Page 84 of Loved

"And stop saying inappropriate stuff to my girlfriend, Rob."

Rob shrugged. "I don't think I've even said anything that inappropriate."

Seriously?I kissed Penny’s cheek and at the same time I shoved Rob's shoulder.

Rob laughed as I walked into the bedroom.

Part of me wanted to hop onto my phone and watch the security feed to see what they were talking about. But Ian would tell me if something weird happened. And I was trying to be better. I took a deep breath and forced myself to step into the shower.

***

I ran my fingers through my wet hair as I followed Rob and Penny’s voices. They were chatting by the pool table. I glanced down at the clothes on the ground that Penny and I had left there last night and smiled. "Oops," I said and wrapped my arms around Penny.

She looked up at me and laughed.

"Your girlfriend and I had lots of fun while you were in the shower," Rob said.

"What was so much fun?" I asked.

"Well, let's see. All sorts of stuff. I think we really hit it off. Especially after I gave her a proper spanking. Oh, and here's your girlfriend's bra back." Rob pulled Penny’s bra out from behind the bar and tossed it at me.

I lowered my eyebrows.I really wish I’d been watching the video footage.I knew all of that was bullshit. But Penny had probably told him she liked being spanked. And I didn’t love them talking about stuff like that together. "I guess you decided to keep being inappropriate?"

"Absolutely. Besides, if I recall correctly, you've stolen a few girlfriends from me."

Had I?

He gave me a hard stare.

I honestly didn’t remember. I shrugged. "That was a long time ago. And you weren't in love with them."

"Love? Really?" asked Rob. "I just assumed it was about the great sex. I thought that was all you really cared about?"

My whole body seemed to stiffen. Penny knew about my addiction problems, but it never made talking about stuff like this any easier. "That was also a long time ago."

"So Penny's bad in bed? I find that very hard to believe."

I laughed. "No. I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of the reason I fell in love with her."

"James." Penny lightly pushed on my chest.

"What, it's true." I put my lips up to her ear. "You're also amazing on the pool table."

Her cheeks flushed again. "You guys are super immature."

"Said the hot 20-year-old." Rob put down his empty beer bottle. "Okay, come on, James. I need to get laid before I steal your girlfriend."

"I'd really rather stay in,” I said.

"You're my wingman."

"You two should go.” Penny smiled up at me. “You'll have fun."

"Yeah, I don't know." I stared down at her. I mean, yes Rob and I would have fun. But I didn’t want to leave Penny here all alone. She’d just been crying because of her pervy professor and snapping at reporters. It hadn't exactly been a good day.

"Really. Just don't be super sleazy like your brother," Penny said.

"Hey!” said Rob. “I'm not sleazy. Horny, yes. Sleazy, no. I'll take care of your boyfriend. I won't let him do anything stupid."

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