Page 37 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
“I’m right here,” Grace announces cheerfully as she walks out from the back, having no idea what our topic of conversation is.
Sawyer suddenly becomes a man on a mission. Rushing over to her, he picks her up so her feet dangle off the ground and gives her one heck of a kiss. Ruth Jean giggles and I do as well when I see Cade shake his head.
By the time Sawyer pulls away, Grace’s cheeks are bright pink. “Well hello, Sexy Sawyer. What was that for?”
He scowls back at her. “Why are you serving people your First Kiss Pie?”
“Because it’s the special of the day, and both Ruth Jean and Faith like chocolate.”
“Well, you need to rename that shhhi…crap to Sawyer Is My Only Kiss Pie.”
She rolls her eyes. “Stop bein’ ridiculous and put me down.” He grunts, unhappy with her reply, but gives her another hard kiss on the lips before placing her back on her feet.
She grabs a takeout bag and hands it to Cade. “Here, ya go. There is something in there for Jaxson too.”
“Why the hell are you giving it to him?” Sawyer asks, affronted.
“Because if I give it to you, you will eat it all and not share.”
He grunts again. “We’ve had this talk before, Cupcake. You’re my woman, so these are my pies. I don’t have to share if I don’t want to.” Both Ruth Jean and I giggle at his response. Grace shakes her head but can’t hide the small smile that tugs at her lips. She leans in to kiss his cheek, but instead he grabs her and gives her a full-on smooch on the lips. I have to admit they sure are cute.
Glancing up at Cade, I find him watching me, and the fierce look in his hazel eyes wipes the smile off my face and literally robs me of breath. It’s a look I remember well and one I see often in my dreams—the good ones, not my nightmares. Something passes between us as we stare at one another, and I am sure everyone can feel it because the entire room becomes consumed with it.
Sawyer punches him in the arm. “Come on, man, we need to get back before the fighters come in.”
He watches me for a second longer as Sawyer says goodbye to Ruth Jean, then he shocks the heck out of me when he reaches up and brushes the side of my jaw with his knuckle. My heart skips a beat and my body comes alive from his simple touch. I desperately get the urge to lean into the warmth of his hand, but all too quickly he moves it away, as if realizing what he just did. “I’ll see you around, Red.”
“Bye,” I whisper, finding it hard to form words.
Looking over at Ruth Jean, he gives her a nod, and then just like that he and Sawyer are gone.
I sit stunned, and rest my hand over where his knuckle just grazed, still feeling the warmth of his touch. I notice Grace watching me with a sad smile. I give her one in return then turn my attention to Ruth Jean. “Well, girly, are you ready? We should head back to church. Christopher should be almost finished.”
Nodding, she stands and turns to Grace. “Tank you again for de dewicious pie, miss Gwace. It was de best I eva had.”
Our smiles now become more genuine at how sweet this little girl is. “Well you are very welcome, Ruth Jean. I hope you will come see me again sometime.”
“Oh you bet,” she replies happily.
I offer once again to pay Grace but she refuses and gives me a warm hug. I decide I will leave her extra for a tip the next time I come in.
After our goodbyes, Ruth Jean and I start our walk back to the church in a comfortable silence, but it isn’t long until she speaks up. “Dose guys was huge,” she says, making a big, dramatic gesture with her hands. “Especially dat one with all the tattoos, he doesn’t seem all that fwiendwy.”
I smile, “Cade is just quiet is all. He warms up once you get to know him.”
“How do you know him?”
I look down at her curious face and decide to tell her the truth. “I met him a few years ago when I was on a mission trip with my church. He was there on a mission of his own. He and Sawyer were both Navy SEALs. Do you know what that is?” She shakes her head. “Do you know what a soldier is?”
“Yeah, dey awe good guys who help save people and Amewica.”
“That’s right. Navy SEALs are a very similar, except they are trained a little differently and do different missions. He… he saved my life from some very bad men.”
“He did?” she asks in surprise.
“Yes, he did. Along with Sawyer and another friend of theirs, Jaxson… He was the one Grace mentioned.”
“So he’s a good guy den?” I nod and swallow thickly, thinking about just how good he is. “Well, he wooked weally stwong.”
I smile at her sadly, “Ruth Jean, he’s the strongest man I’ve ever known.” My heavy heart must show in my expression because she reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. The entire gesture has my throat burning with emotion.
“Twistiphwor is the stwongest guy I’ve ever known. He never wets anyone huwt me, not even my dad.”
I quickly snap out of my sadness as alarm screams inside of me. I’m just about to question her further, but she ends up bolting up the stairs and into the church before I can. I follow in after her and spot Christopher cleaning up. I also notice him watching Alissa. The fifteen-year-old girl whose parents are members of the church and one I’m hoping to have join my youth group. She’s just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
Ruth Jean runs up behind Christopher and jumps on him. Turning around, he picks her up and she wraps her arms around his neck. He doesn’t notice when Alissa turns and watches him. I smile to myself as an idea suddenly starts to form…
