Author: S.E. Law
Category: Young Adult
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/5033_16
8
Patrick
I’m sitting on the couch in my penthouse, overlooking downtown Gainesville. There isn’t much to see. The town is small, and the downtown area is really only one street with at most two bars open late Saturday nights. Yet, I can see the small figures of people walking to and fro below. The women limp along in their high heels, while the men stride confidently in their suits.
But the truth is that I haven’t been to a bar in over a year. Ever since I met Penny Lockwood, I haven’t even felt tempted to go out, period. I go to work, and then come home and hole up before watching Netflix and drifting off to sleep. Rinse and repeat, over and over again.
It’s pathetic. After all, I’m a thirty year old man, and I’m head over heels for an eighteen year old girl. How did this happen?
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But that’s the problem. Meeting Penny threw my world into disarray even though it shouldn’t have, for a myriad of reasons. She’s my employee’s daughter. She’s only eighteen. She hadn’t finished high school when we met. She was at Lancaster that day in order to participate in Take Your Daughter To Work Day. The reasons to leave her alone were numerous, and after our sensational tryst, I forced myself not to call her.
It was hard. Many times, I would simply stare at her number on my cell phone screen, remembering the melodious tones of her voice. In my mind’s eye, I could see the sparkle in her eye, and the lusciousness of her curves as she took my hardness like a pro. I can hear her moaning again, and then smiling up at me sweetly once we were done.
Which is why I can’t get her out of my mind, and why I’ve been living like a monk for the past year. No woman compares to Penny, and I’m prepared to die a slow death from my unrequited passion.
Suddenly, a voice crackles on the intercom, starling me.
“Mr. Lancaster, you have a guest. Should I send them up?”
“Yes,” I bark. I slump back on the couch, exhausted. It’s probably my dad. Lancaster Industries has been doing well in Gainesville, and my dad moved out here a couple months ago to lend a hand in the company’s expansion. He’s practically retired, but he still retains the title of Executive Chairman and loves coming into work each day to chat with the staff. He doesn’t do much, but he still enjoys seeing the offices and sitting at a desk, just like old times.
I lie there like a slug, waiting for a knock on the door. It comes in about five minutes, and I heave myself over to the front door before opening it.
“Hey Dad—”
But my words are cut off because it’s not an elderly, stooped old man on my doorstep. It’s the woman of my dreams herself: Penny Lockwood. My heart beats at a hundred miles an hour and I literally feel faint, like I’m going to pass out. She’s so beautiful that my eyes keep devouring her, as if she’s a vision that’s appeared from the skies above.
“Patrick?” she says in a small voice. “Hi. I know it’s been a long time since we talked, but I was wondering if maybe you have a minute?”
I step aside silently, swinging the door open for her to come in. What could she possibly have to say? Suddenly, my heart’s in my throat because I desperately need Penny in my life, but will she forgive me after our long estrangement?
9
Penny
I’m not even sure how I got to Patrick’s front door unannounced. Taking a deep breath, I strode into his fancy apartment complex like I belonged there. The lavish décor was intimidating but with a bright smile I said, “Mr. Lancaster, please. In the penthouse apartment.”
The concierge didn’t even blink an eye. He called up, and to my surprise, I was immediately given a go.
“The elevators are on your right, Miss,” the concierge said. “Press “P” once you’re inside.”
I thanked him, and trembling a bit, stepped into the gilded cage. Even the inside of the elevator was ornate, with wood-paneling on all four sides and elaborate lattice-work in the corners. But I steeled myself because I wasn’t here to appreciate the décor. I was here to tell a man about his secret son.
When the elevator doors whooshed open, I almost lost my nerve. The hallway itself was gorgeous, with plush carpets on the floors and a chandelier lighting the way. But there was only one door in the hallway, and immediately, I knew it had to belong to the penthouse.
I took another deep breath. You’re doing this for Georgie, I reminded myself. Georgie means more to you than anyone else in the world. Do this for him, the voice urged.
But when the door opened, and I saw Patrick Lancaster in the flesh, I almost lost my nerve again because he’s just so beautiful. The light in his apartment backlit his silhouette, emphasizing his imposing physique. Those broad shoulders seemed to fill up the doorframe, and his blue eyes seized mine, like we’d never been apart. I wanted to faint, but I made myself smile tremulously instead.