The next few weeks were a whirlwind for Richard. Despite his insane work schedule, Penelope texted him often and didn't mind visiting him at odd times. She often cooked for him, sometimes even bringing bags of ingredients to his place in order to make something fresh for him. The last time he stepped into a grocery store was when he met her. He wondered how their relationship escalated so quickly. He thought for sure he had ruined their first date, not only was he late but he came straight from a construction site, covered in sweat and wood with the odor too match. She just smiled sweetly, stating that she had hardly noticed his state. 

They talked for a long time on the outdoor patio of Richard's favorite burger place about their jobs, about their lives, and about their hopes and dreams. Penelope was an elementary school teacher, who dreamed of being a principal one day so she could bring about change that was desperately needed for the children. She was passionate about painting and hoped she could one day be featured as a local artist. She promised to show him her art sometime. Before he knew it, she was in his bed. They were tangled up in sheets, his hands in her hair, her moans carrying through the silent night. He often woke to find the morning sunlight kissing her face, highlighting her freckles, caressing the curves of her body.

But I still haven't been to her place.

His happy moments with her were often interrupted with that thought, eventually he got the nerve up to ask her. She told him that her family had taught her that a woman must be careful in bringing a man into her home, because it meant that the woman intended to keep that man with her as her life partner. It seemed like an odd lesson to keep their child in this day and age but he couldn't find a reason to argue about it, especially since she was the best relationship he had ever had. So he banished the thought from his mind and didn't bring it up again. It was two months into their relationship before his job hired enough people for Richard to resume a normal schedule. 

Penelope was so excited that they were finally able to have some extra time together that she invited him to stay the weekend at her place. His heart pounded in his chest at the request partly our of excitement and fear. What did this mean? Did she except him to pop the question now? He had never really thought of himself as the marrying type but he also wasn't one to throw away a good thing when he had it. In the moment, he couldn't help but say yes, not wanting to squash her happiness. He was a ball of nerves in the days leading up to the big weekend. Not only was he finally going to her place, but it was for the whole weekend.

Ultimately, he shoved down his fears at the prospect of having and uninterrupted weekend of breathless words and exhausted after glow. That was until he rang her doorbell, launching a flurry of concerns and doubt that created an urge to run away. The thought of escape fled from when Penelope's face emerged behind the opening door. She rushed to hug him, causing him to almost drop his overnight bag, but it was abandoned by living room sofa as she dragged him to the bedroom. There was something wild about her that day, as if she had been holding back every other time they touched. Her quiet moans were now almost primal growls, demanding everything from him. Demanding faster, harder, as her nails dug into his skin into response to his efforts, but still she wanted more. She bit his slick skin with enough force that shot pain through him but was drowned out by a sense of pleasure he had never experienced before. His eyes fluttered, breath heavy, muscles aching as he stared at the woman beneath him.

“Do it again,” he said in a rough voice.

She smiled at him, licking her lips before shoving him. She rolled on top of him with an animalistic grace he never saw in other women. She gazed at his tired body with the face of a content cat who's playing with their prey. She traced her fingers along his freshly marked body, with a small laugh.

“Whatever you want.”

At some point, he didn't remember when, he fell asleep from exhaustion. It wasn't until he caught the smell of bacon and biscuits that he opened his eyes. Penelope was gone, his arm laid where her body once was. He smiled as he sat up, wincing at the sight of multiple bite marks and scratches along his body. He looked like he had fought a wild animal, and he didn't feel it was too far from what actually happened. He slowly rose from the bed, pulling on a pair of sweat from his bag. He didn't bother with a shirt, not wanting to disturb the rewards for his hard work.

He wander out into the hall, not really sure where he should be going. He didn't see anything besides Penelope as he was spirited away to her room but took the opportunity to take in her home as he found his way. It had everything he expected, pictures and souvenirs from her adventures were displayed, her smile shining brilliantly in each photo. Floral print and delicate colors covered her house, somehow an odd contrast to what he had experienced form her during the night. He poked his head around a corner in the living room and found his angel cooking at the stove. She wore a fluffy light blue robe, her hair in a messy bun. She hummed softly as she cooked what looked like a feast. There was a spread of biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, sausage, fruit, grits, and waffles. He stared at her for a moment, wanting to record this new memory in his mind. She caught him staring, smiling broadly at him.

“I thought you could use a big meal after last night,” she winked at him as she brought plates to the table. He sat, dumping a little bit of everything on to his plate.

“Would you like something to drink?” She asked, glass in hand.

He nodded, trying to quickly swallow the mouthful he was chewing, “Orange juice it you have it.”

The food was as good as every other meal she had made him, but his exhausted state made it seem all the more blissful. Penelope sat the glass of orange juice in front of him, which he quickly grabbed and emptied half of it in one gulp. She sat across from him, smiling, her head resting in her hands.

“I really enjoyed our time together Richard. To think this is where we would be after literally bumping into each other at the grocery store.”

He smiled back at her, “I know, I was terrified to talk to you, I-”

He felt dizzy suddenly, the room started to spin. His grabbed the table to support himself.

“Penelope, I think something is wrong,” he said, trying to focus on her smiling face.

“Oh nothing is wrong at all, everything is going just as I planned it.”

The reality of those words hit him as he fell into darkness.