Rich in Faith (Richness in Faith, Book 3) (14 page)

I’m leaving in a couple of months. And I’m not going to do anything but kiss Court, that’s a given.

Why deny myself the pleasure this man brings me because of things that haven’t even crossed his mind? “I have a question for you.”

I feel him stiffen as I speak. “Yes?”

“Can Team Twin go to vacation Bible school tomorrow next door at Stephen and Jenny’s house?”

“What?” he asks. “Where did this come from?”

I sit up straighter in his lap so I can see his gorgeous face. “I took the girls over there this afternoon, and they were setting up for vacation Bible school which starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday. Well, Saturday, but the kids are doing a program Sunday morning. Bristol and Darling helped set up and they want to go. Is it okay?”

He traces a line down my nose. “So, I pay you to watch my girls and you take them next door for a few days.”

“That’s how it works.”

“I say yes.”

“Great.”

“On one condition.”

Now it’s my turn to trace a line down his nose. “And what would that be?”

“That you hang out with me while they are there.”

Now I stiffen. He can’t be serious. “But you’re at work.”

“I’ll work from home.”

“What will I do while you work?”

“This.” He pulls me toward him and kisses me. Not once, not twice, but three long, sexy, amazing kisses.

“That’s what goes on at your work?”

He tucks my hair behind my ears. “I’ll take a break or two.”

“Oh. I’m your break.”

“Shelby, you’re intelligent. Beautiful. Great with the kids. Why can’t you admit there might be something between us?”

Instead of answering, I kiss him. Slowly, passionately, Court’s kisses send me to another level, spiraling mindlessly into him.

As our mouths continue to play, my heart threatens to burst out of my chest.

We break our kiss and he places his hands on the sides of my face, his thumbs rubbing my cheeks. “Shelby. Beautiful Shelby.”

“Court. Handsome, adorable Court.”

He smiles. “No one has ever called me adorable except for Mom.”

“Well, now I have.”

He cups my face with his hands. “I like it. Hang out with me tomorrow? And the next day? And the next day?” he adds, kissing me on the tip of my nose. His fingers gently trace from my temple all the way down my neck.

“What will Mrs. Stratton say?”

“I say she’ll be happy with a few days off.”

“Days off?”

“Yes, when she arrives tomorrow I’ll tell her she’s off until Monday. With pay.”

“She’s going to be so mad at me.”

“You? Why?”

“She loves her job. And she’ll think I’m the reason she’s getting a paid vacation. A vacation she doesn’t want to take.”

“She’s a smart lady. She’ll enjoy her vacation.”

I’m thinking I’m going to enjoy her vacation. “If you say so.”

“I do. And this will give you a chance to cook me some fried chicken.”

Putting my hand on my heart, I feign surprise. “The true reason has come out.” I move my hand to his stomach. “It has nothing to do with my kisses and everything to do with your stomach.”

“Shelby.” His hand covers mine. “I’ll take your kisses over your chicken any day of the week.”

He pulls me into another mind-blowing kiss, making me forget about Mrs. Stratton, her reaction and fried chicken.

MASQUERADE

LIKE I PREDICTED, Mrs. Stratton isn’t happy with her days off. She mumbles something about her husband being home and how she needs her time away.

“Go on a mini-vacation,” Court says as she’s digging her keys out of her purse. “By yourself. My treat. Charge everything and give me the bill.”

“Thanks, but I’ll stay home. I’ll be back Monday morning. Unless you decide you want to give me more time off.”

“Monday it is.” Court walks with her down the hall, to the garage where he lets her park her car while she’s here.

I’ve run, showered and found myself putting on a little extra make-up this morning. I almost broke out the false eye lashes, but decided that would be going a little too far.

Dale always made me wear them when we went out, or had business dinners. Toward the end, he wanted me to wear them to work, but half the time I refused.

I should burn them. But I do like how they make my eyes look.

He walks into the kitchen. “Victory.”

I laugh seconds before he gathers me in his arms, kissing me like he’s been doing this his whole life.

“All alone, finally.” He manages the words between kisses that threaten to make my knees buckle.

Since he made the statement the other night about getting to know me, I don’t think his words mean he wants to end up in the bedroom, but I’m wondering how we avoid that if his kisses stay this amazing.

After not near long enough, we stop kissing. “I know last night I said I’d work from home, but I have to go to work to get the work to work from home.”

“One more time?”

We both laugh. “Come with me?” he asks.

“Sure. But I need to be back by one o’clock. VBS ends at noon, but Phoebe invited them to stay for lunch.”

“We’ll be back by then.”

We hold hands as we walk toward the hallway that leads to the garage. Before we start down the hall, Court kisses me and I wonder why we are leaving in the first place.

“Do we have to leave?” I ask.

He pushes his hand through his hair. “If we don’t this phone is going to start ringing off the hook. I’ve already received three emails since I started kissing you.”

“Okay. Off to work.”

We hold hands in his SUV all the way there, riding in silence, the music turned down so low you can’t make out the tune, let alone the words.

But I don’t mind. The silence is nice for a moment. Lets me process Court and this crazy journey, which has enabled me to forget about my dad and the race that we’re going to be at together.

I start to sweat thinking about all those disasters waiting to happen, but I steer my mind away, back to the beautiful feeling of Court’s lips on mine.

He pulls into a Chevrolet dealership. “Now you can meet Susan,” he says as he opens my door.

“Nice.”

Court is very businesslike and totally not kissy-like as we walk into the business he owns. Everyone smiles, some say hello, others just watch.

We head to the right, and I notice a big office with glass all around it. Must be Court’s.

A cute, young woman sits at a desk outside his office.

“Hello, Mr. Treyhune,” she says as we walk up.

“Hi, Susan.” He turns to me. “Shelby, this is Susan. Susan, this is, Shelby.”

Susan stands and shakes my hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” she says. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.”

“Thank you. Same here.”

As she sits, I notice her gaze lingers a bit long on Court. She’s really young. If I had to guess, I would say she was crushing a little on her boss. But then again, so am I. I just happen to be old enough to handle it.

Maybe.

“I’m putting some things together to work from home for the next couple of days. I’ll be back in Monday.”

Definitely crushing as I see a disappointed look cross her face. I also see a knowing look as she shifts her gaze between me and Court.

“Has Jared come by today?” Court asks.

“I haven’t seen him. Is he supposed to?”

“Not sure. I’ll touch base with him. He’s supposed to be gathering some information for me.”

“Anything I can help with?” she asks.

“No. Thanks, though. But there has been a change in plans. The big Fourth of July event we are sponsoring? I need you to take all that over. I have to be out of town that weekend. No way around it. I wish there were. Can you handle everything for the event?”

“I can. How is your dad doing?”

“He’s doing well enough to order me around.”

She gives Court a thumbs up. “Glad to hear he’s better. Can’t keep Cal down for long.”

The way she says Cal is like she’s a friend of the family. I don’t think I’d ever feel that comfortable around any of the Treyhunes. I’ll have to remember to ask Court how long Susan has been working for him.

Court has disappeared into his office leaving me standing awkwardly in the outer office with Susan.

Susan with a crush on Court.

Susan’s phone rings, and I take a step back. No need for me to be in her conversation zone.

It becomes clear quickly though that it is Jared who is on the other line. Susan is lighthearted with him just like she is with Court.

Flirty, even.

Court steps out of his office, then shuts the door. He holds his key up and she nods her head and mouths, “I have a key.”

Court nods then leans his head toward the door, indicating he is ready to leave.

“Yes, Jared. Court’s here. But he’s going to work—”

Before she can finish her sentence, Court is slicing his finger across his throat telling her to stop her part of the conversation.

“He’s going to work…really hard today.”

Court nods again and she gives him the thumbs up again while mouthing the words, “I’ve got you covered.”

I can see the relief on Court’s face, and I wonder how strained the relationship is between Court and Jared.

And how much my presence has added to the strain.

AS WE REACH the car, Court stashes his work in the trunk.

“You might forget it if you put it in there,” I say.

“That’s the point.”

Court starts the car. “We aren’t working when we get back. There’ll be plenty of time for that this afternoon. No, we are going swimming.”

Swimming? Oh.

While I like the thought of seeing Court in his trunks, I don’t like the thought of him seeing my lack-of-sun white body in a bathing suit.

A bathing suit that I didn’t bring.

Feeling totally off the hook I say, “I’d love to swim, but I didn’t bring a suit. But, I’ll throw on a pair of shorts and sit at the water’s edge while you swim.”

“No suit?”

His expression indicates how surprised he is.

“Hey, I came to Florida to work, not bask in the sun.”

“I guess you thought I would be a real pain. Not even a day off to enjoy the beaches, huh?”

I’m not going into my mental state as I was packing for this venture. Swimming and beaches were the last thing on my mind as I shoved miscellaneous items in the suitcase.

Ugly items as Bristol indicated.

Court takes a left where he should have taken a right to go to the house. I point in the direction we were supposed to turn. “You made a wrong turn.”

“No I didn’t.”

“I’m confused. Where are we going?”

“To buy you a swimsuit. I’m buying. This will be fun.”

My face heats at the thought. “No. That’s okay. You don’t need to. I have money, but other than the short time I’m here, I’m not going to need a suit, so let’s skip it.”

He smiles. “Not on your life. There’s a touristy place right down here. They sell all kinds of suits.”

“A touristy place? That will be expensive.”

“I’ll never spend all my money. Let me buy you bathing suit. Please?”

Knowing that no matter how long I talk, I’m not going to talk Court out of this, I resign myself to the fact that he’s going to purchase a swimsuit for me. I just need to go in, grab the first thing I see that isn’t revealing, then we’ll be done.

When we enter the store, two very young, very cute sales girls greet us with smiles and spray tans. “Hi. Can we be of assistance today?”

“No” flies out of my mouth while “yes” flies out of Court’s. “I need one of you to help my friend with the purchase of a bathing suit,” he says, winning the battle of the differing answers.

The blonde chick flashes her smile and winks at Court. Brazen! “I’ll be happy to assist you guys. What type of suit are you looking for,” she asks Court.

“The suit is for me.” I direct her attention away from Court.

“I know.”

She switches her focus back to Court.

“Whatever the lady wants.” He nods toward me.

“Where are your one pieces?” I ask.

“One pieces?” Court and the sales associate speak at the same time.

“There’s the exception.” Court shakes his head. “I’m not paying for a one piece.”

I stand, crossing my arms. “You don’t have to. I will.”

There. That will show him. I really don’t want him buying me a suit.

The sales girl is looking strangely at me. “We only have a few one pieces over in the corner. You can go down the street to the women’s shop. They have a much bigger selection.”

Court is still shaking his head. “We’re not going down the street. We’re buying here.”

“Fine,” I say. “But I think I can pick out my own suit.” I start to head to the one-piece corner, but Court stops me.

He places a kiss on my cheek. “I’m sure you can, but I want to help.”

Even though I’m warmed by his kiss, I stand by my resolve. “Look, I don’t need any more skin than necessary exposed to the sun. I’ve been too busy working to have any beach time the last few years.”

“I’m sure they sell great sunscreen here.”

“We do. It’s very expensive.” The sales lady’s tone is harsh after witnessing Court’s kiss to my cheek.

It now matches her narrowed eyes and slightly less enthusiastic nature.

“One piece.” It’s all I say as Court follows me to that section of the store.

I grab a pretty coral-colored suit.

Court holds his finger up, stopping me from heading into the fitting room. He starts looking at the suits, the noise of the hangers sliding across the rod indicating he doesn’t see anything he likes.

The sliding noise stops and he hands me a red suit. “Even though this suit is red, it’s my white flag. I surrender.”

After trying the suits on, I step out of the dressing room.

“Well?” he asks.

“The red one is nice. I like it.”

“But you like the coral one better,” he replies.

“No. I don’t. The red one it is.”

He tries to grab it out of my hand. “Come on, Shelby. Let me buy you a bathing suit. I’m the one forcing you to go swimming.”

Years of independence hold on to the suit. “I am capable of paying for it. And I will.”

“Women.”

It’s all he says but he doesn’t argue anymore. After I pay for the suit, he picks up a couple of sunscreens with different SPF’s. “This should keep your skin fair. Unlike that practically non-SPF sunscreen Jared bought for you.”

I love how he casually disses his best friend. “Thank you.” My answer is short as is usual when I’m not in a good mood. The last thing I want to do is go to Court’s house and put on this bathing suit and swim. Alone.

With Court.

At least the girls will come home at one.

We aren’t in the car five minutes when Court’s phone buzzes. He answers and it is Jenny asking if the girls can stay and swim in the afternoon when they are finished with their lunch.

They agree Teresa will come over when we return home and get the girls’ bathing suits.

“Maybe we should go over there and join them,” I say, trying to figure out how I’m going to handle the afternoon.

“Can you say cannon balls and Marco Polo? I don’t think so.”

“I love those games. And I can land a mean cannon ball. You better watch out.”

I say those words to him, but my heart is saying them to myself.

When in actuality, I’m the one who better watch out before I become caught in my own masquerade.