His Leading Lady (5 page)

“This is your show. I’m listening.” He leaned
back in his chair, putting the bottle to his lips.

“It’s a long, complicated story, I’m
afraid.”

“I’ve got time.”
Try to keep an open
mind.
Penny took a big swig then began her tale. As she talked
about her life, her father, and his alcoholism, Mark leaned
forward, staring into her eyes.
She’s telling the truth.

“My job on the show isn’t secure. I can be
written out at any time. I’m not very good, and I’m sure they’ll be
unloading me soon.”

“I don’t think so. I watch the show, and I
think you’re great.”

“You do?” Her face brightened.

“Yeah, I do. Go on.”

Penny continued to talk about her father
stalking her and making demands. As the emotional level of the
story picked up, she stood and went to the window. Her voice shook
a little, and she stopped to take a drink. Mark didn’t say a word.
He didn’t know what to think.

“I stopped modeling because I kept getting
hit on by photographers and stylists. Sometimes, I believed their
lines, only to wake up disappointed the next day. After enough of
those, I stopped believing anyone. Then, a good guy like you comes
along, and I’m too defensive.”

“I don’t know anything about your world, but
I take your word for it. I can see how being as pretty as you could
bring a lot of propositions.”

“You can’t imagine. I wasn’t prepared for it.
And now, I’ve blown it with you, probably the best guy I’ve gone
out with in years.” Taking a deep breath, she covered her eyes with
her hand.

Mark pushed to his feet and joined her.
I
believe her.

Her voice cracked, and her lip trembled.
“It’s hard for me to trust anyone. To open up. It’s safer to be
alone. But, it’s so lonely, and I don’t know what to do.” Mark put
his beer down on the windowsill and took her in his arms. She cried
into his chest, and he stroked her hair.

They stood together in silence as Penny’s
sobs finally wound down to sniffles. She clung to him, and his
heart opened. He tightened his grip slightly and kissed her head.
Who’d believe such beauty could have so much ugliness in her
life?
He wanted to fix it. He wanted to make her smile, to make
her trust again.

She broke from him and fished a tissue from
her purse. “All I ever wanted to do was design clothes, children’s
clothes. I’ve been saving up for school, in New York. To become a
designer.”

“Give up acting and modeling?”

“I’m not tough enough. Or good enough. I love
fashion. I’d be happier, I think, making pretty clothes.”

Words eluded Mark. He was taken by surprise
by her outpouring and her humility. She was more complex than he
had expected, and she touched him inside. Gazing into her eyes, he
saw the truth, knew she wasn’t acting. He identified with her pain.
They plopped down on the sofa together. He wrapped his arm around
her shoulder.

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I have so much more
than so many in the world. I need to sort out my life. I will,
eventually. I know I’m defensive, and it’s hard for a man to get
through that. I understand how you feel, and I accept you don’t
want to see me anymore. I did it to myself.”

She’s not a heartless bitch. She’s a
wounded puppy. She needs me.
“Let’s try again.”

“Really?” She turned to him, eyes filled with
hope.

“Yeah. I didn’t know all that about you. I
think I understand better.”

“I’m not a bitch, not inside.”

Mark glanced at his watch. “I’m starved.
Let’s order a couple of pizzas and watch a movie.”

“A couple of pizzas?”

“On season, I get hungry.”

“I see. What movies do you have?”

Mark ordered while Penny picked out a
thriller for them to watch. He opened more beer, and they lounged
on the couch. Penny told stories about her acting experiences,
mesmerizing Mark. He was surprised at how animated she became.
Quiet, shy girl comes out of her shell.

Her frozen exterior had thawed. Telling him
her story seemed to have unlocked something in Penny. She had
revealed her real self to him, and he liked what he saw.
She’s
got grit. Come a long way by herself. Now, she needs someone. One
more female to take care of? Piece of cake.

****

Penny cracked her eyes open. There were
colorful bars on the television, indicating that the movie was
over. Last thing she remembered was snuggling into Mark and resting
her eyes.
Just closed them for a minute.

She had fallen asleep cuddled up against him.
His warmth comforted her. His hand rested behind her, and his legs
pinned her between them, as if she was part of him. Her nose was
touching his neck. She inhaled his delicious masculine scent and
struggled not to give him a lick.

Sharing space barely big enough for his large
frame, and definitely not comfortable for two, put her in danger of
falling off. She moved her hips an inch, stretched and then relaxed
in his embrace. It was three o’clock. Mark shifted his position,
almost throwing her to the floor. He rubbed his eyes.

“Too late to go home,” she said, rising from
the sofa and extending her hand. Mark took it, and she led him into
the bedroom. He pulled back the covers.

“I’ll go back to the living room,” he said,
his voice thick with sleep.

“Stay here.” She plopped down with her
clothes on, and he joined her, winding an arm around her middle.
They were both asleep again within minutes.

Used to rising early, Penny arose with the
sun at six. She carefully lifted the arm Mark had slung over her
and slid out from underneath. He muttered something and moved his
legs, but remained asleep. She stared at his sleeping face and
smiled.
He looks so sweet.

After she made a pot of coffee, Penny peeled
off her clothes and took a shower. She donned one of his shirts,
which hung down like a dress on her, even though she was five foot
nine. She rolled up the sleeves, perched on the end of the bed
drinking coffee, and watched him sleep. Within five minutes, he
opened his eyes. His gaze traveled over her body with
appreciation.

“Good morning,” he said in a hoarse
voice.

“Coffee wake you?”

“Yeah. Smells great.”

“Want some?”

“Not yet.” He got up and shed his clothes,
padding into the bathroom in his boxers. Penny stared at him.
Wow!
His back and arms were well muscled. The smattering of
blond hair on his chest traveled down into a line and disappeared
below his waistband. When he walked away, she spied his butt and
decided it was cute.

Her body stirred at the sight of him.
Feelings she hadn’t allowed herself for a long time took over. Heat
traveled to her core, and the urge to run her hand over his pecs
was overwhelming. He was six four, two twenty, with an athlete’s
body. She wanted him.

A sip of coffee wetted her dry mouth. Her
nipples hardened in anticipation of the touch of his long fingers.
Her pulse kicked up, and a part of her was throbbing that hadn’t
done so in ages. He came out of the bathroom in a few minutes with
a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was wet. He gave her a
bright, clean, white smile.
Oh, God. Look at you. Touch me,
gorgeous.

“That looks better on you than me,” he said,
indicating his blue long-sleeved shirt. She laughed.

He walked to the closet and warned her, “If
you don’t leave, or at least turn around, you’re going to get a
view you didn’t bargain for.”

“Don’t get dressed. Come over here,” she
said, patting the bed next to her.

He raised his eyebrows.

“Come on. I won’t bite…unless you ask me
to.”

He shrugged. “If you say so.”

He sat down, fussing with the towel to keep
it closed. She placed her coffee on the nightstand and crawled over
to him, settling on her knees. She flattened her palms on his
chest, tilted her chin up, and stared into his eyes. When he
lowered his mouth to hers, she pressed her fingertips into his
muscles. She opened for him and gave a little moan when their
tongues touched. He put his hands on her waist then lifted his
head.

“You wearing anything under there?”

She shook her head.

“Wow. Okay. Is this the green light?”

“What do you think?” His freshly scrubbed
scent teased her nose.

“I’m afraid to be colorblind here. I don’t
usually ask. But with you…well, I don’t want to make a mistake.” He
combed his fingers through her hair.

She traced his jaw with her finger. “Love me,
Mark.”

“Are you sure?” He raised her chin to look
directly into her eyes.

“Never been more sure.”

He didn’t need more encouragement. His mouth
descended on hers in a hungry kiss, devouring her, while his hands
squeezed her butt then dipped under the shirt to make contact with
her skin. At the cool touch of him on her, she shivered. His
fingers were gentle, curious, and exciting. He groaned when she
pulled the towel off and ran her hands down his sides and over his
thighs.

“Penny, baby,” he moaned, sliding his hands
down the backs of her thighs then inside and up. She gave a little
gasp as he made contact with her wet warmth. He stroked her, then
eased a fingertip inside. With his other hand, he unbuttoned the
shirt, pushing it off her shoulder.

His gaze settled on her bare breast.
“Beautiful,” he muttered, moving his hand up to close over the
rounded flesh. He kissed her then lowered his lips to her chest. He
nipped her peak then caressed it with his tongue. Penny hissed as
he stoked her fire.

Desire paralyzed her. She couldn’t move, only
close her eyes and focus on the heat his hands and lips were
creating. Mark eased her back on the pillows. He kissed his way
down her abdomen and below, his head stopping between her legs.
“Oh, God, Mark, don’t stop. Please.”

He chuckled in response. She lost her hands
in his hair. He pushed up and sucked on her belly then flattened
his tongue and guided it up to her breast. Penny sat up and moved
her hands down, closing her fingers around his rock-solid erection.
He moaned and stopped moving as she glided her hand up and
down.

After a few seconds, Mark repositioned her
flat on her back. He removed her hand and reached into the
nightstand for a condom. His gaze never left her body.

“You’re gorgeous.” Penny put her hands on
either side of his stubbly cheeks and pulled him down for a kiss.
She ravaged his mouth. “I want you,” she muttered, completely lost
in the feel of him, the scent of him, the taste of him. “Take me,
Mark, oh God!”

“Hang on a sec.” He finished covering himself
and pushed her knees up.

“Do it. Now. Please!”

He grinned at her and rubbed himself on her
slippery flesh to spread her lubrication. Then, he entered her,
slowly.

“Hurry, hurry, you’re killing me,” she closed
her eyes again and arched her back.

He snorted then plunged into her full force,
burying himself deep inside. She gave a loud gasp, and he stopped.
“You okay?” he asked, raising his eyes to hers.

“God, yes. Don’t stop!”

He thrust into her again then pulled out and
continued the rhythm. Heat coiled inside her like a spring being
wound tighter and tighter. The pressure grew, until she thought she
couldn’t bear it another minute. Balanced on his knees, Mark
grabbed her hips, his fingertips pressing into her skin, and pumped
into her, increasing his speed as her moans got louder.

Sweat dripped off his forehead. He lifted her
leg and hitched her ankle on his shoulder to bury himself deeper,
making her hips buck. She gripped his arms, digging her fingers
into his muscles as he brought her to a climax. She cried out when
the pressure burst and pleasure flowed to every part of her body.
He continued to move inside her.

Sensing Mark watching her, Penny opened her
eyes. With his blond hair falling over his forehead, his eyes
bright with lust, and a slight growth of beard, he looked more
handsome than ever. Then, he shut his eyes, pounded her a few
times, and collapsed with a loud groan. Deep breathing was the only
sound to crack the silence in the room. Penny ran her hand along
his cheek. His eyes connected with hers before he brushed his lips
across hers.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered, peering at
her through damp lashes.

“Not the cold, sexless bitch you were
expecting?” She chuckled, combing her fingers through his hair.

“The opposite.”

“You’re pretty amazing yourself.”

Mark pushed up on his elbows. He toyed with
the ends of her long hair as his gaze examined her face. “What are
you thinking?” he asked.

Do I tell the truth or hide from him?
Don’t lose him again.
“Truth? Feeling lucky I didn’t lose
you.”

“Me, too.” He traced the outline of her lips
with his finger. She opened her mouth and sucked the digit in. Mark
wiggled his eyebrows, making her laugh.

“What about you?”

“I’m thinking I could go for a giant
breakfast about now. How about it? There’s a diner makes great home
fries down the block.”

They dressed and headed out to eat. Mark took
Penny’s hand as they walked along in the warmth, before the desert
sun got too hot. She smiled as she buried her small hand in his
large one. All of a sudden, he stopped, turned, and kissed her,
then tucked her under his arm and continued down the street.

“What was that for?” she asked.

“For being so hot.”

Penny laughed. She shook her head to rid it
of negative thoughts.
Other men have started out like this.
Great the first time you sleep with them, then on to the next
conquest. Be careful.
She wanted to curb her feelings, but it
wasn’t possible. Happiness filled her heart, and she refused to
deny herself.
For however long it lasts, enjoy him. Enjoy being
together.
An easy smile spread across her face.