Nineteen

"Looks like rain," Kyle said later that night as we sat on a pair of park swings in the deserted park.

The night was warm, the sky starless, and a breeze rustled the canopy of trees.

"I don't think you want to discuss the weather."

"Your dad wants to kill me." His expression was stoic. One brow lifted. "I suppose he's a good shot."

"Yes, but he was just joking around."

He glanced at me, his expression grim. "Lucy, he went for his gun."

"He didn't have it." As far as reassurances went that was weak. "I admit it was a rough start, but dinner went well."

"The part where we ate was fine. The Karaoke—not so much."

"It wasn't that bad." I winced. "I had no idea my dad wrote songs."

"You'd never heard him sing, Stay away from my baby girl?"

I thought his lips twitched. "Never. He used to sing at church when he was a teenager, but that's about it."

Kyle got off the swing and paced, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. "The song was funny," he admitted, his mouth tugging at the corners. "Too bad it was about me."

I slowed the swing but didn't get up. "He's never seen me with a man. Please don't hate him."

Surprise flickered in his eyes. "I'd never hate your dad or anyone. I'll ask God to work this out."

I traced a circle in the dirt with my boot. "I'll pray too. Next time will be better. He'll have forgotten all about this."

Kyle grabbed my booted foot pulling me toward him. "I shouldn't have kissed you. It was impulsive. Stupid."

I placed my hands on his face. "This will seem funny one day."

"Right. We're collecting stories for the grandkids," he said easily, pressing his forehead to mine. "You sure you're ok?"

"I have a lot to be thankful for."

He pulled back just enough to look at me. Cocking a brow, his gaze flickered with interest. "Anything in particular?"

"Not really." It took all the effort I had not to crack a smile. His gaze searched mine. "Ok, it's you, Kyle. I thank God every night for you."

"I thank Him for you too," he whispered, threading his fingers in my hair.

We were lost in each other's eyes when the first few raindrops fell, but soon the sky opened and a cascade of water poured down on us.

Grabbing my hand, Kyle led me to his truck and when I stumbled he turned and scooped me up high into his arms.

"Your leg!"

"It's fine."

We were laughing and soaked to the skin by the time we reached his truck, and I shivered.

Reaching into the back, he grabbed a jacket and handed it to me but I shook my head. "I'll get it wet."

"Take it, Lucy."

Something in his voice prickled the back of my neck. Glancing down I saw my clothes plastered against my body. My gaze flew to Kyle who sat looking straight ahead with his jaw tight. He had noticed.

I put on the jacket. We sat for several minutes while the storm raged outside. "I don't want to go home." I wasn't sure where the words came from.

He said nothing but started the truck. The short drive to his house seemed to take twice as long and not just because of the storm. Tension sizzled between us.

Holding hands we ran for his house, laughing as he closed the door.

"Lucy." The sound of Kyle saying my name in a deep voice that was thick with need, brushed over my already sensitive skin like a feathery caress. We both took a step forward and reached for each other at the same time.

I was keenly aware of the feel of his body pressed against mine. His heart thumped in his chest, and I felt it against my own. His chest rose and fell with each breath. I inhaled and smelled his clean soapy, man scent.

His fingertips brushed my face, sending tingles along my skin. He traced my lips with the pad of his thumb. My breath hitched and his eyes darkened. I breathed his name.

"You're shaking," I managed to say, but my voice didn't sound like my own.

"Yeah."

I looked up at him quizzically.

"Your hair is so soft." His fingers sifted through the strands. The rain had ruined the flat-ironed locks, but he didn't seem to care.

Reaching up, I slid my fingers through his short dark hair. "Yours too."

This made him smile. "That's because I spend time conditioning and moussing it."

"You do not," I laughed.

"No, but I comb it." The sparkle in his eyes revealed he thought he should get credit for that.

When I told him about the time I'd spent wrestling the curls with a flat iron he seemed amused and told me if I didn't do anything to my hair I'd still be beautiful.

He whispered my name. "We've got a second chance. I'll make sure you don't regret it."

Suddenly nervous with the delicious heat claiming my body, I glanced down. When I lifted my chin our gazes tangled. "We're dripping on the floor."

His eyes never left mine. "I guess we are."

He was going to kiss me again. I wanted him to do it, but for some reason I was afraid. Images filled my mind of the two of us embracing, kissing, and other things that made me blush.

Kyle lowered his head, but before his lips touched mine he pulled back and stepped away putting space between us.

His gaze slid over me from head to toe then returned to my face. He raked a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Lucy."

"For what?"

"Making you uncomfortable."

I started to protest, but he was right. "It's not you." I was uncomfortable, but it was my fault. Embarrassing as it was, he needed to hear the truth. "I'm shivery. I feel things I shouldn't. I want things that are forbidden."

"You don't have to explain." His eyes found mine again. "The kind of things I'm thinking should be saved for marriage."

It was wrong, but I wanted to ask what those things were. I didn't. Lord, forgive me. I sent a silent prayer to God asking for his mercy and protection because I shouldn't like knowing that Kyle was attracted to me. But I did. I liked it a lot.

The only explanation for my thoughtless question was my feelings had scrambled my brain. "Do you want to get married?"

My eyes went wide. "I didn't mean now—or to me. It was a general question of what you might want to do someday. Don't answer it. I shouldn't have—" I stopped, knowing I was rambling.

"I want to get married, Lucy." The words fell among soft, deep laughter. "Maybe to you," he added, his lips twitching.

It felt like little butterflies fluttered in my belly. "Maybe I'd like that."

Kyle's steady gaze pierced mine. "I don't want to scare you, but this isn't a casual relationship for me. I want more."

"Me too," I whispered as sensations danced along my skin.

I watched his throat muscles work as he swallowed. "I want us to put God first."

I tensed, waiting for the jealousy to follow his statement but it never did. When Mama had talked about putting God first, I never understood. I wanted to be first, but hearing Kyle say it made me realize how right he was.

We could do nothing good apart from the Lord. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God had sent me a righteous man.

Kyle watched me take everything in. I felt the invisible connection between us grow, blossoming into something I thirsted for with all my being.

"I'll take everything you have and give it back to you a thousand times. I want to make you happy, Lucy."

The heartfelt words struck me speechless. I was so mesmerized by the moment that it took me several seconds to recognize my ringtone. I fumbled for my phone in my back pocket. It slipped from my hand when, but Kyle caught it and handed it to me.

Glancing at the screen, I saw that it was my dad and a tremor of fear trickled through me. He wouldn't call this late unless something was wrong. I touched the screen. "Dad?"

I listened intently, my eyes flying to Kyle. The concern on his face was evident. He knew something was wrong.

I swallowed back my fear. "I'll tell him. Yes, I'm on my way."

He tensed. "What's wrong?"

"It's Izabelle, she's been arrested."