Page 69 of Rival
Digging her teeth into her lip, her easy, relaxed body starts to stiffen under my hands, and I quickly soothe her. “I’m not.”
Sighing, I nod once and let her know it is what it is. Not like we can undo it now. She seems worried about my reaction, so I smile gently.
“I’m not angry. We just gotta make sure we don’t do that again.” Her eyes flash with pain, and I hurry to explain. “I mean not use a condom. I definitely want to fuck you again, girl. I’m sayin’ we gotta be smart about it, yeah?”
“You’re not gonna tell me we shouldn’t have done this?” It’s probably because I saw how she reacted yesterday to my apology, but I recognize now that Edith Hughes has some pretty deep insecurities over being pushed away.
I’m not going to contribute to that any longer.
Kissing her softly, I cup her face. “No, girl. I’m not gonna tell you that. Can I also say that I’m sorry I didn’t allow us to kiss yesterday? Cuzfuck,your lips are heaven.” I kiss her again, then help her ease her legs down to the ground. “I don’t wanna just leave, but my dad—”
“You need to go. I know. I’ll sneak out of here. I have to go to my volunteer job, anyway.” With trembling hands, she drags her pants back on, and I cover her hands with mine until she meets my eyes.
“Next time I fuck you, it’s not gonna be so quick. Be ready for that.”
Swallowing deeply, she nods once. I hurry and right my clothes, then kiss her temple before slipping out of the room.
Only to find Billy sitting outside the door and immediately he’s attacking my feet as I stumble my way outside.
Chapter Thirty-One
Edith
Walking into the church behind my father feels as if I’m walking toward judgment day. No, I don’t feel guilty for what’s transpired over the past week, not just with Mason, but also with Griffin. But I should, right?
Mrs. Danielson is standing near the entrance to the main hall of the church with the pews and podium where her husband will deliver this morning’s sermon. Her smile is warm and welcoming. As soon as she spies me behind my father, her eyes twinkle and I silently pray she won’t say a word about me befriending Jaxon and leaving early some days.
If she does, I won’t blame her. It’s not her fault, and I’d never ask her to lie. She just doesn’t know what it would mean for me.
After she says hello to my father, he moves past to find our regular seat. Just before she greets me, her eyes flick over my shoulder, and they light up with glee.
“Well, bless my heart! Mr. Thorton! You decided to come to church this mornin’?”
Whipping my head around, I actually feel my neck crack as I come face to face with my friend and secret crush.He looks...wow. He looks so stinking handsome that I can’t hold back my massive smile as he saunters up to the two of us.
“How are you lovely ladies doing this fine morning?” He seems in such a good mood, and I wish I could pull him outside to find out what’s got him happy and why he’s here. I’m also very much wanting to tell him about my week, but also not sure if I should. Not just because it’s personal, but Idofind myself developing more than justfriendfeelings, and I don’t think I could handle hearing about his trysts with other women.
Mrs. Danielson titters and waves him off. “Why don’t you walk our Edith to her seat, Jaxon? Be a gentleman for me. And Edith, come find me before you leave. I’ve got your dishes from the other week when you brought cookies. I want to make sure you get them back.”
My eyes widen in panic, and I shake my head quickly. “No!” When both of them look at me, stunned by my outburst, I swallow and force out a smile. “I just mean that I need to use the restroom. I’ll go there, then grab them from the kitchen.” Glancing up at Jaxon, I ask, “Are you really staying for the service?”
He chuckles and looks apologetically at Ruth. “I’m not. I just stopped by to get an updated schedule from your husband and some new order forms for materials. I’m heading over to my parents’ place for lunch. Maybe next time, though?” He shrugs and gives her a megawatt smile which absolutely does the trick.
“Jesus will love you no matter if you come this Sunday or next. Josiah is probably in his office right now. Right through there.” She points toward the corner and with a quick wink at me, he disappears through the door.
The two of us watch him leave and I’m startled from my thoughts when she sighs loudly. “If only I were a few years younger.”
She sounds so sorrowful that I can’t stop the laughter from bursting out of me. I notice my father turning back to watch me through narrowed eyes, so I quickly rein myself in. Pressing a fast kiss to Ruth’s cheek, I scurry to the bathroom and wait a few minutes to collect myself, then slip out to join my father in the pew.
I can feel his eyes on me, but I keep my head down and remain frozen until Pastor Danielson speaks. Worrying my lip, I wonder if my father saw me speaking with Jaxon, but I honestly think if he had, we’d already be gone by now.
As the hour ticks by slowly, I grow more relaxed and allow my mind to wander. First, I examine the bit of guilt I’m feeling for not paying attention to the pastor, but I can’t help it. I’ve always felt there was something bigger than me out there. I also don’t think I’d be a regular church attendee if I wasn’t forced to be here.
Although, I do love seeing the Danielsons every week. No matter what they believe and what I believe, they’re still a lovely family and probably the most important to me outside of...
I frown when I can’t think of anyone more important to me than them. Iamgrowing more and more attached to Jaxon and Mason. Griffin too, if I ignore the lack of contact with him, which pretty much tells me everything I need to know. I miss him terribly and I haven’t been able to pick up my favorite book since he left that morning.
Shifting in my seat, I move on to memories of this week. Everysingleday, Mason has found me somewhere during the morning and shown me things I didn’t think were possible. After the first time we were intimate and he didn’t kiss me, he’s definitely made up for it since.
