"Technically, the apartment belongs to my family, which means it also belongs to me - a small fact my little brothers are fond of forgetting - so the question should be, what are you doing in my apartment? Before you answer that, come, sit and enjoy breakfast. I suspect we have a lot to talk about."
Penny thought to turn on her heel and storm out of there - well, at least storm to the bedroom to get dressed - but she had an awful lot of questions and Dillon, more so than Vince and Nolan, seemed willing to answer them. What harm could there be? He didn't seem all that dangerous today, but then it's hard to look menacing when you're holding a plate of food with an engaging smile on your face. Penny tugged at her bottom lip, not quite sure what to do. "Just talk and eat breakfast?" she confirmed with a suspicious look shot his way.
"Scout's honor."
"Something tells me you were never a scout," she muttered but took a seat and accepted the plate. She made sure her robe was securely tied around her, then took an exploratory bite of the eggs. Of course, they were fantastic, she wanted to groan. She'd half hoped they were disgusting so she could excuse herself with good reason. No such luck. "Where'd you learn how to cook like this?" she asked.
"Here, there … " he answered, tucking into his own plate without hesitation. "When you've been kicked off the family teat, you learn how to fend for yourself pretty quick and since I enjoy a good meal, my only choice was to learn how to make things myself."
Kicked off the family teat? "What do you mean? Were you disowned or something?"
He cast her a wry glance. "Something like that."
She shouldn't ask. It wasn't her business. What would Nolan and Vince think if they knew she was prying into their private family affairs? But the temptation was too strong. At her worst, she was a terribly nosey thing. Perhaps she should've went into journalism instead of accounting, then she would've had a valid reason for prying into people's lives. But before she could ask another question, Dillon had one of his own. "Are you sleeping with Vince or Nolan?" When Penny blushed and looked away, he chuckled and surmised with a surprised grin, "Both? Damn, my brothers have upped their game in the time since I've been home."
"What does that mean?" she asked, frowning.
"It means exactly what you think it means," Dillon said, his mouth twisting. "Let me guess, you're in a contract for your services … "
Penny squirmed, terribly embarrassed at their secret business arrangement being discussed casually over eggs. "It's not all about money. I care about them and they care about me. They're very good to me."
"Of course they are," he said, not surprised. "You're their pet. Masters are always good to a pet they've just purchased. It's all about the novelty. Eventually, they'll tire of their newest acquisition, probably right about the time your contract is up."
Suddenly, her eggs tasted sour in her mouth. Penny dropped her fork and moved to leave but Dillon stopped her with an apology that sounded really close to sincere. "Listen, let's start over, okay? We've gotten off on the wrong foot. I'm Dillon Buchanan and you are … ?"
Penny regarded him with open uncertainty. Don't trust him, her instincts screamed but there was something about him that drew her, something she ought to ignore but she didn't want to. "Penny McDaniels," she answered softly. "Why did you say that about your brothers? Is it true? Have they done this before with someone else?"
At that Dillon's gaze shuttered but his mouth widened in a bright smile. "No more talk of serious stuff over breakfast. What does your day look like?"
"I-I have the day off but I don't think Vince or Nolan would appreciate me spending time with you given your difficult relationship."
"Do they own you body and soul?" he asked, his tone lightly teasing but there was something starkly serious about his question as well. "Surely, you get a day off from them as well as your job?"
His question only drove home the point that she belonged to the Buchanan brothers. It was an odd thing, one she was still becoming accustomed to, particularly when she'd been used to flying solo most of the time. Not that she was complaining, of course. Vince and Nolan were kind, generous, and made her toes curl on a regular basis. What more could a girl want? "They will be here in an hour," she answered, adding with a bright smile. "We're going sailing."
Disappointment showed in his gorgeous eyes but he recovered well, saying, "No worries. It's probably best. I have some details to attend to as well. But I confess, the idea of spending the day with you is far more appealing."
She smiled in spite of her misgivings. One thing was for sure, Dillon had that Buchanan charm and he wielded it well. "Why are you here?" she asked. "Something tells me it wasn't to cook me breakfast."
His enigmatic smile faded around the edges and for a split second her heart ached for him, as if he were actually hurting inside. Perhaps he was simply misunderstood and isn't the villain Vince and Nolan believe him to be. And perhaps she was being completely naïve by hoping that was the case. Her Buchanans had been quite clear about their feelings about their older brother and she trusted their judgment. She had no business feeling anything for Dillon, no matter how he made her insides flutter with a simple glance, or worse, that crooked half-smile that nearly broke her heart each time.
"You're a dangerous woman," he said, startling her with his sudden observation.
"M-me? Hardly. I'm just an accountant who somehow … " Penny blushed and glanced away. "Sometimes I'm afraid they're going to realize they could've gotten someone better for their business arrangement."
"And why is that?"
She forced a laugh. "I'm not exactly model material and the Buchanans are … well, they're filthy rich. They could have anyone they want, why would they settle with me?"
"From what I can see, whatever they offered you, it's not enough," he said in a low, sultry tone that caused the air in her chest to disappear. "And judging by the soft swell of that beautiful tit, I'd say they shouldn't leave you alone for a second … especially when I'm back in town."
It took a moment for his comment to truly register then she realized her robe had gaped open, giving Dillon a perfect glimpse at her left breast. She gasped and pulled the robe closed, her mortification mingling with a breathless arousal that was so highly inappropriate she didn't know how to react. "Oh God," she said in a high squeak that was hardly dignified at all. "I'm so embarrassed."
"Why?"
"Because you just saw my boob!"
"I wasn't complaining."
She sent him an exasperated look, though a grin teased her mouth just the same. "That's not the point, it's not appropriate. Thank you for breakfast but," she said, rising and tucking her robe tighter around her "I really need to ask you to leave. Vince and Nolan will be here soon and I need to get ready."
Dillon chuckled, not the least bit put off by her request, but he countered with a shocking suggestion. "How about we save water and shower together. I wouldn't mind spending the day on the water. It's been awhile since I took in the sea air. If I recall, it's quite refreshing."
The idea of showering with Dillon caused a shudder that she tried to suppress but the gleam in Dillon's stare told her he'd caught it and was reveling in her reaction. That was just fantastic, she thought sourly. "No we cannot shower together," she snapped. "Now go." She didn't wait for him to agree or disagree this time and simply turned on her heel and marched to her bedroom. "And don't you dare just pop up in my shower either or you'll find sensitive areas under attack with a loofah," she called out stridently. The nerve of that man. What a cheeky suggestion.
Dillon was playing with fire but the succulent Penny McDaniels had thrown a wrench in his carefully thought out plan. He wanted her. And not just because she belonged to his brothers, although that was certainly a bonus. His little brothers could use a little payback for the stunt they'd tried to pull with Granddad. No, his fascination with Penny had less to do with his plan than his desire to feel her beneath him. She had curves in all the right places, from her big, soft breasts to the rounded swell of her hips, and he was interested in discovering all the sensitive places that made her shiver and gasp. He enjoyed the way her eyes flashed with indignation yet still couldn't hide the flare of arousal and it was that hidden spark that intrigued him most.