Crown of Lies

Eyeing Penn, who’d tucked in his shirt and buttoned his blazer, I didn’t ask if he was ready before jerking the door wide and smiling so fake and big, I was sure I had sex written all over my face. “Dad! How nice to see you.”

He flinched, looking me up and down in surprise. “That’s quite a welcome, Elle.” His gaze slid past me to Penn standing in the middle of my office, a respectful distance away from me. “Ah, so Steve wasn’t lying.”

Strolling into my office, my father sniffed. “Can someone please explain to me what is going on? I’ve heard rumors of an engagement?” He turned to me, hurt blazing in his eyes. “Elle?”

Oh, no.

I fired harpoons at Penn before striding forward to sit on the couch, needing to get off my feet before my knees gave way. Sage immediately hopped onto my lap, reprimanding me with her beady little gaze. “It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think?” Dad strode forward, never taking his attention off Penn. “Wait a minute. I know you.”

Penn cleared his throat, holding his hand out in introduction. “We’ve already met. At the Weeping—”

“Willow, yes. I’m old, but I’m not senile,” Dad grumbled, shaking Penn’s grip before letting go and marching to my desk where he leaned against the edge with his arms crossed.

Just like that, he stole the position of authority, doing his best to manipulate me even though he probably wasn’t aware he’d slipped into parental mode.

All my life, he’d done this. A subtle posture, a minor head tilt. I loved him, and he loved me—and I knew he’d never do anything to hurt me—but he did control me as much with disappointment as he did with affection.

“I wasn’t saying you were.” Penn straightened his shoulders, his gaze landing on my thigh where beneath my skirt the remnants of his orgasm slicked and coated my legs.

The urge to cringe was strong. I wasn’t used to having such things left on my body after doing something not exactly permitted in an office. But there was another urge too...slightly bolder than the first. The urge to demand Penn got on his knees for a change and wipe it off.

The image of him bowed before me knotted my insides, even though I knew it would never happen. He was too in control to ever let me boss him.

“Well, someone had better start talking before I call security.” Dad narrowed his eyes at me. “You hated this guy a few nights ago, Elle. You threw your drink in his face. What the hell did I miss that he’s not only permitted into our building, but I hear from Greg and Steve that you’re engaged.” He rubbed at his chest. “I’m hurt that I found out that way. I’m even more hurt that my own daughter misled me.”

Panic gathered as I worried about his heart. Why was he rubbing his chest? Should I call a doctor? I wanted to mollycoddle him but worried that if I changed the subject to health rather than clarify this massive misunderstanding, I’d be in a lot more trouble.

I gathered my hair over my shoulder, twisting it into a rope. “You don’t have any reason to be hurt, Dad. It’s all a big mistake.”

“What do you mean?”

I stroked Sage’s warm fur. “I mean we’re not engag—”

“She means we were going to ask your permission, but unfortunately, sir, my possessive nature came out last night when Greg implied I wasn’t good enough for your daughter.” Penn strode toward me and took the spot beside me on the couch.

Sage stiffened but didn’t try to kill him for being so close.

Smoothly, like he’d rehearsed this very moment, he captured my hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. “I’m aware Elle and Mr. Robson’s son have been raised together with the understanding of one day marrying, but that is no longer an option.”

Dad’s mouth hung open. “It isn’t? Why?”

Penn gave me a sly smile, dripping with intrigue and falsehoods. “Because, with your blessing, of course, I wish to marry Noelle.”

I groaned, hanging my head. “He doesn’t mean that, Dad. It’s a game—”

Penn silenced me with a quick pinch to my hand. “She isn’t fully aware how I feel about her yet. She believes I’m ridiculous to want to marry her when we’ve only just met, but she isn’t an old romantic like we are, is she, sir?” He grinned at my father, baiting him with the tasty hook guaranteed to spark his interest.

Dad snapped it up, bait and sinker. “You believe in love at first sight?”

Penn leaned back into the couch, dragging me with him, imprisoning me with his arm over my shoulders. The move was relaxed, but his body hummed with tension I couldn’t decipher. “Absolutely. The moment you mentioned her at the bar, she sounded like my type of woman.” He turned piercing truthless eyes to me. “And the instant I saw her, the moment she gave me a vodka shower, I knew.” His free hand nudged my chin with sharp knuckles, guiding my lips to his.

Sage leaped off my lap and tore under my desk.

I tried to pull away.

I had no intention of kissing him with Dad present. But just like all the other times, he gave me no choice. His mouth caressed mine with chaste affection—the perfect recipe of truth and besotted affection to hoodwink my father.

I hated him for that.

I despised the way he lied to my last remaining flesh and blood.

Tearing my lips from his, I tried to stand, to go to my father and explain this was all a big misunderstanding and not to listen to him.