Page 61 of All Stars Fall
Penny had the ability to make me feel both normal and like I could do anything in the world.
It was addicting, the way she smiled at me, the way she silently encouraged me even when she didn’t realize she was doing it. Damn, the woman communicated with her eyes just as well as she did with her words.
I wanted her story.
I needed it.
“Champagne?” I asked with a tilt of my head.
“Please.” She sucked on her bottom lip and then tugged it up with her teeth while I moved to the opposite end of the bathroom where the wet bar was located. I pulled a chilled bottle and two glasses and brought everything to the edge of the marble tub.
She was still staring at me.
And I was trying like hell not to burn a hole through all the bubbles that hid what I knew would be my favorite parts of her.
“So…” I grabbed a nearby towel and covered the cork, then quickly popped it off the champagne. “Are you feeling relaxed?”
“Relaxed and guilty.” She sighed as I handed her the champagne. “Aren’t you the sick one?”
“I’m feeling—” A bubble floated by her right breast, exposing more skin. “—fantastic suddenly.”
“Maybe you just needed the sleep?” She lifted the flute to her lips.
“Or maybe I just needed you,” I said honestly.
We locked eyes.
“You have to mean it,” she said in a quiet but stern voice. “I’m not…” She sighed. “I’m not like other women. I’m not from LA, I don’t do one night stands, and I truly don’t think my heart could take it if you said yes only to whisper no the very next day.”
“I wouldn’t do that to you.” I wanted to tell her that it was almost offensive she would think so, but I knew what my past looked like when I was a teen, I knew what people thought of celebrities with too much fame and money. “You don’t have to beafraid that I’m going to see you naked, kiss my way down your skin, then suddenly decide I don’t want more.”
Her lips parted. “I came here for a fresh start, you know.”
I pulled my shirt over my head. “Oh yeah? So far so good, then?”
She smirked. “Stop trying to distract me.”
I dipped my fingers into the tub, flicking bubbles in her direction. “I bet this isn’t what you had in mind when you moved here, hmm?”
She laughed. “More like… new scenery.”
I dropped my jeans just as she took a sip of champagne and choked.
“You all right?” I grinned.
“Yeah,” she croaked. “Perfect. Great scenery.”
I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, that’s what I was going for.”
Her eyes raked over me like she was giddy to get to know every inch of my body better.
I was done waiting.
I still tasted her.
I still felt her even though she was all wet and about to get wetter.
I pulled my boxer briefs down and then very slowly crawled into the huge tub.
