SemiCharmedCH2

(Kevin�s point of view)

It was very late when Pen and I arrived at the beach house. Pen seemed to be exhausted and seemed silent during the whole plane ride. She mainly held my hand and stared out the window. It was like she was terrified of something. Pen walked into the house with me and smiled. �Nice house. It�s really well designed.� Pen said. �But I can tell you don�t spend a lot of time in here because it looks like you just moved in.�

�Actually I don�t live here at all. This house belongs to a good friend of mine. And I�m surprised he actually keeps this place so uncluttered.�

�Well either way, this place looks amazing.� Pen said right before venturing through the rest of the house. I carried my bags into the bedroom and began to admire the king-sized bed. It seemed untouched, so I knew AJ didn�t spend anytime there. I mean I expecting to see condoms, whips, chains, and handcuffs. But his bedroom seemed normal. Seconds later, Pen threw her bags in the closet and glanced at the bed. �Hmm... One bed, two complete strangers.� She said. I noticed that she was standing there uncomfortably. So I suggested we change for bed. Pen said that it was a good idea, and started to unpack. While she was doing that, I decided to change. I took off my shirt and casually changed for bed.

Pen looked over and saw me, and her mouth dropped. I was wondering why she was staring at me like that, but I guess it was because I was just standing there in my boxers. I glanced at her and chuckled. �Maybe I should put some pants on. I mean you barely know me and already you�re seeing me in my underwear.� I said as I grabbed a pair of flannel pajama pants. I usually slept in my boxers, but since I was a gentleman, I wasn�t going to overwhelm Pen. After changing, I casually walked towards the door. �I�m sorry for doing that, but I was just trying to get comfortable. But I�ll think I�ll leave you alone so you can change and finish unpacking.� I said.

�That�s... um...� Pen said stammering, �That�s a good idea. I�ll see you in a few minutes I guess.� I then left the room and started to head outside to sit on the deck to check out the view of the ocean.

(Pen�s point of view)

Thank god Kevin left the room. I mean looking at him was just strange. Don�t get me wrong, the man was gorgeous, but it was just surprising to look at a half naked stranger that has the looks of a model. I tried not to think of seeing Kevin half-naked and finished unpacking. After that, I took a long shower and washed my stress away. During my shower however, I started thinking more about Kevin. Somehow I was really curious about him. I was asking myself what kind of man he really was. Was he another snob in the music industry? Or was he really a sensitive soul. �I wonder what he�s like in bed.� I said softly to myself as the water hit my lower back. I gasped suddenly. What was I saying? I mean I barely knew Kevin and already I was imaging him naked. God, what was wrong with me? I can�t just throw myself at him. I don�t want to get involved with any man ever again. Men only wanted sex, and I was certainly not going to sleep with Kevin. What if he was just like all the other guys I�ve been with?

Suddenly I had a flash of the night in Mexico with Justin, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I tried to let the hot water soothe me, but it didn�t help. So I turned the water off and climbed out of the shower. I decided to change into a baby blue tank top and some old black Adidas pants. I figured that since I was around Kevin that I might as well make myself comfortable. I walked outside to join him, and all I could say in my mind was �Stop thinking of him naked.� When I arrived outside I noticed Kevin was standing at the edge of the deck. He seemed to be staring at the sky and he was humming a very unfamiliar song. The sun seemed to be coming up and the sunrise set a very romantic mood. I stood next to him and looked at the sky.

�It�s gorgeous out here.� He said, as he glanced at me. �Cute outfit!� He said. I smiled and put my hair up in pigtails. Kevin chuckled and asked me if I was feeling better. I told him yes of course, because most of my tension was gone. I was happy that I was away from Justin. I was happy that the plane ride was over. �You looked petrified during the trip. Your face was pale and you were shaking like the entire time. It was like you were scared of something...� Kevin began to say right before looking into my blue eyes, �Or someone.�

�What makes you think I was afraid of someone? He doesn�t scare me.� I said rapidly not even thinking about what I said, or what I was about to say for that matter. I had to cover my tracks. I couldn�t tell Kevin about Justin. I couldn�t tell anyone what happened.

�Who are you talking about Penelope?� Kevin asked softly. He could tell that I was about to lie. He saw the scared look in my eyes. �You can tell me the truth. You don�t have to lie to me.� He put his arm around me and pulled me close to him. I felt secure in his arms, almost secure enough to open my heart to him. But I told myself I couldn�t. I pulled away and tried to fight back my tears. I looked away and began to walk to the door. �Wait. Don�t leave.� Kevin said. He seemed disappointed somehow that I was running away so quickly. But that is what I had to do. I didn�t want him to get under my skin. I didn�t want him to see the side that no one sees, the scared little girl that runs away from all men.

�Kevin I think I�m just going to go to bed. I didn�t get any sleep on the ride here. So...I think I�m going to sleep for the time being and I�ll just see you later.� I said right before running into the house and into the bedroom. I quickly climbed into bed and tried to fight back all the fear and frustration I was feeling. I was scared to pull out all of those feelings I had about what happened to me, and how I was feeling about Kevin. I was scared and confused. I didn�t know if I should open myself up to him. I barely knew him, and what if he thought wrong of me. I didn�t want to expose myself to him like that. I didn�t want him to hurt me too.