The Blogger and the Hunk (19 page)

Bryan looked at her, smiling triumphantly. Then he slightly leaned toward her, probably to make sure he had a good look at her face. “I dare you to kiss Jack.”

“Never mind, I don’t want to play anymore,” she replied, starting to get up again.

“Oh come on, this is just a game, Penny,” Celeste said, exasperated.

Penelope wanted to flee. It was easy for her sister to brush a kiss off. She had the secure love Bryan gave her. Penelope didn’t have that. A simple kiss with the man she loved could break her. Everyone else was waiting patiently, wondering if she would go in for the kill.

“Nick’s here. I can’t do it,” she said in an attempt to get out of the dare.

“By all means, complete the dare. I don’t mind,” Nick replied easily.

“But Amanda’s here, too. She wouldn’t like it if I were to—”

“I’m fine with this, too. Jack’s a big boy. He can do what he wants,” Amanda interrupted.

Penelope huffed nervously and looked straight at Jack. The sooner she went through with it, the sooner she could go hide in her room behind a book.

“Get up,” she commanded. There was a light in his eyes that intensified with her words.

He slowly stood and walked toward the center of the circle. “Try not to enjoy this too much,” he whispered when he was close enough to her.

“Shut up,” Penelope snapped as she pulled him by the collar of his T-shirt until their lips met.

* * *

J
ack could vaguely hear a few whistles and catcalls from the others. All he could really focus on was Penelope’s lips pressed against his. His body naturally reacted to her touch, as if it couldn’t get enough of her. Their tongues tangled together in a steady motion. Then it all ended. Penelope pulled away from him first, gasping for breath.

Thank God
, he thought.
At least I’m not the only one reacting.

To his dismay, he had to remind himself how to walk and sit back down on the floor. He quickly started going through math problems in his head. It would’ve been very embarrassing if anyone were to notice Little Jack waking up. There was an awkward silence that took over for a few moments before Penelope decided to call it a night and left the room. Nick left right behind her.

“I’m actually a bit tired too. Want to go to bed, baby?” Celeste asked suggestively, running her fingers through Bryan’s hair.

Jack wished he hadn’t seen the heat in their gazes, but he wasn’t lucky enough and it left a bad taste in his mouth. He had to admit he was envious of them. They had figured love out, weren’t afraid of their feelings and let the world know of their attraction for each other. They went, and he was left sitting next to Amanda.

“You really like her, don’t you?” she whispered, a hint of a smile on her lips.

Jack turned to look at her sharply. “Who told you that lie?”

She chuckled softly. “The man doth protest too much. I could be standing a mile away, and I’d still be able to feel the heat radiating between the two of you,” she teased. “But what I keep wondering is why the reluctance to accept the inevitable.”

Jack looked straight at her, not knowing how to respond.

“I realize I’m merely a distraction for you,” Amanda continued. “Though, I know you never intended for me to be one.”

“A distraction? Look, I may not be the nicest guy, but I’m not heartless. I don’t play with people I care about. You of all people should know that,” he angrily replied.

“And I do. I just can’t help but notice how miserable you are not being with her.”

“She’s not even my type,” Jack muttered, mindlessly stirring his almost-full glass of wine. Alcohol couldn’t help him forget the jealousy raging through his veins. It was uncharted territory, something he’d never felt before. Yet every time he saw Penelope with Nick, he found himself unable to look away. He clenched his jaw, and his cock tingled with the memory of her touch.

Shit. He was in love with her. He wanted and desired every part of her, every one of her perfect imperfections.

“Okay, so maybe my feelings for her run a little deep. Doesn’t change the fact that she hates me. Who’s to say she’ll even believe me if I ever decide to confess?” he worried, distractedly looking into the fireplace.

“You just leave that to me.” Amanda winked.

“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Jack’s eyes narrowed.

“I just never thought I’d ever see you turned inside out by a woman. And don’t get me wrong, Penelope is pretty, she’s just not your—”

“Type. I know. That’s why I’ve been so confused about all of this. She’s just different, and God help me, I like it.”

“Well, I’ll do what I can,” Amanda promised, putting her arm around Jack and pulling him close for a friendly hug. Jack placed his arm around her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just... left my blanket in here.” Penelope scrambled inside the living room and grabbed the throw from the chair in the corner of the room. As soon as she had it in her hand, she quickly ran out, as if the flames from the fireplace were chasing after her.

Jack let out a soft curse and pulled away from Amanda.

“So, she might have misinterpreted what she just saw. Starting tomorrow, I’ll make sure to arrange it so the two of you can talk, and she’ll fall so in love with you she won’t even know what hit her. Just remember to be honest with her and yourself about your feelings.” Amanda smiled, making him feel slightly better.

Jack could only hope.

W
hy can’t I forget about him? I turn around and he’s always there. I can’t hide from it anymore. I love him. I don’t know when. I don’t know how. I guess I just wasn’t strong enough to have a no-strings relationship. I should’ve seen this coming, but I didn’t. Now it’s killing me inside knowing that I love him, but he will never reciprocate.

DIARY OF A WALLFLOWER: Entry 185

The first rays of sunlight came in through the lace curtains.

“Too late, sun. I’m already awake,” Penelope muttered, looking out the balcony sliding doors. She hadn’t been able to sleep, tossing and turning on the king-sized bed while Nick dreamed. He’d slept like a baby, a small smile adorning his face. Oh, how she envied the bastard. Every time she closed her eyes, green eyes stared back at her, caressing every inch of her body without so much as touching her. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t get Jack out of her head.

“That’s what you get for fornicating,” she chastised herself. Last night’s kiss hadn’t helped matters any, although she was almost certain Jack had responded very enthusiastically. She could’ve sworn she’d felt him harden as she pressed herself against him. She’d purposely pulled away quickly in order to leave him wanting more. She discovered her plan was useless when she’d gone back down to the living room and found him gently caressing Amanda, kissing her forehead like a man in love.

Her heart had broken once again into smaller pieces. Penelope didn’t think she could handle any more heartache. She was glad the wedding was only a week away, and then everything would go back to how it was before. She could pretend she’d never met Jack, never experienced the many firsts he’d given her, and potentially forget she’d ever fallen in love with him.

Yes, she was determined to let it all go, for the sake of her sanity.

“What’s got you thinking so much?” a fresh-looking Nick asked her. He looked smug as he stretched his arms over his head, a silly satisfied smile on his face.

Penelope merely shrugged at his question.

“Well, last night was a success. Wouldn’t you agree?” he asked, getting up from the bed and nonchalantly scratching his toned belly.

“Nick, could you please put a shirt on? You’re making me a bit uncomfortable,” she confessed, looking straight at Nick’s pecs. “How the hell did you get those? Last time I saw you, you were pretty flat. Are they even real?” she asked, distracted by his chest.

“Do you want to touch? The first is free. Any more and I charge for each one,” he joked.

Penelope scoffed halfheartedly, slapping his upper chest. She felt the tightness of muscles and curiously brushed her hands over his skin, feeling the hardness of the contours that made his chest. Her touch was purely impersonal, but if anyone were to see them in such a position, they would think otherwise.

“Penny, breakfast is ready if you want—” Celeste’s sentence died as she knocked on the door and pushed it open to reveal them inside. Behind her, a startled Jack looked over her shoulder, a toothbrush in his hand, no doubt on his way to the bathroom.

It took Penelope a few seconds to realize what had them in a state of shock. She and a shirtless Nick were standing very close to each other as her hand was gliding along the guy’s chest. She immediately snatched her hand away and turned her complete attention toward her sister, who was already giving her an all-knowing look and an encouraging movement of her eyebrows.

“Glad we stopped you guys just in time, or you would’ve missed out on some good
huevos rancheros
... although, Penny was getting a head start.” The puns were cringeworthy and all Penelope could do was stand with her arms crossed.

“We’ll be down in a few minutes,” Nick assured as he threw his arm around Penelope. She was too humiliated to respond, engaged in a staring contest with Jack.

What a complete mess
, she thought.

Once the bedroom door was closed, Nick turned to look at Penelope, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Did you get a good look at your boyfriend’s face? He looked like he wanted to pummel me.” Nick laughed, grabbing a T-shirt from one of the dressers then putting it back. “Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving!” He opened the door and waited for her to walk out. As if on cue, his stomach began to growl.

“Umm, aren’t you going to put a shirt on?” she asked as she pointedly looked at his naked chest.

“Naw. Let Jackie marinate in his jealousy just a little longer.” He smiled.

Penelope sighed. “You go on. I’ll meet up with you in a bit.” She watched him shrug, turn around, and walk down the stairs, whistling as he did. “And so the day begins.”

She took a few breaths, taking the time to calm herself before following him down the steps to the kitchen, where everyone was already sitting around the table, all still in their PJs.

“Good morning. Didn’t think you’d still be hungry, since you already ate—or so I heard.” Bryan winked while drinking his coffee.

Penelope felt her face heat up, but she focused on serving herself a glass of orange juice.

“Everybody have a good night’s sleep, or lack of sleep for some?” Celeste smiled slyly toward Nick and Penelope.

“I’ve never slept more like a baby in my life,” Nick confessed, oblivious to the hidden meaning in Celeste’s words.

“She wore you out that bad, eh?” Bryan added teasingly.

“So! What are we doing today? Skinny-dipping in the freezing lake? Strip poker in forty-degree weather?”

Everyone laughed at Jack’s joke, save for Penelope. She was too busy second-guessing her agreement to come on the blasted trip. It was only her first morning, yet she was ready to leave. She contemplated making an excuse and taking the first taxi out of there.

“Hello! Earth to Penny!” Celeste waved her hand in front of Penelope’s nose. “Man, he must’ve done a number on you, huh?”

Penelope looked up to see everyone had finished eating and left the table. “Who?” she asked, distracted.

“Are you okay? You’ve been extremely distracted lately. What happened last night with you and Nick? You guys looked really close this morning.” She wagged her eyebrows.

“Celeste, really. This morning was not what it looked like.”

“Okay,” she replied, obviously not convinced. She got up from the table. Penelope remained in her seat. “What? You’re not going to change?”

“Where are we going?” Penelope asked, confused.

“Geez, you really didn’t listen to a thing anyone said. We’re going hiking up the Mount Jallac Trail.”

“Walking? I don’t exercise, you know this.”

“Oh, stop being such a baby! It’ll be fun, I promise. Just go put on some sweatpants, running shoes, and somewhat thick sweater,” Celeste commanded, playfully swatting Penelope’s bottom as she walked past her.

* * *

“C
ome on, Jack! Don’t stay too far behind,” Amanda called back to him.

“I’m coming,” he responded. “Just had to tie my shoe,” he lied. In truth, he was attempting to keep a close eye on Penelope and Nick. He was making sure they didn’t go out of his sight. He was close enough to them to be able to hear what they were talking about. He just hoped he didn’t listen in to some dirty talk.

“How’s your grandma doing?” Penelope asked.

“She’s fine. Getting better. She keeps asking when our wedding is taking place.”

Jack stumbled and missed his footing, twisting his ankle in the process. He fell to the ground with a loud grunt.

“Jack, you okay?” Penelope ran toward him, helping him stand. Pain shot through his ankle.

“I’m okay. Just need to walk it off a little.” Jack tried prying himself from Penelope’s hold. He didn’t want to look like he couldn’t get over a little pain. Just as he was about to find his balance, he lost his footing again and felt himself crashing down, this time pulling Penelope down with him. Luckily, he broke her fall as she fell right on top of him. Penelope gasped, their bodies flush against each other. Jack grunted as he began to move, trying his best not to put any pressure on his sprained ankle.

“Sorry, I’ll get off you now.” Penelope tried to stand.

“Wait, wait. Hold on.” Jack tried holding her down, keeping her from wiggling her way around him. Despite the pain, he was starting to feel his cock harden at the sensation of Penelope’s body brushing against his. His body responded to the familiarity of her touch through their layers of clothing.

It was when Penelope’s hand accidentally brushed his hardening dick that she stopped moving, gasping out loud. Her mouth formed an O and her eyes were wide as she stared down at Jack in surprise.

Try saying that I don’t care now.

“Would you like to stand up now, slowly?” he asked through clenched teeth.