Chapter 13

AN: Thank you for the reviews and the well wishes. I am slowly but surely on the mend...Now to the story...did Penelope know something was "up"? LOL...pardon the pun!...

Penelope was smiling when she entered work the next day.

In fact, she had been smiling when she'd washed her face, taken her shower, and lay in bed. She had been positively giddy, even giggling out loud in the dark, under her plaster-dusted comforter. All of this was because of one thing; she knew—without a shadow of a doubt—her best friend wanted her. More than friendship, more than companionship to a movie, more than just to tease. She couldn't deny it or chalk it up to something else like she had done so many times before. Not in the least. This time, she had...hard evidence.

She giggled again as she opened her office door. It was a terrible pun, but it was oh so fitting. Kind of like he'd fit, so nicely, between her legs.

Giggling again, she admonished herself. She had to stop this line of thinking before she got in trouble for it. He was going to walk in, take one look at her, and know exactly what she was thinking about. She didn't want him to know.

Not yet.

Last night, when Derek had tested the swing with her, she'd seen the look on his face, the slight darkening of his eyes, and—like her usual way of thinking—had chalked it up to concentration on his behalf and nothing more. After all, the idea of testing a sex swing was exciting, and she had been thrilled to try it, even without him present.

And then she'd touched him.

The feel of him, so hot and hard, had made her look up...and see the profuse look of desire he'd had on his face. He'd been so turned on, he'd smoldered; she had felt a deep pulse from his body that mimicked her own heartbeat.

Of course, he'd hidden it as quickly as he could.

Of course, she hadn't done anything about it, either.

This was their habit. She wanted him, but she didn't do anything about it. She didn't think it would be the right thing to do, she didn't want to ruin their friendship, she didn't want to hurt what they had, and she went to bed, more often than not, highly frustrated. Apparently, he wanted her, too, and was doing the exact same thing.

Now, as a woman confident in her sexuality, she knew she didn't need to be that way anymore. She didn't need to have that frustration. She could go after what she wanted, and be confident and strong, too. She needed to know...was he as frustrated as she was? Was he willing to take that step?

Penelope decided once and for all-she was going to tease the hell out of him the next time they were alone together... and then she was going to seduce him.

"Hey, pretty girl," Derek said, watching Penelope walk into his office. "You look pretty as a peach."

"Thank you," she answered, and then continued with a teasing grin, "although I don't know exactly how cute fruit can be!"

He chuckled, rather relieved. He was worried how she'd react this morning. He knew he had pushed the line last night, had done somewhat of the unthinkable with their friendship, and he was hoping seriously that it didn't change their dynamics.

"Baby, come take a seat while I finish this report," he said, picking up his cup of coffee to take a sip.

Her grin grew saucier, as she asked with contradicting wide eyed innocence, "On your lap?"

He choked a little on his coffee, which made her giggle as she took the seat across from him. He watched as she crossed her long legs, letting her dangerously high heel dangle from her toes.

Her lips were full, pouty in concern, as she asked, "Need a tissue, sweetie? Is everything okay?"

The devilish, knowing glint in her eyes...Oh, boy. Things were definitely not the same.

"P," he said, warning her. So she knew he'd had a hard on. He was a man; things happen. Hell, he had one now, if she bothered to look. He wasn't going to let her—

"I'm just teasing you, Derek," she said, interrupting his thoughts. "Can't take a tease?"

"Little girl, be nice," he warned, his voice gritty and low in his throat. He'd had it, this crazy frustration. He was a grown man, not someone to be toyed with. "Don't start something you can't finish."

She blinked innocently at him. "Who says I wouldn't want to finish?"

For a moment, he stared at her and was coming up blank. What in the hell did she mean by that? He'd never been able to read Penelope like he could so many other people. He'd never really had to; she was an open book.

Then he saw the grin, the little teasing grin on her face, and he nearly growled in frustration. Fine. If she wanted to tease, he'd tease.

Giving her a sexy grin of his own, he purred, "What is going on in that devilish mind of yours, angel?"

She gave a low laugh and said, "Not exactly angel thoughts, honey bear."

That caused him to chuckle more. The look on her face was adorable. Her expression was so naughty, and the outfit she was wearing today, with innocent little blue flowers on it, made her look nice. She was a fallen angel, that was sure.

He almost sighed out loud. He had to take responsibility for his actions. He had indeed changed the dynamic of their relationship when he'd had that momentary lack of control, and now she was going to tease him mercilessly for it. Tease him, but do nothing, like all those good mornings he'd had from her over the years. Back when he was younger, he'd had a much harder time controlling his feelings; she had no idea how many times he'd come close to showing her the greatest morning of her life. Feeling the way he did now, he knew he was close to that same thing. He'd been walking a thin line, and his willpower was at his limit. He didn't want them to do anything they'd regret, and right now...with his threadbare control...

They'd be back to solid friendship soon. This heat between them would wane back to embers, as usual, and they'd laugh about this kind of thing. He just needed to remember that and take control of the situation before it got out of hand.

With a shake of his head, he pushed his chair back and stood up. "Too many parties lately, sweet girl," he remarked, tapping her nose with his finger. "Got you up to no good."

"Oh?" she questioned, rising to her feet to stand close to him. "Really, I'm very good."

He watched her eyes heat and her little pink tongue lick her lips. Before he did something crazy—like kiss the shit out of her—he burst out laughing instead. "Baby, we need to go dancing tonight, go find us some fun, instead of all those parties you've been having. That way you can stop giving this poor boy hell."

He watched as her grin disappeared from her face. "But Derek, I'm not—"

"What's this I hear about too many parties?" Prentiss asked, walking into Derek's office.

Derek grinned at Penelope wickedly as Penelope's eyes widened in surprise.

Good, he thought. Now she'd have to explain her secret life to Prentiss, who would give her hell about it. Served her right, teasing him so much.

"I'm going to let Garcia answer that one," he said, gesturing to her.

Penelope surprised him then. She turned, looked at Emily, and said, "Sex toy parties for Cara."

Prentiss obviously knew.

Emily shrugged. "Oh, yeah. I promised I'd throw one for you."

"Yep," she said, "but you haven't yet."

"Oh," Emily said, looking chagrined. Then she smiled. "How about tonight? I was just going to have a dinner get-together, but I can surprise the other couples with that."

"Men and women?" Penelope asked, and he heard the panic in her voice.

"A couples party," Emily said with a grin. "I think it would be a great idea."

"But..."

"It would be a good idea, baby; you should do it," Derek said with a smile, thinking of the sales she could make. Hell, he could think of a million things to try with her..and they weren't even a couple! All those other couples there would have some of his same wicked thoughts, he was sure of that.

"Okay," Penelope said with a smile. "Tonight...and Derek is co-hosting."

"Hey!"

She arched a brow. "Male and female guests; male and female hosts."

Derek internally cringed. He didn't know how much more his libido could take. He was already in a miserable state most of the time he was around her. Still, with her sweet face and the hope in her eyes—along with that mischievous grin—he couldn't say no.

"All right, sugar. I'm in."