A delicate hand landed mid-thigh on his jeans. James removed it, but her fingernails scraped the inside of his palm. He squeezed a warning while Uncle Pete and his dad recounted lumber prices.
James captured Joni’s gaze and whispered, “Stop.”
She wet her lips and mouthed, “Please.” Long lashes fluttered against her creamy skin. He would’ve done anything she asked. He was such a sap.
“Are you listening?” Uncle Pete pointed a chicken leg at Aunt Sandra. Mike had his head leaned toward his girlfriend, and the others were engrossed in their own conversations. James whispered near Joni’s ear. “Go get another fork and bring back some napkins.”
She stood, and as all eyes turned to her, James quickly switched their plates. Keeping watch in his peripheral vision, he removed the broken fork and tore the meat from the bone. Something clattered behind him. He switched the plates back to their original positions. Joni returned and caressed the inside of his arm. “Thank you.”
“Aw.” Aunt Sandra eyed them both. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
He cringed. There was no way to stop what was coming. “Aunt Sandra, don’t—”
“What?”
Conversations stalled around them and everyone tuned in to Aunt Sandra, who told everyone within hearing how James doctored Joni’s chicken.
“It’s not a big thing.” He looked to his dad for help.
Suppressed laughter twinkled in his brown eyes. “You want to borrow my pocket knife so you can cut mine up too?” He guffawed and slapped his knee.
James drank his tea and squirmed in his seat.
Isaac piped up and said, “Daddy breaks Joni’s chicken all times.”
Joni’s tinkling laughter joined in with the rest of the table.
James glared at her. “Traitor.”
Her smile erased his frown. “But, I love you.”
“You better.” Though he knew everyone was staring, he couldn’t stop his smile or tear his eyes away from hers.
His cousin Travis came to his rescue. “Enough mushy stuff. You’re making me lose my appetite.”
~~~
The first sunrays peeked through peppermint curtains. Joni dressed quickly, layered her shirts, and grabbed her jacket. Yesterday, James had moved into the apartment, but she was stuck performing in Bay St. Louis.
Traffic was heavy, but despite morning commuters and some patches of fog, she made it to Hillcrest and smiled at the glowing “Hot. Donuts. Now.” sign at James’s favorite donut shop. She bought a spilt dozen, glazed and cream-filled, two coffees, and chocolate milk for Isaac.
Seeing James’s truck parked in front of building Y thrilled her. Her heart pounded as she balanced the drink tray and the box of donuts up the wooden stairs. Through the window, Isaac laughed at cartoons while wearing only pajama bottoms.
She tapped on the window with her elbow.
“Joni!” He scrambled to the door.
A scrape sounded and the door opened to Isaac standing in his miniature rocking chair. Little arms wrapped around her neck. Joni clutched the donuts and drinks. “Just a minute, sweetie.” She maneuvered around the unpacked boxes to the scarred coffee table and relieved her arms of their burden.
Isaac laughed when Joni lifted him high in the air and tickled his sides. She shut and bolted the door. “Where’s your shirt? You’re gonna freeze.”
“Shirts choke me and Daddy when we sleep.” A wet kiss landed on her cheek. “Hugs are better real. I miss-ed you.”
Joni held the little boy tight. “I missed you, too. Where is your daddy?”
Isaac frowned. “Sleep.”
“I brought donuts for breakfast.”
“Yummy.” Isaac wiggled and Joni set him on the floor.
In the kitchen, she rummaged through the boxes, looking for dessert plates. Nothing but plastic bowls and spoons. The cabinets were empty. James needed to do some serious shopping.
Thankfully, she found a roll of paper towels on top of the microwave. Trying not to focus on the awful furniture, she knelt on the floor beside Isaac. The sugary pastries were still warm. “Which kind do you want?”
Isaac reached in and grabbed a donut in each hand. Joni hid her smile as he bit off a chunk out of each one. She placed a small brown jug in front of him. “Look what I bought you.”
“’Kay.” Isaac ignored the milk and slurped from Joni’s lukewarm coffee. She blinked down at him. “James lets you drink coffee?”
“Yep.” Isaac focused his attention on the television.
Joni shook her head. To think she’d worried about feeding him too much sugar. So much for nutrition. She ate a glazed donut and stared down the hall. She wanted to wake James. Did she dare go into his room?
She rinsed her hands in the kitchen sink and tiptoed down the hall. Her breath caught as she peeked at his bed from the doorway. The quilt covered him from the waist down, leaving his torso bare. Heat flushed her face. His muscled chest rose and fell in a deep rhythm. She hoped, like Isaac, he at least wore pajama bottoms.
Her prince charming snored softly and broke the spell. She swallowed a giggle and moved to the edge of the bed. “James.” Her whisper didn’t stir him. Maybe he really was her sleeping beauty. Leaning down, her lips nudged his.
~~~
The sweet taste of donuts invaded his dreams. Wanting more, he opened his mouth and reached for Joni’s unique scent.
“James.”
He shivered as flames danced over his skin. A hunger surged through him and his lips devoured hers. Something restrained him. He blinked. Joni lay beneath him. The sheet wrapped around him held her captive. “Am I dreaming?”
Dainty fingers played along the stubble of his jaw. Jade eyes smoked over. “I must be dreaming too.”
“Daddy, you s’posed to eat the donuts, not Joni.”
James froze. Isaac stood in the bedroom door. Each hand held a glazed donut. This wasn’t a dream. Joni was in his bed. Her shirt had risen slightly and his hand lay on her bare midriff. His heart slammed against his chest as her long lashes fluttered closed. Without taking his eyes off her, he said, “Isaac, go eat your breakfast.”
“But Daddy, Joni’s here.”
“I know.” James couldn’t stop his smile. “I need to talk to her. Now go watch TV.”
Isaac huffed. “For how long?”
“Three shows. And save me some breakfast.”
“Yes, sir.” Isaac turned and moped up the hall.
James brushed her warm mouth with his. “Joni?” Her eyes remained closed. He kissed her again and smacked his lips. “You taste like donuts.”
Her giggle sparked his laughter. He propped up on his elbow and stared into her green eyes. “What are you doing in my bed?”
Joni’s fingers smoothed the whiskers on his jaw. “My prince charming slept. I kissed him awake, and before I knew what was happening…he captured me.”
He turned his head and pressed a kiss to her open palm. “He’s awake now.”
Jeweled eyes sparkled up at him. “I missed you.” Her fingers tickled the back of his neck.
“I missed you, too.” He dipped his head and kissed her again. Silken hands stroked his back and bliss waved through him. Until dainty hands came between them and shoved. He lifted his head. “Joni?”
Her voice wavered. “I-I shouldn’t be in here.”
He buried his face in her hair. No other smell compared to her sweetness. He left a kiss on her neck before smiling down at her once more. “Let’s go see if Isaac saved me some breakfast.” He pulled her by the hand and led her up the hall. The green and white box on the floor near Isaac lured him over.
He looked up from his donut and caught Joni starring at his naked chest. He winked but her eyes avoided his.
Breathless, he said, “I love you.”
Her shaky smile squeezed his heart. “I love you, too.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he fell back into the recliner and claimed another searing kiss. He pulled back and searc
hed her eyes. They sparkled with love for him. Content, he smiled and reached around her.
Joni’s musical laughter was priceless. “Do you love me or my donuts?”
“Both. The best breakfast in the world is the taste of donuts on your lips.” The flaky pastry melted in his mouth. He swallowed and kissed her again. “Hmm, delicious.”
She giggled against his neck and he shivered, hugging her close. “I do love you, Joni.”
Isaac climbed up James’s legs and wiggled between them. Joni stood and disappeared into the kitchen. The microwave beeped a minute later and she brought him a cup of coffee.
“Hop down, Isaac. I don’t want to accidentally burn you.”
Joni caressed his cheek. Her forceful kiss shocked him, but he loved it.
As he drank his coffee, she bit her lip and stared at him from the couch. Her smile hinted at something he couldn’t quite grasp. Her smile was different, deliberate.
Her words were playful. “Did I mention I love you?”
Ah. James grew up with Sara. She’d smile at Dad like that and Dad would give her anything she wanted. It used to drive James crazy. Didn’t his dad know he was being manipulated? “Joni, that look doesn’t work with me.”
“Oh.” Her smile fell and she rose from the couch. “Never mind then.”
His intention wasn’t to make her sad. He set his cup down and hooked an arm around her waist as she came near. “What?”
“Nothing.”
He pulled her across the armrest onto his lap. “Tell me.”
“Well.” The pads of her fingers trailed down his throat. “Monday, I stopped by the library to study. You know how Mom drives me insane at the house, especially since she followed me to church. Anyway, there was this guy there and he kept staring at me. I couldn’t concentrate.”
His hand fisted in her hair. “You don’t have to worry about creeps like that anymore. I made you a key. You can come here to study.”
She looked around the room and frowned. “That’s the thing. Your furnishings don’t exactly produce a learnable environment.”
What? She didn’t like his furniture? He’d had this recliner since his freshman year.
Her finger traced his bottom lip. “The gallery down the street has the most amazing mahogany square table with barstool-type cushioned chairs.” Her fingernail scraped his chin and he shivered. “And since you stored the pool table above Sara’s garage, the dining area is empty. You and Isaac need a place to eat. So…would you mind if I made some changes in here? I saved some money from—”
“Whoa. Hold up a minute.” He flipped the wood handle and kicked in the footrest. “You’ve picked out a table for the apartment?”
She wet her lips and stared at the blank wall. “Kind of.”
For the past week, he tried to think of a way to convince her to move in. If buying new furniture made her feel more at home here, he’d buy rooms of it.
Devouring her words, he kissed her and stood. Gently, he lowered her feet to the floor. He cradled her head in his hands and studied her while his pulse danced through his veins. “Let me take a quick shower.”
She had Isaac dressed and ready to go before James finished shaving.
He drove her car to the furniture store. She showed him the table and delivered her own sales pitch. She didn’t realize he’d buy her whatever she wanted.
Corralling Isaac, he sat on a recliner sofa and waited for the salesman to write up the transaction. “I’m paying. You can buy dishes and stuff with your money. I want this too. Our old one isn’t nearly this comfortable.”
Joni cringed and wrinkled her nose.
“What?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s beige.”
“And?”
She tilted her head down. “And the carpet’s beige.”
“But I like it.”
Joni lifted her brows. “And the walls are beige.” She perched on the arm of the couch and kissed him. “We need to add some color to our living area, and our lease says we can’t paint.”
He didn’t miss her choice of pronouns. Buying furniture was working to his advantage.
Her cheeks reddened. “It’s your apartment. You can buy whatever you want.”
“No.” He threaded his fingers with hers. “Not if you don’t like it.”
Isaac flipped down a center armrest and revealed a storage bin with cup holders. “Cool.”
The returning salesman grinned. “This set also comes in charcoal and periwinkle.”
James squeezed Joni’s hand. “How about blue?”
Her smile returned. “Can I spruce up the place with accessories?”
He kissed her palm. “While you’re decorating, don’t forget the bedroom.”
Chapter Eleven
A Sunday school book lay on the new table. Scented candles gave the apartment spice and yellow pillows rested on the new couch, but the bedroom was as James left it two weeks earlier. How could he convince her to move in?
The problem plagued him as he drove across the bay. He dropped Isaac off at Sara’s and returned to the apartment to wait for Joni. When she arrived, she insisted they take her car for their day of Christmas shopping, but he claimed the keys. The Honda’s bucket seats prevented her from snuggling. They should have taken his truck.
Joni yawned. “Studying for finals and practicing with the praise team on Saturdays is getting to me.”
“Why don’t you stay at the apartment during the week? It will save you an hour and a half round-trip commute.”
Her eyes widened. “I can’t sleep in your bed.”
“Why not? I’m never there.” He winked over at her. “You can sleep beside me too, but only if you say please.”
“Sara said it wouldn’t look right. For some reason, the younger girls look up to those of us on the praise team. I don’t want to set a bad example.”
He braked for a light and made a mental note to tell his sister to stay out of his business. “I worry about you driving across the bay at night. Sara means well, but when I’m hundreds of miles away…?” He kissed her palm as the light turned green. “What difference does it make?”
The smell of cinnamon and peppermint lingered in the festive air. The hum of shoppers drowned out the carol floating from the ceiling speakers while lights twinkled in every window display. Joni was jostled into James’s side by a big man burrowing his way through the mall. “It’s two weeks until Christmas. All the procrastinators are panicky.”
He laughed and pulled her into an electronics store. “Yeah, like me.”
Remote-controlled vehicles of all shapes and sizes were arranged in the center aisle. Joni selected a truck design with a simple remote control. Forward. Left. Right. Reverse. She studied the box. Recommended for ages five and up. She turned to James.
He had a complicated remote in his hand and a little-boy sparkle in his eye. “This thing tops out at 55 miles per hour and can be controlled from a hundred yards away.”
The controller had two throttles and at least a dozen buttons. She suppressed a smile at his excitement. “Don’t you think that’s a bit advanced for a four-year-old?”
“Isaac’s smart. I’ll teach him how to handle it.”
A young salesman pointed to the far wall. “Demos are set up along the back.”
“Come on.”
Joni couldn’t resist as he tugged on her hand and pulled her through the crowd. A clear plastic wall separated the consumers from the dirt track. Half a dozen vehicles zoomed over small mountains, ramps, and puddles of water. One vehicle climbed halfway up the wall, flipped over, and raced in the opposite direction.
A young boy, probably about twelve, turned and pressed his control in James’s hand. “I’ve got to tell Mom to buy me one of these.”
Joni stood on tiptoe and peeked over James’s shoulder. His whole body turned with the controller. It took her a minute to figure out which vehicle he controlled. James swerved through a pool of water and avoided a head-on collision. “Yes!
”
She squeezed his elbow. “James?”
His eyes never left the track. “Yeah.”
“I’m gonna look around a bit.”
“What?” He shook his head and looked at her. “Where are you going?”
“I saw something near the door I want to buy for Isaac. I’ll meet you there.”
He leaned down and she barely had time for a quick kiss before he turned his attention back to the track. “I want to see how well this thing holds up in a crash. Isaac’s pretty rough with his toys.”
Joni walked away, smiling. Isaac would never touch the controls. James wanted the jeep for himself. She hesitated at the price but purchase the jeep for him and the smaller truck for Isaac.
A Yamaha keyboard near the window caught her eye. She fought her way through the throng and ran her fingers down the full-scale keys. She’d always wanted a portable piano, but her parents insisted the baby grand at home was sufficient. The giant bag rested at her feet while she toyed with the variety of instruments and sounds. Unable to resist the urge, she played Bach with the violin option and Yiruma through the piano. The sound was great. The stand was secure and the foot pedal easy to access. She lifted the price tag. Ouch. Ever since her first concert at fourteen, she’d been saving for her own place, but she’d already spent more than she intended on the apartment. The keyboard would have to wait.
Strong arms wrapped around her and James kissed her neck. “Find something you like?”
“Not really. I was just passing time.”
His strong fingers danced across the keys, producing a familiar tune. “Are you sure? Santa wanted me to keep an eye out for anything that interests you.”
“I’m sure.” She pressed up the volume and gasped as she recognized the rhythm in his song. “You can play church music. Teach me how.”
His hands disappeared behind them. “That’s ridiculous. You’re a concert pianist.” He whispered near her ear, “I can’t read music.”
“Which means, you’re not bound by a sheet of paper.” She turned into his arms and snuggled into his side. “I wished I possessed that kind of freedom.”
“You think one of these will help break the chains?” He shook the keyboard with one hand. “Get rid of all that polished wood and ivory. Wouldn’t that be considered slumming it in the concert world?” He gathered their bags.
Laughter bubbled and escaped her. “Probably. Although I doubt anyone but you would have thought of it that way.” She cast a backward glance as they walked out of the store. James caught her gaze and winked. “You never know. Santa may surprise you.” He tugged her close and whispered. “Unless you’re on the naughty list?”