Whatever He Wants Read online

  He was a rank sinner for sure, but even James had standards. As long as Joni stayed in the cab, she was safe.

  The man in the moon laughed as the passenger door creaked open. A thud followed. Did the fall hurt her? He relaxed when the bushes rustled. There was something special about Joni. He tried to hide his interest at the party, but Kathy saw through him—and when it came to making his life miserable, she was like a dog with a bone.

  The tailgate dipped and Joni struggled onto the truck bed. “I couldn’t find you.” She collapsed across his legs. “You vanished.”

  “I won’t leave you.” He tugged on her hand. “Crawl up here. You need to sleep off whatever she gave you.”

  Her full lips pouted. “I don’t have a pillow.”

  Thankfully, she’d forgotten about her to-do list. James flung out his arm and patted his shoulder. “Here. A special pillow made just for you.”

  The top of her hair tickled his chin. He smoothed the fine strands while her fingers mimicked a piano along his black shirt. The white tips of her nails glistened in the moonlight. “These hands make beautiful music.” Her sultry alto voice hummed a soul-wrenching melody.

  He captured her hand and rolled toward her. “Go to sleep, Joni.”

  “Kiss me goodnight.” The trust shining in her eyes blinded him. What could it hurt? Maybe her innocence would rub off on him. He pressed his lips against hers and her sweet perfume intoxicated him. One taste wasn’t enough. His hand buried in her golden tresses as he deepened the kiss. Her arm curled around his neck. Struggling for control, he broke contact.

  Jade eyes filled with wonder. “Hmm, delicious. Do it again.”

  ~~~

  Ugh! Joni tasted sandpaper on her tongue, and a cotton film lined her mouth. Over the side of a green truck, the sky lightened to a dull gray. The solid shoulder cushioning her head shifted. She caressed the muscled arm encircling her and rolled over.

  James. The morning dew glistened against his hair, making it shimmer like sweet chocolate. Whiskers on his jaw sprouted in a hundred different directions. As her forefinger trailed the coarse stubble, his full lips twitched into a devilish grin. He was awake.

  Her list was complete. She’d spent the night with a man. The pulse at the base of his throat throbbed. Oh, what a man he was. A solid chest rose and fell in short, quick breaths beneath her. Now, she could join the sorority.

  The gaps in her memory frustrated her as she searched his golden-brown eyes. “Last night?” Heat infused her cheeks. “Did I…? I mean, was it…?” Her hand retracted against her heart. “Never mind.” She remembered his intoxicating kiss. Everything else was a blur.

  “Joni, nothing happened.” The corners of his lips arced into a boyish smile. “You were comatose.”

  Emptiness engulfed her. She turned away and scooted to the tailgate. How could she have failed? She wrote it down. Her mother would be horrified if she knew Joni had left a task incomplete. Well, maybe not this particular list. What went wrong?

  James. She turned and glared at him.

  “You’re mad because I didn’t take advantage of you?” He raised himself enough to prop on his elbows and bend one knee. His mouth hung open. “Seriously?”

  Joni brushed her hands through her tangled hair and then hid them behind her back. “Not mad. Just…” She swallowed against her dry mouth. “Disappointed.”

  One of his eyebrows arched. “I read your to-do list.” Muscled legs swung over the side of the truck. “But I’m not a rapist and it’s not my fault Kappa doesn’t allow virgins.”

  Dirt covered her new boots. She’d have to send them out to be cleaned. Sucking in a deep breath, she forced her chin up. “You don’t have to be crude.”

  “Believe me, the guys at that party are a lot more than crude, but any one of them would’ve been happy to…” His arm waved in an erratic motion. “Initiate you.”

  She turned and blinked away the sting in her eyes. The tailgate slammed. She flinched. He mumbled something behind her.

  He was right. The guys at the party were gross.

  A gentle hand landed at her waist and he whispered near her ear. “I’m sorry, Joni. I know how important the sorority thing is to some girls, but they can’t force you to do something like that. They have governing rules and regulations.”

  She turned in his embrace and he hugged her close. His steady heartbeat soothed her chaotic thoughts. Kappa wasn’t the tea party of her dreams, but her mother insisted the dorms were uninhabitable and Joni desperately wanted to live on her own. She raised her head. Steel bands tightened around her middle and her feet left the ground as he swung her around. Laughter erupted. Dizzy, she clung to him and caught her breath.

  “That’s more like it.” Over his shoulder a blue tractor sputtered across the field. He released her with a grin. “Uh-oh. Time to go.”

  He rounded the truck and dove into the driver’s seat as she climbed in the other side. James winked and started the ignition. Music played. She’d barely buckled her seatbelt when dust flew behind them. He steered onto the asphalt. “Sing for me. I want to hear you without the drunken slur.”

  Heat spread up her neck and into her cheeks. She loved to sing when her mother wasn’t around. “Did I sing last night?”

  He flashed a perfect smile and claimed her hand. Her skin tingled as James tugged her close. He held her fingers against the windshield, and she resisted the urge to snatch them away. The way he studied her hand, she felt like a princess.

  “Someday soon, I want to hear you play.” Was he teasing?

  The haze surrounding last night’s memories shifted. She remembered the cushion of his arms and the marble of his chest. Reclaiming her hand, she covered her burning cheeks.

  James’s thumb beat against the wheel. “Dad taught me piano. Do you play in church?”

  Some of the girls in her concerto were Christians, but she failed to imagine James in a steepled building. He was too manly. “I play classical.”

  A slow whistle emitted from his pursed lips. “Way out of my league.” James pulled over at a country store. “Come on. I need some caffeine before I can deal with my sister’s preaching.”

  ~~~

  Joni perched on the edge of the restaurant-style booth. The tangy taste of her favorite orange juice quenched her thirst. James tossed a wrapped bundle in front of her and slid in the seat. She scooted over to make room.

  Steam rose as he gulped his coffee. “After we pick up Isaac, I’ll take you home.” James lifted his biscuit with both hands and paused. “Where do you live, anyway? Last night you were a little confused.” He bit off a large chunk.

  She opened the greasy paper and broke off a small piece of sausage. “My parents live across the bay, but my car’s on campus. Isaac is your son, right?”

  James wiped his hands on a napkin and held out his phone. “He’s a great kid.”

  A little boy grinned from the screen. If his hair was darker, he’d be a miniature of James. “He’s cute. Like his daddy. How old is he?”

  “Thank you. He just turned four. He should be awake soon. I can’t wait to see him.”

  Joni waved toward his phone. “Do you mind if I use this? The girls are probably worried. I should’ve been back by now.” Trying to hide her heated cheeks, she nibbled on her biscuit.

  When she looked up, sparkles twinkled in James’s eyes. “No phone. Was that number two or three?”

  She popped his upper arm. “Quit it.” A giggle escaped her. “Where is my list anyway?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll never tell. I’m keeping it for a souvenir. It’s not every day I get an offer like last night’s.”

  “I don’t normally…I mean, I didn’t come out and ask you…” She turned her head and sucked in a breath. Her face flamed. How did she land herself in this mess?

  Strong arms wrapped around her waist and his laugh tickled her neck. “So, the offer is no longer on the table?”

  Her giggled morphed into a laugh. “I can’t believe you.
” She elbowed his side. “Hush, so I can call Marla.” Cutting her eyes at him, she flipped her wrist and held out his phone. “It’s locked again.”

  James tapped the screen in her hand. “What’s her number?”

  “I forget.” Joni gnawed the inside of her lip. “She’s listed in my contacts. Maybe whoever has my phone will answer.” She dialed her own number and groaned at the voicemail greeting. She redialed while James crumpled their trash and threw it in the garbage. In seconds, they were outside in the sunshine. The backs of their hands brushed as they crossed the pavement. The pads of his fingers danced with hers until he entwined them together.

  No one answered the second or third call. Maybe the battery was dead. Releasing a frustrated breath, Joni passed him the phone. “I give up.”

  He flipped through the screens. “What’s your last name? I’m adding you to my contacts.”

  “Maher.” Her stomach flip-flopped at the thought of James calling her. Would he ask her out? She hid her smile and climbed into the truck.

  A masculine hand with clean fingernails patted the gray, cloth seat. His calloused palm turned up and wiggling fingers beckoned. Joni scooted close. The chocolate color of his eyes melted the world around them. She wet her lips as his head dipped. When their mouths met, her eyes drifted. Whiskers scraped her top lip and her pulse rate soared.

  James pulled back and a gentle thumb caressed her chin. “Sorry. I’ll shave before I kiss you again.”

  “You don’t have to. I mean…you can kiss me but…” Joni blinked and gathered her thoughts. “I like your whiskers.” She looked down in her lap to escape the intensity of his eyes.

  “Good.” He cradled her hand and changed the gears with his thumb and forefinger. His baritone blended with her alto. After three songs, a large tent dominated a small roadside park. The blue and white stripes protected hundreds of chairs. He turned down the volume. “That’s The Street Preacher’s.”

  Once, at a concert in the park, there had been an old, man shouting into a mega phone. She hoped this wasn’t the same man.

  “Peter travels the Gulf Coast and holds revivals. He’s really a nice guy. Actually, he’s my cousin, but don’t let that get out. It might ruin his reputation.” James parked in front of a small travel trailer. “This belongs to my sister.”

  Joni slid out the driver’s side after him. He reclaimed her hand and whispered, “That’s Sara.”

  The lady hurrying toward them was in her early thirties. Waves of curls, the same brown as James’s hair, swayed from side to side. She had the clearest complexion Joni’d ever seen.

  “James, what a surprise.”

  “Don’t get excited. We’re not here for the service.” He hugged his sister and stepped back. “Sara, this is Joni.” James pulled her in front of him and rested his chin on the top of her head. His arms encircled her. “Where’s Isaac?”

  Joni leaned against his strength as a question furrowed Sara’s brow. “What do you mean? I haven’t seen him in a month, when he was with you at Mom’s.”

  “But Kathy said…” The hands on Joni’s waist flinched. He spun her around. “I need to find Isaac.” Frantic eyes searched hers. “There’s no telling where Kathy left him. Sara will give you a ride to campus.” A quick kiss to her lips and he raced to his truck. “I’ll call you later!”

  Joni’s heartbeat hammered in her ears as the truck faded in the distance. She watched the news. When a mother lied about the location of her children, they were rarely found alive.

  Chapter Two

  Joni bit her lip as the truck disappeared down the street. If anything happened to his son it would crush James. She turned to his sister. “Do you think Kathy would hurt Isaac?”

  “I don’t know.” Sara shrugged with a sad smile. “But Isaac’s a tough little guy, and God watches over him.”

  Joni doubted the god thing, but she hoped someone guarded Isaac. Kathy wasn’t her favorite person, but only a monster could hurt the cute little boy in the photo.

  A beige sedan followed a blue full-sized truck into the park. Other vehicles streamed in. A door slammed and a male voice shouted, “Good morning, brother.” Both men wore suits. Between parked minivans two ladies wearing long flowing skirts and heels hugged. One fingered a frilly bow twice the size of the little girl’s head. “Did you make this yourself?”

  Notes and chords flowed from similarly dressed musicians gathered under the large tent. Joni glanced at her wrinkled jeans. Church would be like every other thing in her life. She wouldn’t fit in.

  Sara’s beautiful curls swayed as she motioned Joni into the camper. The door silenced the upbeat music. Neat and tidy, the compact interior had more room than Joni would have supposed. “Do you have a bathroom? I want to wash my face and hands.”

  “Let’s say a prayer first.” Sara closed her eyes and bowed her head. “Lord, we know you provide all our needs. Please take care of Isaac. Lead James in the right direction…”

  Joni didn’t know what to do as Sara continued to pray. She shifted from one foot to the other. One thing was certain. James’s sister believed in the words she spoke. Her graceful hand waved in the air. Was she trying to get her god’s attention? Tiny sequins flashed on the sleeve of her blouse. If Sara’s god was real, he’d find Isaac. Only a thoughtless ogre would dismiss the tears flowing down Sara’s face.

  Joni silently added a request of her own. If there is a god listening, take care of James and Isaac. She bit her lip. And give me a dress to wear. One like theirs.

  Sara opened her eyes and wiped her face. “Thank you, Jesus.” She moved to a closet-sized door and stepped into an enclosed bedroom. “The sink is behind the door on your right.”

  Joni peeked into the smallest bathroom she’d ever seen. Taking a deep breath, she took one step and latched the door. Sara’s rumbling penetrated the thin walls, so Joni turned on the water and let it run. The idea of a toilet and sink this close in proximity threw her off balance. Where were the hand towels?

  A knock startled her. She turned off the water and popped the latch. Sara had to step aside before the door would swing open. “Mark and Andrew always leave a few minutes early for service. Don’t worry about anyone barging in.” She held out a bath cloth and a broomstick skirt the same color as James’s hayfield. The evergreen heels hooked on her thumbs matched the tinted splashes in Joni’s top. “I hope you can wear a size seven.”

  Joni stared at the offerings for a full second before she smiled and accepted them. “I have the exact same pair at home. Thank you.”

  “Here’s a comb. I’ll wait under the awning while you change.” In the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder. “There’s a full-length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door.”

  Joni flipped the lock after Sara exited. The sink in the kitchen area served as her bathing station. The cool water refreshed her, but she wished for the makeup in her purse and her phone. She tightened the string at her waist before strapping on the heels. After combing the tangles from her hair, she turned toward the mirror. Not bad. She pivoted. The lines of the skirt fell to the floor. Definitely better than her wrinkled jeans. No one would guess she spent the night in James’s truck. Wait. She stared at the ceiling. Did God provide the clothes she’d asked for? She shook her head but smiled. “If you can hear me, thank you, and don’t forget Isaac.”

  Sara closed a black leather book as Joni stepped out of the camper. “Ready?”

  Joni straightened her posture and called on her years of training as a concert pianist. She smoothed her hair and inspected her hands. “Yes.”

  “That skirt looks good on you.”

  “Thanks.” She trailed Sara around the enormous tent. Hundreds of people of all ages chatted in metal folding chairs. Sara walked under the tent from the right side of the stage. She slipped in beside a man and a little boy, and Joni sank in the seat beside her. A gentleman in the front passed a baby behind him to a young girl on the other side of Sara’s husband. The girl passed the baby to a la
dy in the third row. The baby laughed at each change of hands. A motherly figure finally accepted the wiggling infant and pressed a kiss against rosy cheeks.

  A keyboard and drums, along with acoustic and bass guitars, produced winsome music. Two rows separated Joni from the stage. She had performed with an orchestra on plenty of occasions, but nothing like this.

  The lady standing at the keyboard fascinated her. Rhinestone pins swept the honey-brown hair off her face, and more pins secured curls behind her head. When she played, joy radiated from her. Who was this man, Jesus, she sang of? Wasn’t he the baby born at Christmas? Jesus? He died on Easter, right? Could the mere mention of a name do all the things she claimed? Joni didn’t think so, but the lady sang as if she believed it.

  She leaned forward and watched the pianist’s hands. Flawless, they commanded music from the keys. The melody was like nothing Joni had ever heard. The drummer tipped his head back and closed his eyes, never missing a beat. The air grew heavy. Something charged the atmosphere and the bass player threw up both arms.

  The man in front of Joni stood, blocking her view. Other people rose from the chairs and lifted their hands. She looked around the man until his wife stood beside him. When James’s sister rose, Joni smiled and came to her feet. Now she could see the musicians.

  She’d missed something. The bass player paced the length of the stage. He had a wondrous glow about him. “What happened?”

  Sara simply smiled at her question.

  He grabbed the microphone and sang with the pianist. A loud wail came from his lips before he whispered, “Jesus.” Joni shivered as nerves tingled through her body.

  “Jesus.” The man spoke again and Joni looked up.

  A warmth cloaked her.

  “Jesus.”

  Joni titled her face upward. She had no idea what was happening to her, but it was good. Tears threatened to spill. She dropped her head and shook off the feeling.

  A tall man in a white shirt and tie stepped behind a wooden podium and spoke into a microphone. “Don’t think God doesn’t remember His children. Last night, He stepped in and made a way of escape, and today He’s given you a bonus. A taste of His presence; His peace. This morning He’s asking, do you want more? Ha. Ha. Yes, Lord! Give me more!” The speaker paced back and forth and spoke in a language she couldn’t understand.