She smiled, “You know what? How about you come over to my apartment for dinner? You can be one of my first non-family guests. Tori’s been over but she’s like family.” Leaning over, she put her hand to his ear and whispered, “I promise, I won’t try to poison you with my cooking.”
Sebastian pulled back eyes wide. “I’m being offering a home-cooked meal in the company of a lovely lady? I believe I could be persuaded to take you up on it.”
“Great! Let me write down my address on something.” Pax dug through her purse searching for a pen and paper. Upon finding them, she scribbled down her address. “It’s not far from here at all. How about you come over say around six o’clock?”
“Sounds great to me. Can I bring anything?”
“Nope. Just yourself. And I hope you aren’t allergic to cats. I have two of them, although they will probably stay hidden the whole time you’re there. They are quite literally ‘fraidy cats’ in every sense.”
Sebastian couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, I’m not allergic. My Mom had a few cats while I was growing up. I think I’ll be just fine, and if not, you’ll just have to decide…” he reached out and twisted a tendril of her hair between his fingers, “…either me or the cats. Someone will have to go.” His blue eyes sparkled.
Crossing her hands across her chest, she harrumphed. “Well, if you put it that way, the decision will be easy. I can make you a to-go plate in no time flat.” Smiling at his shocked expression on impulse she leaned over giving him a kiss on the cheek. Not wasting time for a response, she hopped in her car.
“See you tomorrow at six o’clock, Bash.”
Chapter Nine
The following day, Pax fought to keep herself from banging her head against the steering wheel of her car while leaving the grocery store near her apartment complex. What in the world was she thinking? Instead of putting this relationship in reverse, or at least park, she seemed to have hit the gas and sped things up.
Lord, I’m not sure what I’m doing here. I know You have the answers and sometimes they are not what we expect… but in this, I’m just going to look to You and know You will work it out. Help me to gain some perspective on things Lord and to not be blinded by my attraction for Sebastian.
Thankful for half-day Fridays, she knew she was going to need all the time she could get in order to have everything prepared for dinner. She didn’t think Seb would appreciate a protein shake or a frozen pizza for a meal.
She climbed up the steps to her modest two-bedroom apartment. Opening the door, Pax was greeted by her two cats swishing their tails against her ankles and murmuring purrs of hello. “Hi guys! I hope you’ve had a good day because tonight you’re going to be at your wits’ end.” She set the groceries on the floor before turning on the light and locking the door. Bending down, she gave each of her two cats, KC and Ace, a soft pat on the head.
She emptied the grocery bags, then set about preparing the meal she’d planned. First on the list was her mom’s famous lasagna. Everyone who tried it raved, so with a tossed salad and some garlic bread, she felt dinner would be a hit. The dessert was more of a gamble. She loved cheesecake and thought it would go well with the lasagna. But not wanting to buy a pre-made, she bit the bullet, and attempted to make one herself.
As she worked, her mind seemed to race. In only a short few days, her life had been turned upside down. She’d gone from a simple life of working, attending church and hanging with Tori to now preparing a meal for a famous athlete. If someone had told her a week ago what the last few days would entail, she would have laughed in their face.
At the soft rap on the door, she glanced at the clock. Six on the dot, she laughed as KC and Ace rushed toward her room to hide under the bed. “Silly kitties. He won’t bite.”
She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and walked to the door. She stopped in front of the mirror and double-checked her appearance. She’d chosen her favorite pair of jeans and a royal blue sweater that she knew brought out her eyes. Forgoing shoes, she decided instead to pad around in her socked feet. She hoped by seeing her in casual mode, Seb would, in turn, feel more comfortable as well.
She opened the door, again taken away by his appearance. He, too, had gone the more casual route with his clothing, but it certainly did not take away from his attractiveness. His faded blue jeans and red sweatshirt seemed to only enhance his athletic build, and his blue eyes were as striking as ever.
“Well hello there, Bash.” He smiled at her use of the nickname. “I hope you brought your appetite, because I think I have enough food to feed you, Rangy, Linc and maybe even the rest of the starting lineup.”
Entering her apartment, he laughed. “Don’t worry about the amount of food. You might be surprised at how much I can put away if I have a mind to.”
Seb tugged on her arm encasing her in an embrace. “Before I forget, I want to thank you again for the invitation to dinner. I have been looking forward to this all day.”
His warmth enveloped her. The slight scent of his aftershave filled her senses. She stepped away from his embrace and willed herself into the kitchen. “Well, I’m glad you’re hungry because I just realized I forgot to eat lunch. I think tonight I could even out-eat you.”
His laughter rang in her ears.
Pointing toward the den, she opened the refrigerator door. “Make yourself at home. And like I said last night, I seriously doubt the cats will make an appearance. But don’t be startled by a flash of fur every now and then as they dart from hiding place to hiding place.”
Glad her kitchen had an open area over the counter where she could observe him, she watched as Seb strolled into the den, then to her bookcase and perused the hundreds of titles on the shelves.
“This is quite the collection of books. I think you have one from every genre of literature. You didn’t tell me you were an avid reader.”
She tossed the ingredients for the salad in a bowl. “My dad is a voracious reader. I didn’t get his intelligence, but I inherited his love of books. Both my sisters read as much as I do. I enjoy escaping to another world in the pages of a good novel.”
He picked up a picture of her parents. “I don’t think I ever thought to ask, but what do your mom and dad do? I assume they live somewhere else?”
Pax opened the cabinet, the sounds of clinking glasses and plates filled the kitchen when she placed them on the counter. “My Dad is a history and math professor at a small college back in Alabama. He was born to be a teacher. I can’t imagine him in any other line of work. He loves to share his knowledge, and his students adore him. I think his enthusiasm for learning inspires them as well.”
Seb glanced in her direction. “And your mom?”
“She works part-time for a print shop doing their accounting. She enjoys the hours, and the work is not too difficult, but challenging enough to keep her mind occupied. My parents both work so they have money to travel as much as their schedule allows. They have been to almost every country in Europe, I think. They are always planning their next big adventure. Most of the time, they go with that couple I mentioned before, you know, the ones who live here. In fact, their being here was one of the reasons I felt comfortable moving from Alabama.”
“Do you get to see them often? The other couple?” Sebastian replaced one of the books he picked up off the shelf and proceeded to kneel down checking her DVD collection.
“The Richards? We are members of the same church over in Ellisville. I try to have lunch with them on Sundays if our schedules aren’t filled.”
“It’s nice you have them here. When I moved here from San Diego a few years ago, I didn’t know anyone. I mean, I was casual friends with members of the opposing team, but I didn’t know anyone well. I suppose Lincoln and Durango felt the same way. We all showed up around the same time and seemed to gravitate toward each other.”
Sebastian walked over to her. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Um, sure. How about helping me set the table?”
He picked up the dishes and glasses off the counter. Pax placed the silverware and salad on the table in the small dining room off the kitchen.
“I believe everything is ready, if you want to grab those potholders and get the lasagna out of the oven.”
Seb grinned and came back placing the lasagna on the table. Pax put the warm bread next to the butter dish. She started to sit but felt Sebastian come behind her, helping her pull out the chair. Her mind rambled. Such a gentleman, far different from what she had imagined when they first met—realizing what she took for aloofness was shyness. The real Sebastian Quinn seemed to be nothing like the one seen on the baseball diamond.
Once settled at the table, he sat still while she bowed her head in prayer. When she finished, his eyes were fixed on her. His face reddened a bit at being caught. Ignoring his reaction, she held out her hand. “You want to hand me your plate?” She dished out some of the piping hot lasagna.
Besides sports, they talked politics and places he had lived throughout his career. By the time she presented the cheesecake, they had moved back to discussing his off-season regimen to keep in shape for the upcoming season. As the conversation progressed, Paxson imagined having Seb at her table on a more consistent basis. The thought stirred a warmth inside her.
“That was an excellent meal. I may not need to eat for another oh…six or seven hours. Don’t tell Scott.” He sat back in the chair as his hands rested on this stomach and a grin spread on his face.
“It will be our little secret.”
All of a sudden he perked up. “I forgot to ask. Did you hear from Jim today?”
“Yes. He called right before I left for the day. Thank you so much for agreeing to do work with us.” Reaching over she squeezed his hand he’d moved to rest on the table.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to make…well, for Jim to make. He could see, as I could, that LLS is a good organization and well suited to my lifestyle of athleticism… You know, I never asked you how you became involved in the organization in the first place.”
She released his hand and stood to clear the dishes from the table. She’d told him about her experience as a participant in the Team in Training program. “I liked the idea of helping others and, in a way, helping myself at the same time. It certainly drove me to be a better person in many ways. Going through the program got me in the best shape of my life. I wasn’t always one to go out and exercise but in working with the trainers, it generated a love of going outside and getting my blood pumping.”
She leaned against the doorframe. “Now I try and meet up with the training teams on Saturdays if my schedule allows. I think it helps the participants realize there are real people in the organization, besides the trainers themselves, who are actually LLS employees. Did I tell you part of Michael’s job is canvassing the area for local runners, bikers, swimmers, or other athletes who are willing to volunteer their time with our program? Most of our trainers are also doctors, computer scientists, engineers, and the like.”
Sebastian followed her into the kitchen, leaning back against the cabinets while she stacked the dishes in the sink. “Honestly, I had never heard of LLS or Team in Training before Jim found the listing somewhere. I’m glad we decided to come and meet with you. For many reasons.”
Her face warmed. “Well, I admit I’m glad you did too… And having someone of your caliber as one of our spokespeople will help in letting others know about our charity and what it has to offer. Perhaps in the future, people won’t just have to happen upon us in a charity listing. They will know who we are first and want to be a part of what we do.”
Pax started to put the remaining food up in the refrigerator when she popped her head up from the open door of the fridge. “How are you feeling? Any adverse reactions to the cats? If so, I can make your to-go plate before I put all the food up?”
Groaning, he grabbed her waist from behind and spun her around in his arms.
“You are right. You do have quite a mouth on you.”
Before she could react, he leaned his head down claiming her lips. His touch was gentle. She remained frozen in place with shock, but as he continued to move his mouth over hers, her arms instinctively came up to intertwine behind his neck. She inhaled his breath as it mingled with hers. Lost in the moment, she felt her back press against the cool metal of the refrigerator door. The intensity of the kiss grew. The feel of his lips on hers ignited a flame within her she’d never experienced before. A battle between what she wanted and what she needed to do raged on in her mind. She had to stop before the feelings surging within her swept her out of control.
She pressed her hands on his chest, forcing him to step back so she could escape his arms. She walked the length of the kitchen before she turned to face him. She touched her lips with her fingers still feeling the burn of his kisses, passion overwhelming every part of her body. Suddenly, she felt a chill, missing the warmth of his arms around her. She inhaled a deep breath, and her heart raced against her chest.
“Seb… I, um…”
Pax had never felt a rush of emotion like this before and didn’t know what to do.
Seb motioned toward the living room. “Why don’t we go and put in a movie or something? You had some titles on the shelf I haven’t seen yet.”
Pax nodded her head, her legs on the verge of collapse. She hoped by the time she reached a chair her heart would have slowed down enough he couldn’t hear it beating across the room.
****
For the first time, a woman walked away from him in a passionate moment. It wasn’t as if Seb expected things to escalate to her bedroom, but for Pax to cut him off just as things were starting to heat up stunned him. He wasn’t sure how to take her reaction. He replayed their kiss, his heart racing when he remembered the soft touch of her lips and her hands as they splayed across his neck. For the life of him, he didn’t understand what happened. He’d been enjoying himself. Hadn’t she?
In the living room, he sat on the couch; she chose the chair across the room. Her actions reminded him of a timid creature, afraid to be touched, but somehow he couldn’t imagine it. She was a beautiful girl. He felt confident she had been with other men before. What woman in her thirties hadn’t?
She didn’t stay seated long before vaulting up from the chair.
“What movie were you interested in? I can get us some popcorn if you like. Or perhaps something else? Maybe something to drink?”
If Seb hadn’t been so confused, he would have laughed at her behavior. She chattered like a magpie.
“Pax. I’m fine. I don’t need a thing. How about we watch Apollo 13? I’ve only seen bits and pieces of it.”
Nodding, she picked the movie up off the shelf, slid the DVD in, and returned to the chair across the room.
“Pax? Did I do something wrong? I may need a bullhorn to talk to you way over there…”
His attempt at humor fell flat. She refused to look at him, choosing rather to look down at her legs curled up in the seat under her.
“It’s nothing you did, Seb. I just needed to catch my breath for a moment and regroup.” She fiddled with a thread coming off the end of her sweater. “Suggesting the movie was a good idea.”
“Okay. But I promise I won’t bite if you sit over here on the other end of the couch.”
Her head shook. “Oh, it’s okay. I’m comfortable right here. I love this chair. It was my grandmother’s and I love to sit in it.”
Shrugging his shoulders he turned toward the TV. Maybe she wasn’t interested in him after all, but he knew he felt something for her. His mind swirled with questions.
When the movie finally ended, Seb got up from the couch while Pax eased out of the chair. It was the first time since their initial meeting he felt awkward in her presence. He didn’t want this to be over with Pax before it really began.
“Hey, Pax. Would you be interested in going to Union Station tomorrow night? Have you been there before? They have shops, restaurants, and other activities.”
A look of relief crossed her face at his suggestion. “I have been there before, but several years ago. I’ve wanted to visit again since I moved here.”
“Good. I’ll come by here tomorrow around 4 o’clock then. It will give us plenty of time to walk around and have dinner.”
She agreed and followed him toward the door. Opening it, she leaned against the frame.
Although she seemed to be feeling more at ease, Sebastian didn’t know what to do. Deciding to give her a goodnight hug, he whispered, “You’re a great cook. Or at least the poison hasn’t taken effect yet.” She giggled in his ear as she hugged him in return.
A genuine smile caressed her lovely features. Seb smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chapter Ten
All throughout the day, Pax’s thoughts strayed to the previous night’s events. Standing in the kitchen preparing lunch, she paused as memories rushed through her mind. The feel of Seb’s lips on hers and his warm breath cascading down her neck sent tingles along her spine. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. Sebastian had no idea the effect he had on her. Although she knew the kiss was innocent enough, the touch of his hands on her body sent her heart racing. She would have been clay in his hands if she hadn’t come to her senses.
Embarrassment over not telling him why she reacted so strongly also bothered her. She shouldn’t be ashamed, but she also knew it wasn’t often she had to tell a member of the opposite sex she planned to save herself for marriage. She had a pretty good idea Sebastian had never heard that one before.
Hesitation crept into her mind. A handsome guy showing interest flattered and shocked her. Did she really have any business in continuing this relationship…friendship…this “thing” going on between them? She desired companionship. She didn’t relish the thought of being alone, and she hoped to one day settle down with a good man—a moral, God-loving guy.
For all accounts Seb fit the nice guy qualification to a T, but God-fearing…that was a whole other matter. His first marriage broke up because of infidelity on both sides. Pax didn’t know if he would be faithful to one woman…ever. He as much as admitted to her their first night out he didn’t plan to get serious with anyone. You better get a hold of yourself Pax, or this could end badly.
Just a Little Faith Page 6