Phillip: Bad Boys Love, #5

By Savina Joyce

Bad Boys Love Bad Girls

 

Phillip was lost and looking for a place to call home. When Marcus called and told him Newport was the place for him, he came running. He never expected to meet a woman like Penelope.

Penelope was bold and brash. Since she almost sabotaged things with Marcus and India, she was trying to be a better person. She was having some growing pains. The last thing she wanted was to fall for the new Marine in town. Could their fun fling turn into something more?

Read more in the fifth book in the Bad Boys Love Series by Savina Joyce. Each book features a different couple and can be read as a standalone with a happily ever after ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Savina Joyce
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224058112

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

PENELOPE

Penelope was ready for a change. She sighed looking at the big knot of yarn in her lap. It was time to get her yarn in order and her life too. She began unraveling it while thinking back to all the things that happened in the last year.

After her mixup with Marcus, almost causing him to lose the love of his life, she decided it was time for her to improve herself. Her first step was to change her career trajectory. It was a pretty simple decision when she had been ambling through life without any concrete plans at all until now. Step one: go back to school and become a certified public accountant. She had always liked numbers and found money motivating, so it seemed like a great fit. Despite taking longer than she would have liked, she quickly progressed through the program, leveraging her earlier college experience.

While she still wanted to stay true to herself and her image, she also needed to gain a better handle on things. She had always been a wild woman, cherishing her freedom and having her own ideas about how life should be. However, she also longed for stability and genuine happiness. Penelope realized she had spent too much time searching for fulfillment in fleeting experiences, but she had to create the life she wanted to live.

Penelope switched careers and started working at the accounting firm. She discovered she didn’t have to rely solely on her free-spirited nature. She could challenge herself intellectually and tap into her analytical skills. Running math equations in her mind became second nature, but she felt the need for something more creatively fulfilling. Creative accounting had its limits. Penelope decided to test drive a few hobbies.

She attended wine and paint nights, but painting didn’t quite resonate with her. It might be fun for a date night, but that was about it. She was definitely not interested in buying and setting up all the supplies to paint on her own at home. Hiking sounded appealing, but on her first hike, she realized leisurely walks suited her style better. Even the beginner trails were too taxing for her to enjoy the process. Mix that with bugs, and it was a recipe for disaster. Sweating in public wasn’t her style, anyway.

She loved animals, but the only place to volunteer to work with them was India’s dog rescue. After Penelope interfered with India’s relationship with Marcus, she wasn’t sure how well she would be received and was too cautious to find out. Then, one day, she stumbled upon a video tutorial about making crochet halter tops. It seemed like an activity that she could start with one crochet hook and one color of yarn, allowing her to gauge her interest. After she made six crochet halter tops, she finally felt a sense of accomplishment. It was something she had quickly picked up, and she loved seeing the direct results of her work. The compliments she received whenever she wore them didn’t hurt either.

Now, her new challenge was to create a sexy showstopper to wear on her nights out. She was in the process of making a gorgeous silver and black number that was coming together beautifully. But she knew that along with making new clothes, it was time to put herself back out there and start dating again. She had never taken herself entirely off the market but hadn’t actively pursued a relationship. Unfortunately, finding a partner wasn’t as effortless as it used to be.

Penelope decided that her new mission was to head out one night a week and genuinely give people a chance to get to know her. In order to give herself a fresh start, she had cut ties with people who were no good for her. It was time to meet new people. She wasn’t sure how this plan would work out, but this weekend would be the ultimate test. Her wrap should be completed, and she would have a fresh paycheck in her bank account—she was ready to go.

She dedicated the rest of the week to perfecting her cold shoulder top. The sexy silver and black number was tailored to fit her curves perfectly. As the weekend approached, Penelope focused on her hair, giving it loose curls, and perfected her flawless makeup. Finally, she slipped into her new shirt, admiring herself in the mirror. She felt confident and sexy.

With her anticipation building, Penelope stepped into the club. The pulsating music engulfed her senses, and the vibrant lights danced around her. Making her way to the bar, she ordered a drink and surveyed the room. People were dancing and reveling in the atmosphere. Across the room, a group of men caught her eye—each one was more handsome than the next.

Taking a deep breath, Penelope sipped her drink and steeled herself for what lay ahead. It was time to put her plan into action. She gracefully maneuvered through the crowd, ensuring that she caught the attention of the men in the group, positioning herself directly in their line of sight. She couldn’t wait to see which one was bold enough to take the bait. One man, a tall and ruggedly handsome guy with a scruffy beard and piercing blue eyes, turned his head and caught Penelope’s gaze. He smiled at her, and she felt a flutter in her stomach. She smiled back, feeling her confidence grow.

He moved closer. Hey there, he said, leaning into her. I’m Jack.

Hi, I’m Penelope, she replied.

Jack made brief small talk before he invited Penelope to dance with him. She followed him onto the dance floor, and they moved to the music. Jack’s hands wandered down to Penelope’s hips as they danced, and she let him pull her in closer. She could feel his warmth against her skin.

After a couple of songs,