“I hope so. We need more than just church services and charities. I will add them to my schedule and become a more well-rounded person but ditto that back at you. See what I mean?”
“We can both grow from each other.”
She beamed. “Exactly. You do see.”
His head shook before he grabbed her neck and tugged her forward. His lips hovered above hers as the sun sank into the water and the sky exploded into a silent riot of color. “I do see.”
Her breath hitched. “I know. When you do that serious Jim-thing… damn. You are super sexy.”
He’d never been sexy before. Too stern and intimidating. Too rude. Not in a charming way. Kayla’s eyes were big and her skin flushed as her moist lips shone from her tongue licking them. Everything with Kayla was tinged with sex, but the more surprising part was Kayla’s warmth. She was fun. He liked to touch her and talk and just see how their time together progressed without any plans, routine, or accomplishments. No prayers or lessons on the agenda. Just Jim and Kayla. That was new for him.
“You should definitely come over to my place.”
She smiled, kissed his mouth, and turned as she leaned into him. “Yes. I will. But first the sunset. And then we should go get some ice cream. Doesn’t that sound good?”
She seemed more cheerful. Jim noticed the excitement in her voice. Yeah, sure, they’d watch the sunset, relax some more and then get ice cream.
She told him family stories he hadn’t heard from Kathy. Kayla’s version of being included on the tours that Rob and her mom attended for Zenith. Kayla admitted using her status to get friends as well as the ones who hurt her by using her to reach Rob. Her favorite color was purple. She didn’t mind her freckles but scoffed at her webbed feet between the second and third toes. He didn’t notice until he chased her down the beach to tickle her and finally pinned her down long enough to get her shoe off. Indeed, she had webbed toes.
“Little duckling. Betcha swim pretty well, huh?”
She flung sand at him, and the stars began popping in the sky as he leaned over her. “No. That’s not funny either.”
His body fell on hers and she groaned at the intimate contact when he grinned. “I wouldn’t count on that, little duckling.”
Devouring his mouth with hers, several moments passed before he got off her and said, “Not cool if Pastor Jim gets caught in an indecency scandal. I have enough to contend with already.”
She laughed and he put his hand out to pull her up to her feet. She brushed off her butt and shirt. “True. But it would be a succulent morsel of gossip.”
He tugged her against him. “Still need that ice cream?”
“Yep.” She grinned and added, “Imagine all that frozen, cold ice cream I’ll need to lick and suck and…”
“And Pastor Jim will now proceed to be lewd and inappropriate at the ice cream shop. Great.” His tone was dry and he sounded defeated.
She cracked up. “I didn’t think you’d be so much fun. Or funny.”
“Full of as many surprises as you, little duckling.”
“Jimmy? If you keep doing that, I’ll find some terrible nickname for you.”
His heart froze solid and he had to turn away so she wouldn’t see his reaction to hearing that name. His father’s name was Jimmy. The man he couldn’t stand, never mind had to share the same name with. “Can you please not ever call me by that name? The foster care people called me that, and I really don’t want to relive all the memories it brings up.”
His voice stayed even and casual. But his palms sweated and his heart skipped a beat. She took his hand and slipped closer beside him. “Of course. I won’t ever call you that name again.”
Smiling down at her, they fell into step. “So… what about that ice cream now?”
“Now. Let’s leave your car up at the food bank parking lot and get it tomorrow.”
“Because no one will bother it?”
She released a guilty laugh. “Maybe. But I want to go inside together. Your place is just up the hill anyway.”
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
And they did. Eating ice cream was a slow, fun torture. Kayla licked her spoon seductively, letting the cold, pink, strawberry flavor stay on her lips too long. He knew her games. He was starting to love them, in fact.
When they got to his place, the guards were still outside. They ignored them and kissed against the door long and loud while laughing. This time, neither one cared if the guards heard. Not guilty or sinful but filled with fun and joy for each other. Touching and stripping each other’s clothes off was a happy recreation. Laughing together when an arm got stuck here, or a leg refused to release one side of the pants there. They flipped off their shoes and socks and finally stared at each other before falling together into his bed.
They kissed and touched and licked and moaned. Smiling as they moved together, holding hands with their bodies joined, just being happy, touching their faces when they kissed, everything seemed perfect and right.
Chapter 8
SEVERAL WEEKS DRIFTED BY like that. The church ran into an issue while redoing the hardwood floors. Mold spores were found and the inspectors recommended fixing the roof where it originated from before a thorough cleaning and sanitization could occur. The news was literally as welcome as a breath of fresh air to Jim and Kayla. Jim didn’t have to announce the breakup yet. So few knew that no one would suspect it, especially if they saw Jim and Kathy together. They were as easy going and friendly as ever.
Unlike Kayla and Jim, who went way beyond friendly. They dated and went out to dinners, movies, a play downtown, and a music concert at a local, large casino. They liked
