9. Kingmans Play to Win

KINGMANS PLAY TO WIN

EVERETT

M y day started with a fucking epiphany. It had hit me like a touchdown pass, and I knew how to help Pen.

She really got herself all twisted up the second she considered someone a potential romantic interest. I'd never seen quite such verbal diarrhea or clumsiness out of her at any other time.

She was never awkward around me or my brothers though. Because she didn't see us as anything other than a newfound family. But we weren't family. We were a whole load of red-blooded men, and even if it made me want to smack them all upside the heads, I'd bet half of my brothers had a crush on Penelope.

That was going to be the key to getting her out of her head and relaxed. Once she realized she was already smart and sassy and fun to hang out with when she was just being herself, even around men who thought she was hot, she'd get any date she wanted.

And then I'd be able to stop thinking about her and her love life every god damn second of my day.

The idea of pretending to pursue Pen energized me, and I'd just had one of my best games of the season. I'd smashed anyone coming Hayes's way when he was running with the ball, and even leaped over a whole-ass defensive line and right into the endzone for a touchdown.

Now, sitting here at Cool Beans, I was ready to put my plan into action. Finding a bright orange rascally kitten to present to her and picking her as my teammate for the games was the perfect opener. If that didn't say "I've been fantasizing about what your hair would look like wrapped around my fist as I fuck you from behind", nothing did.

Just, you know, as an example.

Tonight was all about teaching her how to flirt and date by example.Of course, I had to be careful.

I sure as hell didn't want Declan finding out. My brother's protective streak when it came to Penelope was no joke. It was a risky move, but I was banking on my family being too wrapped up in the game to notice anything unusual.

I settled into my seat next to Penelope, cataloguing every inch of where her skin touched mine. The tiny orange kitten purred contentedly in her lap. It was perfect.

"So, kitten." I leaned in close enough that my mouth brushed against her ear. "Ready to dominate this game night?"

Penelope looked up at me, her eyes flashing, and she tipped her head, studying me. Hopefully that meant she was already catching on. "I'm sure the kitten is excellent at board games. Me, on the other hand, I'm not much of a player."

I grinned, seizing the opportunity. "Well, lucky for you, I'm an excellent teacher. Both on and off the field."

I winked, noting with satisfaction how she caught her breath when I did. Let the games begin.

Every time Penelope laughed at one of my jokes or brushed against me as she reached for the dice, I felt that familiar spark. It was becoming increasingly difficult to remind myself that this was just practice, just a lesson.

"Your turn, Pen," I said, handing her the dice. Our fingers touched, and I let the contact linger just a moment longer than necessary. "It's all in the wrist."

Penelope raised an eyebrow at me, a playful smirk on her face. "Is that dice throwing advice or instructions from the love guru?"

A zing of electricity zipped through me. Was she flirting back? I hadn't expected that so quickly, but I certainly wasn't complaining. This was working better than I'd anticipated.

I glanced around quickly, making sure no one was paying attention to us. Luckily, everyone seemed absorbed in their own heated debates about game strategy and stats.

"Either," I replied, matching her tone. "I'd be happy to give you a private lesson on proper wrist technique later."

As the games continued, filled with laughter, playful banter, kitten shenanigans, and increasingly competitive moves, I found myself paying less attention to the games and more to Penelope. The way her eyes lit up when she made a good play, the adorable scrunch of her nose when she was concentrating, the musical sound of her laughter, and the way she cuddled that tiny orange cat.

Phew. I grabbed the collar of my shirt. Why was it so hot in the coffee shop? No one else was sweating. Did I have a fever? Ain't nobody got time to be sick during the season. But damn, it was like there was fire in my blood. No, something that burned hotter than a mere flame. It was like electricity. Lightning.

"Earth to Everett," Penelope's voice broke through my reverie. She was looking at me with a mixture of amusement and concern. "It's your turn. Unless you're planning to forfeit?"

I shook my head, both to clear my thoughts and in response to her question. "Not a chance," I said, picking up the dice. "Kingmans play to win, remember?"

I rolled, but I wasn't just talking about the game. I was playing for something far more valuable. And more dangerous, I realized as I caught my little sister, Jules's, questioning glance from across the table.

I gave her an older brother stay out of my business glare. I'd have to be more careful. The stakes in this game were higher than I'd ever imagined.

The night wound down and the kittens started dozing off in various laps, and I saw my chance for the next part of tonight's plan. I leaned in close to Pen, my lips barely brushing her ear. "What do you say we sneak out of here and move onto the next part of your lesson? I believe I promised you private tutoring on body language."

Pen's eyes widened for a moment before a mischievous grin spread across her face. "I knew this was a flirting lesson. How did I do?"

"You tell me." Because if I told her she was doing such a bang up job that I was more than turned on, our little dating lesson arrangement would be over. I was not ready for that.

"Well," she tapped her lips, and I wondered if she was doing that on purpose just to get me to look at her lush mouth. "I didn't spill anything on you, or spout random facts about hot peppers or giraffes, so I'm gonna call that a win."

I let out a surprised guffaw and caught Jules's attention again. So I raised my voice for my next question to throw my little sister off the scent. "Giraffes?"

Jules rolled her eyes and shook her head at me but went back to her real focus of the night—Willa and Hayes. Thank goodness she was set on getting herself a sister-in-law there and hadn't set her sights on me yet.

"Oh, no." Pen put her hands over her face and peeked at me through her fingers. "I may have done some independent study with Javi and failed miserably."

I suddenly didn't like Javier very much right now. "I believe you need to be under supervision until you graduate from the Love Guru Academy, young lady."

"You're not wrong about that. Lead the way to our next class," she whispered back.

I made an excuse about being worn out after the game, and while I held the attention, Pen said something to Kelsey and made her way out the door of Cool Beans. The cool night air hit me hard, reminding me how effing hot I'd felt all night. I'd just take a couple of aspirin or something and drink a gallon of water when I got home.

Pen was waiting by my car and rubbing her arms with a little shiver too. Perfect opportunity.

I quickly opened the car door for her. She slipped into my ‘67 Chevy Camaro and I popped round to the other side. I'd searched high and low for this car, specifically for this one particular feature. A bench seat in the front. A rare find, and perfect for exactly this scenario.

"Cold?" I asked, already pulling her snug against my side and draping my arm over her shoulders.

"Such a gentleman," Pen teased and snuggled in closer. "Is this part of the lesson?"

I grinned, deciding to amp up my game. "Absolutely. Body language is best when it's observed up close and personal."

It was only a couple minute drive to my house, and I relished every second of it. Pen seemed content, and I patted myself on the back for making her feel comfortable enough around me to hold her like this and her not be nervous at all. Her nerves were replaced with charged silence and stolen glances.

I kept reminding myself this was just a lesson, but damn if it didn't feel like something more.

When I pulled into the driveway, I jumped out, slid across the hood of the car, and opened her door for her. She took my offered hand to get out of the car and static electricity zapped us both.

"Oh. That's the second time you've shocked me tonight."

Hmm. Perhaps third time would be the charm. "A great way to use our body language lesson is to see what kind of guy you're hanging out with."

"I think that might be an advanced lesson. I thought we'd be doing eyelash batting and coy smiles or something."

"You don't need that, Pen. It's all about the art of subtle touching." To demonstrate, I placed my hand on the small of her back as we walked to my front porch.

Pen didn't miss a beat. She leaned into my touch so that every step, my fingers grazed the top of her rounded ass. She glanced up at me through her lashes. "Like this?"

Fuck me. Exactly like that. "Yeah. Good job."

When we reached my front porch, I decided to let her guide what happened next. "You're better at this than you think. Show me what else you know about body language."

Pen raised an eyebrow, a challenge in her eyes. She leaned against my door, one heel up against the frame, and tilted her head up to look at me like she was just waiting for me to make a move.

"I saw this on FlipFlop." Her voice had gone low and husky.

Holy shit. When did Pen get so good at this? I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure.

"Not bad," I managed, my voice a bit rougher than I intended.I stepped closer, placing one hand on the door frame above her head, effectively boxing her in. I leaned in, my face mere inches from hers. Her lips parted and her eyes went dark and shiny.

"Body language is all about creating tension," I murmured, my eyes locked on hers. "Making the other person hyperaware of your presence."

Pen's breath hitched, and my eyes darted to her lips then back up to her eyes.

"Is it working?" she whispered.

"You tell me, pretty Penny," I breathed, inching closer. The air between us crackled with electricity. I couldn't help it, I was going to kiss her. Lesson be damned, I needed to know what those lips felt like against mine.

I closed the distance between us, and Penelope closed her eyes. Something cool and smooth brushed against my ear. A soft hiss followed.

"What the—" I jerked back, my heart leaping into my throat as I caught sight of the fucking yellow spotted anaconda from hell hanging from my porch light, its forked tongue flicking out mere inches from my face.

"Holy shit," I yelped, stumbling backward and nearly falling off the porch steps. "Snake, snake, snake, snake, snake, snake."

Pen's eyes flew open in shock. She looked down at me, crouching in the doorway, and then up at the snake.Me, the big bad football player, pressed against the door, cowering from that damn snake, while said creature curled back up around the light fixture, seeming more interested in the light than either of us.

"That's a yellow anaconda," she said matter of factly, just as if she wasn't looking at my own personal stalker.

"I'll have you know that's my arch enemy and it's been hunting me. He probably thinks I'll taste like chicken." I scowled at the beast. "And why do you know what kind of snake it is?"

Pen's face crinkled with soft laughter as she looked between me and the snake. She reached her hand out to me and pulled me to my feet. I scooted all the way to the farthest end of the porch.

"Everett," she said with a subtle laugh as she said my name. Hearing my name on her lips was the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. "Do you know this snake?"

I grimaced, trying to slow my racing heart. "Billy, the neighbor kid with the death wish, lives behind me. His monster snake gets out and comes after me at least once a week."

I eyed the anaconda warily. "Think you could, uh, call animal control or something? While I just... stand over here. Far away."

"I've got it handled." Pen hid her smile and nodded very seriously. Then she pulled out her phone and waited for someone to answer. "Hi, yeah, it's Penelope. I think my good friend Everett just found the snake for Kelsey's photoshoot."

Aw, shit. I didn't know if I was more upset about the snake, or that Pen had just called me her friend. Her good friend.

Nothing I was feeling about Penelope Quinn was good.

It was all unbelievably bad. In all the best ways.