Shapiro
This went better than planned. Bringing her here, showing the possibilities, I’m sure is what sealed the deal. Telling her any other way could have backfired. Especially since I’ve been keeping it a secret for the past couple of weeks.
It’s not like I wanted to keep it from her, but I had to make sure my sisters weren’t going to contest it. At first, they were confused as to how Penny was able to develop a bond so quickly with Mama Ang when they had been struggling for years to compete with me for her affection.
But what can I say, I have a way with the ladies.
“Okay. I think I got pictures of everything.” Penny comes rushing from the back. A welcomed interruption.
“Great news.” I take her by the hand and lead her out. “I’ll have my guy come over and inspect the place.”
“What if it doesn’t pass?” Penny worries her bottom lip.
Digging out the keys, I begin to lock up.
“Then we find a new place.” I stuff the keys back in my pocket.
Reaching for her hand, I give it a quick squeeze before I wrap an arm around her shoulders.
“I guess …” Penny trails off as she leans into me and reaches up to hold my hand that is wrapped around her.
Together we walk back to Spotlight, talking about her dreams that are soon to be her reality when my phone pings.
Not willing to give up her connection, I reach in my pocket and pull out my phone with my free hand and swipe it to life.
“What the fuck?”
I come to a complete stop, freeing up my hands to make sure I’m seeing exactly what I’m seeing.
Fuck!
A snapshot of Penny and me in the kitchen. My head between her thighs, tasting her beautiful pussy, while Penny arches her back for me to take more. She’s throwing her head back in the pleasure I was giving her.
A message attached:
CAN I HAVE A TASTE?
“Shapiro, what’s wrong?” Penny is beside me, hand on my arm, gently caressing me to calm me down.
Did she see?
Does she know?
Turning my back, I hit the information button looking for some kind of clue as to who might have done this.
“Hey. You okay?” She wraps her arms around my waist. Letting me know she is there. Trying to comfort me the same way I have comforted her when she needed it.
Can I have a taste?
Every word stings.
Can.
I.
Have.
A.
Taste.
Rereading them adds fuel to the fire that is burning inside of me. Every violating word was like pouring gasoline on it. My fists begin to clench, my jaw tightens.
“Breathe with me …” Penny’s voice breaks through the darkness that is threatening to consume me. “Shapiro, breathe with me.” She lifts up my fist and slowly peels away my fingers removing the phone.
The phone.
The picture.
“No!” I grab the phone away from her, slamming it to the ground. The screen spider webs, cracking beyond visualization.
“Shapiro! What in the world?” She jumps back.
My eyes dart between Penny and the phone. I shouldn’t have done that, but those words didn’t leave me a choice. If she saw the two of us on that screen … everything we have worked for would have been destroyed.
Running my hands through my hair, I turn in a slow circle.
Are they watching us?
Are they here now?
“Let’s go.” I pick up the phone, ignoring the pain from the glass that is prickling my skin. I grab Penny’s arm and high-tail it out of there.
“What’s going on?” Penny digs in her heels.
“Dammit, Penny. We have to go.” I reach for her again, but she jerks away.
“You’re scaring me.” Her lips begin to tremble. “I’m not going with you like this.”
Good.
Looking up at the heavens, I blow out a frustrating breath. I’m irritated that she won’t go, but also proud.
Someone who has been through what she has shouldn’t go with a man who is acting like I am. Penny, since being with me, has become stronger. More independent. She’s thriving as the person she was determined to be.
Shaking my head left and right. I try to come up with a reason. One that isn’t a lie yet doesn’t scare her more.
I opt for the partial lie and little freak-out.
“Someone messaged me. Apparently, we are being followed.”
“What?” Her body trembles.
“It’s okay. You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.” I place my hands on either side of her face and bring her closer to where our foreheads are touching. “We will be okay.”