by Sable Hunter
The pain made her gasp. “What do you want from me?” Shae asked. “An apology? Sex advice? Free books?”
Shae’s suggestions seemed to make Marilee even angrier. “I don’t want anything from you, you little slut!”
She couldn’t help it, this was just too funny. Shae started to laugh. “You’re calling me a slut? You know your Bible, don’t you? Remember the woman Christ caught in adultery, he told her she’d had three husbands, and wasn’t married to the man she was with at the time he confronted her. That’s you, Marilee. You’ve been a lightskirt the whole time I’ve known you.” Seeing the woman’s confused expression made her realize she needed to dumb down her conversation. “Between the two of us, you’re the loose one. As crazy as it sounds in this day and age, I’m a virgin. I’ve never been with a guy at all. I’ve been saving myself for the man I’ll marry someday. I would say that I just write about sex, while you have sex with everything that comes along, but I’m not going to insult my books.” With every word, Shae moved closer and Marilee backed up. “There isn’t anything wrong with what I write. God willing either one of us should be so lucky to step into one of my heroine’s shoes!”
“Your books are just pure porn,” Marilee sneered. “The church pianist who writes porn!”
“If you could read, you’d know better, because I don’t write porn! I write about the way love should be between a man and a woman.”
Shae was so angry, she was seeing red. At least the other woman had backed down. She took a deep breath, looked around at the crowd they’d drawn and gave them a polite nod. “Morning.” With that simple greeting, she left them all behind.
Once she stepped through the double doors of the side entrance, it was to find Joyce waiting for her. “Yee-haw! That’s the way it’s done, girl. I’m so proud of you!”
“Thanks, Joyce.” She pushed her hair behind her ear, relishing the cool air.
“Oh, my God! Look at you!”
Not hearing a question of how she’d hurt herself, Shae made an assumption. “I guess word got around about my confrontation.”
“Yea, I heard.” Joyce gave her a hug. “Bastards. Glad to see you’re up and around.” She arranged Shae’s hair to cover the bulk of the bruise. “Suffer the heat just a little longer. Her eyesight is poor, but we don’t want to worry Coretta.”
“No, I don’t.” She flattened her bangs down. “Better?”
“You’ll do, girl, you’ll do.” Joyce hooked an arm around Shae. “Let’s go see your grandma. She’s feeling much better this morning.”
Together, they made their way to Coretta’s room. The moment Shae crossed the threshold, she could sense a difference. There was a smile on her grandmother’s face, one she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Come in, sweetie.”
“You two visit. I’ll be back to walk you out,” Joyce promised.
With a nod to her friend, Shae moved in with only a bit of hesitation. “Grandmother? How do you feel?”
“Better. Surgery went well. I’ll be laid up for a while, but what’s new?” She held out her arms. “Now, come give me a hug.”
She did so, with a glad and grateful heart. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Sit down. Tell me how you’re doing.”
Shae did so, albeit with a little trepidation. Coretta was acting as if nothing had happened. “I’m good. Having renovations done on the house. Getting ready for you to come live with me.”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I like it here. Did you know Julia Mae Dickinson moved in last week? She and I love to play 42, you know.”
“Yes, I know you do.” Shae placed her hand on the edge of Coretta’s bed, reaching out to touch the silky sleeve of her grandmother’s robe. Never before had she felt so intimidated by the woman who raised her. She was so afraid of saying the wrong thing. “You seem to feel better. I’m surprised, it being so soon after your surgery.”
Coretta raised her shoulders and grinned. “It’s the drugs, I think. They’re good ones.”
Shae laughed self-consciously. “Maybe I need some.”
Coretta nodded, then took Shae’s hand. “I know what’s been going on.”
“Oh, you do?” Shae’s heart jerked in her chest. What was she talking about? The gossip? The attack? Her disgrace at church? Derek? Even though there was nothing really going on with him except in her own mind, Shae included him in her thought process. Laughing self-consciously, she spoke in a near whisper, “There’s been so much going on, I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I mean how the people in town have been treating you.” She shook her head and frowned. “How I’ve been treating you. I want to apologize.”
Shae was stunned. “You don’t owe me an apology. I understand how disappointed you must be in me.”
“Pshaw! Joyce brought me one of your books and I liked it.” She leaned over and winked. “Reminded me of those Rosemary Rogers bodice rippers I used to read.”
“You read those?!” she asked amazed.
“Yes.” She put a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell anyone.” Coretta looked contrite. “What I heard about your books and what I found when I read one were two different things. They reminded me of what it was like to be young and in love.”
Tears began to form in Shae’s eyes. “You read one of my books? Which one?”
“The one set just over the river in Louisiana. The one where you talked about the old stories I told you of the rougaroux and the Indian mounds.”
“This may sound silly, but I’m using the books to save and record things you’ve taught me.”
Coretta waved her hand. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I still think you should write inspirational books, but I know you did it for me. My medical bills must be astronomical. I know the insurance doesn’t cover everything.”
“Yes, I did it for you - at first. Now, I find I enjoy the process of storytelling. It’s more fun than typing the bulletins for church.”
Coretta laughed. “Yes, I guess it would be. Plus, you can laugh all the way to the bank. If the mill closes, you may be one of the few making a decent living in this little town.”
Shae nodded, thinking about Cathy and Lynn. As much as the people in Longleaf had hurt her, she didn’t wish for all of them to be put out of work. “Have you heard anything?”
They visited for a little while longer while her grandmother ate the cinnamon roll Shae brought her. When she was finished, they hugged and made plans to see one another again soon. On her way from Coretta’s room, she didn’t even wait for Joyce to walk her out. Shae left with her head held high. She was tired of being ashamed.
* * *
After reading Shae’s note and demolishing four cinnamon rolls, Derek went to work in the guest bathroom. He laid tile and put in a new vanity. Periodically, he would venture out into the kitchen for a drink of water. While he was there, he’d glance out into the back to see if she’d returned.
The third trip he made to the window paid off. Her car was parked outside. Without hesitation, he tossed the paper cup in the trash and pushed the screen door open. “Shae!”
Inside the storage building, she was just about to start a new sex scene. Hearing the voice of the man she’d just mentally undressed, Shae felt her cheeks flame. “Coming!” Immediately, she chastised herself on her choice of word. Freudian slip, indeed.
Before she could leave her cramped quarters, Derek came bounding in and scooped up the laptop. “Get your stuff, you’re coming inside to write. We can work in the same house like proper folks. We’re friends.
Shae pressed her lips together. He made her feel anything but proper – and she had no desire to be just his friend. “Are you sure?” Following along behind him, she noticed how his jeans cupped his ass. Yum.
“How do you feel?” he asked as he opened the back door for her to enter ahead of him.
“Much better. Just a little sore.” With Mojo bouncing at her feet, she stood very still, trying not to tremble as he ran his hands over her body.
“Okay, you seem to be in one piece.” He tapped her on the end of the nose. “Now, that you’re inside, I’ll go back to work.”
Shae still felt a little awkward. “Okay.” She picked up her computer and backed out of the kitchen, pointing behind her. “I’ll just find a quiet spot in the living room. I don’t want to disturb you.”
Too late.
Because she did disturb him. Yes, by God, she does.
Somehow, they both managed to get some work done.
When lunch rolled around, she slipped into the kitchen to check the soup. After lifting the lid and giving it a stir, she walked down the hall to see if Derek would like to join her. “Are you hungry?” she asked.
Hearing her voice made him drop a wrench. “Wow, I’m glad that didn’t break the tile.”
“Sorry.” She turned to leave.
“No. Wait.” He jumped up and touched her arm. “I’m starving. Whatever you’ve made smells amazing. I’d love to join you.”
The smile he gave her melted Shae from the inside out. “Good. I’ll dish up a bowl for you.”
“Hold on. I have a surprise for you.” He jogged ahead of her and retrieved a paper bag he’d sat down by the door. “I bought another place setting like yours. Now, we can eat together.”
“Aww.” His actions surprised her. Yes, the dishes had just come from the Dollar Store, but he’d been thinking about her. About them. “Good. I was dreading eating my soup off a plate.”
To Shae’s surprise, he flirted with her as they worked together – serving up the food and pouring glasses of water.
“You look pretty today.”
Shae felt her body grow warm. She wasn’t used to compliments. “Thank you.” She brushed her palms down the skirt of the simple, purple sundress she wore.
“Did you see what I brought you?” he asked with a mischievous look on his face.
She searched his face. “What do you mean? The dishes?” He pointed at the counter behind her. There, in a plastic vase, was a bouquet of beautiful wildflowers. “Oh! How wonderful. Thank you!”
“I can’t believe you walked right by those.”
“I can’t either.” She went to touch the petals of the whimsical flowers.
“I’m teasing you.” He chuckled. “I just ran out into the woods and picked them a few minutes ago.”
“I love them.”
He was enchanted by the joy and gratitude on her face. “Not a big deal.”
It was to her. She’d never received flowers before, unless she counted the corsage the children at church gave her on Mother’s Day. She could remember Grady bringing one to her with a big smile, saying she was his ‘church mom’. “Thank you so much.”
“Sit down and let me wait on you,” he told her. “How was your grandmother?”
She followed his directions, pleasantly shocked by his seemingly gregarious mood. “She’s good. We’re speaking again.”
“Wonderful! I guess she’ll be moving in here soon.”
“I don’t know. She seems pretty happy. She has friends there.”
He sat two bowls of soup on the table. “If she decides to stay, what about you? Will you leave or stay here in Longleaf?”
Shae added a dash of pepper to her soup, then passed him the grinder. “I know I’d be happier somewhere else. But I can’t leave her as long as she’s alive.”
“You’re a good granddaughter.”
“Well…” She laughed. “That’s debatable.”
After he joined her at the table, they took a few bites before Derek spoke up again. “I’m going to have to miss work tomorrow. I’ve got an appointment with my lawyer.”
“Oh, sure. I’m glad. I know you’ve been anxious.”
Then out of nowhere – he asked a question that shocked Shae to the tips of her toes.
“Would you like to go with me?”
Yes! “Oh, I don’t know…”
“Zane’s office is right downtown. You can shop, then we’ll have some dinner. There won’t be any snoopy jerks there to judge anything we choose to do.”
Shae wanted to do this more than she wanted her next breath. “Okay, I’d love to.”
“Great! It’s a date!”
The words sent chills all over Shae’s body. “Yes, it’s a date.”
During the course of the afternoon, she found it hard to work, picturing him just down the hall. After drinking the water at lunch and some lemonade she’d made a couple of hours before, Shae found herself needing to visit the restroom. She knew Derek was building a vanity in the hall bath and she didn’t want to interrupt him, so she crept down the hall to use the one in what would be Coretta’s suite. Just as she went to pass the door where he was working, he walked right out in front of her.
Oomph!
The sudden collision jarred her and Shae gasped, “Sorry.”
“Oh, my God. Are you all right?” As he’d done before, Derek began skimming his hands over her body – rubbing her arms, lifting her hair from her neck, soothing her shoulders. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. We’ve got to stop meeting this way.” He was hurting her now. Making her ache. “Excuse me. I just needed to…”
Derek stood it as long as he could. “God, baby. What you do to me. I can’t think of anything else but you.” He buried his face in her hair. “If you don’t want this, you’d better stop me now.”
Stop him? Was he crazy? Shae was burning alive. Her breasts throbbed with need, her nipples became so hard and pointed, she was compelled to cover them with her palms. “I want you.”
Her whispered words freed him. Lowering his head to hers, he took her mouth. Voracious. Hungry. Determined. He nipped at her lips, then soothed the small affront with his tongue. Taking advantage of another small gasp, he swept inside to consume. Possess. Slanting his mouth over hers, Derek deepened the kiss, feasting until they were both breathless.
“Damn, you intoxicate me. I can’t resist you. I’ve tried.”
His admission sent a rush of heat right to her feminine center. “Don’t, please don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he asked, even as he kissed her again.
She wanted more. She craved more. “Resist me.”
“Fuck, baby. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever known. You love sex, don’t you?”
“What?” Shae felt like she was moving through a haze of desire, trying to reach some unattainable goal.
Derek pushed his hips against her, mindless with need. “The way you write. The heat. I bet you crave sex all the time, don’t you?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I bet you crave sex all the time, don’t you?
The question hit Shae pretty hard.
Okay, the answer was yes. She craved sex as much as anyone could who’d never had it.
But the way he asked the question made her feel…less.
She backed out of his arms, looking at the floor.
Derek immediately knew he’d done something wrong. “What did I say?” Seeing her stricken expression, he took her hands in his. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”
Shae pulled away from him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She cleared her throat, then picked up her hair to cool her neck. “And I guess you’re right. I think about sex a lot. When I write about it, I think about it even more.”
“Honey, I got carried away – so turned on, I couldn’t think straight.” He attempted to take her in his arms. “Don’t feel bad. Please.”
She didn’t want either of them to feel bad. “Don’t worry about it.” Shae pointed down the hall. “I need to use the restroom.”
“I need to get back to work.” He checked his watch. “Can we talk when I’m through?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Great. Maybe we can go over the state-line and get some Cajun chicken?”
He looked so hopeful, she couldn’t say no. “Sounds good.” She eased by him and almost ran to the sanctuary of a closed door. Once she shut it behind her, Shae sank to the f
loor and fanned her face. “He thinks I crave sex?” A giggle slipped through her lips. “Oh, jumpin-Jehosophat, I`m so in over my head.”
She didn’t know whether to be flattered her crush desired her or insulted that he thought she was…promiscuous. Rising, she tended to her bathroom business, then stood to stare at herself in the mirror. “All right, let’s think about this. Can you blame him for the misconception of your experience?” She wiggled her nose and screwed her mouth from left to right. “No, you can’t. If the situation was reversed, I’d feel the same way.” This revelation also made her a bit more understanding of the way the town had reacted. “You’re a puzzle, Miss St. John.”
While she pondered, Shae absentmindedly twirled her hair around her finger. “Okay, so you have a choice. You can choose to be amused by his suppositions or you can be insulted. You can try and explain the truth to him or you can pull away and let things go back the way they were.” Weighing her options, Shae stared into her own baby blues, waiting for a lightning bolt of wisdom to strike between her eyes.
Zing!
“Okay, St. John, this is the way it’s going to be.” She pointed a finger at herself. “You like this guy, you really like him. He’s a good man. I don’t know if you have a chance with him, but miracles do happen.” Every once in a blue moon. “I say you make light of this. When the time is right…” She dawdled her head back and forth in uncertainty. “…if the time is ever right, I’ll be honest about my situation – virgin-wise.”
Pressing her lips together and nodding her head, she let out a sigh. “Wow. This is more complicated than picking out the songs for Sunday service.” The pastor used to give her the sermon topic and the scriptures and she’d choose hymns to set the mood and the tone. “A lot more interesting too.” Shae was giggling to herself when she left to return to the living room.
“What’s so funny?” Derek asked from inside the hall bath. He was relieved to hear her laugh. He’d gotten so worked up, he’d let his dick do the talking. He didn’t know all the details of her life, but he could say one thing for sure…no matter how others treated her, Shae St. John was a lady.