“That’s because I have work,” he explains, shifting closer to me. “And, yes, I’m following you,” he whispers in my ear.
Shepard’s husky baritone lights a fire between my thighs, conjuring salacious images in my mind’s eye.Yep, I’m going straight to Hell. I deserve to burst into flames for tainting these holy walls with my impure thoughts.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” Martha announces, dispersing my dirty musings. “Lunch is ready. Please bow your heads for the blessing of the food.”
Pray for my whore soul while you’re at it.
I force my eyes shut, trying my best to focus on Martha’s words, but fail miserably. The man next to me has my libido going haywire. Hard fingers knead my butt cheek then quickly disappear. I turn towards Shepard, already knowing he’s the culprit. His eyes are closed, but his innocent act isn’t fooling me.
“Stop it,” I hiss at him.
He shushes me. “You’re being rude.”
The nerve!If we weren’t in a room full of witnesses, I’d sock him square in the nose. Per usual, once the prayer is done, diners are directed to the buffet line, one table at a time. Shepard, two others, and I are the designated servers. Why does he have to stand so close to me?Ugh!It’s going to be a long two hours. I pull on a pair of plastic gloves and prepare for the throng. We work diligently to load paper plates, getting everyone through the line as quickly as possible. I almost forget about the mountain man towering beside me.Almostbeing the operative word.I can’t help but eyeball the abstract tattoos covering his muscular arms and peeking above his neckline. No man should look that damn sexy, let alone three.
A half an hour later, everyone is back at their table, enjoying their meal. Shepard and I remain at the makeshift buffet station for those who may want seconds while the other volunteers take a break. He moves even closer to me, invading my personal space with his spicy scent.
“Beau said that pussy was exquisite,” he rumbles in a low voice. “When can I have a taste?”
“You can’t use that word,” I chastise him. “We’re at church.”
“Pussy?” he asks, his steel-blue gaze twinkling in merriment.
“Yes, that word,” I reply between clenched teeth. “Which you already knew.”
“Okay.” He nods his head once in the affirmative. “I won’t use thatwordwhile in church again. Is vagina off-limits too?”
“Yes!” I whisper-yell at him. “And the answer is never.”
He grins. “Challenge accepted, Sweet Peach.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. Does this man ever not show his damn teeth?
“You need to listen very carefully,” I say slowly. “What happened with Beau was a mistake that will not be repeated.”
“Beau will be truly heartbroken,” Shepard states. “So back to you and me—”
“There is no you and me!” I exclaim.
“It’s so good to see you, Shepard,” Martha chirps, interrupting our conversation. “It’s been a while. How are Emmett and Beau?”
Oh, she’s personally acquainted with this hooligan.
“They’re great,” Shepard responds, wrapping his huge arms around her plump figure. “We’ve been busy with work and remodeling the house.”
“I hope everything’s coming along good.”
“It is,” he remarks. “We just have to refinish the floors and then we’re done.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Martha says, regarding us speculatively. “Do you two know each other?”
If she heard our hushed conversation, she isn’t showing it.
“Yes, ma’am,” Shepard answers her. “We’re neighbors.”
Her eyes light up. “You’re both single and aren’t getting any younger. How about you two go on a date?”
“No, I’m… it’s not like—”
