She gets up and goes over to her friend, and they talk excitedly, though too quietly for me to make out what they’re saying. She doesn’t seem to know who I am, which is surprising. Most people who come here know what I’m about and who I am. Perhaps if she knew the truth, she’d run a mile. I might keep her-she’s fun.

Or maybe I’ll pull a Luka and let her go once I’ve had my fill.

They come back over, and she sits down next to me again, picking up her drink.

Her friend, Asher, I think her name was, smiles at Luka. “It’s just us.”

“I like that,” he says, nodding to me. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m not coming back.”

“Noted,” I say without looking at him. Now, my eyes are gazing into Penny’s.

“I hope you know the value of your reward,” she says, grinning.

“I always get a good return on my investments.” I chuckle as our drinks are refreshed. “But let’s finish these drinks and go back to my place. You’ll love it.”

She looks hesitant, and I chuckle. “I am many things, Penny, but I am a man of my word. You won’t be harmed while you’re with me.” She glances at the club door, and resolution flashes over her face.

“I think that’s a good idea.” She nods, downing her drink.

I chuckle, down my whiskey, and stand. I wave my guard off. “Get the car. We’re going back to the apartment downtown.”

I offer her my arm, and she loops hers through it, resting her perfectly manicured hand on it. We walk toward the exit. She’s pretty tall in her boots, and I’m almost tempted to rest my lips against her head and smell her hair. I’m sure I’ve already caught a hint of cinnamon and autumn.

We walk outside, and I glance around. It’s a reflex. My life is not one that is safe. I have many enemies and they’re a threat all the time. Though they’d be ballsy to try something here. I glance at the rooftop when Penny isn’t looking and see my guards pacing back and forth.

I look down at Penny and smile. “You don’t have to worry. I don’t live far from the club. You can also leave anytime you want to.”

She smiles. “I’m not scared.”

She definitely doesn’t know who I am, and I don’t think I want to tell her. I haven’t enjoyed an evening this much in quite some time.

As we sit together in the car, I gently stroke the back of her neck. She looks up at me with shining eyes, and I lean down to kiss her softly. I know my closely trimmed beard tickles her because she smiles against my lips. I smile as well and then break the kiss to kiss her forehead.

“Do you know who I am?” I ask curiously.

“Kervyn,” she says softly, her eyes heavy-lidded.

I smile and kiss her again, stroking the back of her neck again. She molds her lips against mine like ice melting against a poker. We fit perfectly, exactly as it should be.

My attraction to her is surprising, but I don’t dwell on it because I want to get lost in the moment. We continue to kiss, to touch, until we reach the apartment building. When we step out of the car, she doesn’t gawk and fawn over my obvious wealth to be staying in such a fancy building. To be honest, this is just a place I use when I don’t want to go to my estate. .

No.

Her focus is on me as she tentatively reaches for my hand, and I allow our fingers to lace together. I lead her up the stairs to the front door, through and to the right to the entertainment room, where there’s a bar.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll pour you a glass of wine,” I say, smiling softly.

She lets go of my hand and looks around curiously before moving over to the sofa on the far side of the room. She sits down and looks at the paintings on the wall.

Art is a passion I happily indulge in. My apartment and my house are both filled with it, both contemporary and not.

“I’m a collector. Do you like art?” I ask.

“I took art in school when I wanted to be a graphic designer, but I ended up not doing an art major. Instead, I joined the company I work for now and have been working since I left school.” She looks at me, her red hair pulled to one side.

I take her a glass of wine and sit beside her. “My father didn’t value people, he valued things. My mother, on the other hand, loved the freedom to touch lives through creativity. It was something that enticed her here to America, where she would meet my father when she was a performer in the Vegas shows back in the day. I’ve come to appreciate the value of both people and things as a result.”

“This room is filled with expressionist work. Is that your favorite?” she asks.

“You have a good eye. No. I love all art. Each room has a theme and is filled with that type of artwork.” I lean in and slide my arm behind her shoulders. She relaxes in my embrace.

“I’d love to see it all.” She sips her wine and looks up at me.

“You always seem like you want to say something more,” I comment. Taking our glasses, I set them down and then use my finger to lift her chin. “I can’t tell if you’re confident, or just knowledgeable, or just an enigma I need to figure out.”

She breathes heavily. “Why not all three.”

I smile and kiss her deeply. I guide her hands to my shirt, and she starts to unbutton it before pushing it off me.

When I wake up in bed, I remember her. Her touch, her taste, her every freckle. I reach over in bed to touch her, but the bed is empty except for a note.

Thanks for last night. I had the best time. Penny x

I chuckle and stretch.

The smell of cinnamon lingers on my sheets.

Chapter 4 - Penny

One magical night I decided to chuck it in the fuck it bucket and just do what I wanted. He was dreamy and mysterious, and I don’t know much about him except he likes whiskey and art, and there’s this thing he does with his tongue…

A thing that led to wilder things happening, which led to this moment, five weeks later, where I lie with my legs in stirrups as my doctor confirms I’m going to have a baby. The one time I had a wild fling out of nowhere, and now, well, now I’m pregnant.

The one time.

It isn’t fair. This really isn’t fair. I lost out on the promotion at work. My boyfriend of two years is a cheating douche canoe who was using me to get the bitch he was fucking ahead of me. My apartment was broken into, and my grandmother's necklace was stolen.

That wasn’t enough. No. Fate decided fuck you, Penny. We’re also going to get you pregnant from your one night of wild abandon with Mr. Mysterious.

I look at Dr. Green. “Are you sure?”

“I couldn’t be more sure, Miss Winters. You’re definitely carrying a little one. They’re not that big yet, but they’re growing.” Dr. Green sits back and smiles at me. “It’s a wonderful thing to become a parent.”

Why do I have the oldest, most traditionally-minded doctor in the history of doctors? I nod and give him a small smile because I really don’t want a lecture about the virtues of getting married to legitimize my baby’s birth.

No. I have to figure out what I’m going to do about this. I mean, I’m going to have the baby, but I need to decide if I’m telling Kervyn or not.

I should.