Page 66 of Devoured

"Or I guess they could have just been surprised that you finally had a boyfriend after all these years."

"Shut up and kiss me."

I laughed and placed a kiss against her lips. "I like that I'm your first boyfriend, Penny."

"And I like that you're my first boyfriend. I feel like we're a normal couple right now. It's refreshing."

"Do normal couples usually hang out in hospitals?"

"No. Can we go back to your place now?"

I thought you’d never ask."Yes." I picked her up in my arms.

She laughed. I’d forgotten what her laughter sounded like. I was so tired of making her cry. We’d fought so much. And I just wanted to make her laugh again and again.

"You don't need to carry me,” she said. “My legs work fine."

"I know." I pulled her tighter to my chest. "I want to."

She rested her head against my chest. "You smell really good. Have I ever told you that?"

"No, you haven't." I carried her into the elevator and hit the button with my elbow.

"You can put me down if you need to."

"I don't need to." The elevator doors opened and I stepped out onto the main floor. I carried her through the entrance, but paused when I saw the rain. I slowly set her down on her feet. "I'll pull the car up."

"I like the rain."

"Yeah, you're not getting a cold on top of everything else. I promised your parents I'd take care of you." I pulled my hood up and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I'll be right back."

I ran into the rain. Penny was right. The rain felt like…us. I hoped that I never had to be apart from her during another rainstorm. By the time I reached my car I was soaked. I climbed in, slammed the door, and started the engine.

The autumn air had really settled in too. I turned on the heat and drove toward Penny. I pulled under the veranda, quickly got out, and opened the door for her.

"You're really handsome,” she said.

"Get in the car, Penny."

"You love bossing me around."

"I like when you listen to me."

"I know." She slid into the car and I closed the door behind her.

When I got back in the car, I unzipped my wet hoodie and threw it into the back seat. I smiled when Penny’s eyes immediately fell to my abs.

I turned the heat up even higher and pointed one of the vents at her. I waited for her to buckle her seatbelt, and then I sped off.

Once we were on the highway I took a deep breath. I hoped that we never had to step into another hospital again anytime soon. I put my hand on the center console, palm up. She immediately slid her hand into mine.

We were going to be okay. I’d told her about Isabella and she was still staring at me with stars in her eyes. I tried to focus on the road. I just hoped she still looked at me like that after I told her the rest.

Chapter 17

Sunday

I pressed my foot down harder on the gas as I thought about the conversation I needed to have with Penny. About the kind of man I was.

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