Page 10 of Redeemed

Now it was JT's turn to look embarrassed. He'd definitely played the field, but he hadn't left a trail of broken hearts behind. At least, he didn't think he had. Most of the women he dated were into casual just like he was. That's why he dated them. And he'd rarely gone out with anyone from Gladewater since high school. Too much history there. He hadn't realized he'd developed a reputation in town and become the kind of guy that mothers warned their daughters against.

"Let's take a walk," he said and put out his hand for her to take. She took it readily enough and they started to stroll across the square toward the bandstand. Tonight, live music and dancing would happen here, but at this point in the day, the area was the closest thing they could get to privacy.

JT straddled one of the benches and pulled her down to sit facing him. Sofia watched him her forehead wrinkling with worry.

"Don't be upset about what my mamá said. I shouldn't have even told you about it. I know she's only worried about me but sometimes she just makes me so mad!" Sofia couldn't bear the sad expression in his deep brown eyes. His hands found hers again, slowly stroking the back of her knuckles and, just like before, the rhythmic movement started to soothe her. She wasn't sure how he managed that. One touch set her on fire, the other was like calming waters.

He blew out a large breath before he finally looked up at her. She saw the sorrow and guilt back in them. It made her chest hurt with pain for him. "I'm really sorry, Sofia. This was supposed to be helping you, not giving you more grief. We can just forget the whole thing. I don't want to be a burden to you."

It took her a minute to drag her eyes from his and process what he had said. "No, JT!" she said a little too loudly. She tried to curb the sudden panic she felt over possibly losing just this small amount of attention from him. "No," she said again more softly. "Really! I'm sorry I said anything. She'll eventually get over herself once she realizes you aren't dating other women behind my back."

JT gave a derisive snort and let go of her hands to scrub his own up and down his face. "Not any chance of that happening. I can guarantee you that," he said.

She wrapped a lock of hair around her finger as she tried to puzzle out his expression. "I know what your reasons are for going along with this pretend relationship, but, someday, JT, someday a perfect woman will come along for you." She paused when he shook his head. She put a hand to his sculpted cheek and traced it with her thumb. She almost lost her breath when he leaned into her touch and placed his hand over hers as if to keep it there. She made him meet her eyes before she continued. "And if she comes along while we're doing this thing, I want you to feel free to call it off and go after her. You deserve every bit of love and happiness. I want you to promise me you won't let me be an excuse for you not to find your happiness."

JT closed his chocolate brown eyes in a slow blink, as if he was in pain, then turned his head to brush a soft kiss against her palm. "Only if you promise me the same."

Sofia could only nod.

Chapter nine

No More Shiny Barbies

Beforethelunchrush,JT motioned to Sofia to follow him into the back hallway toward the offices. Sofia met him wiping her hands on her apron. "Everything okay?" she asked. "Is Jenny getting the orders backwards again?"

"No, she's fine," JT said. "I wanted to check on you."

"Me?" Sofia looked at him questioningly. "I'm fine. Why?"

"I saw you and Maggie in a huddle this morning. I just wondered if you were telling her about us?"

"Us? No! Um, not that I don't want her to know but…"

"Here she comes," JT said quickly. "Follow my lead." Then he cut off her explanation with his mouth on hers. He planted his hands against the wall, surrounding her head with his muscular arms, pressing his hard body against curves, pinning her to the wall. The initial shock of his lips hitting hers quickly wore off and her hands moved of their own accord to tangle in the hair curling at the back of his neck. All rational thought left her head as she melted into him, her body begging his to mold her into any shape it liked.

"Ahh, hmmm…" A voice cleared in the hall next to them. Sofia didn't even try to move her head toward the sound as JT slowly removed his lips from hers and took a step back. Her body immediately cried out at the loss of his heat. She grabbed onto one of his arms to keep herself from sliding to the floor. She blinked, trying to get herself back under control.

"Hey, sister mine," JT said casually, throwing her a grin. He threw an arm around Sofia's shoulders, and she grabbed onto his hand like a lifeline. "Sorry about that. Couldn't help myself."

Maggie eyed them back and forth then rubbed her belly thoughtfully. "So, when did this happen?" she asked, motioning to the two of them.

Sofia could feel the heat rising in her face, and she glanced at the floor. "It just kind of snuck up on us about the time you and Loverboy got hitched," JT drawled. He saw his sister roll her eyes at the name he still periodically called her husband though he couldalmostcall them friends these days. He drew Sofia in for a kiss to the temple. "We were going to tell you about it but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Kinda wanted to keep it for ourselves for a while, ya know?"

Maggie gave her brother a shrewd glance before giving the couple a smile. "Well, congratulations, I guess," Maggie said, "but don't we have customers?"

Sofia straightened up and smoothed back her hair. "Of course. I'm on it," Sofia said and started to turn from JT.

"One minute, angel," JT said, catching her hand and pulling her in for another soft kiss on her lips.

She sighed involuntarily as he drew away again, gave herself a little internal shake, and forced a smile. "See you later."

As Sofia rounded the corner to the dining room, Maggie pointed at her brother. "You and I need to have a talk. Right. Now."

JT shrugged and followed her into her office, shutting the door behind them. Maggie rounded her desk and pointed to a seat in front. When her brother continued to stand, she scowled at him and continued to stand as well.

"Just what in blue blazes do you think you're doing, JT?" Maggie asked, glaring at him, hands on hips.

JT met her stare and slid his hands casually into his back pockets. He shrugged. "Doing about what?"