His Leading Lady (11 page)

“Oh, God, Mark.” Penny’s eyes fluttered shut,
her breathing becoming shallow. She moved up and down in a steady
rhythm on him as he caressed her skin and squeezed her flesh. She
bent to kiss him. He snaked his arm around behind her and held her
while he ravaged her mouth.

When he let her up, her lips were slightly
swollen and desire was running wild inside her. His eyes glowed and
his lips curled into a sexy smile. He clasped her to him, holding
her firmly with one, powerful arm, while he rolled them over with
the other.

“I want to take you this way,” he said,
propping up on his knees and pounding into her. The increased speed
set her off. Another cry and her hips bucked then moved with his.
He maintained his rhythm, quickly bringing himself to a climax. A
loud groan and closed eyes showed her he was done. He lowered
himself to her, dripping sweat on the pillow, hiding his face in
her neck.

“Oh, my God, that was cataclysmic,” he
said.

“Hell, yeah,” she responded. “You’re an
amazing lover.” She licked his shoulder, savoring the saltiness
mixed with the essence of his skin.

“So are you. So responsive, my queen.”

She laughed. “As you wish, my lord.”

He chuckled and rolled off her. Penny cozied
up to him, resting her hand on his chest as she tucked her head
into his shoulder.
He makes me feel safe. Can I stay like this
forever?
Drowsiness weighed her eyelids down, and before long,
she was asleep.

Mark eased himself out from under Penny’s
embrace without waking her. He smiled down at her then kissed her
hair and pulled the covers up.
Make up sex is everything it’s
cracked up to be.
He slipped his boxers on and padded into the
living room.
Gotta call Meg.

Before he could dial his sister, Penny’s cell
rang. He glanced at the screen and read “agent” before it went to
voicemail. He shrugged and decided not to wake her.

“Hey, Squirt, whatcha up to?”

“Did you talk to Penny?”

“I did.”

“And?”

“We’re back.” He swore he could hear her
smile over the phone.

“Thank God. Honestly, Lug. You scared me.
She’s great. Don’t lose her again, okay?”

“Aye, aye, Captain! Thanks for your
help.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you so
miserable over a woman before.”

“There’s never been a woman like her before.
Not for me.” He paced.

“So, why are you calling me?”

“Thought you’d want to know.”

“Figured you’d get it if you listened. It’s
late. I gotta get back to my books.”

“Don’t you ever go out?”

“Not much. Gotta get the highest grades, so I
can get the best job, one that pays the most. Then, I’ll get out of
your hair.”

There was a moment of silence before Mark
spoke.

“You’re not in my hair, Squirt. Not to get
mushy, but I’m glad you’re my sister.”

“I know, Mark. It’s just that you’ve done it
all. You’ve supported me long enough.”

“I don’t mind. As soon as I get a starting
slot, money won’t be a problem anymore.”

“You’re the best, Lug. I lucked out getting
you for a brother.”

“Go out, Meg. Have some fun.”

“What will Harley say?”

“Fuck him. Have a life, kid. You work hard.
You deserve it.”

“Thanks. I will, when I graduate. Love you,
Lug. ’Night.”

“Love you, too, Squirt.” Closing his phone,
Mark went back to bed, easing in as gently as possible so as not to
wake Penny. She rolled over, slinging her arm around his waist. He
pulled her close, resting his cheek on her head. He pushed
unpleasant thoughts about Darvin Sweetwater and the pressure to
impress the owner out of his mind. It had been too long since he’d
snuggled with Penny, and he wanted to enjoy this peaceful time with
her.

He took a deep breath, noting the familiar
fragrance of lily mixed with Penny’s sweet scent. Doubt about his
feelings for her had disappeared. Her story tore at his heart.
While she appeared to be a glamorous woman without a care in the
world, her life had been anything but. He didn’t expect to find
such an injured, vulnerable woman when he went out with her.

Mark hadn’t been interested in settling down.
He was only twenty-four, popular, and had big financial
responsibilities. So, when he had started dating Penny, he had
figured it for the most amazing fun time ever. Instead, he got a
view of what real love looked like. While other women turned a deaf
ear to his financial burdens, and only wanted to know what he could
do for them, buy them, Penny was different.

Hell, yeah, women were willing to sleep with
a rich football player who took them out to expensive dinners and
bought them pricey clothes with fancy labels. Mark wasn’t in that
category. No stranger to having women snub him and call him cheap
when he watched his dollars, he had become a bit jaded. Was every
woman only interested in his status and bank account? What would
happen when he got hired as a starter? His salary would soar. How
would he weed out the fortune hunters, only interested in his
money?

Then, Penny had come along. He’d never had a
woman tell him she admired him for his devotion to his family, his
frugality. No one. He certainly didn’t expect that from the world’s
most beautiful woman.

He hadn’t approached her like all the other
men, interested in basking in her fame and sleeping with her. Mark
hadn’t considered her a conquest, but he had been smitten and had
wanted a physical relationship so bad he could taste it. When Penny
had called him on it, he became embarrassed. She was right. Men
were out for one thing, above all else.

Her understanding of his obligations had
endeared her to him. He had begun to see her as more than a
gorgeous body and face, but as a person, a friend, as well as a
lover. She put him at ease, was game to go bowling instead of to a
fancy, expensive club. Her acceptance of Mark, the man, instead of
Mark, the football star, started the seeds of true love in his
heart.

Megan disapproved of the other women he had
dated. She called them “callow,” “shallow,” “money-grubbing” sluts
who would do anything for an expensive, designer handbag. He had
laughed at the time, because he thought all women were like that,
except his sister.

But Meg liked Penny, and that meant
everything to Mark. Megan had always had his back, and he trusted
her with his life. Her confirmation of his feelings toward Penny
boosted his confidence. Penny was a gem, a real woman, who loved
him for who he was. He found that quality in her priceless.

Snuggling with her eased his mind. As long as
she was by his side, he knew he’d figure out what to do about the
team. He wrapped an arm over her and was soon asleep.

Mark rose at six the next morning. Again, he
slid out of bed without disturbing Penny. She rolled over, mumbled
something, but didn’t wake up. He had an early workout session and
practice. After a shower, he threw on his warm-up clothes, stopped
at a fast food joint to pick up a couple of egg sandwiches, and
headed for the stadium.

He sat down with Harley and ate his
breakfast. Harley sloshed his food down with a big cup of orange
juice.

“Rumor has it a scout is coming to our
game.”

“Really? When?” Mark asked between bites.

“In a couple of weeks.”

Mark shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Darvin’ll be
playing. I’ll never get on the field.”

“Might be something we can do about
that.”

“What? Talk to him? He’d never agree. He
hates me and wouldn’t help me if his life depended on it.”

“You’re right. But I had another idea.”
Harley’s voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned closer to
Mark.

****

Penny awoke to an empty bed. She threw on one
of Mark’s T-shirts and padded into the living room, looking for her
lover. The smell of fresh coffee drew her attention. There was a
note taped to the coffee pot.
Smart guy. He knew the first place
I’d look.
Resting against the paper was a set of keys.

Penny –

Early practice. I’ll be back at five. Will
you be here? I hope so.

Last night was amazing. Hoping for a repeat
tonight.

Text me your plans for today.

Love,

Mark

She settled back on the sofa with her mug and
picked up her phone. Her agent, Keith Peters, had called.
Wonder
what he wants?
The clock on the wall said it was eight.
Too
early to call.
She finished her drink and jumped in the
shower.

Drying her face in one of Mark’s big, blue
towels, she smelled him. His scent always made her smile. His
hairbrush on the counter, razor, and toothbrush all reminded her of
him. She touched the articles, feeling a connection with him, even
though he wasn’t there.
Is he really okay about the pictures, or
just saying that to sleep with me? Is he going to dump me? I don’t
think so.

She’d tried to deny her feelings, but could
no longer fool herself. She was in love with Mark Davis, and there
was no going back. She had taken a seat on a roller coaster. Riding
it all the way to the end made her queasy. Penny had bailed quickly
on bad relationships in the past, not being surprised by
disappointment after disappointment. Mark had slipped under her
armor, digging a tunnel straight to her heart. She was elated one
minute and scared to death the next.

Pushing insecure thoughts out of her mind,
Penny wrapped herself in his terrycloth robe.

She picked up his brush and sank into the
comfort of the sofa to untangle her hair. A glance at the
clock—nine—meant she could call Keith. She sat back, waiting for
him to answer.

“Hey, Penny. How you doin’?”

“Fine, Keith. What’s up?”

“Bad news, I’m afraid.” Penny’s heart rate
kicked up. Her pulse pounded in her ears. “What?” She sat up
straight.

“They’re writing you out of the show. Killing
off your character.”

She gasped. “Oh, no! Really?”

“Yep. I’m so sorry, Penny.”

Tears choked her. “What am I going to
do?”

“I’m working on something. We’ve got to
strike now, while they still think you’re on the series. Once
you’re off, you’ll grow cold. Hang in there.” He hung up.

I knew I wasn’t any good. I was lucky to
keep it as long as I did. What am I going to do for money? Spend
what I’ve saved for school, that’s what.
Penny opened Mark’s
computer and checked the amount of the money she’d managed to
squirrel away. Rainy day money, and now it was pouring. The balance
was enough to keep her for six months, if she didn’t spend for
anything but food, rent, and gas for her car. After that? She
shivered at the uncertainty of her future.

What about Mark? What would he say?
He’s
about more than me being on a TV show. Isn’t he?
She was in
love with Mark, desperately, totally, but how would he react to her
news? If he tossed her out, she didn’t know what she’d do. Piecing
together a shattered heart was no easy task, and one that Penny
didn’t relish.

Her nerves had her body on high alert.
Tell him soon, so you know where you stand.
She blew out a
breath, slipped on her panties, jeans, and his shirt. Time to
return home and figure out her life, for the umpteenth time.
Acting is so insecure. Up one day, down the next.

She returned with a bag of groceries and
texted Mark that she’d have dinner ready when he got home. He
replied back that he’d be there by six. Penny pulled out her
mother’s recipe for beef brisket. She had five hours until he
returned.
Plenty of time.
She preheated the oven, emptied
the bag, and sighed.

Okay, mom, do your magic. Please, don’t
let Mark leave me.
She turned on the radio and took heart when
the song “Gone, Gone, Gone” by Phillip Phillips came on. She sang
along, hoping that the words about long-lasting love would become
true for her.

Although she tried to push concern over where
her next job was coming from out of her mind, her nerves were on
edge. She had cried at first, for a brief bit, not allowing herself
to wallow.
I’ve got to get up and back in the game. Think about
something else.

She loved to cook. Her mom had taught Penny
all her secrets, and they had often cooked together when Penny was
little. She washed lettuce for a salad. Cut up tomatoes, mixed up a
chocolate pudding on the stove, and kept music playing.

Still, the edginess didn’t leave her body. A
glass of wine helped some. She danced in the small kitchen to keep
her mind off her troubles while she tended to the food. The aroma
of the brisket made the apartment smell delicious. Having skipped
lunch because she was too upset to eat, the smell of the cooking
meat made her stomach rumble.
Comfort food will help.

The sound of the lock tumblers moving drew
her attention. A last minute primp on her hair and a smile
plastered on her face didn’t still the
thump
,
thump
,
thump
of her heart. Mark came through the door, looking
freshly scrubbed and handsome as ever. As his tall figure moved
toward her, she blurted out, “I got fired today.”

****

“What?” Mark’s face screwed up. “What
happened?”

“I got fired,” Penny said. “And dinner’s
ready.”

“Crap! That’s awful.” He folded her into his
embrace. “Are you okay?” She sniffled a little as a shudder washed
through her body. He tightened his grip. “You’re not okay. What
happened?” He refreshed her wine and grabbed a cold beer before he
sat down on the sofa.

“But dinner…”

“Can’t it wait? This is important.”
I’m
starving, but she needs to talk.

“Okay, but just a few minutes. I don’t want
to ruin the brisket.”