I smile fondly.
I’m a best friend to his sister, Rachel, who now lives in New York, but Stefan adopted me as his sister a long time ago.
“I’m fine, thanks Stefan.” I ignore the anger emanating from Richard, and ask Stefan, “How are Mandy and the kids?”
“Just great.” Stefan looks back at Richard, who is still glaring at me. Stefan’s eyes narrow in confusion before he says, “We need to go…now.”
“All right.” Richard closes the distance between us as I fight the urge to step away from him. He leans in, his lips hovering just above my cheek. I can smell the stale coffee he drank today before he finally plants a kiss to my cheek. He pulls away, his eyes filled with some strange emotion that I can’t place as he says, “I’ll see you tonight, okay?” I nod automatically before he dashes off after Stefan, leaving me cold.
“C’mon,” Jace takes my arm but his warmth does nothing to drive away the cold as he adds, “let’s go and get some cake before your uncle really does eat it all.”
Chapter Three
Jace
I seriously need to stop with the daydreaming. Every now and again, an odd word will drift to me from the conversation that Ryder and Dahlia are having with our parents. But my attention is on a small, curvy, redhead when it should really be on the bundle in my arms.
Faith Louise is sleeping so peacefully that I feel like I want to nap with her…with Savannah curled around us.
Sighing heavily, I tune into the conversation around me, just as Ryder growls, “Jace?”
“What?” I snap. “Sorry.”
“Are you okay?” Dahlia asks, reaching out and rubbing my arm.
Smiling, I admit, “I’m fine, just distracted with work.”
Ignoring the stares from my family, I look down at Faith, who is still sleeping peacefully in my arms. She’s a gorgeous baby, even though I might be biased, but she is.
Only a few weeks old, Faith is the cutest bundle I’ve ever seen, and she’s so peaceful…at least whenever I visit with her. Dahlia tells me that she sleeps from her feeding at ten-thirty at night right through until six in the morning. So I’m going to presume the bags under Dahlia’s eyes have more to do with Ryder wanting his wife than Faith waking for a feeding.
“Well, we have our babysitter lined up, babe,” Ryder comments.
I look toward my brother and smile. “I’m all yours, all you have to do is ask. You should know that by now.”
“I do. I’ll give you a call when we sort something out. I want to take my wife to dinner.” He kisses Dahlia on the lips, and I feel a longing in my chest—to have what he has.
Until I let Savannah get under my skin, I’d given up on a family of my own. Now, I can’t stop thinking about what it would be like to have with Savannah what my brother has with Dahlia—a family.
She’s younger than me, which begs the question of whether or not she’d want the same things. Something tells me that she would. She comes across as someone who likes to spend time at home rather than going out drinking or partying every weekend. I guess I got that idea because of the baking, which she obviously enjoys doing.
“Jace, I wish you’d pay attention,” my mom’s words break into my thoughts.
“Sorry, what?”
Ryder starts to laugh. “He’s preoccupied with a curvy redhead.”
“I like red hair,” Dad comments, which earns him a glare from Mom.
“So do I.” I sigh, and admit, “She baked a couple of cakes today and took them into her uncle at the department. Damn good as well.”
“What’d she bake?” Ryder rubs his stomach.
“You can’t be serious? You’ve just eaten,” Dahlia laughs.
“There’s always room for cake!” He shakes his head at Dahlia, but grins at me. “I’m still waiting…chocolate?”
I roll my eyes, and put him out of his misery. “A red velvet cake and a chocolate one. The red velvet was delicious.” I lick my lips, and start laughing at the longing on his face.
Dahlia pats him on his stomach. “I’ll bake you one tomorrow, now stop with the grumbling. Everyone will think you’re starving.”
We laugh as Dad says, “He’s always starving…boy almost ate us out of a home when he was a teen.”
“I’ll go and start the coffee,” Mom offers as the laughter dies down, “and bring in the huge chocolate cake I baked this morning.”
“I’ll help.” Ryder jumps up and follows Mom out of the room.
I’m not usually into baked goods, but I could be if Savannah is the one baking them for me—in little clothing so that her delicious curves are on display for me—a nice fantasy.
Seeing her today in denim shorts and a soft-colored tunic had done things to me. I’d been so lost when I’d spotted Savannah pulling into the parking lot that I’d stopped in my tracks to follow her car. She always looks so fresh, and seeing her dressed so casually made me want to wrap her up in my arms. I wanted to keep her forever and it had been easy to follow her onto the elevator. It had been easy to come up with excuses to touch her.
I’d soon been brought down a peg or two when Richard had appeared. My attraction to Savannah was probably all over my face…hell, even all over my body, which was full of tension.
The scent of Savannah had teased my nostrils, which is why I’d bent closer so I could inhale more of her. I don’t know what the fuck had come over me with that move, but just being so close had given me an erection. One that she’d noticed. But she’d been aroused as well. I’d so wanted to stroke between her thighs to feel how wet she was for me.
Feeling a weight on my shoulder, I turn and return Dahlia’s grin as she snuggles against me.
“You really are distracted with her, huh?” Dahlia places her hand on top of her sleeping daughter.
“She’s really cute,” I grin at Dahlia’s snicker and I know that she’s not talking about Faith. “She’s cute, gorgeous, and so damn sexy that it kills me knowing she’s engaged to someone else.”
I stay silent and wait for Dahlia to comment. I’ve always been able to talk to her, from the first moment we met when Ryder brought her home to meet us all before he screwed up.
“From what Ryder has told me, she likes you, which doesn’t make sense if she’s already in a relationship that’s leading toward a wedding… Do you think she’s happy?”
Is she happy? I think of every time I’ve seen her with Richard and it doesn’t seem that way. “I don’t think she is. She always seems happy when I’m with her, but today I was introduced to Richard by her uncle, Ned. We’ve been asked to work together in getting a charity softball game arranged.” I shrug. “I’m sure her uncle knows I’m attracted to Savannah, so putting me with Richard doesn’t make sense.”
I indicate for Mom to place my cake and coffee on the coffee table in front of us. “Thanks.” She offers a wry smile before heading out of the living room.
“I think you need to trust your instincts, Jace. Take every opportunity to spend time with her, and see where it leads.”
“I’m not sure how wise that would be no matter how much I want to.”
Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to Faith’s forehead before placing her in Dahlia’s arms. “I’m going to head out.” I quickly drink my lukewarm coffee, and leave the cake for Ryder to eat.
Before getting to my feet, I kiss Dahlia on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon, sis.”
Dahlia’s face always lights up when I call her sis. I like it.
After walking through the kitchen to say goodbye to everyone, I finally manage to escape to my truck.
At least when I get back home, my place will be tidy and clean with Maureen having been in today so I can just relax when I get home. There’s only me living there, so I only have her come in one day a week. There’s never a lot for her to do, but just enough to make her feel like she’s earning the money I pay her. Maureen is a widow and lives in the house next door. She’s close to seventy years old and struggles for money from what I’
ve heard. She’s too proud to take help or handouts, which is why I pay her once a week to come and clean.
If she knew I actually cleaned and tidied most of my mess up before she came in, she wouldn’t be impressed.
I mean, who cleans before the cleaner comes in? I guess I do.
Climbing into my truck, I turn the ignition and pull out.
Savannah
The more I pace back and forth in my kitchen, the more my anger and frustrations are pushing to get out. My heart pounds as I try to get control of my emotions. I want to go and kick Richard out of my house and life, once and for all. I should have told him months ago, when I knew what a mistake our engagement is. He never even asked me, just presumed that I’d said yes. I mean, who does that?
Ugh!
Richard arrived about an hour after his shift, wanting to spend the evening with me. I’d been surprised, but had scrambled to make him a wholesome meal after his day at work. Part of this meal was my guilt over my reaction to Jace earlier in the day. I wish I hadn’t bothered. He’d eaten in silence and then said, “I’m going to relax in front of the TV for a bit,” before he’d disappeared into the living room. No thank you for dinner or anything.
The ass!
He’s been in there for over thirty minutes now, while I’ve prolonged cleaning the dishes and getting everything straight. I really don’t want to join him.
You could go out for a run…
Oh, I haven’t done that for a while. It would get me out of the house and he might leave while I’m gone.
My decision made, I quickly put the milk back in the fridge and pick up the coffee I made him. I head into the living room, feeling lighter on my feet with my decision made.
“I’m going running,” I announce as I place his cup down.
Richard reluctantly tears his eyes away from the TV and looks at me. His eyes do a once over my body. “Okay.” He’s engrossed in the game again.
Makes me wonder why he’s at my house watching it instead of his own.
Making my way to my bedroom, I open my closet and pull out my yoga pants and sports bra. As I start to change, I find I’m trying hard to decide why I was attracted to him in the first place.
He’s still attractive to look at, I guess. He’s about the same height as Jace, but that’s where the similarities end. Richard has dark blond hair that he keeps cut short for work. He has an athletic build but he’s starting to let go. At one time, I could talk to him and he’d listen…at least I think he did. I was suffering badly with depression after my father died, so I probably wouldn’t have noticed if his attention was elsewhere, like it is now.
With my sneakers fastened, I grab a T-shirt, my cell, and keys before heading back into the living room.
Typical!
Richard has fallen asleep in the recliner.
Chewing on my lip, I quickly scrawl him a note to let him know that I have my keys with me, and I ask him to lock up when he leaves. It’s a polite note so hopefully he won’t take offense considering he’s not slept at my house before.
With a heavy sigh, I make my escape, and locking the door behind me, start to run along the sidewalk toward the park. I love the scenery from the sidewalk, which is lined with small blossom trees. It’s a quiet neighborhood, usually filled with children playing during the day in all of the front lawns that are meticulously cared for.
The town park is patrolled regularly so that the locals feel safe being out at any time of night. It’s a new initiative that the town council has fought hard for and one that they are proud of. I’ve always felt safe in this neighborhood, and quite often, in the evenings, I’d run to the park. Sometimes, I’d end up being dragged into a game of basketball with the guys on the court. Being a teacher brings me into contact with children of all ages so it’s not that often when I can go somewhere without being recognized.
My students are fond of me, like I am them, and it speaks loudly in the work they always hand in. Their homework tends to be fun for them, instead of the usual textbook questions that make students hate studying. The homework sheets I hand out at the end of each school day are fun to do. I make sure of that. No kid willingly does boring homework.
Richard has never understood why I have to teach. I think he’s under the impression that ‘when’ we get married, I’ll hand my notice in. That isn’t going to happen, and I’m sad to say that neither will there be a wedding. In fact, I don’t even think I’m sad about that, more relieved than anything.
My feelings for Richard at the time when we met had grown into one of friendship, but I don’t think we even have that now. I wish things were different but they just aren’t and I can’t lie to myself anymore.
I’m unhappy, and I’ve been this way for a long time…maybe even at the beginning of our relationship, but I had mistaken that for grief.
I know Richard has seen my reaction to Jace on more than one occasion, and it’s difficult. In the end, I don’t want to hurt Richard because I couldn’t have made it through my father’s death without him. So I guess I don’t want him thinking I’m slapping him in the face and being ungrateful. There are different ways of thanking someone without staying in an engagement that isn’t wanted…I think by either of us.
Instead of letting time pass me by, I need to get a grip and give Richard his ring back. I’ve never been good at confrontations and the thought of confronting Richard turns my stomach. But the sooner the better, I guess.
As Pink starts to blare through my headphones, my thoughts turn to Jace and his image pops into my head. His smile, his voice, and the heat that I sometimes catch in his gaze.
I let out a wistful sigh as I feel the first droplets of rain on my arms.
Just my luck.
Ignoring the slight shower, I continue running. Thoughts of Jace urge me forward and I remember the scent of Jace that had tickled my senses when he’d been close to me. I seriously could have stayed in his presence all day. He makes me nervous, happy, aroused, and just…happy. The way his face lights up when he sees me. The way his smile widens when I look in his direction.
My body wants more of him as well. He arouses me so quickly with just one smile, one touch. It’s all I can do not to jump him.
I let out a giggle.
“Oh, hell!” I turn my face up to look at the night sky.
The light shower is turning into a downpour and there’s nowhere to take shelter.
Looking both ways before crossing the street, I quickly step back when a truck slows.
As the passenger side window starts to lower, my heart nearly drops to my feet.
“Savannah?”
“Jace! Oh my God. You scared the ever living—”
“Never mind, get in.”
Without hesitating, I yank the door open and throw myself into the seat…soaking wet. Shit.
“Um.” I glance at Jace, and realize his eyes are focused on my chest.
“You’re wet…I mean…” he laughs. “What I’m trying to say is that you’re soaked. I don’t have a towel here, but my place is around the corner. You wanna get dry…or should I take you home to your place?” he asks, the latter albeit reluctantly.
I should ask him to take me back to my house, but I can’t because I want to spend time with him, more than anything in the world. Plus, at home is Richard and I don’t want to be alone with him right now. Grasping on to any excuse to stay with Jace, I say, “Your place would be great.”
Chapter Four
Jace
While holding my breath for Savannah to tell me where she wants to go, my gaze caresses her face. I don’t see any indecision when she tells me she wants to come back to my place, I only see longing, and I sigh in relief when she answers.
“Okay,” I say, barely a whisper, “let’s go then.” Forcing my attention to the road, I pull out into traffic.
It isn’t busy at this time of night, but there are still a few vehicles on the road. The rain isn’t helping with visibility as the heavens really have opened
, and the downpour is heavier than what we’ve had for a good while.
I’m trying to think of something to say to break the silence, but having her in my truck, knowing she’s coming back to my house, has wiped everything from my head.
I’m an adult for God’s sake—older than Savannah. I shouldn’t be having trouble trying to string a conversation together. This is ridiculous.
“Are you on your way home from work?” Savannah asks in the silence.
Thank you, God!
“No. I’m on my way home from eating at my parents’ house.” I smile. “Ryder and Dahlia were there with Faith. She’s so damn cute.”
“Your niece, right?”
“Yeah…I wish you could meet her. You’d fall in love with her.”
“I love children, but you’ve probably guessed that considering I’m a teacher.” She smiles, which I catch from the corner of my eye as I turn into my drive.
Now I have a dilemma. I landed funny earlier and slightly twisted my knee, which has swollen and is affecting the fit of the prosthesis. So getting out of the truck, I’m going to be limping.
I hate that a big part of my life is about to be shoved in Savannah’s face. She knows about my leg, and probably how it happened, but facing the reality of my life could make her change her mind about whatever is growing between us. It’s happened before, but none of them were under my skin the way that Savannah is, so it’s causing an ache in my chest. I guess there’s only one way to discover whether I’m being an idiot for wanting her in my life or whether I need to stop, move on, and forget all about her. That would make me sad as fuck.
It’s Savannah who’s helped to get me out of bed in the mornings. She’s given me a reason to smile, where before I had none. She is a possibility for the future and she gives me something to look forward to.
“Um, Jace. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. Let me get your door.”
“Don’t be silly it’s pouring down. I can get my own door. I’ll meet you on the porch.”
Sinful Page 3
