Rather than return to the kitchen, Evangeline started upstairs to use the bathroom. On the way up, she heard Joey speaking in hushed tones and stilled on the step.
“What the goddamn hell are you saying, exactly?”
Those weren’t words used by a religious man. Not any religious man she’d ever heard. And his tone had turned aggressive.
“Don’t fuck me over. I’m counting on you to make this happen. Or else.”
Adrenaline surged through her as she hurried back toward the kitchen. Get his last name.
A moment later, Joey walked into the room and pasted on a smile. “The Lord’s words are so powerful. He’s all set now.” Joey’s lyrical tone was in stark contrast to the gruff one he’d used on the phone.
A chill swept through her as she passed him on the way upstairs to use the bathroom.
During dinner, Joey did not shut up. Another long, run-on sentence. And her sweet sister gobbled up all his bullshit. Afterwards, he insisted on cleaning up, so Evangeline offered to dry.
“You guys are spoiling me,” Hannah protested. “I have a dishwasher.”
“No work for you, angel,” he crooned before shooting Evangeline a smile. “So, Evangeline, when can we get together for that drink you promised me?”
“I’m—” She took a step away from him.
“I look forward to getting to know you better.”
Her stomach roiled. “I think I mentioned I’d check my schedule after the holidays.”
“I can’t wait.”
Evangeline wasn’t buying Joey’s stories. She wanted to give it to him with both barrels, but she would treat him like a suspect. If she was good at anything, it was asking questions.
“So, Joey, how did you and Charlene meet?”
Silence. He covered with a grin. “Through mutual friends.”
“And where you from again?”
“Asheville.”
“What brings you north?”
Silence. “Charity work. But, I might be staying long-term, if the right job presented itself.”
Could he be more vague? “With it being the Christmas season, I’ve been rethinking my own religious beliefs—”
“That’s wonderful, Evangeline,” Hannah blurted.
“And,” Evangeline continued, “I’m not sure which church to attend. There are so many in the area. What denomination is your church?”
“Ours is a mega church. We welcome everyone.”
Smooth. “Which church is that?”
“Hope Church, but I offered my counseling services to several in the area. I’d be happy to go to a church service with you and Hannah one Sunday.”
She grabbed a sticky note and pen from Hannah’s junk drawer. “Like I mentioned, I’ve misplaced my phone, but I’ll give you a call if we check one out.”
He rattled off his phone number.
After jotting it down, she asked, “What’s your last name?”
“Thomason, with one s.” When he stepped into her personal space, his breath hitched. “And I’m definitely available whenever you want to have that drink.”
“Sure thing.” She stuffed the paper into her pocket. “I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got to track down my phone.” She shifted her attention from her sister to Joey. “Are you leaving, too?”
“Hannah and I are watching a movie together. If you find your phone, swing back by.”
The hair on the back of Evangeline’s neck prickled. She understood that Hannah missed her ex, but she didn’t much like that Joey had become his replacement.
She drove to Sin’s office and stopped at the security guard’s desk. “I’m here to see Sinclair Develin.”
When he called upstairs, Evangeline wasn’t surprised someone answered. These guys work more than I do.
“Mr. Develin isn’t here, but Mr. Jones said to send you up.” He escorted her to the private elevator, swiped his card, and she rode upstairs. The doors opened to Jacoby sitting in reception talking with Dakota.
“E-Leen!!!” The young child jumped off the sofa and skipped over.
As she knelt to greet the little girl, Sammy hugged her. This child was so sweet, she couldn’t help but fall in love with her. “What are you doing here, Sammy?”
“Daddy wants to talk to Uncle Lalla.”
She rose and the child held her hand. “I brought Miss Lady.”
Evangeline sat on the sofa and Sammy showed her the doll. “She’s beautiful.”
Sammy ran tiny fingers through the doll’s long hair. “She has good hair.”
“You have pretty hair, too,” Evangeline said and the child beamed at her.
“What do you say, Samantha Lynn?” Dakota asked.
“Thank you.” She spun around, then sat on her dad’s lap.
So adorable.
“How was your trip to Miami?” Jacoby asked.
Evangeline bit back the smile. Damn hot. “One step forward, two back. You know how that goes. Do you mind if I work here? Sinclair’s letting me borrow one of his laptops.”
“Go right ahead,” Jacoby replied. “He’ll be back shortly.”
“He’s out riding,” Dakota added.
“Daddy said when I turn one hundred, I can go for a ride with him,” Sammy exclaimed.
Evangeline laughed as the elevator doors slid open. When she turned, her heart flipped. Sin stepped off the elevator, his striking presence commanding her full attention. Seeing him in his black leather riding gear sent her heart aflutter. His cheeks were red from the cold, his eyes electric blue. With his helmet in hand, his gaze shifted from one to the other, settling on her.
“Hey.” He stared into her eyes while bursts of electricity powered through her.
“Hi.” She couldn’t breathe, nor could she look away. She wanted to go to him, throw her arms around him and never, ever let go.
But in true form, she didn’t budge.
“Uncle Lalla!” Sammy scrambled off Dakota’s lap and rushed over to him. He knelt, wrapped his large arm around her small body, and lifted her as he stood. After hugging him, she placed her tiny hand on his cheek. “Oooo, you need hot chocolatey.”
“I need a lot more than that to warm me up, squirt.” Again, he slid his gaze to Evangeline, only this time, he flashed her that killer smile of his.
Oh, my God. Her body flushed with heat.
“I’m taking off.” Jacoby stepped inside the waiting elevator.
“Have a good night,” Sin said as the doors closed.
Evangeline rose, her attention never straying from Sin’s. “I think I left my phone in your car.”
“It’s in my office. Can you stick around?”
“I was hoping I could use your spare laptop.”
“Dakota, give me a minute.” He started to put Sammy down.
“I want to go with you,” Sammy pleaded.
“We’ll be right back,” Sin said to Dakota.
“I need Miss Lady.”
Evangeline picked up Sammy’s doll and handed it to the tyke. With Sammy in his arms, he escorted Evangeline to his office.
Once there, he placed his niece in his oversized chair, set down his helmet, removed his gloves and shrugged out of his black jacket. Evangeline had a front row seat to one helluva sexy strip act and all he’d done was remove his outerwear.