Page 24 of Penn

“Penn doesn’t play games, Dixie. If he’s in, he’s in.”

I look at Kannon because I trust he’ll tell me the truth. He doesn’t really seem to care about hurting people’s feelings if the facts hurt, and I respect that a lot more than most people. He says nothing, and I hate that I have to say it. “Kannon? What do you think?”

He rubs his bearded chin, and I force myself not to cringe at the scratching sound of his skin against the coarse hair. There are quite a few pregnancy side effects I never expected, and certain smells and sounds become like nails on a chalkboard for me.

But that? I can handle scratching on a chalkboard now. Go figure.

“I’ve never seen Penn in a relationship, but I’ve never seen him go through girls like some of the guys in the club have. And he definitely doesn’t bring women home to his house. If he’s going to spend a night or two with one, he uses the clubhouse. So that has to mean something.”

“Does he talk about girls? Maybe he does bring them home, and you just don’t realize?”

He shakes his head. “No, he’s not that type of guy. Honestly, if this was just because you’re unattainable, it would have to be the most exhausting show a man has ever put on. And he’s not that type of person.”

The little flutter of the baby kicking mixes with the butterflies of what Kannon’s said. This isn’t just because I’m unattainable. But he hasn’t made a move, either. Maybe he’s conflicted because I’m carrying another man’s baby. That can’t be easy to just overlook.

It’s also interesting that I’ve spent my life running from men who can’t keep promises, but Penn’s kept every one he’s made. He’s ensured I’m safe and have people around me to help protect me. The man’s willing to bleed for me if needed. He always does what he says he’s going to do, and he hasn’t tried to leverage anything to get something more from me.

“Don’t overthink it, Dixie,” Zep says. “Penn’s a good man. The best of us, really. Just let him take care of you. He won’t let you down.”

And there’s the fear I’ve been fighting against my entire life. Is there a man out there who won’t let me down? Because I have yet to meet one.

Chapter 10

Penn

Ikill the bike’s ignition in my driveway and take a moment to breathe before climbing off. All I can think about while I’m gone is Dixie. If we were in a different place, I might text her to check in. Call her later into the night when I know she’s clocked out and at home.

But we’re not.

I don’t make a sound as I slip through the front door. The living room is dim with only the light from my outside security light cutting through the open curtains. I expect the room to be empty, but I hear Dixie’s soft breathing before I see her. She’s curled up on the couch as though she tried waiting up for me but couldn’t keep her eyes open.

She lies with her blonde hair in a mess around her head, covered by the thick fleece blanket I pulled out of the hall closet and draped along the back of the couch before I left. She always seems to be cold, and I put the blanket away because it’s too damn hot. I smile down at her, moving to sit on the coffee table, as I take in how small she looks. Even with a growing belly, she looks tiny, and I want to wrap her up in my arms and carry her to my bed.

With her pregnancy advancing, and the proof of it growing every day, I can’t stop the anger. Her ex should be with her. He should be the one taking care of her and making sure she has her vitamins and maternity clothes. Everything she needs to make sure she’s pampered while growing his child inside her. Instead, he tried to kill her and ruined all her possessions.

He’s not here.

I am.

Slipping one arm under her knees, I slide the other beneath her shoulders and pull her into my arms. She’s lighter than I expect, and her body is warm pressed against mine. She stirs and lets out a groggy sigh that brushes against my neck. Her temple leans against my shoulder while her fingers gently hold the other.

“Penn?” Dixie murmurs, her voice thick with sleep.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “It’s me. Time to go to bed, mama.”

She doesn’t fight me. When she’s sleepy like this, she’s a lot more agreeable. I should really talk to her more often in this state. We’d get a lot further a lot faster because she doesn’t fight me.

The guest room is cool, and I lay her on her bed, quickly pulling the comforter over her as she shivers. I tuck the edges around her and step back. I know I should leave and go to my own bedroom, but my feet won’t move.

Watching Dixie feels stalker-like, but she’s so beautiful. So beautiful it hurts, and once you get beyond the snappy and witty comebacks, the beauty from inside shines like the damn sun.

I quietly pull the chair from the desk out and sit on it, light from the hallway giving enough visibility to see her face. The soft curves of her cheeks and chin. Her lips I want desperately to taste. The long lashes pressed against her cheeks as she dreams.

“Why are you watching me?” Dixie asks with her eyes still closed.

There’s no suspicion like I expect in her tone. And she doesn’t immediately call me a pervert, so that’s a plus.

Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees. “I wanted to see something beautiful.”