Surrender To Sultry (16 page)

She seemed to turn that over in her mind, chewing the inside of her cheek while searching
his face.

“You can trust me,” he added with an encouraging nod.

That didn’t help. If anything, it made her hesitate further, forcing him to bust out
the big guns.

“Please, Angel?” He bent at the knees, lowering until their eyes met. With one hand,
he cradled her face while settling the other at her waist. “Just a few hours? That’s
all I’m asking.”

A few seconds later, she agreed in a whisper, “All right. But I wish you’d stop calling
me that. I’ve done things, Colt. You don’t know—”

“We both made mistakes.” He kissed one cheek and then the other. “If there was a prize
for biggest screw-up, I’d take home a trophy so wide you could swim in it. But that’s
in the past. Let’s focus on the now, okay?”

She nodded, but wouldn’t meet his gaze. He didn’t care if another man was on her mind.
At least she’d agreed to come out with him, and that was an opportunity Colt wouldn’t
waste. He’d worked too hard and come too close to give up without fighting for Leah’s
heart. Time to turn it up a notch and make her forget Dr. Dickweed ever existed.

His whole future hinged on tomorrow night.

“I’ll pick you up at six.”

“I’m going to tell him tonight,” Leah said into her iPad while scanning her closet
for the right outfit to wear. Not that it mattered. Colt wouldn’t give a crap whether
her belt matched her shoes once she smashed his heart and ruined any chance of a future
between them. “I can’t put it off any longer.”

Rachel paused on the other end of the line. “Probably for the best. Are you nervous?”

Leah laughed without humor. “You could say that.” She’d had to tuck a paper towel
in her back pocket so she could blot her sweaty palms every five minutes. And she
kept forgetting to breathe. She’d darn near passed out twice this morning. “I’ll feel
a lot better once it’s over and done with.”

“I bet,” Rachel said. “Wish I was there to help. Call me and let me know how it goes.
I’m channeling all my good mojo in your direction.”

Leah needed more than good mojo. She needed a full-on miracle, complete with a resurrection
because her heart was pounding hard enough to bruise a rib and puncture both lungs.

The doorbell rang, and Leah pushed aside her bedroom curtain to peer at the front
stoop. She spotted a distended belly, two puffy bare legs, and a pair of flip-flops
straining beneath swollen feet. “June’s here,” she told Rachel. “Gotta go.”

“Good luck,” Rachel added before disconnecting.

When Leah answered the door, it was to June and a bonus visitor, Bobbi Lewis, who’d
managed to hide behind her sister-in-law’s considerable girth.

“Mornin’.” Leah greeted them with a tentative smile. Bobbi always made her nervous,
and today was no exception.

But instead of picking apart Leah with her shrewd gaze, Bobbi wrapped an arm around
June’s shoulders and asked, “Can we come in for a minute?” Now that Leah paid attention,
she noticed the concern on Bobbi’s face.

“Of course.” Leah led them into the living room and motioned to the sofa. Daddy had
left to meet his associate pastor for coffee, so they had the house to themselves.
“You want something to drink?” She ran through a mental list of beverages suitable
for an expectant mother. “Milk? Herbal tea, maybe? Or I can put on some decaf.”

“No, thanks.” June gripped the armrest and gradually lowered herself into an open-legged
sitting position, then cradled her belly with both hands as if her body couldn’t support
the added weight. The poor thing needed an elastic pregnancy belt. “I’m here to take
you up on your offer, if it’s still okay.”

A moment passed before Leah recalled what she’d offered her friend. “Oh, you want
me to check your blood pressure?”

“If you don’t mind,” June said. “The doctor’s office is closed and it’s twenty minutes
to Sultry Memorial.”

“You feeling okay?”

“Yep.”

“Any vision problems or tingling in your hands?” Leah asked.

“No, I’m fine.” June patted her tummy and nodded at Bobbi. “Bo’s giving me a hard
time, and I just want some peace of mind, you know?”

“Absolutely.” Pregnancy had a way of drawing out each woman’s inner neurotic. Once
the seed of worry was planted, it only took moments to blossom into full-blown panic.

“Well, look how swollen she is,” Bobbi said, pointing at June’s ankles. “That can’t
be normal.”

“Let me get my bag and we’ll see.” Leah returned to her bedroom for her stethoscope
and cuff, then settled on the sofa beside June and took her blood pressure. A couple
of minutes later, she announced, “One ten over seventy. Perfectly normal.”

June grinned at her sister-in-law and chirped, “See?” while Bobbi continued pointing
at the irrefutable evidence.

“Are you watching your sodium?” Leah asked. “And staying off your feet?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Though there was no logical reason behind it, Leah couldn’t shake the feeling that
Bobbi was right. “Check with your doctor on Monday, just to be safe.”

June thanked her and settled back against the couch, clearly in no mood to hoist herself
to standing anytime soon. “How about you? What’re you up to today?”

“Did you hit the Black Friday sales?” Bobbi asked, still standing by the door.

Leah took a seat on the arm of Daddy’s recliner. “I’m more of a Cyber Monday kind
of gal.”

“Me too,” Bobbi said. “It takes a lot more than fifty percent off to get me out of
bed before dawn.”

Leah imagined most women wouldn’t get out of bed at all if they were married to Trey
Lewis, but it seemed inappropriate to say so. Bobbi must have known she was thinking
naughty thoughts, because those green eyes scanned her face for several long beats.

“You all right?” Bobbi asked. “You look ready to jump out of your skin.”

No, she wasn’t all right, and Leah didn’t have the energy to pretend otherwise. She
decided to tell the truth—half of it, anyway—since the whole town would find out soon
enough. “I’ve got a date tonight with Colt.”

Bobbi gasped and covered her mouth with one hand, then wildly shook the other while
she jumped in place. A lot of squealing followed. She was so excited that Leah didn’t
have the heart to tell her this first date would also be the last. Then the questions
and comments came from both sides, each in rapid fire succession.

“That’s awesome!”

“I knew it!”

“Where’s he taking you?”

“What time?”

“What’re you wearing?”

Leah couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she held up a hand to silence them. All
the estrogen in the air made her feel normal again. “He’s coming at six, and I don’t
know where we’re going. He said it’s a surprise.”

June placed a hand over her chest. “That’s so romantic.”

“You have to let me do your hair,” Bobbi said, swirling her hands in the air to mimic
whatever elaborate style she’d envisioned. She shook her head and decided, “No, we
won’t put it up. Then he can’t run his fingers through it. Let’s go with a half-do.
I’ll pin up a few strands around your face and leave the rest down—maybe enhance your
natural wave.”

June nodded. “That’ll look nice. And just a touch of eye makeup.”

“Keep it light,” Bobbi agreed, tipping her head and studying her subject. “And nothing
on the lips except a little gloss. Heavy lipstick’s not kissable.”

“As if
that
would stop him,” June said with a laugh.

“True.” Bobbi grinned at Leah. “We could send you out in a potato sack and smear mud
all over your face and it wouldn’t matter. He’s over the moon for you.”

He
won’t be for much longer
.

“Has been for years,” June added with a dreamy sigh. “I’m glad you decided to give
him a second chance.”

A
second
chance…

The words settled at the bottom of Leah’s conscience and turned over and over, sparking
a realization. Didn’t everyone deserve a clean slate after making a mistake? Even
herself? She’d forgiven Colt, so why wouldn’t he do the same for her? Maybe she shouldn’t
be so quick to make assumptions. By automatically expecting Colt to hate her, she
was choosing to believe the worst about him, and that wasn’t fair.

“I am too,” Leah said, resolving to think positively. “Want to help me figure out
what to wear? I’d rather not go out in a potato sack.”

***

At six o’clock on the button, two hours after her friends had left, the nearby rumble
of a high-performance engine announced Colt’s arrival. Leah grabbed her purse and
paused at the door for a quick prayer.

Please
give
me
strength
to
do
what’s right. And if it’s not too much to ask, soften Colt’s heart. Let him forgive
me.

The words left her with a feeling of peace that vanished as soon as she stepped outside
and caught a glimpse of her date. Lord help her, Colt was more stunning than she’d
ever seen him, and that was saying a lot.

He was impeccably dressed in a jet black tuxedo, the starched white shirt a perfect
contrast against his dark skin. Creased trousers hugged his long, muscular legs and
led to a pair of wingtips polished to a high gleam that reflected the setting sun.
He’d smoothed back his hair into a low ponytail, ever-so-slightly tussled from the
open air ride to her house. With a dazzling grin, he strode toward her and extended
an extra motorcycle helmet.

“Honey,” he drawled, “you look gorgeous.”

Leah wiped both palms on her khaki pants before she took his helmet and gestured at
her coordinated sweater set. “I think I should change.”

“No, don’t.” He joined her on the top step and settled a hand on her lower back. Leaning
down, he kissed her cheek in a teasing brush of lips that brought a flush to her skin.
“I’ve got it all taken care of.”

“You’ve got clothes for me?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He didn’t elaborate, only offered a sly grin as he interlaced their fingers and led
her down the steps to his Harley parked on the street. After helping her fasten the
strap on her helmet, he donned his own and straddled the bike, then kick-started it
to life. Leah slung her purse strap securely over one shoulder and climbed on behind
Colt, settling close against his strong back and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Instinctively, her feet found their resting spots, as if the memory of her rides with
Colt had simply lain dormant for all these years. She rested her chin near his shoulder
and closed her eyes to enjoy his warmth. With a twist of the throttle, they were off,
cruising out of her small neighborhood and onto the county highway, where Colt opened
it up and left her worries in the dust.

Leah’s tummy fluttered with exhilaration. She’d missed this—the danger, the speed,
trusting Colt not to let her fall. It felt natural, like taking flight after a decade
inside a cage. The crisp wind chilled her bare hands, so she worked her arms beneath
Colt’s jacket and pressed her palms against the hard planes of his stomach. She wanted
to keep going forever, to drive across Texas, then turn around and head for California.

“Where’re we going?” she shouted over the engine’s roar.

“My place,” Colt hollered back.

The ride didn’t last nearly long enough. He turned off the highway onto a country
road, and after another mile, made a left onto a long private driveway that wound
into the woods. The property suited him, rough and secluded, his house a simple ranch
with cedar siding set against the backdrop of mature trees. Most of the foliage had
fallen, but a few gold and orange leaves held firm in clusters of vibrancy against
the pink sky. He’d made a beautiful home here.

He parked the Harley in front of a detached garage, cut the engine, and lowered the
kickstand. Once they’d removed their helmets, he hung them on the handlebars and escorted
her to the front door.

“Listen,” he said. “I need you to do two things before we go inside.”

Leah smoothed her hair and tried to fend off the butterflies that had resumed turning
summersaults inside her. “What’s that?”

“First, keep your eyes closed until I tell you it’s safe to look.”

“Okay.” That seemed simple enough. “What else?”

“The second one’s not so easy.” His hand, cool from the ride over, cupped her face,
and she leaned into it, drawing strength from his touch. His low voice shifted as
his grin vanished. “I want you to live in the here and now. No problems, no worries.
It’s just you and me tonight. No one else exists.” He caressed her cheek, his warm
breath stirring the strands of hair on her forehead. “Can you do that? Give me all
of you till midnight—no distractions?”

Leah hesitated. She wanted to say yes, but that would mean delaying her confession,
and she’d driven herself half mad preparing for it.

“I don’t want anything or anyone between us,” he pressed. “Just for tonight. Then
tomorrow we’ll go back to normal.”

His voice was so thick with promise and pleading that she couldn’t say no. “All right.
I promise.” After everything she and Colt had been through, they deserved one perfect
night together. She was tired of fighting him—she wanted to spend the evening in his
arms, to enjoy as much time with Colt as she could get. She needed this. She could
just as easily tell him about Noah tomorrow.

“I mean it,” Colt said. “I’d better not see that far-off look on your face.”

She laughed softly and raised one hand. “I solemnly swear to stay in the moment.”

“That’s my girl.” He kissed the tip of her nose and shifted beside her, then she heard
the door open. “You can come in. Close your eyes, and mind that first step.”

Blindly, she held tight to Colt and let him lead her into the house. The scents of
baking bread and grilled chicken greeted her, along with a slow country tune she’d
never heard before. She stretched one arm into the space in front of her to make sure
she didn’t collide with the furniture.

“You’re fine,” Colt assured her. “Keep walking.” They continued slowly for another
twenty paces before he turned her through a doorway to the right. She heard the door
click shut behind them. “Okay,” he said. “You can open your eyes now.”

The first thing she noticed was a king-sized bed draped in a simple gray comforter.
From there, she took in a pine dresser and matching chest of drawers until her gaze
settled on a long sapphire ball gown suspended from a hanger on the highest drawer
pull. She recognized it instantly.

“Is that…” she began, doubting her own eyes.

“Your prom dress?” he finished. “Yep. It took a beating at the secondhand store, so
I had it dry-cleaned.”

He’d rescued her dress from the Goodwill and had it cleaned? She turned and searched
his face for answers, and the pieces suddenly clicked into place. His tuxedo, her
gown. “We’re going to prom?” She felt silly saying it aloud.

“Yes and no.” He pulled open his closet door and retrieved a shoebox, then handed
it to her. “We’re having our own private dance right here.”

She lifted the lid and discovered a pair of nude, strappy stilettos in her size.