Page 26 of A Taste of Grace

He leaned toward me and held my waist, positioning his ear so close to mine it sent shivers down my spine.

“What do you want us to be doing here?”

“I… I…” I darted my head back and reached for Caleb’s shoulders, holding them firm.

Before I could overthink, I raised myself to my tiptoes and kissed Pastor Caleb Stallings right on his mouth.

Temperance

With every fiberof my being, I wanted to pick Grace up and take her to my bedroom, undress her, and make love to her until she screamed my name.

From the minute I entered the house, my patience was tested. Everything that made me a man came to attention as I took in the fullness of her body. When she wore her culottes earlier, I couldn’t fully discern her shape, but in her casual clothes, I saw everything then some. Between her too-tight shirt with her breasts perked up just right and those child-bearing hips and shapely legs in those flimsy leggings, I was seconds from coming undone. If she were mine, I’d have her welcomingme home after a long night by lifting her sexy limbs around me and clutching me tight before I ripped every stitch of clothing from her body, oiled her down, and pounded her senseless.

But she wasn’t mine. I remembered that after I welcomed her warm, sweet lips and tongue wrestled her as if my life depended on it. When we parted, I saw concern in her eyes. Before she could apologize, I reached for the back of her neck and gave her another peck on her juicy lips.

“I wanted that as much as you did.” I whispered the words into her ear.

She grinned and touched her fingers to her mouth.

“Have a seat. I’m going to get us some water.” I retrieved a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator and gulped it like I was a parched man who had hiked in the desert for a week.

I handed Grace her bottle. She opened it and sipped it slowly. I sat on a stool at my high-top kitchen counter and ushered her to do the same.

“I should go home.” Grace tapped the face of her small silver wristwatch with her finger.

I shook my head, taking in her carriage. She was extremely calm and very introverted, unlike me. That meant I would most likely have to ask her a lot of questions or initiate certain topics to assess how she processed our interaction.

“Not in this weather, you won’t. A thunderstorm is coming through tonight. I have a guest bedroom you can stay in.” I pointed toward the back of the house and spoke quickly and quietly.

“I live only fifteen minutes from here.”

“I don’t care. The roads are slick, and it’s dark. I need you to stay safe.”

“I rested after the girls went to sleep. I grew up in the country, so I’m not afraid. I’ll take my time.”

“No, Grace. Allow me to protect one of God’s most precious gifts.” I extended my hands.

Grace looked at them with a slight look of confusion on her face before placing her hands in mine. I closed my fingers in hers and held them firm. She smiled, her deep dimples popping from her cheeks as our gazes locked.

“You are so pretty.” The words flowed from my mouth effortlessly as I took in how stunning she was even in casual attire.

I didn’t think Grace’s dimples could get any deeper, but they did.

“That, sir, is why I need to take my behind home.” She released my hands and placed hers in her lap.

Her soft voice soothed me like instrumental jazz. When I reached for her hand again, she gave it to me. I intertwined our fingers and placed our hands on the counter.

“I am mandated as a minister to praise the beauty of God’s creation and care for His sheep. It’s rare for me to have such a special gift enter my home.”

“I’m only allowing you to praise me like this because I love the Lord and want Him to be pleased with me.”

I licked my lips as she teased me in a way that made me want to tease her more. I also rejoiced that she was a woman of faith.

“Believe me. He is quite pleased with you. Receive the compliment, Grace.” I grinned.

She took another sip of water before saying, “Thank you.”

“Seriously, I want to thankyoufor taking care of the girls. I’ve never seen them gravitate to anyone like they did you. What’s your payment for services?”

---