Winning Her Curves Read online

  Penny showed him the plans, and they talked about how work would go ahead. Carl seemed to know what he was talking about and said Darrell might put in an appearance sometime later that week in a purely supervisory role.

  “It was all I could do not to let him come today, he was worried you would feel let down. But it’s too uncomfortable for him to sit in the truck right now.”

  “No problem. Tell him it will be good to see him when he is ready.” Penny had grown more relaxed with Carl now. “I think I had better leave you to it. I have to go do my rounds. If there's anything you need, let me know.”

  “Sure. Thanks for being understanding, Miss Davies, it will set Darrell’s mind at rest.”

  Miss Davies. That’s when it struck Penny just how rude she must have sounded. “Please, call me Penny, Miss Davies really does make me feel like an old spinster.”

  “OK, Penny it is.” Penny turned to walk away, before she had taken two steps he said, “By the way, Penny.” She turned back to him. “I can assure you no man would call you an old spinster.”

  Speechless and blushing furiously she turned and fled, sure he was watching every step she took.

  ***

  Penny hurried round doing all her chores, she had a couple of pets arriving mid morning and tried concentrating on that rather than Carl. It was difficult when she could hear the sound of him working, every hammer blow he took reverberated through her body. Turning her insides until she was a squirming mass of nerves.

  She still couldn’t work out how she had lost her self control so quickly. Many men, richer and handsomer than Carl had passed through her door with their cats. She could talk to them, totally at ease, never once having to fend off any advances. Penny took this as a sign of how undesirable she was to the opposite sex, now she realised it was the signals she gave off. Uninterested and untouchable. So why didn’t it work on Carl?

  Eventually all her jobs were done for the morning, she would have to go and check on Carl and offer him a cold drink. The sun had warmed up considerably, he must be hot. Going back to the house she found two cold bottles of lemonade and took them out. As she rounded the corner she caught sight of him, shirt off, muscles rippling as he worked.

  Why did she bring two bottles? She would have to stand and share them with him, and try not to stare at his tanned body.

  He looked up and smiled that heart stopping smile at her again. The heat coursing through her body was not just a result of the weather. His body was damp from sweat, hers from an arousal she didn’t know how to control.

  “Thanks,” he said, accepting the cool lemonade from her. “Just the thing, it sure is a beautiful day.”

  She agreed, taking a long drink of the ice cold liquid in the hope of it extinguishing the fire in her core.

  “So what do you think?” he asked indicating the work he had done that morning.

  “Wow, you work fast!” She had to admit he had got a lot done. The footprint of the building had been laid weeks before, and the timber was on site. Carl had managed to mark out the outline of the building and begin to build the timber frame. Penny knew it would have taken Darrell two days to get this far. “It'll be finished in no time.”

  Carl laughed, “I’d better slow down then, give you a bit more time to get used to me.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” said Penny. “I can see how good you are at your job.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the job. It's just you seemed a bit frosty towards me this morning, if you don’t mind me saying so. I guess I’m not your type?”

  Penny nearly choked on her lemonade. “I don’t have a type. I don’t intend to have a type. Can’t a woman be happy being single without everyone thinking she needs a man.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you need a man, you seem to do a good job here on your own. But that doesn’t mean you might not enjoy having a man about the place.”

  Penny stood up, anger rising in her. “You're so sure of yourself aren't you? I mean look at you, great smile, gorgeous eyes, and body of an athlete. How could a woman ever say no!”

  “Hey.” Carl stood up and came towards her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. Forgive me, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself from now on.”

  Penny breasts heaved, her emotions in overdrive. His eyes were drawn to them, he licked his lips, and cleared his throat. “I had better get back to work, thanks for the lemonade.” Picking up his tools he went back to hammering nails in. Penny watched him, she was pretty sure he was letting off steam by hitting the nails harder than he needed. Surely she hadn't got it wrong, a man like him could never be really interested in a plus size woman like her.

  She went back to work, her energy zapped. The more she thought about the whole thing the worse she felt, why did Darrell have to hurt his back now, her life had been on an even keel before the arrival of Carl, now she was flustered. One thing she did realise, she owed him an apology, again. Must be a record for her, she usually went out of her way to please people, but she had been rude to Carl twice already today.

  ***

  She went to apologise when she heard him finishing up for the day, packing his tools away. This time he watched her approach in a more guarded manner, making Penny feel worse about her behaviour. She glanced at the work he had done, impressed by the speed in which it was taking shape.

  “It's looking really good, thank you. Will you tell Darrell I hope he feels better soon.”

  “So he can take my place?” Carl spoke flippantly, but Penny wondered if he meant it.

  “Not at all. In fact I would like to apologise for the way I spoke to you earlier. It was unfair; I don’t know what has come over me today.”

  Carl grinned, “I have a few ideas, but you probably won’t like them.”

  Penny chose to ignore this fresh banter. “So I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

  “You can count on it.” Now he turned the full force of his charm on her. “Although if you feel really bad about the way you’ve treated me you can come with me and watch a movie tonight.”

  “I don’t think that's such a good idea.” Penny was shocked with the suggestion.

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t date.”

  “I wasn’t asking you on a date.”

  “Oh,” Kate said embarrassed.

  “I’ve been out of the country for a few months, I only came back because Darrell hurt his back. I don’t know anyone around here and I just want to go to a movie.” He looked at her, his eyes lighting up with a mischievous light when he finished, “You wouldn’t make me go alone would you? It’s not a very macho movie, and I would get strange looks. Please come with me, Penny.”

  “I have so much else to do.” The argument sounded weak even to her.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven, you would be home by ten, please.”

  “OK.” She lied to herself, trying to convince herself it was the least she could do after being so horrible to him. And if he had come back just to help Darrell, he couldn’t be that bad, could he? “Come on, Penny, he isn't some rich jerk like Preston,” she chided herself.

  “I’ll see you at seven then.” With that he picked up his tools and bolted for his truck, before she could change her mind.

  Chapter Three

  Penny agonised over what to wear, she didn’t have many clothes that weren't for work. Anything else seemed too dressy, too date like. So she went for casual, to convince herself that was all this was. Because there was nothing else to this, he had said so. She lectured herself about acting like a teenager, but this side of her had never grown out of her teenage years.

  Forcing herself to eat something even though her stomach kept turning over with nerves, she rushed around to check on all the cats. Double checking everything was locked. Next she phoned Mr Donald who lived in the neighbouring house and asked him to keep an eye on everything for a couple of hours.

  “You off out Penny?” he asked sounding surprised. Penny only usually asked Mr Donald for help on days whe
n she had to shop or go into town, never on an evening.

  “Yes, I’m going to watch a movie with a friend. I hope it’s no trouble.”

  “No. Its about time you had a bit of fun, put a twinkle in your eye.” She guessed Mr Donald had overlooked the friend part and skipped straight to boyfriend.

  “It's nothing like that, Mr Donald. Is there anything you need while I’m out?” she asked out of habit.

  “No dear, you have fun.”

  “I’ll ring you when I get back. I have my phone on me so call if there's any problem.”

  “I will. I’ll walk around in an hour when I take Tally out.” Tally was Mr Donald's old dog, Penny got on well with Mr Donald but he was firmly a dog person.

  All ready to go out, she sat and waited, cursing herself for being so early. Now she sat and watched the clock as the minute hand dragged itself up to the hour. Deciding to make a cup of tea to help soothe her nerves she didn’t hear Carl arrive. The knock on the door made her jump, surprised because she always heard Darrell’s truck. Flustered and more than a little flushed she made her way to the door, checking her image in the hall mirror. Satisfied she didn’t look too dreadful she opened the door to him.

  He took her breath away. His clothes, although still casual, were impeccable. Dark, well cut trousers and a shirt that covered his muscled physique, but hinted at what was hidden underneath. Blue in colour it emphasised his startling eyes, Penny swallowed hard and tried to focus. Her eyes dilated in longing, her breasts heaved with need.

  Then he smiled and she struggled to stay on her feet. At that moment she knew she was safe with him, he wouldn’t possibly make any advances towards her. This man might only have been a builder, but any sane woman would want him. Penny doubted he would have any trouble wooing any woman he wanted. He would not want someone like her.

  “It helps if you breathe,” he said taking her arm, supporting her. His touch made it worse, like someone had connected her to the electricity supply. Where his fingers touched her bare skin, the current was strongest, radiating out through her whole body.

  She looked at his face; as expected it was full of humour. She pulled herself away from him, almost yanking her arm out of his fingers. “You're used to this aren't you?”

  “It's usually worse,” he joked, making Penny feel ridiculously out of control.

  “Worse?”

  “By now you should be telling me how handsome I am, and how you would like to satisfy my deepest needs.”

  “Well that isn't going to happen!”

  “I know and that's what I like so much about you. You're determined not to like me, so I don’t have to pretend I’m something I’m not.” The humour had disappeared from his eyes.

  “You aren't joking are you?” she said still breathless.

  “No. People like to judge you, define you by how you look and how much money you have. But you’re different.” His smile was back, “But you haven't seen my car yet, women always judge a man by the car they drive.”

  Wondering what he meant Penny said goodbye to Sorrow, who now took up the best part of the sofa, stretched out as if this was his domain. She pulled the front door to, locking it and dropping the keys into her bag. “So let’s see this car of yours, if it’s that bad I can always drive.”

  Carl chuckled, “Oh, it’s bad.” He slipped his hand into hers and they walked around to the side of the house where he had parked. Penny stopped rooted to the spot. She had expected some old banger, full of rust and falling apart. Instead his car was the sleekest sports car she had ever seen. Black, low to the ground, like a panther waiting to pounce.

  “Like it?” he pressed a button on his keys and the doors slid up for them to get in.

  “I’m not sure,” Penny went for convenience rather than looks and power in her vehicles. Picking up supplies would be hard in such a car. “But it suits you completely.”

  “That's not a compliment is it?”

  “I’ll let you know.” She managed to slide into the car. Feeling as if she was going to end up sitting on the floor. He started the engine and the doors slid closed. For a sports car it wasn’t completely uncomfortable, making it obvious even to Penny's untrained eye that this must be a very expensive car. Luckily he drove it carefully, not haring around the country lanes.

  “I assume this is your car, not borrowed or stolen?” Penny was still struggling to put the two versions of Carl together. One was the builder who came back from abroad to help his uncle, the other looked like a rich, flash womaniser. Penny didn’t know which one she would feel safest with.

  “Yes, it’s my car. I bought it when I flew back in to London. But I’m going to trade it in, it’s the kind of car I drove before I went abroad. Now I find I’m not the same person, and the car feels a bit ridiculous, still I thought it was better than taking you out in Darrell’s van.”

  “Darrell’s van would have been OK with me,” Penny said. This car drew too much attention, something she shied away from, preferring to blend into the background.

  “I know it would have, but I wanted you to feel like I’d made an effort.”

  “Why, it’s only a movie. You don’t need to impress me.”

  “But there's no harm in trying.” He grinned at her. Pulling into a parking space, he manoeuvred the car into place before hopping out and offering her his hand to help her get out. Locking the car he once again slipped his hand into hers as they walked. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, holding his hand. There was no awkwardness between them as they talked about everyday things. Penny longed to ask him more about his life but had to remind herself they were just friends, and only the briefest of friends. She couldn’t believe she had only met him for the first time this morning. Perhaps it was his personality, so like Darrell’s, which made her feel so comfortable with him.

  She insisted on paying for her own ticket and popcorn. Carl didn’t argue, it seemed to amuse him. Penny was surprised to find they had gone to watch a rom com, complete with soppy ending. She tried not to cry as the heroine reached her happy ever after, telling herself this was not how things turned out in real life. It didn’t help, she stifled her sobs and Carl handed her a tissue to wipe her eyes.

  “Now do you see why I couldn’t come and watch it on my own?”

  Penny smiled through her sobs, “I’m sure you would have plenty of female company if you came on your own.” She referred to all the women that gave him an appraising look as they walked past. Many of the other people watching the movie were small groups of single women, no doubt someone would have latched on to such a good looking man.

  “Shall we go somewhere to eat now?” Carl asked. Penny thought she ought to get home, but now she felt relaxed around Carl her appetite had returned. So she said yes. They went into the first restaurant they passed that looked empty enough for them to be seated straight away. It was Italian, the aroma of delicious food spilling out from the kitchen, making her mouth water. They were quickly taken to a table in a quiet corner, candles were lit making it very romantic. Looking around at the other diners, Penny wished she had made more of an effort when she dressed. Why had felt the need to go out of her way to prove to herself this was not a date? Carl didn’t seem to notice, he already had the menu open getting ready to order.

  Carl selected a bottle of red wine to go with their meal; he refused to drink more than one glass because he was driving. Penny didn’t usually drink, so she found the wine went to her head, and loosened her tongue.

  “Why did you go abroad?” The waitress had just left the table after serving their first course and the question just fell out of her mouth.

  Carl sat for a moment watching her; he picked up his glass and took a sip, placing it carefully down on the table. Penny wondered if he wouldn’t answer, then he spoke quietly.

  “I needed to escape my life.” Seeing her raised eyebrow he added, “I wasn’t in trouble with the police or anything.”

  “I didn’t think that, it’s only I guessed some
one like you would have a great life.”

  “Someone like me? I wouldn’t expect you to judge me by my looks.”

  “Not just your looks, you have charm and I would imagine a good income if you go around buying expensive cars.”

  “So you think I’m charming?” he said mocking her

  “That’s not exactly what I said,” Penny tried not to sound flustered. “Anyway, back to your story.”

  “Are you sure you want to hear it? It's not very interesting.”

  “More interesting than the TV show I would be watching if you hadn't asked me out.”

  “So are we on a date after all?”

  “No. I didn’t mean that. Please, your story,” she said firmly, steering him back to safer ground.

  “When I was young we were fairly poor, my mother worked hard. She instilled in me the idea that if you work hard enough you will get where you want to be. So I worked hard and built a good solid business. I had some lucky breaks and made a fortune in emerging technology.”

  “Emerging technology?”

  “Yes, I invested in certain gadgets that went on to become household names. Like I said, I got lucky. Then one day I realised all I did was work hard and play hard. Fast cars, fast women. I got burnt out. So I sold everything and went abroad to find myself.”

  “And did you?”

  “I only found part of me. It's only now that I’ve returned I can see how much I’ve changed.”

  “You came back purely because Darrell needed you?”

  “Yes, he was very good to me and my mother when I was young. He took us in for a while when my dad left. Without him I might have ended up in care, or mixing with the wrong gangs. I feel I owe him a lot. And I think I was ready to come home and settle down.”

  Penny smiled, “I am sure you have women lining up to settle down with you.”

  “Not really, like I said, I’ve changed. It feels like I’m starting all over again.” They were nearly at the end of their main course. “So what about you?”

  Penny paused, her fork hovering over her plate. “What about me?”

  “Why do you hide yourself away? No dating, no going out.”