Redeemed Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Series Book 3)

by Sterling, Ginny

  Days off were few and far between when you owned your own company and she was getting quite used to this lifestyle really quickly. Two days in a row was spoiling her! About noon, she drew a bath and decided to soak for an extended length. She tossed in a bath bomb and relaxed, letting the scent wash over her. She took her time getting ready, knowing that there was going to be quite a bit of activity once she got to the church and they all started to get ready for photos.

  Teri was still laying in the cooling bath when she heard the sound of a car on the gravel road carry through the open window of the bathroom. She waved it off thinking it might be one of the neighbors down the way or the mail lady. She did sit up, however, once she heard someone step on her front porch and knock. “What the hell?” she said aloud and scrambled to get out of the scented tub. She threw on a robe and flew into the living room. She groaned and rolled her eyes as she saw the time and who was at the door. Teri said loudly, “It’s not two-thirty yet. Your watch is broken,” she teased.

  Richard had the good graces to look sheepish as she opened the door. “I am so sorry,” he stammered as he saw she was in a short robe and dripping water onto the floor. “Um, I brought coffee for you.” he said, trying not to stare at her bare legs and imagining her wet body underneath. “Want me to wait in the car?” he asked, but his mind was screaming opposite.

  Teri held open the door for him. “You are really early, you know,” she said wryly. “That better be some darn good coffee,” she said, trying to put them both at ease. She was acutely aware of how short her robe was and her nudity underneath. She had bought it one year as a splurge because of the sparkles on the cuffs and, since then, she had fallen in love with it. It made her feel distinctly feminine after a long work day climbing on roofs or under houses.

  Richard smiled and accepted the invitation into her house. “It’s Starbucks. I wasn’t sure if you liked it strong or if you were more of a flavored coffee gal. So I got one of each. What is your preference?” he asked politely, trying not to look at her. He was distinctly aware of the smell of flowers in the house and wondered if that was her soap or shampoo. “If you want to go finish your bath, I can wait out in the car or on the couch. Whatever makes you comfortable. I am sorry to have interrupted you,” or at least he tried to be sorry. What he really wanted to do was to help her out of her robe. He shook his head and tried to dispel the image in his mind.

  Teri smiled at how uncomfortable he looked right now. It was kinda sweet he would not look at her and appreciated the courtesy. Part of her wondered what it would take to make him look at her and what his thoughts would be. Did she want the attention from him and was she ready for it? “I’m good with either, thanks. It was sweet of you to bring coffee-even if you are really early,” she teased again. “I will be back in a few minutes if you want to make yourself at home,” she offered. Teri then walked off to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

  Richard watched her walk away and admired the way the wet satin clung to her body. He was envious of every drop of water on her body and wanted to take the place of them. Richard wanted to lick off every drop and seeing the way that robe shaped her, it did nothing to dispel any desire. If anything, it only heightened it. He wanted to see more of her.

  Teri sunk back into the bath and soaped up quickly, marveling at how sensitive parts of her body were suddenly. She pictured his hands washing her instead of the washcloth and moaned aloud, slapping her hand over her mouth, embarrassed. “I hope he didn’t hear that,” she said absently and finished her bath. She stepped out, toweled off and donned the cooling, damp robe again. She flinched at how cold it was against her skin. She peeked out to see where he was and saw him sitting patiently on the couch. She stepped out. “I will be back in a few,” she said, heading down the hallway to her room.

  Richard was glad he was seated. He might have had his knees collapse under him at the view he just had. Her robe did nothing to hide the tight nipples against the wet satin. He shut his eyes and tried to think of things to calm him down. Anything from picturing her dress in her room a few yards from him. He mumbled a litany of different things that would prevent him from keeping an erection.

  Teri stopped when she heard talking. “What are you saying?” she yelled from the bedroom. She heard him respond back loudly, “Nothing!” She shrugged and threw on jeans and a T-shirt. It may be November, but today seemed to be awfully warm out. The TV weatherman called it an “Indian summer”. Teri called it amazing! It was like the temperature was designed this way for the wedding. They were due to have a change in the weather next week and, if it had been then, they may have been taking photos in the snow!

  Teri blew out her hair with a hair dryer and a round brush just so it didn’t drip on her shoulders. She knew from talking with Danielle that part of them getting ready would involve a hair and makeup session. Millicent wanted everything perfect.

  Teri left the room and moved to join her guest in the living room. She walked in and did a double take seeing him on the couch, eyes closed and counting backwards. “Are you trying to go to sleep?” she asked playfully and perched on the end of the sofa.

  Richard smiled catlike at her. “I am not sure you want me to answer that just yet, Sunshine. I can though, if you really want to know,” he dared and handed her a cup of coffee. If she really wanted to know, he would definitely tell her and mince no words. He liked making her blush and speechless. He really wanted the opportunity to be as dirty with her as he wanted, but he wanted her to want him, too.

  Teri took a sip of the coffee, tasting the caramel flavoring. “I think I got the one you picked for me. Thank you, again,” she said, avoiding the question and trying to break the silence. She moved from the arm of the couch to sitting at the end, cross-legged. Teri couldn’t help herself. “Do I really want to know what you were doing or should I leave well enough alone?” she asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked at him sideways.

  Richard took a long sip of the coffee, giving her time to change her mind. He looked at her and watched her for a minute, like a lion stalking its prey. He eyed her carefully and sat back, got his keys out and placed them on the sofa table. “I was counting backwards trying to focus on anything else but the image of your wet body in that satin robe. I could see the barest hint of pink to your nipples with the wet fabric sticking to them. It made me want to peel it off of you and lick every drop of water off your body. Are you glad you asked?” he questioned, anticipating her asking him to leave.

  Teri felt her breath hitch as her mind raced with images. She took another sip of the coffee, looking away and buying time so she could wrap her head around what he just told her. The idea of him licking off every drop of water from her body was branded on her imagination and she felt a rush of heat to her pelvis. His timing was either rotten or really good. She was not sure if she wanted to be extremely late to the wedding or if this was a blessing in disguise. She thought he looked amazingly sexy the few times she had seen him and knowing that he desired her was exhilarating.

  Teri had thought about him and Daniel all night. She felt that she was beginning to come to terms with the fact that Daniel was gone and she had an opportunity to be happy or at least fill a few carnal needs right when she needed them filled. It had felt like forever since she felt alive. Richard may not be the one for her, but he would be a great way to get her feet wet in the dating scene that she had avoided for so long. “Yes, I am glad I asked,” she said softly, a bit surprised at her confession.

  Richard smiled lazily like the Cheshire cat to cover his reaction. He did not expect her to be so open about it. Just knowing she wasn’t repulsed by his thoughts made his heart slam in his chest and the pressure in his groin reached a throbbing level. “Are you embarrassed that I think of you that way or excited?” he asked bluntly, at a loss as to where to go from here. He wanted to toss her down on the couch and figured that would be a helluva bad idea. He wanted to talk to her, see how her mind worked and realized this was a completely
different aspect than he had ever seen from her.

  Teri could feel her face heating up. “I am a bit embarrassed, but not because of what you said. It is more because you are asking me to analyze how I am feeling and I don’t know that I am ready to do that yet. Can we start with friendship and an intense attraction…and go from there?” she asked softly. “I think maybe we should get out of here early and distance ourselves from being alone for a bit.” She was still picturing his mouth on her body and she needed a distraction.

  Richard nodded in agreement. That was probably the smartest idea he had ever heard and it made perfect sense. She didn’t want to run from him, nor did he want her screaming at him to get away or get out of her house. The next move would need to be from her, since she knew he was interested in her physically.

  Richard felt that he wanted her to be interested emotionally, too, and giving her breathing room (and the amount of space, of course) would be completely up to her. “Sounds good. I am ready whenever you are. You just let me know. I will be there for you, Red Riding Hood,” he said gently and stood, offering her his hand.

  Teri could see the size of his interest in front of her and certainly appreciated his physique. She was touched by the pet names he had given her: Sunshine, twinkle toes (ok, she hated that one because she felt clumsy) and now Red Riding Hood. The fact that he insinuated it again and, all it entailed, made it so very personal to her.

  She took his hand and stood, nodding, and moved to grab her purse. She stepped back and gathered a few things around the house she would need to get ready and threw them in a bag. “Are you sure I shouldn’t take my own car?” she asked again, feeling like she was bothering him and hating to be dependent on a ride later on in the evening.

  Richard could see that offering to drive her was a good idea. It gave her no way to retreat away from him. “No, it’s my pleasure to drive you. I wanted to have the chance to spend time with you. I enjoy just being with you,” he explained as she gathered her things. He just enjoyed being in her presence and the nickname, Sunshine, seemed so fitting.

  In a job that saw too much death and destruction, she was like sunshine in a room. He took her bag for her and watched her move throughout the house, closing the windows and locking up. He held the screen door for her as they left and again held the door for her as she got in his SUV. He wanted to make sure she felt like she was the center of everything to him. He wasn’t sure how it happened, but his little pixie had grown very important to him.

  Seven

  Richard pulled up to the church and was told to park in the grass across the road from the walkway leading up to the sanctuary. He hopped out and opened Teri’s door, helping her out of the SUV. He could see a flurry of activity had already started. He and Teri glanced at each other, surprised by the number of people there in the small churchyard so early in the day.

  Teri heard her name yelled from the doorway and was being waved over by Carla. She turned to Richard. “This is where we part for a bit. See you soon.” She was beaming, the excitement contagious in the air. She reached up and quickly kissed him. “For luck, right? So I don’t break a leg,” she teased at his befuddled expression. She kissed him again quickly and took the bag.

  Richard laughed at her reference to the shoes she hated wearing. He was more than happy to watch her run across the grass after the display of happiness and affection from her. He was thrilled to see her giving him a chance and more surprised to see how it made her react. She glowed and it made his chest thud happily.

  Teri raced away and happily allowed herself to be dragged into the pastor’s office to get ready. There was perfume, makeup and hot curling irons everywhere. Millie sat in the middle of it all quietly. “Are you okay?” Teri asked, seeing her friend’s wan face.

  Millie nodded. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed that it’s here already. I have spent so much time working on making this moment perfect for him, for us, and now it’s here. It will all be over this afternoon,” she explained. Millie honestly felt extremely nervous. They had been planning the wedding for several months. Heck, they had even been trying to get pregnant!

  Now that the moment was here, she was getting cold feet and she did not want to admit it. Not about Jacob, but that the event was already here and she wasn’t ready for it to be over. Millie wondered if Jacob was going through the same feelings. “I think I am going to throw up, girls,” she said softly, looking for a garbage can.

  Teri moved into action and scrambled for a can. She caught Millie as she heaved into the small container. “Boy, I sure hope the pastor doesn’t change his mind and need any of that,” she said, trying to make light of the situation.

  Teri felt pretty bad that Millie was making herself sick and wasn’t sure how to help things. “You know, you and Jacob are perfect for each other. Instead of worrying about making the day perfect, you should spend it just being happy to finally be his wife and you both can move forward from here together,” she said reverently. “It’s your day, enjoy it together.”

  The women in the room looked at each other and then at Teri. All had forlorn expressions on their faces. “What? Did I say something wrong?” Teri asked blankly. They all just looked at her like she had stepped in poo.

  Millie took the wastebasket and held it. Danielle and Carla moved to hug Teri. “Teri, I am sorry Daniel isn’t here and you two were not able to get married or be together. He is with you and will always be with you. You need to enjoy the day, too. You need to relax, open yourself up to new experiences and find a way to be happy,” Danielle coached.

  Teri had not even associated today with Daniel yet. She had done a lot of soul searching and realized that she could still love him but she could be IN love with someone, too.

  Teri could have cried. The women cared so much for her and they always watched out for each other. It was wonderful having people that loved you, looked out for you. “You guys need to stop it or my nose will be red the rest of the day if I start crying. I know I need to move on and I am trying. It’s hard because there was never anyone else but Daniel and now I’m alone.” She gave them each a wobbly smile.

  “You were there for me after the funeral and you are here for me again. I love you girls more than anything and I am trying to move forward with my life, too. This is Millie’s day, though. Let’s celebrate! Besides, you never know. Maybe my guy is out there today just waiting to meet me,” she said, laughing through her tears.

  They all hugged and got Millie a cup of water to sip on. They proceeded to do each other’s hair and makeup elaborately. Teri didn’t have a lot she could do with her hair because it was so short, but they did put a few curls in it-just enough to keep it out of her eyes. Danielle made sure that Teri’s makeup was striking on her cool complexion and dusted her with some glittery powder as she stood in a slip.

  They took photos of each other getting ready for a scrapbook and laughed heartily as they ended up taking several in their underwear and chemises. They felt like children playing around in the room, dusting each other with the shimmery powder, spraying hair spray and perfume. It was a scented mess in the pastor’s office and would probably stay that way for quite some time.

  There was a knock at the door that announced “thirty minutes, ladies” to give them the signal to get in their gowns and finish preparations. They zipped each other in the blue dresses and passed out Band-Aids for their heels. Teri was eternally grateful that Carla had thought to bring them.

  Millie stood to be dressed in her gown and had a noticeable tremor to her hands. “Relax,” they said in unison to the nervous bride. Millie stepped into the gown as they zipped and buttoned her into it. It was breathtakingly elegant with a short train. Danielle and Carla pinned the veil on her head and carefully moved it in place in front of her face.

  Teri, Danielle and Carla persuaded Millie to take a few photos with them, the last being a silly one to get her mind off of the upcoming walk down the aisle. They got her to laughing finally when making duck faces at ea
ch other’s phones. Teri loved how ridiculous and relaxed they could all be when they got together.

  There was a knock again at the back door to the pastor’s office. The door exited the building. “Ready ladies?” the photographer asked happily.

  He had seen a lot on wedding days; everything from crying hysterics, drunken brides, and happy brides. But this was the first time he had seen women making faces at each other. To each their own. “A few snapshots, please. If you will gather around Millicent,” he dictated. He took a few photos and guided them to the front of the church along the stone pathway.

  Teri got a glimpse of Richard standing there in his tuxedo and felt her knees give. My goodness, she thought. If he wasn’t attractive enough before, he was downright sexy now.

  “Ladies!” the photographer interrupted her thoughts. “I need each of you to take a boutonniere and pin it on your groomsman one at a time so I can get a few shots of it,” he directed. Teri grabbed a small bud and moved to pin it on Richard’s lapel.

  Richard looked at Teri and smiled. She was breathtakingly lovely. To him, she resembled a tiny, fragile doll. Her skin had an iridescent glow to it. Her lips were a deep wine color that complemented her coloring. The dress flattered her body like nothing he had ever seen her in before. The few times he had seen her, she had been in jeans but her body was designed for this dress.

  Her gown had pleats and looked like something out of Greek mythology. Her arms and shoulders were bare and her tiny frame was cinched up in a fitted bodice that caught the eye. It was classical and flowed down to the ground. He could even see the heels peeking out from the bottom. “You look like a goddess, Sunshine. That dress suits you perfectly,” he whispered softly to her, for her ears alone, as she pinned the flower to him. He smiled down at her and saw her pink cheeks. “Sunshine, you take my breath away,” he said, tilting her chin up to him.