Not so fake love

Part 6

Early the next morning Colin blinked open his eyes. He felt heat in his chest and saw that Penelope was tucked in his arms at the centre of the bed. He inhaled her scent, he'd realised she smelt like early mornings in the summer when the flowers were most potent. He hugged her close and breathed her in. His arm was trapped under her body which was laid out over his right arm. He stayed like that for a while just enjoying the moment with the calming sound of the Italian waves slapping the side of the ship. Just then Beep Beep Beep the loud interruption of the alarm shattered the placid silence. He felt Penelope begin to stir. "Wake up Pen we're going to see an Italian sunrise." She blinked open her eyes rubbing the sleep away. He gazed at her fondly she'd always been a night person who tried to be a morning person. So while she'd be up and eagerly doing things she'd be yawning and falling back asleep. It took Pen a couple moments to realise their position.
"Oh sorry Colin! Your arm hasn't got pins and needles has it? Next time you really should just shove me off." Penelope rushed to say backing away quickly and as soon as she did Colin felt cold and somehow not whole anymore like her moving had taken some key part of him away.
Colin laughed. "Don't be silly Pen you were fine where you were." He said nervously. She smiled slowly while a pink tinge crept up her cheeks. Gosh they spent a lot of their time together blushing! Their eyes met and for a few seconds they just lost themselves in each other. Denim blue eyes met baby blue eyes and time seemed to still. Like it was just them in the bed in their cabin with the soft splashing of waves against the wood on the side of the boat.
"I'll stay where I am then." She whispered softly and warmth spread through her like sinking into a hot bath. "But we should probably get ready for the day. Daphne will want us ready for the sunrise." Together they walked over to their chest of draws and pulled out their swim wear and clothes for the day while trying not to stare at each other in their night clothes.
"I'll turn first this time." Penelope turned around and tucked her morning hair behind her ears. Colin quickly changed trying not to stare at her in those black silk pjs. He tapped her on the back and she turned gasping slightly at the sight that greeted her. Colin was in Ralph Lauren swim trunks and a buttoned down azure blue shirt with white anchors patterned across it. And Rayban sunglasses settled on his hair. "You can stop staring now Pen." He teased, and he felt satisfied when a blush crept up her cheeks. But he wasn't cocky for long.
"Ok you turn now. We may be girlfriend and boyfriend but your not allowed to see me change." He turned around and waited for her to finish changing she tapped his shoulder and his breath was practically stolen from him. Pen was dressed in a hunter green floaty dress that accentuated her curves. Once he got his mind back in order he decided to tease her a bit.
"No fair you saw my swim wear. Why can't I see yours?" His eyes flicked up and down her figure, she blinked at his brashness. But realising he was teasing her she decided to play along.
"Can't you wait till we reach the beach?" She sung lightly. He playfully shook his head. "Oh fine!" She stepped back and watched as his eyes widened as she peeled off the dress to reveal the bikini underneath covered in stencils of green palm leaves. She watched as his mouth dropped in shock. "I thought you wanted to see what I was wearing?" She said innocently. Colin just kept staring at her like he was transfixed and he was.

She looked stunning.

No other woman he had ever seen compared to her in this moment. I mean she had always been beautiful. You couldn't be friends with a woman like Penelope and not admit that. But never before had the fact glared him so strongly in the face. Every curve, every line, every edge made his mouth water. "You look..." he breathed. She laughed that musical laugh that made his whole world light up around him. "You look breathtaking Pen. You'll put the bride to shame!" He laughed grabbing her and spinning her round. She blinked in surprise, he was acting like they were actually dating. Unless did he want that for them? If he asked her what would she say? She had been in love with him for as long as she could remember but he'd friend-zoned her so resolutely she had begun to move on. And... she had. She had moved on. She'd built a career that she could be proud of, she'd dated her fair share of men and a few women; she felt her heart had been mended by it all. So what would she say? She honestly didn't know. Anyway she was being silly this was probably all in her head anyway. Colin Bridgerton would never like her like that. It was wishful thinking about a first love she had let go off but being in his presence and acting like they were romantically involved had messed with her point of view. She was seeing things that weren't there. Colin Bridgerton would not, could not like her like that. They were friends. Just friends helping each other out. He was acting so affectionate to make a point to his ex. He wants to scare off a clingy ex that bothered him so of course he was acting loving towards her. She couldn't blast it out of proportion like she was doing. Her feelings were getting in the way of her mind.

Meanwhile Colin was still staring at her even as she pulled back on the dress he watched the fabric slip over her like liquid. She was enchanting. She was enticing. She was... everything. All he wanted now was to go from fake girlfriend and boyfriend to real girlfriend and boyfriend. Heck he was pretty sure he wanted her as a wife! How had he never seen it before? She was not just beautiful on the outside but her personality was perfect as well. She had always been there, always able to make him laugh. She had been the one to make him feel appreciated when he wanted to talk about his travels. Her eyes would light up and she would clearly be listening. Unlike his family who would sigh and tap their feet wishing he would hurry up. But not her. She had listened. She had become invested. She restored his sense of self.

Wow.

He loved Penelope Featherington.