Page 30 of A Taste of Grace

“King, huh?”

“I said what I said.”

“I’ve got your king, Ms. Grace.”

“I bet you do.”

“Woman, it’s too early for all that.” He shook his head and redirected his attention to the stove.

When he stopped paying attention to me, I stared at his body. He was so fine in the same T-shirt and shorts from last night. His bare, big feet told me everything I needed to know about how well-endowed he was underneath those shorts.

Damn, Grace. The man is good dick on a stick.

That phrase came to me as I thought about what it would be like to wake up to a sexy man inmykitchen every morning.

“Here’s an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich.” Caleb wrapped the steaming hot biscuit in a square piece of foil and placed it in a plastic Kroger grocery bag before setting it on the counter. “Sorry I don’t have anything fancier for you.”

“Thank you for making the effort. It’s perfect. I really must go though.” I pointed toward the front door.

“I understand. The munchkins will be up soon. I’ll walk you to your car.” He slipped on his slides, opened the front door, and followed me outside.

When I was inside my car and buckled up, I turned on the ignition and lights and rolled down the window. Caleb placed his hands on the roof of my car and leaned into the window, his lips temptingly close to mine. Neither of us said anything as we stared at each other like teenagers crushing on each other.

“Call me when you get home.” His low voice made me want to groan.

“Okay.” I focused on his pretty lips then met his eyes.

Before I turned my head, he tilted his head forward and kissed me softly and sweetly. I closed my eyes and opened them slowly, taking in the perfection of his mesmerizing face.

“I’ll see you tomorrow after church and the day after that and the day after that if you’ll let me.”

“Uh…” I didn’t know how to respond to such directness.

“Think about what I said. If you want me to pursue you, I will. Just know when I play, it’s for keeps.”

“I understand. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Grace.”

“Bye.” I rolled up the window and disappeared into the morning sun.

The entire ride home, I thought about how fascinating Caleb was. He was serious and funny with old school charm that had me blushing so hard I couldn’t contain my giddiness. He was holy and irreverent in a way that didn’t make me uncomfortable. The bad girl in me wanted to see how dangerous he could be. Maybe it was the temptation he talked about. There was something about potentially pushing him over the edge that intrigued me.

Let that man be celibate in peace.

I thought the words and tightened my grip on my steering wheel, taking a deep breath to recenter after the whirlwind of emotions Caleb pulled from me. I didn’t expect to be like a dog in heat when I agreed to care for two motherless girls.

When I entered my house, I locked up and tossed my bag in my room, readying myself for a day of chores and writing. Only after I threw the dirty sheets on my queen-sized bed in the washer did I remember to call Caleb.

“Hello?” His buttery voice made my heart thump.

“I made it home.”

“Thanks for letting me know. The girls are up and want to speak to you. I’ll put them on speaker.”

“Okay.”

I heard the airiness of the room when Hannah and Esther’s voices rang through the phone.

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