Zenith in Love (Zenith Series #5) - Leanne Davis Page 0,53
friends.”
“I know. Can you give me a little more time? It’s been tough, all of it, the shooting, the church being shut down, the confusion, and us… A lot to deal with all at once.”
“I plan to give you all the time you need. Just realize this: we need more days like this.”
He smiled down at her. “Let me guess… more relaxing. Chilling?”
“Yep. Whether it’s at the beach or watching TV or sitting in a restaurant listening to a band, you need to hang out a bit and realize you are more than your calling. Refresh yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and have an entire life, not one that entails only your work.”
“Agreed. That’s where your sister came in. That’s what my plan was with her.”
She again huffed. “I meant with someone you actually share some damn…”
“Chemistry? You. That’d be all you.”
She smiled and nodded. “Glad you see that.”
“And yeah, hanging out with you is nice. Good. Different. I could get used to more of it.”
“I hope so. We need more than just church services and charities. I will add them to my schedule and become a more well-rounded person but ditto that back at you. See what I mean?”
“We can both grow from each other.”
She beamed. “Exactly. You do see.”
His head shook before he grabbed her neck and tugged her forward. His lips hovered above hers as the sun sank into the water and the sky exploded into a silent riot of color. “I do see.”
Her breath hitched. “I know. When you do that serious Jim-thing… damn. You are super sexy.”
He’d never been sexy before. Too stern and intimidating. Too rude. Not in a charming way. Kayla’s eyes were big and her skin flushed as her moist lips shone from her tongue licking them. Everything with Kayla was tinged with sex, but the more surprising part was Kayla’s warmth. She was fun. He liked to touch her and talk and just see how their time together progressed without any plans, routine, or accomplishments. No prayers or lessons on the agenda. Just Jim and Kayla. That was new for him.
“You should definitely come over to my place.”
She smiled, kissed his mouth, and turned as she leaned into him. “Yes. I will. But first the sunset. And then we should go get some ice cream. Doesn’t that sound good?”
She seemed more cheerful. Jim noticed the excitement in her voice. Yeah, sure, they’d watch the sunset, relax some more and then get ice cream.
She told him family stories he hadn’t heard from Kathy. Kayla’s version of being included on the tours that Rob and her mom attended for Zenith. Kayla admitted using her status to get friends as well as the ones who hurt her by using her to reach Rob. Her favorite color was purple. She didn’t mind her freckles but scoffed at her webbed feet between the second and third toes. He didn’t notice until he chased her down the beach to tickle her and finally pinned her down long enough to get her shoe off. Indeed, she had webbed toes.
“Little duckling. Betcha swim pretty well, huh?”
She flung sand at him, and the stars began popping in the sky as he leaned over her. “No. That’s not funny either.”
His body fell on hers and she groaned at the intimate contact when he grinned. “I wouldn’t count on that, little duckling.”
Devouring his mouth with hers, several moments passed before he got off her and said, “Not cool if Pastor Jim gets caught in an indecency scandal. I have enough to contend with already.”
She laughed and he put his hand out to pull her up to her feet. She brushed off her butt and shirt. “True. But it would be a succulent morsel of gossip.”
He tugged her against him. “Still need that ice cream?”
“Yep.” She grinned and added, “Imagine all that frozen, cold ice cream I’ll need to lick and suck and…”
“And Pastor Jim will now proceed to be lewd and inappropriate at the ice cream shop. Great.” His tone was dry and he sounded defeated.
She cracked up. “I didn’t think you’d be so much fun. Or funny.”
“Full of as many surprises as you, little duckling.”
“Jimmy? If you keep doing that, I’ll find some terrible nickname for you.”
His heart froze solid and he had to turn away so she wouldn’t see his reaction to hearing that name. His father’s name was Jimmy. The man he couldn’t stand, never mind had to share the same name with. “Can you please not