The Babysitter Beta Part 08

I threw myself into work for the rest of the week.

Penny didn’t avoid me, and I didn’t avoid her, but we didn’t have another opportunity for intimacy. Though, that was my fault. The opportunity never arose because I didn’t make time for her outside of our typical time together. So, maybe I avoided her.

I worked through Abby’s nap time, and despite the generous offer of Penny crawling under my desk, she had things to do while Abby was down for the count. I reminded her of that, and she took that for the rejection it was. I felt cruel and crazy for saying no, but work stressed me into distraction. I probably could have made more of an effort, but I felt awkward after our last sexual encounter.

My work was unending, and there was always another task to do, which took my mind off things. I had requests from multiple supervisors, and everyone thought their request should be my top priority. I did what I could to keep afloat, and I did my best to save anyone with the power to fire me, disappointment in my speed and accuracy.

Still, as the week progressed, my mind kept returning to the weekend before.

I’d fucked Penny and her mom.

Separately, of course, but the idea still revolted me. Not that either of them revolted me, but I revolted myself. I couldn’t look at my reflection without disappointment at my lack of a spine.

Saturday night with Amanda never should have happened, but it did. Those two realities seemed irreconcilable to me.

Penny didn’t care. I cared. Her mom would care if she knew about it. And besides that, I had a date with Lana that was coming up on Sunday. Lana didn’t know anything about Penny either. Or her mother.

Lana and I weren’t exclusive. At least, we hadn’t had that conversation, so I assumed we weren’t. Yet there was a certain amount of reasonable expectation that we would be soon. This Sunday was our third date, a casual hang out in the late afternoon so Lana could meet Abby. Was that too fast? Should we be exclusive before she met my kid? I didn’t know. I didn’t have a toddler at home the last time I dated.

Maybe it was better for her to see what my life was like before she got in too deep in case she decided it wasn't for her. Parenthood was a huge responsibility, and even if she only wanted to become a long-term girlfriend, she’d be a part of Abby’s life, and Abby would be part of hers. My three-year-old daughter deserved someone who wanted to be a mother, not someone who saw her as an obligation because of their interest in me. Which was Lana? I didn’t know yet.

Monday night, I’d gotten a few texts from her, and I answered happily enough. She sent me pictures of her beach day. I regretted not joining her after taking my vacation time in the afternoon. I’d holed up in my study and read that day after my confrontation with Penny. The book was a break I needed to return to normalcy.

The pictures Lana sent me were of her, Anne, and, I presume, their third roommate, whom I hadn’t met yet. Lana and Anne wore scandalously skimpy bikinis, and a few of the pictures she’d sent me had been too risque for social media. Nothing nude, but sexy and suggestive. She seemed to enjoy teasing me. The third roommate was attractive in her way, but her conservative one-piece and bathing suit cover suggested she didn’t share Lana and Anne’s daring sensibilities.

Texts between Lana and me became routine. We’d chat as necessary during work hours about work, entirely professional, though even more friendly than before. After work, we’d carry on a slow text conversation about life in general, answering as we could and discussing some of our coworkers and their habits.

At first, Penny did her best to tease me at home. There were moments when we were alone together when she’d brush against me or kiss my cheek, but after a day of my excuses, she did her best to give me space. I thought she’d be mad that I kept avoiding any sexual situations with her, but it seemed to make her sad, which was hard for both of us. Still, she reminded me she was there and eager if I wanted her. She’d apologized several times for what she said at the end of our last session.

“I went too far.” She said multiple times. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just kidding around. Having fun. You know…”

I knew that. But I still couldn’t get over the way I’d felt when she’d asked me to put a baby in her. Like it was the sexiest thing in the world for her to carry my child. I should be ashamed of thinking, even for a moment, that it was a sexy thing to do. I couldn’t have Penny. Not that way. Not in a way that really mattered.

What a fucked up family that would be: me, Penny, Abby, and any children Penny and I might have. At twenty years younger than me, she’d be a fun and hot young mom. I’d be an old, decrepit father. Everyone would talk, and they’d think I was some kind of pervert groomer or fiend. I hadn’t been the one to initiate anything, but would that matter? No. I was the one who should know better. Who knew better. Penny was a young woman with her whole future ahead of her. I couldn’t suggest she give that up to settle down with me.

Oh, we could fuck and have fun like she wanted. She could blow me, and I could eat her out. She could ride me, or I could slam her onto the bed and fuck her like she owed me money. But a relationship beyond casual sex was out of the question. I couldn’t possess Penny. She wasn’t mine. She was her own woman, with a future ahead of her that didn’t involve me. Even if she loved Abby like her own, she was too young to settle down.

Plus, she had Rowan.

She’d gone to the concert last Saturday with Rowan and spent the night at his place in the city. She kept calling him a friend, but if she was willing to have casual sex with me, who else did she have that arrangement with? What made me special? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Not that I could fault her for that since she didn’t possess me, either. She had to share me with Lana, Anne (who was a one-time deal), and her mom. I hoped her mom was a one-time deal, too. I hadn’t seen Amanda all week, but that wasn’t that strange. I hadn’t seen Tim either, but he might not even be living there anymore.

I didn’t know their living arrangements following the divorce, only that he was moving to the Midwest. It wasn’t my business.

A moving truck rolled up on Saturday morning and knocked on my door, asking for him. I directed them to Tim Roger’s address next door. I wasn’t as surprised as the neighbors who left their houses to see what was happening. They probably thought I was moving. A few had expressed surprise that I hadn’t after Charlie died.

She haunted the house sometimes. Memories of her in small personal moments sprung up without warning. Reading in my chair, I sometimes expected to see her curled up on the couch, reading her own book. But the years moved on, and new memories replaced old ones. The burden of grief didn’t shrink, fade, or lighten, but I liked to think I’d grown stronger. I still wore the rings on my chain and didn’t forget them again, but they didn’t weigh as heavy on my mind as they once did.

I hoped that was a good development.

Half an hour later, a second knock at my door surprised me. Especially when I looked out the peephole and saw Penny on my porch. This was her day off, and I didn’t have any plans that needed her to watch Abby for me today. I opened the door and let her in.

“Hi, Mister Castillo.” Penny said. She sounded nervous and slightly sad. Her dad was moving out today, and I had no idea what things were like between her parents or if either were there for what was happening. I assumed Amanda was present to ensure they only took what was rightfully Tim’s. How did Penny feel about her dad leaving? I couldn’t guess.

“Can I… hang out here today?” Penny asked.

I shifted Abby on my hip, who was already reaching for Penny. I, her workhorse for the last twenty minutes, was glue now that Penny was here. Penny reached for her and held her close. They hugged, and Abby settled her head onto Penny’s shoulder.

Outside, her parents emerged from the house and yelled at each other on the front lawn. The movers had put an end table of disputable ownership on the truck. Amanda wanted to keep it.

I closed the door and nodded at Penny. “Of course. You want some breakfast?”

“I already ate.” Penny said. “Are you okay if I just play with Abby?”

“Sure.” I said, nodding. “It’ll give me a chance to clean.”

Abby had other plans. She hopped in Penny’s arms, wanting to stand on her own two feet. Penny put her down. Abby grabbed Penny’s hand in one tiny fist, and mine in the other, pulling us toward the living room.

We played “kitchen” with her playset, followed by “restaurant.” Abby reveled in the extra attention of two adults sitting on her level. I appreciated the extra set of hands for lunch after the morning passed, and after Penny set her down for a nap, we were left alone in the living room.

Silence hung in the air directly beside awkwardness as I pretended to read the book Lana had given me. My eyes had scanned the same top line of the page several times since Penny entered my field of vision. She stood at the edge of the room, her forearm crossing under her breasts to clasp her other arm above the elbow.

“Everything okay?” I asked when Penny hesitated to enter the living room. She stood under the protection of the hallway as if afraid to step closer. She didn’t dress particularly sexy today, wearing a baggy red t-shirt and loose blue jean shorts.

“I’m really, really sorry about what I said on Monday.” Penny said, stepping into the room. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. I just… I don’t know. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to fuck up what we had going.” Her voice sounded strained, and when I looked up, I could see water at the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill over into tears.

“Come here.” I said as I stood and opened my arms.

Penny rushed forward, trotting into my embrace and nearly bowling me over. I hugged her, and she squeezed my ribs so hard she drove the air from my chest.

“I’m so sorry I messed things up!” Penny said, crying into my shirt. If she’d held her tears back, our hug squeezed them out of her.

“You didn’t.” I assured her, hugging her. “You didn’t mess anything up. We’re okay. I’m not mad or upset. Not at you.” I was mad at myself, but that wasn’t her fault.

Penny squeezed me tighter. I squeezed her in return. I hadn’t forgiven myself for sleeping with Amanda, even if Penny had. What she’d said the last time we slept together hadn’t helped, but my spiral wasn’t her fault or responsibility. My issues were my own.

“I’m sorry I freaked out.” I said. “Things have gotten so out of hand. I never should have slept with Amanda. I still feel guilty and disgusted with myself for doing it.”

Penny squeezed me, her soft flesh pressing against my front with her arms under mine. Her hands rubbed my back as if trying to soothe and calm me.

“My mom’s not disgusting, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of. There’s no shame in two hot, consenting adults taking refuge in one another and helping each other out with sex. It’s exactly what you and I are doing.” Penny said.

“That’s why it’s disgusting.” I said, shaking my head.

Her shocked expression registered in my brain, and I quickly corrected myself.

“Not that our sex is disgusting.” I said. Though, I did sometimes feel like a disgusting old man for desiring it. “I mean, I’m disgusting for fucking your mom. Does it bother you? Doesn’t it gross you out to think you’ve shared a dick?”

“I mean, you’ve showered since, right?” She laughed through the tears, wiping them away. I didn’t return the laughter.

“I feel so ashamed about it.” I said, resting my chin on the top of her head.

“Don’t?” Penny said, lifting her suggestion into a question as she pulled away and lifted her chin to meet my gaze. “I’m not mad at you for it. I understand. I wouldn’t have suggested it, but it really doesn’t bother me, especially since you were mine first.”

I had no idea what to say to that. I wanted to ask what would happen if I’d slept with her mother first, but I didn’t want to know the answer. I hugged her and let her settle in my embrace. Her grip on me tightened, and we stood there for a solid minute before Penny broke the silence.

“Can we fuck?” Penny asked. “I need a good hard fuck right now.”

“Do you?” I asked, uncertain. She seemed like she was on the brink of curling up on the sofa and crying for the next twenty minutes. Was sex really on her mind right now?

“I really do.” Penny said, wiping her eyes. “In fact, can I spend the night tonight?”

I hesitated. “What about Rowan?” I asked, still not sure how the guy she went to the concert with factored into all of this. “Does he know about me? Did you tell him about us?”

Penny eyed me and kissed my cheek. “I told Rowan about you but not about us, obviously. We agreed to keep our stuff a secret, right?”

“Right.” I agreed. “That makes sense. But what’s the nature of your relationship with Rowan?”

“Mister Castillo… are you jealous?” Penny asked, surprised.

“No, I…” I hesitated, knowing full well I’d just lied to the girl. Jealousy over Rowan had crept in on Saturday and grown to kaiju-level heights ever since. He’d been on my mind nearly as much as Penny this past week, but I had no claim to her that way. I had no right to be jealous, especially since I had Lana, and our arrangement was casual, not romantic.

“Yes.” I said, going with the truth. “I know I have no right to be, and you have every right to pursue a romantic relationship with someone your own age who can be your boyfriend and give you what you want long term.”

“But?” Penny prompted.

“But I’ve been insanely jealous since I found out about him, and it’s driving me crazy.” I confessed.

Penny squeezed me even tighter, clasping her wrist behind my back. “We’re friends.” Penny said. “Not in the way that you and I are, don’t worry.”

“Oh.” I said, not quite believing her but not pushing or arguing either. “Do you have… feelings for him?”

“I love Rowan, but not like… that way.” Penny said. “Like a sibling, I guess?”

“You love him like a brother?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Penny nodded. “We’ve been friends since high school, and Rowan’s great. I thought about hanging out with them tonight and avoiding my parents there, but…”

“But?” I asked when she didn’t finish her sentence.

“I wanted to spend the night with you more.” Penny said.

I swallowed, unsure whether to feel relief or disgust with myself. Jealousy wasn’t pretty and had twisted me into knots for days. My relaxation in her arms seemed to signal her to press her advantage.

“Please, Julio?” Penny asked. “Can I stay here with you?”

“Okay.” I exhaled. “Yeah, you can spend the night.”

Penny squealed in her happiness and jumped, causing me to catch her so she didn’t fall on her ass. She planted her lips on mine in a firm, excited kiss that knocked the wind and jealousy out of me. Her body scraped against mine as I lowered her to her feet while the kiss continued. Her foot popped up behind her, and she moved her hands to my chest. I kissed her in response, letting our passion flare and grow into a bonfire before we pulled apart enough to speak again.

“Want me to invite Rowan? We can make it a sleepover.” Penny said, smiling. Teasing me, perhaps. Her suggestion whiplashed my expectations for the evening and the night. A night of poorly advised passion became a movie night and a hang-out with kids half my age. I did not expect to like Rowan. Still, there might be some advantages to meeting him.

“I wouldn’t mind having him over for dinner at some point and meeting him, I guess.” I did mind, but I might as well meet and vet them.

“Perfect.” Penny said. Her hands wandered below my belt, searching, finding, and squeezing me in her hand. “But for now, take off your shorts and sit in the center of the sofa.”

A wicked grin spread over my face, and I did as she suggested. I removed my shorts and stepped to the center of my sofa before plopping onto it. The bulge in my boxers was noticeable, thanks to Penny’s hug and our passionate kissing. Her outfit wasn’t super sexy, but the skin-on-skin contact always started the process when we were alone.

Penny dropped her shorts after unbuckling them, revealing that she wore nothing underneath. Her shaved mound looked waxed and ready. Her pussy lips hadn’t fully opened yet, but they were on their way. She smiled as my eyes lifted with her shirt, following the red tee to the floor. Her bra still on, she climbed onto my lap, straddling me with her knees on either side.

“Let me know if I need to improve my kissing.” Penny said before kissing me. Her lips were soft and plump as ever but passionate and hungry. I slipped my tongue into her open mouth, and she answered with her own. I ran my hands over her ass, squeezing her. She ground herself against my length trapped beneath her and closed her eyes. “Thank you.” She said. “This is exactly what I need.” She ground herself against me to emphasize the part of me she was referring to.

“You’re welcome?” I said, the confusion in my voice turning it into a question. Sex wasn’t the answer to any problems she might be going through with her family. If anything, sex was merely an escape, a distraction, and a delay button. She’d have to face her demons and her parents soon. My wisdom of age warred with my youthful lust. If Penny wanted to use my body to distract herself and relieve her stress, who was I to spurn her?

She reached behind her and unhooked her bra as she ground herself against my lap and returned to kissing me. I felt the bra pull between us as her chest collided with mine, the soft, plump flesh of her breasts pressed against my pecs, such as they were.

“If you blow now, will you be good to go again tonight?” Penny asked. “I don’t want to use you up for my first sleepover.”

I kissed Penny before I answered. “With as hot as you are? My rebound will be quick. Five minutes, max.”

Penny giggled. “Come on then, Mister Castillo. What are you waiting for? Fuck me already.”

I inhaled deeply, gathering my strength as if I were going to rip off my boxers and plunge into her, but I didn’t. I pushed my hips upward and pressed against her. She was hot but not wet enough yet, I decided. So it was time to improvise.

“Switch places.” I said and shifted so she could.

She stood up, holding her breasts with her arm for support. I stood and moved her by her shoulders until she had the couch at her back. I pushed her onto it, and she sat. I spread her legs and tugged her hips, lining her up with the edge of the sofa cushion and pulling her into a slouch.

Penny looked quizzically at me but didn’t protest. She watched me, her big doe eyes following mine as I pushed her knees aside and knelt between them. She ran her fingers through my hair as I lowered my lips to her crotch. I kissed above her pussy, pressing my lips to her skin as she shifted for a more comfortable recline. I groped her breasts as my kisses traveled between her thigh, her mound, and her lower lips.

“Stop teasing me.” Penny begged. “Please? If you’re going to eat me, then eat me.”

I slid my tongue forward, tasting her as I started low, stroking vertically and curling high. Penny arched her back and panted, breathing in high, breathy gasps that drove me wild. I reached for her breasts, squeezing them in my hands as I lapped at her slit, stroking her with my tongue.

“But what about you?” Penny asked.

I didn’t answer her. I kept tonguing her and playing with her tits, making her moan, squeeze, and clench in an irregular rhythm. She tasted sweet on my tongue, and the smell of her coconut soap fueled the passion within me when it mingled with her arousal. I could spend hours kneeling, worshipping her in silent, lip-moving prayer. We didn’t have that kind of time, though. Neither did she.

Her fingers on my scalp scraped and tensed, pulling me to her. Our breathing shifted as I worked, holding my breath for as long as I could with my lips against her until I pulled away enough to suck in and exhale as necessary, with my tongue still working its magic against her. I mapped her in my mind by touch rather than sight and learned where her sensitive spots were.

Her chest rose and fell in heavy breaths. Her large breasts felt heavy in my hands but delightful as her pink nipples stiffened between my thumbs and forefingers. She moaned as I squeezed the tips in my hands, sliding my thumb along the curve of her underboob. She arched her back, pushing her crotch against my face harder and moaning her ecstasy into the room as she tightened her grip on me.

She wrapped her legs over my shoulders, not squeezing my head but crossing her ankles behind my shoulder blades and hugging me to her. I ate her like a starving man at a buffet, my generous tongue wagging, circling, intruding, sweeping, licking, and lapping as I drove her to the edge of pleasure. I sucked her pussy lips into my mouth, lips munching while my tongue swirled and curled within her pretty pink pussy.

“Oh!” Penny cried, riding my face as she panted for breath. “Stop, Julio! Or I’ll–!”

She came. Her entire body shook as she gripped and squeezed me. She pulled me so tightly against her that I couldn’t breathe, and she nearly screamed out her release except for the throw pillows on the sofa. She grabbed one, shoved it into her face, and screamed into it as she exhaled her release. Her juices soaked my lips and face so that when I pulled away, I had to wipe them off or let them drip onto the carpet. I wiped my face on her shirt.

If she protested, she didn’t say anything. I lifted my gaze to see her relaxed on the sofa, her eyes closed in bliss. Her arms were beside her, her curled fingers upturned with her wrists presented to the ceiling. She looked like she’d fallen asleep. Her spread legs bent and opened lewdly with her feet now on the floor as I stood from between them. Her entire front was exposed to my view, and even though her hair looked slightly messy and her body looked thoroughly used, she’d never been more beautiful.

I stood there, staring at her, for longer than I should have.

She blinked her eyes open, looking up at me as a smile formed on her face and reaching for me. I took her hands in mine, and she moved into a sitting position on the edge of the sofa, her face inches away from still erect cock.

She didn’t say anything, but her lips parted, and her mouth opened as she leaned forward, taking me into her mouth with her hands on my hips. I spread my feet, standing before her and resting my hands on her scalp. Her hot, wet tongue felt good as it massaged the underside of my cock. She stroked my cock with her tongue as she sucked, clamping her lips around my shaft as I pressed against her throat.

The inhale through her nose was all the warning I had before she pushed her face forward, face-fucking me. I slipped in and out of her throat in steady, rhythmic thrusts that she controlled. My hands on her head aligned her to me without controlling her pace or urging her to increase. I could flex my arms and hold her still against me with my cock lodged deep within her throat if I wanted to, but I chose to let her set the pace and enjoy myself.

The gurgling noises she made as she swallowed my shaft sent shivers up my spine. I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the ceiling to hold back my impending orgasm. I wanted my release, and after nearly a week without emptying myself I had a lot pent up.

Looking down at her, the sight of her naked body sitting on my couch and leaning forward to face fuck me was almost too much. This would be a new memory I’d see every time I looked at this couch. Her large breasts swung in a pendulous rhythm with her movements and gagging noises, glugging every time I sheathed myself in her constricting throat.

Penny moved her hands from my hips, scratching her nails against my thighs before she moved her arms in front of her. She gripped the edge of the sofa cushion between her thighs, rubbing against herself with the heel of her palms and constraining her breasts so they plumped to the side of her straight arms. The swinging must have been painful, so I didn’t begrudge her that, but I missed the sight of her stiff and eager nipples.

“Oh, Penny…” I moaned as my grip tightened. Her loose hair twisted between my fingers, and she moaned as I traced my fingers against her scalp.

She moved her hands again, pulling her hair up into a ponytail and sweeping it away from her shoulders so it fell behind her rather than over her breasts. She had no scrunchie or hair tie, but I moved my hand to the shaft of the ponytail against the crown of her skull. She patted my hand and held onto my arm, moving it and giving me control of her pace as she sucked my dick.

I flexed against her throat, and she moaned, sending ripples of pleasure through me. I wanted to empty myself into her, but at the same time, I wanted this to last. I needed this to last. She looked up at me with her pretty eyes, her lips wrapped around my cock, and moaned again.

I shuddered in pleasure but didn’t give her my release just yet. My grip on her hair tightened, and she gave me one slow blink of pleasure to signal her approval.

“Blink once for yes.” I said. “Twice for no.”

She gazed up at me, still sucking my cock.

“Do you want me to be a little rough with you right now and fuck your face until I cum?” I asked.

She blinked once, then twice.

“Do you want me to take you into the bedroom and fuck you properly?” I asked.

She blinked twice.

“What do you want?” I asked, impatience thick in my voice as I pulled her off my cock by her hair.

“Gah!” She gasped. “I want you to sit on this sofa and fuck me.” She said. “Let me ride you. Please?”

I pulled her back onto my cock, face-fucking her for several eager strokes. She moaned, closing her eyes and reveling in the blow job she was so good at giving. My cock strained against my release, holding back through sheer will. I wanted to pump myself into her and make her choke on cum, but her idea had its merits. As good as her throat was, her pussy was tighter, and she knew how to fuck me well.

I pulled out of her mouth, the tip of my wet cock hanging an inch from her face. I wouldn’t have minded unloading on her right there, covering her in days worth of cum that I’d let build up too long. Instead, I pulled her to her feet, sat where she’d been sitting, and pulled her to me. She straddled my lap, reached between us, and sheathed me inside of her as quickly as she could.

Her insides scorched my cock as it hit home, and I moaned, which she quieted with a kiss.

“You’re so fucking, tight.” I grunted as I thrust upward, lifting my hips into her.

“You’re so, fucking, big.” She moaned and clenched her eyes shut, tightening her grip on my shoulders. I was average, but I knew she said it for my benefit, so I didn’t argue. She arched her back, presenting her breasts to my face.

I dipped my chin, sucking one of her nipples into my mouth and gently sucking as she moaned and ground against me, rolling her hips as she clung to me. Our embrace had her above me high enough for me to suffocate on her tits, which was heavenly. I felt every inch of her torso against mine, her hips against mine, and her clit rubbing against my pelvis as she ground against me with my length flexing inside of her. She lifted herself with her knees on either side of me and sank onto me again, slamming her ass into my thighs again and again until she built up speed.

I didn’t have to do much as I sat there, sucking and enjoying myself as I alternated my attention between her breasts. She did the work, fucking herself on my cock with every rise and fall that drove her breasts into my face. I hugged her to me, with one hand spanning her shoulder blades and the other squeezing her plump ass.

I shoved her onto me and held her in place, thrusting my hips up and clenching as I erupted into her. I felt every spurt leave my shaft as it pulsed within her. She answered my bombardment by squeezing and grasping me with her interior muscles, milking every last drop out of me as relief swept over me. Her hot, wet interior kept me stiff inside her as I fell back against the sofa, but my balls felt empty, drained of everything they’d saved over the last few days.

She fell forward against me, resting her sternum on my face and hugging my head to her. I turned my face slightly to breathe, but she still felt comfortable.

“I love the feeling of you inside me, Julio.” Penny said, panting as she caught her breath. “God, you’re so fucking hot. And this… this is just what I needed.” She kissed the top of my forehead. “Thank you.”

I chuckled, feeling like I should be the one thanking her. My limbs felt empty, my body felt empty, and I couldn’t move with her on top of me. At least, I didn’t want to move. She felt warm, soft, and heavy, like a weighted blanket. For a few precious moments, no guilt or disgust plagued my mind. It felt natural to hold her and be held by her.

Slowly, my length shrank inside her, and she shifted in my lap, which woke me up and stiffened me.

Penny giggled. “Mmm…” She lifted her hips and stepped off me, planting her feet on the floor and closing her legs. My cum leaked out of her in drips along her thighs, but she did her best to hold me in, biting her lip as she looked at my softening cock.

“I need a spare swimsuit.” She said, walking with her legs closed toward the guest room. “Be right back.”

I chuckled and closed my eyes as I relaxed against the sofa. When I opened them again, Penny was wearing her shorts and a new top, one of my t-shirts from the dryer. It was big on her and hung low so that her shorts only showed when she moved the right way. Otherwise, it looked as though her long, thick thighs disappeared under the hem, and my imagination filled in the rest. She’d put her bra on, too, to my dismay.

“You should get up.” She said, teasing me. “Abby will be awake soon.”

I nodded, lifting myself off the sofa. “I’m going to get a shower. Can you take care of Abby if she wakes up before I’m out?”

“Of course.” Penny smiled and sat on the coffee table as I gathered my clothes. “And do you still want to meet Rowan?” She asked, holding up her phone.

The suggestion wasn’t a bad one, but it needed to happen tonight or sometime next weekend. “I have plans tomorrow, but can he come tonight for dinner?”

Penny nodded. “I’ll ask.”

I nodded. “Okay, but maybe he shouldn’t spend the night. I think that should be just us.” I winked at her, and she blushed crimson across her cheeks and nodded back at me. She cleaned up the living room as I climbed the stairs.

Steam filled the bathroom as I took my shower. I rinsed more than I needed to, but I relaxed under the barrage of hot water with my thoughts floating through my head until they left. I stood beneath the water at peace for the first time in days. The anxious thoughts of the future weren’t welcome here, nor were the obsessions of the past. It was just me and the hot water until it turned cold.