“What about tomorrow?”Jordan questioned as they strolled toward her apartment.
“There’s church in the morning,” she announced casually.“I’m singing with the choir.Would you like to come?”
“Yes, I would,” he stated softly.
His response surprised her in more ways than one.She’d expected him to complain because of their limited time together.“Wonderful,” she murmured.Willingly Skye turned into Jordan’s arms the minute her apartment door was closed.
“Take this with you tonight,” he mumbled huskily as he possessed her mouth.Her tender lips felt swollen under the force of his kiss, but it didn’t seem to matter.She understood his hunger.
Chapter Eight
“I enjoyed myself.”Steve King stood in the hallway outside Skye’s apartment.His gaze freely roamed her face, and Skye could feel the color surface; she always felt uncomfortable when people stared at her so closely.They had left Sally and her husband, Andy, following dinner.It was clear Steve expected her to invite him in for coffee, but Skye hesitated pointedly.
“Thank you.I had a nice time, too.”Despite the fact her thoughts had been with Jordan the entire evening, still they had managed to enjoy each other’s company.
Contrary to what Skye had expected, Steve was tall and good looking in a homey, down-to-earth manner.His mustache was an umbrella over a droll smile.He displayed an inherent sensitivity Skye found lacking in other men; his smile was warm and genuine, his laugh easy.She might even have considered seeing him again if it hadn’t been for Jordan.
“There’s someone else, isn’t there?”He returned her keys to her open palm after unlocking her door.
Skye’s blue eyes widened.“Is it so obvious?”she asked, feelinga twinge of guilt.“I’m sorry, it must have been a dull evening for you.”
“Quite the contrary,” he assured her.“I thoroughly enjoyed myself.I guess I should have known a lovely blonde like you would be spoken for.”
“A lovely blonde like me?”Her smile was negated by a disbelieving slant of her head.“I won’t argue; you’re certainly good for the ego.”
The masculine line of his mouth curved into a pleasant smile.“I mean it.If things don’t work out for you with this other fellow, give me a call.Andy has my number.”His eyes grew serious.Very gently he placed a fleeting kiss upon her unsuspecting lips before adding, “I’m very interested.Whoever he is, he’s a lucky man.”He opened the apartment door for her and retreated.
“Good night...Steve.”She faltered slightly over his name.“And thanks again.”
He turned and gave a friendly wave.“Good-bye, Skye.”He spoke conclusively, as if he was aware he wouldn’t be seeing her again.
The morning sky was a pale blue.The early-morning fog had dissipated, and the sun shone brightly.A thick covering of rich green leaves was making its appearance on the trees that lined the streets.Skye was up and dressed long before it was time to leave for church.She chose her outfit with care, having saved the powder-blue suit for a special occasion.And what could be more special than attending church with Jordan?
Her Bible lay on her nightstand, and she reached for it thoughtfully.If only she knew more, she chastised herself, maybe she could answer Jordan’s questions intelligently and persuade him of the truth.A fragile smile formed.Did she consider herself more capable than the Holy Spirit?It was a ludicrous question.No, she had placed Jordan in God’s hands;now she must wait patiently and trust.It was an encouraging sign that he was willing to attend church with her.
She met Jordan outside at the steps of the church.Again Skye was struck by his basic masculine appeal.The dark suit fit him superbly, accentuating his wide shoulders and tapering to his slim waist and hips.
His eyes followed her as she approached, his gaze as appreciative as hers was of him.Skye felt elegant today, like a princess in a fairy tale.Certainly nothing to rival Carin Cain, the model she had attempted to imitate that first night with Jordan, but lovely in her own way.The thought crossed her mind that if she didn’t strive for inner beauty as diligently as outer beauty, she would soon be vain.
Jordan’s arm cupped her elbow possessively when they met.“Did you have a good time last night?”he greeted, his gaze probing hers.
“It was marvelous, just marvelous,” she said, sighing, then giggled at the flint hardness that stole into his eyes.“Steve turned out to be a very nice gentleman, but I think I must have been rotten company, since my thoughts were with you.In fact—” She smiled broadly.“—it was so obvious, he told me you’re a lucky man.”Tilting her head and patting her hair, she continued, “And in this new outfit I tend to agree with him.”
Jordan laughed, but then his expression grew sober.“You won’t see him again.”It wasn’t a suggestion but a statement of fact.
Without argument she nodded and turned her attention to others who were beginning to file into the church.When she happened to glance up, she found Jordan watching her with a look of unbelievable tenderness.
“I have an irrepressible desire to throw good taste to the wind and startle these churchgoers by kissing the living daylights out of you.”
A flood of color flushed her face, but her eyes shone with happiness.Jordan’s gaze became obsessively attached to her lips.
The attraction between them was volatile, and, flirting with danger, Skye provocatively outlined the shape of her lips with the tip of her tongue.
Jordan paled, his gaze pinning hers.“Stop it, Skye,” he murmured under his breath fiercely.Their eyes remained locked until Skye lowered her gaze.
It was unlike her to flirt quite so openly, but before she could consider her actions, Jordan’s hand slipped around her waist, and they entered the church together.
The interior of the building was decorated with lilies, which surrounded the altar.A large flowing banner was suspended from the rafters behind the altar.Its announcement—he lives—was a reminder of the Easter season just passed.
