HOPE(48)
Penny wrapped her arms around the older woman. “Thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me, darling. The world may never be safe my lifetime or my kids’ lifetime, but I have hope that one day, the world will be sane again.”
Penny picked up a knife and started peeling potatoes. Once the potatoes were peeled and the dinner simmering in the pot she walked out onto the porch to watch the sunset. Damon sat smoking a pipe with Pearce.
Pearce moved over to give her room to sit next to the man she loved.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. I hear congratulations are in order. Damon told me about your becoming a couple. If we ever find a priest I’ll be sure to bring him to you for a wedding,” Pearce said.
“I’m going to get Don to bless our wedding,” Damon said, pulling her against his side.
“He’s not a priest.”
“No, he’s not, but he’s the leader of our area, and I’ll respect his wishes no matter what.” Damon kissed her temple.
Pearce threw his pipe to the ground. “I’m going to see how our rebels are doing. Take care.”
He patted Penny on the head. Damon lashed out ready to hit him. She started laughing and caught his hand. “He’s being friendly.”
“No one touches my woman but me.”
“I’ll always be your woman, Damon. Nothing will ever change the way I feel.” She kissed his palm.
“How did I get so lucky?” he asked.
“You answered a woman’s screams. I’m really thankful you came that night. Something worse would have happened, but you saved me.”
His hold on her tightened at the mention of the night the men had tried to force her.
“I’ll never let anything happen to you.” He kissed her head. “How are you feeling? Are you a little sore?”
She nodded. “I’m a little sore. I guess that comes with the territory. I’m looking forward to bedtime when you can show me more.”
Penny ran her fingers up the inside of his thigh. He growled against her throat as she teased him.
“You’d better be careful, Princess. There is no backing down anymore.”
“Why would I want to back down? You love me, and I want to learn everything from you.”
She looked out at the sunset enjoying the fiery colours on display.
“What kind of things do you want to learn?”
Her blush filled her cheeks at her thoughts. “Well, I want to know if I can kiss you down there the way you kiss me,” she said.
Penny glanced up at him from lowered lashes. She was shocked to see the passionate intent in his gaze.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he said.
“Why? Because I want to give you everything you’ve given me?”
He shook his head. “I’m not going to want to work after this, knowing I’ve got a willing woman waiting for me. My job is about to get a hell of a lot harder.”
Feeling bold, Penny cupped his cock through his pants.
He growled at her. She noticed he didn’t push her hand away.
“Then you’ll remember how much better you’ll feel knowing you’ve got me to always come back to.” She kissed his cheek.
“Don’t forget dinner.”
Chapter Eighteen
That night Damon followed his woman up the stairs and into the bathroom. By the time the door was closed he’d removed his shirt and was starting on the buckle of his jeans. Penny chuckled at his rushed undress. She, on the other hand, took her time, revealing her body slowly. He stood, naked except for his briefs, waiting for her to get naked.
In the end he had no choice and undressed her himself. He needed to feel her against him. Her breasts were bruised from his kisses. He stroked his finger down each roughened mark.
“Do they hurt?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Nothing that good would ever hurt.”
He smiled. He didn’t know how he had gotten so lucky. Hearing her words of love had changed him. In the back of his mind he was concerned about their future. There were a lot of things that could go wrong for them. He didn’t like how the three men in the shed were linked to Grimes. Damon felt Edward wanted to tell him something. Each time the younger man approached him, the other two found some reason to be close by. He’d need to get Pearce to get them alone.
Shutting out thoughts of work, he stared at the tempting morsel standing in front of him. Her shapely body called to him.
“Did you mean what you said on the porch?” she asked.
“About getting Don to give us his blessing?” She nodded her head. “I meant every single word, Princess.”
Penny wrapped her arms around him. Her body shook as tears fell from her eyes. “What’s the matter, baby?” he asked, pulling her away to look at her.