm, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin, which just juiced up the butterflies in my stomach.

We reached the bottom of the stairs, and Everett released my legs, slowly sliding me down his body. His eyes were soft and sparkling in the dim light. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

I was exhilarated, terrified, and everything in between. It had been ages since I’d let any man see me naked, much less had sex.

“Maybe if you lost some weight, I’d be more into it.”

“Leave your shirt on.”

“You’ve got plenty of cushion for the pushing I want to do to you.”

I shoved the voices away, focusing instead on Everett’s steady breathing, on the way he held me like I was something precious. This was Everett. He wasn’t like those other guys.

Everett must have sensed my nervousness because he pulled me close, resting his forehead against mine. “We don’t have to do anything. If you want to stay up all night talking, just holding each other, I’ll be happy. We’ll never do anything you’re not comfortable with, you know that, right?”

“I know,” I whispered back. “I trust you, Ev.”

He smiled, that heart-stopping smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Good. Because I’d really love to do a whole lot more than just hold you tonight.”

As if to prove his point, his hands slid down to my hips and then brushed across the bulge of my belly. I tensed instinctively, waiting for him to pull away in disgust. Dammit. I knew he wouldn’t, but while my mind wanted every dirty little thing we could do with each other, it was as if my body was running on muscle memory of all my shitty past experiences.

I didn’t want to be anxious. I meant what said. I did trust him. But the doing was a lot harder than the thinking, and that made me sad and mad.

But Everett definitely didn’t pull away in disgust. Instead, he leaned in and kissed me, slow and deep, his hands never leaving my body. When we finally broke apart, both breathless, I saw nothing but desire in his eyes.

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