King(58)

“I’ll be careful. Shade’s already made me promise not to be alone with her. It’s not easy with me working at the church, though. And I really like Pastor Patterson. I can’t imagine going to another church, and I love my job. Do you think it’s possible she’s changed?”

“Not a chance in hell.”





Chapter 24




Evie was waiting when King rang the doorbell, frustrated at herself for being so anxious. She had dressed early and much dressier than the occasion called for. Nervously, she answered the door, waiting for his reaction.

“Evie, you look beautiful.” He took her hands, pulling her forward until she felt herself pressed against him. His ruthless mouth took hers, kissing all her misgivings away while giving her new ones to worry about.

“Want to forget dinner?” His eyes slid appreciatively over her body.

She pressed her hands against his chest, giving herself some breathing room. “No, I haven’t decided if I’m going to forgive you today or tomorrow or ever.”

Evie shrugged into her peach jacket, covering her little black dress with a gold belt. She was wearing a pair of black sandals that had cutouts all the way to her ankles. She thought she looked poised and elegant while still having a trace of attitude.

King was back in his familiar suit, which Evie had to admit she preferred. She felt comforted, as if he could keep her safe and handle anything she didn’t want to. She liked the feeling of femininity she felt around him. She had hidden from it for a long time, and now she wanted to feel like that near him.

She locked the door then King took her arm, leading her down the sidewalk to his car and opening the door for her. After she’d slid inside the front seat, he closed her door then walked around the car to get behind the driver’s wheel.

“That a first for you?”

King laughed. “Are you implying I’m missing Henry?”

“Are you?”

“Yes, but not for the work. We’ve spent many hours together over the years, so it’s like my left arm is missing.”

“It’s going to be an adjustment for you.”

“For Henry, too. He’s already called to check on me six times.”

“I’ll have to call him and tell him I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“Are you trying to relieve him or make him worry more?”

Evie laughed. “Both.”

King pulled into the parking lot of the Pink Slipper.

“In the space of five minutes, you can drive from one end of Treepoint to the other unless you get caught by the only red light in town.”

“It is small. That’s why the Pink Slipper is so busy tonight; it’s the only restaurant in town with a liquor license,” she told him when he couldn’t find a parking space in the crowded lot.

“So far,” King said, getting out of the car. Evie gave him a startled look when he opened her door. He took her hand, helping her out of the car. “I’m thinking of giving them some competition.”

“I thought you were retiring?”

“I have no plans to open a strip club, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m thinking of something like this, a restaurant with a bar.”

“That’s good because your chances of opening a strip club in Treepoint are nil. I don’t even believe some of these people get naked when they have sex.” Evie’s voice had dropped to a whisper as they entered the club.

“Oh, I think they do,” King said, staring around the busy restaurant.

“I don’t know,” Evie continued to tease him as the hostess showed them to an intimate table.

Once seated, Evie stared across at King, admiring his harsh, good looks while the waitress took their drink order.

“When did you start drinking wine again?”

Evie looked down at her hands, adjusting her utensils. “I’m trying to cut back on the hard liquor. I’m not getting any younger. Did you know excessive drinking can age you?”

King took a drink of whiskey, his amused expression gentle. “You look beautiful. You don’t look a day over twenty-one.”

“Liar.” She rolled her eyes at his transparent compliment.

The waitress took their dinner order at that moment. Once she’d left, Evie watched King enviously as she took a sip of her wine, wincing at the taste just as his eyes sharpened at something over her shoulder. She was about to turn when a familiar voice greeted them. While Evie’s stomach lurched as she gazed up into her sister’s face, Merrick came to his wife’s side, sliding his arm protectively around her waist. Evie’s lips tightened, her hand clenching the wine glass, threatening to snap the fragile stem.