Once we’re in the kitchen and alone, I pull out a seat for her. “You should be comfy here, and let me get you a glass of wine.” I take out the non-alcoholic wine and pour us each a glass, passing one to her.
“The secret to a decent steak is not to overcook it,” I say, taking out the large meat packages.
“Those are huge,” she says, a little in awe.
“These are my favorite. This butcher specializes in bigger cuts of meat.” I smile. “Right, let’s get started.”
I make homemade french fries, juicy, flavorsome steaks, homemade garlic bread, sweet corn, and salad. Penny talks to me while I cook, asking me about Russia. I tell her about visiting and spending some of my childhood there to be educated in Russian politics and history.
“Luka never went because my mother couldn’t bear to send him.” I chuckle. “Spoiled brat from the day he was born.”
I plate the food and lead her to the dining room. “Here you go.” I set her plate down in front of her and sit beside her with mine. “Enjoy.”
We tuck into our food, and I smile as she closes her eyes. She swallows and turns me, “That is the best steak I have ever had.”
“Thank you.” I cut into mine again. “I thought after this we could take a bath together, maybe add some candles and some bath oil.”
“Are you trying to seduce me?” she asks with a blush.
“Don’t tempt me to, but no. I thought it would be nice if I could rub you down with some oil and get you to relax a little. It’ll be good for the baby.”
We talk while we eat, although I feel that I talk more than I usually do. Penny seems content to listen to my voice and eat her food. In fact, she even looks a little sleepy.
When we’re done, I take the plates to the kitchen and take her upstairs. I let her sit on the side of the bath with me while I run it and pour oils in.
“Have you done this with many women?” she asks. It’s curiosity, but I sense a hint of insecurity.
“I’ve had steak with two women, one of which left me and one which I left. I don’t make it a habit to bathe with random people, though, if that eases your mind.” I smile.
She smiles back and shrugs. “I just…you’re a good-looking man. I just imagine women would throw themselves at you a lot.”
I chuckle. “They do. Every day but in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve perfected my resting asshole face.”
She giggles, and it sounds like heaven. I stand up and start to undress. Once my shirt is off and I’m left in my pants, I look at her. “Are you joining me?”
She blushes again—that blush. I want to kiss it every time it happens, just kiss every inch of her that burns red.
She pulls her maternity dress off so she’s just in her underwear. She steps out of it and picks it up, hanging it over the basin.
I smile and step forward. “Let me.” I reach around her and deftly undo her bra. She swallows hard. I can see the lump in her throat as she slides her bra off and tosses it to the side. She doesn’t seem to want to break eye contact with me.
I undo my pants and slowly push them down. “I’m honestly not trying to seduce you. I just want to give you a full body massage.”
She slowly lowers her underwear and kicks them to the side. “Okay,” she says quietly. I pull my boxers off and toss them aside. I smile, climb into the bath, and rest back, my legs spread.
She takes the hand I’m holding up and steps into the bath. Her milky skin is beautiful but turns red with the hot water.
Just like her blush.
She lowers herself slowly so her back is against my chest. For a moment, I relax against the back of the bath, letting her settle. Feeling her skin against my skin makes me have to find my own feelings because I could take her right here. I don’t care about the mess.
But that’s not what tonight is about.
No, I have been thinking about how to give Penny something no one else has given her—a night of pleasure just for her, something to make her feel special.
I grab the oil and pour some into my hands. I rub them together before I start rubbing her shoulders. She tips her head forward and sighs. “That feels so good.”
“Lots of things can feel good,” I say quietly as I work her back.
“Like this?” she murmurs.
“Many things,” I whisper.
Chapter 20 - Penny
“Why do I feel like you’re leading me on?” I groan, rolling my shoulders.
He rubs as far as he can reach before he settles back. I rest back with the back of my head on his chest. I raise my hand and stroke his arm gently. I feel so relaxed in this hot bath with the massage oil all over me.
His other hand snakes around to hold the side of my belly. “I’m so excited for the start of our family,” he murmurs against the side of my head. “Are you?”
“I’m starting to get really excited about the baby. But also, I’m starting to look forward to things in general, like the wedding.” I close my eyes and feel him shift. He kisses my neck softly, and he smiles. “Remember that leading question?” he asks.
“Yes?” I hate that I blush so much.
“Why is it you blush at just the mention of sex?” he asks. “You know you’re allowed to enjoy yourself.”
I give a small shrug. He draws lazy circles on my belly, but they get lower and lower. My stomach isn’t that far out that he can’t reach, and when he lightly twirls a finger just above where I’m most sensitive, I close my eyes.
