HEALING THE SCARS

CHAPTER 38

PENELOPE

I finish the paperwork and rest in my office. It's 11:50 a.m., and I still have some time to do one or two things before Joey, Mabel, and Dylan arrive. I've had a little too much coffee and really need to use the washroom. Afterward, I check in on my employees. When I'm done, Eliot, my head of staff, calls me.

"Hey, Penelope, you have a visitor in your office."

"What? Who?"

"That man who came by a few days ago."

Has Dylan already arrived? Why is he here earlier than the others? I really don't want to be alone with him.

"He actually bought a latte and paid 1000 dollars cash for it," Eliot adds.

"What? Oh my god. Thanks, Eliot. Let me go talk to him."

Of course, it's so classic of Dylan to buy something at an outrageous price for no reason. A freaking latte for a thousand dollars? What's wrong with him? That latte only costs like twenty dollars for a large cup. I go to the cashier, get the money, and head to my office to return it to Dylan. Does he think I need his money? That I'm some kind of charity case? Wow, classic Dylan, so typical of him. I'll let him know that I have more than enough money to take care of me and my two boys. I storm into my office and find Dylan looking around.

"What are you doing here so early? We agreed the meeting would start at two p.m. You should leave and come back then. And take your money. That coffee is only sixteen dollars. We don't need this kind of money from you," I say, throwing the money on the desk. He's standing across the desk from me, just silently staring. What is he looking at? He's starting to make me uncomfortable.

"Stop looking at me, take your money, and leave, please. You can come back when Mabel and Joey arrive," I say.

"What are you so afraid of?" he asks, still staring into my eyes.

"What?" I ask. What's he trying to get at?

"Stop staring at me like that, Dylan," I say, feeling my lips dry up. I lick them.

"I asked you what you are so afraid of."

"I'm not afraid of anything. Don't ask me that question because it's stupid. Please leave," I say. He starts walking toward me, and we just stare into each other's eyes.

"Something tells me you're afraid of being alone with me. What's the worst that could happen?" he says, still moving closer. "Tell me, Penelope. What's the worst that could happen? Me kissing you? Or you wanting me to kiss you? Are you afraid you'll enjoy it a little too much?" He's now standing right in front of me, leaving me leaning on the edge of my desk. My breathing quickens, and my heart is pounding. I bet he can hear it. His hand goes to my hair, which is tied up, and he loosens it from the tie, letting it fall around my face. My lips feel dry again, and I can't help but lick them while still staring deeply at Dylan. He pushes the strands of hair from my face and tucks them behind my ear. I remain silent, as if someone's holding my tongue.

"Are you afraid I'll take you right now, right here, and fuck you on this desk?" he asks, bringing his face closer to mine. His lips brush mine and linger there for a moment, and I can't help but open my mouth and take in a small gulp of air. I swallow, and it feels so loud. His hand slowly touches mine, brushes to my shoulder, and then moves his lips to my neck, planting little kisses. I can feel the heat rising from my core. He hasn't even properly touched me, and I'm already melting away.

"Tell me, Penelope, what do you want? What are you so afraid of?" he asks again, as his other hand wraps around my waist, pulling me closer. The dress I'm wearing isn't helping at all. I didn't wear a bra because it usually feels uncomfortable, and now my nipples are screaming for attention, piercing through the fabric.