Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [80]
“Sorry.” He fiddled with the belt and dropped into onto the floor. He reached for her again, and his touch thrilled and completed her. The question was no longer applicable.
They entered an embrace that removed the last shred of debate. It was just the two of them, and a place of contentment she’d thought was gone forever. Longing for more, temporary as the fix might be, she looked into his face and saw his desire. It wasn’t a sexual one, but a soul’s longing, and she knew what he felt because she experienced it, too.
He dipped his head and his lips touched hers briefly, igniting a fire that flowed through her veins. When she didn’t resist, he kissed her again, more fully. It sizzled with a promise that she longed to give in to. How she wanted to trust this man. Her hands had moved up to his forearms, and she lightly pushed away, breathless.
“Will you?” he asked.
She ran her tongue over her lips then whispered. “It’s wrong to claim the prize before we’ve taken the journey, you know?”
He nodded, rubbing his thumbs against her palms. “You can trust me for the journey.”
“How?”
He studied her intently. “Are you talking about our kiss?” She nodded. “Then I won’t kiss you again.”
Biting her lower lip, she nodded. “Then I’ll go with you.”
“And I’ll do everything in my power to win you.”
She grinned. “But no kissing?” When they kissed, she couldn’t think rationally.
“Not until you ask. But you were supposed to say, And I’ll do everything in my power to let you win me.’”
She arched a brow. “Well, that’s just not true.” He sighed. “No, I suppose not. That’s all right. You’ll see. It will all be all right.”
Maybe. She changed the subject. “I quit my nanny job.”
“Ah,” he groaned. “Addison will miss you. Believe me, I know.” She went on to confide her frustrations with Tammy, the television incident, and even voiced some of her confusion about her emotions over the whole ballet experience. He didn’t interrupt her with objections or give his opinions on dancing or television, but just replied, “It’s a lot to work through. The Christian walk hinges on our choices. I’ll pray for you.”
He’d changed. Wasn’t the teenager she once loved, but had become a man who prayed and who talked about his mistakes. A man willing to wait and woo. He was the same guy with new intrigue. When she started to leave, she felt his gaze on her back; she turned with a sly smile. “By the way, you’re real good with that hammer. That mouse didn’t stand a chance.” And neither do I.
Afterward, Katy’s heart thrilled over the exciting encounter so that when she pulled into the Millers’ driveway, she could hardly recall the drive home. But the sight of David’s shiny black car brought her out of her daydreams and sent a jolt of anxiety up her nerves. She needed to make it plain to David that she was going to entertain Jake’s pursuit. That they were dating again.
The sedan’s driver door opened, and David jumped out, tall and perfect as ever. He saw her at once and started toward her car. Tucking the inside of her cheek gently into her bite, she turned off the ignition and stepped outside to face him. “Thanks for the valentine.”
He nodded as if it embarrassed him and that he was sorry he’d left it. “Just home from work?”
“No. Church. Going over some stuff with Jake.” She carefully watched his reaction, wanting to let him down easy, knowing that was impossible. Once she attended the basketball game, news of her date with Jake would be all over church. Better to tell David in person. “We’re dating.”
There was an awkward silence. David tilted his head. “Guess his valentine was bigger than mine?”
She gave him a contrite smile. “Older.”
His eyes narrowed, and his mouth contorted into an uncharacteristic scowl. “So you’re going to give the jerk another chance?”
“I think he’s changed.”
He crossed his arms and glanced at the doddy house, his expression softening. “And you’re not going to invite me in for popcorn?”
“Maybe sometime when Lil’s home.” She hoped they could remain friends, especially since he was often visiting at Ivan’s, but