BREAKING POINT

Perhaps he felt for her more strongly now because he knew that she wasn’t engaged to anyone anymore. He wasn’t sure she was seeing anyone, although he knew she probably had a lot of men after her, but he hadn’t seen her out on a date with anyone. Somehow he had to make his move before it was late. He’d hate to loose her again.

Penny stared at the painting in front of her. “I was just thinking of the perfect price for this. I don’t want to make it too expensive” she said.

“I’m sure people would love it. It’s a beautiful painting. The trees…. The ocean…. The birds… You didn’t leave any detail out.” Joey said, then he moved and he was right behind her, his voice was softer, almost a whisper. “I can imagine what it would be like to be in a place like that…. The quiet… the gentle breeze…. Watching the trees and the birds… Would be even much better if it was a date… Would be amazing to go someplace like that with someone”

Penny swallowed and shivered slightly. She was aware of Joey’s feelings for her, and honestly, for some reason she thought that after everything that had happened, he wouldn’t feel the same way about her any more. She wouldn’t blame him if he moved on.

They were friends, but for a month now, Penny realized that somehow while she and Joey had spent time together, she’d developed some kind of…. She didn’t know exactly what to call it… Maybe attraction for him.

At first she had brushed it away. Told herself that she was feeling that way because they were really close and he was so good with Howard. But the feeling hadn’t gone away. The attraction remained, and she noticed that it was growing, like a plant… Like a flame,… little and then growing to burn brightly and fiercely.

She began to notice things about him…. Things she’d seen before but not actually noticed because she didn’t let herself. But now she did….Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

She noticed his hair…. neatly trimmed, his dark stubble when he hadn’t shaved in the morning. His dark eyes, determined, hard and yet soft. His mouth, the lower lip soft and pink…. And one time she was surprised to find herself day dreaming of how his lips would taste. He had a great body too and it hadn’t helped matters when she found him splitting wood in the backyard one morning…. Shirtless.

The image of his muscled, sweaty body stayed with her, and she felt so much blood rush to her cheeks that she was so embarrassed. She hoped he didn’t notice and later concluded that he didn’t because he didn’t say anything or even try to tease her about it.

And now as he stood behind her she was so aware of him being there. Aware of his scent and the heat of his body. His breath tickled her neck and she felt hot all over.

Penny took a deep breath, but she didn’t turn around to face him, instead she said huskily : “Yes I suppose…. I suppose it would be a nice place for a date…. It would be really romantic”

He simply nodded his head and made a hmmmm sound in his throat. A sound that made her think of warm nights and slow, deep kisses.

“Am I making you uncomfortable, Penny?” Joey asked suddenly.

Penny felt her entire body jerk and she swore inside her. “Why? What makes you think you’re making me uncomfortable? I didn’t say that”

Joey deliberately didn’t reply so she would turn around to face him. When she did, her knees felt weak. She wanted these feeling to go away. As far as she was concerned, she wasn’t ready for a relationship with anyone. She just wanted to focus on her child and her job. But then why did she continue to have these thoughts about Joey?

“Look Penny,” Joey began. “I know that you have been through so much. But I have been wanting to talk to you about something for a while now”

He took a step closer and Penny shivered. She knew she should probably take a step back too, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. The painting was behind her anyways, so she had nowhere to go.

Joey lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. Her skin felt so smooth and soft against his palm, and he rubbed gently with his thumb, making Penny close her eyes involuntarily.

When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her. His expression unreadable. His gaze rested on mouth for a while before moving back to her eyes. Penny swallowed nervously.

“You are a very beautiful woman, you know” Joey said.

Penny blushed, but she didn’t look away. “Thanks” she awkwardly. “I think you look great too” she added, taking care not to let him know that she didn’t think he just looked ‘great’. He didn’t have to know that she was beginning to notice so much about him.

“I ermmm…. I don’t know how to say this. But we just talked about dates and I think maybe now is the time to say this since we’re on the topic… You know how I feel about you, Penny. How I have always felt about you and It hasn’t changed one bit… Infact I think it grows everyday. I have never felt that way about anyone before. I just… I guess what I’m trying to say is… Penny, will you go out with me? Not as friends this time. I’m tired of being friends with you Penny, I want more than just your friendship. I want you to go on a date with me ”

Penny adverted her gaze and Joey knew from the way her body was tense now, that he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.

Penny gently removed his hand from her cheek and he made room for her so she could step away from him.

“I’m so sorry Jeremy” she said. “I really am, But I don’t think it’s a good idea”

“Why not?” Jeremy asked, feeling frustrated. “Why won’t you give me a chance? I wanted to give you time before mentioning this to you again, but it’s been a while and my feelings for you haven’t changed. All I want is for you to give me a chance to make you happy. What is the problem? You have to know that I would never hurt you on purpose. Don’t you trust me, Penny?”

“Oh I do. You know I do. After everything you and Audrey have done for me, how could I not trust you?” Penny asked.

She could see the hurt written on his face when he said, “Then why won’t you go out with me? Am I not… Good enough”