My Steps Are Ordered by Michelle Lindo-Rice Page B

lip.
    No, it has to be something else. “Why won’t he call me?” she groaned. She snapped the pencil in half. Ugh. She threw the two halves in the trashcan located to the left of the computer stand. “Get yourself together, Gina.”
    She opened the desk drawer, took out another pencil, and shoved it in the electric sharpener.
    Michael had remained cool and distant. The two things had to be connected, Gina deduced. She could not feel settled in her spirit until she had answers. All day, throughout her entire visit with Trey, this issue had been at the back of her mind.
    She knew that if anyone would tell her anything, it would be Keith. “But he’s avoiding me.”
    That’s it! She’d had enough! Her pressure level rose, and she snapped another pencil in two. Tossing it in the trash, she grabbed her phone and tapped in Keith’s speed dial number. He’d better pick up! she thought. If he didn’t . . .
    A few seconds later Gina stormed out of the house, her cream linen suit wasn’t warm enough for mid-September, but she was too heated to notice. She marched to her car and jumped in, slamming the door. She fumed the entire ten-minute ride to Keith’s place.
    Her heels clicked on the short path up to his door. Gina pressed the doorbell. She wasn’t going anywhere until he answered. Keith swung open the door with an irate look on his face. He must have awakened moments before, because he was wearing only pajama pants. Keith’s manner was that of a bear awakened from hibernation. She clutched her chest as her heart hammered. In his state of undress, he was eye candy, but she wasn’t going to be distracted.
    â€œWhy haven’t you returned my calls?” she asked, knowing she sounded like a harried housewife, but who cared?
    Keith raised his eyebrows at her possessive tone, but he stayed quiet . Good move. He backed up. “Okay, calm the storm. I feel like I’m about to get struck by lightning. I was reading my Bible,” he finally answered with a soft tone.
    Gina’s mouth hung open like she was a fish out of water. “Oh.” She hadn’t expected to hear that. Now she felt dumb, but she couldn’t think of a comeback to save face.
    Keith lifted one eyebrow and folded his arms in a gesture that was meant to make her back down. He was making his displeasure known at her unexpected visit. He shifted to stand on one leg, which showed off his well-toned muscles and six-pack. Keith did not have any hang-ups with his body, and why would he, when it was stuntman perfect?
    With a huge swallow, Gina strove to hide her discomfort.
    â€œWhat did you think?” he asked.
    She wasn’t going to even answer that one.
    He continued. “I have an idea why you’re so upset. You’re used to me always being at your beck and call, and you’re spoiled.”
    She watched Keith bite back a smile while she fumbled with her response. That dimple of his was messing with her senses. “I was worried when you didn’t call me back,” she hedged. Gina turned around and started to walk away from the still open door.
    Keith reached out and snaked his hands around her arm and pulled her into the house. As soon as he closed the door, he whispered, “Seeing you is like fire. I wonder if you smell as good as you look.” He planted a kiss full on her lips, nipped at her ears, and let out a low growl in her hair. “Yes, yes, you do.”
    Goose bumps popped up over all her body. In his arms, Gina couldn’t contain her relief. There was no one else. She could feel Keith’s desire and delighted in every moment. She was still the one. She acknowledged to herself that this was the true reason that she had come over here.
    She ended the embrace and stepped out of his arms. With sadness, she admitted, “You’re right. I’m spoiled and selfish.”
    â€œI know. I’m the same way when it comes to