Seasoned with Grace by Nigeria Lockley Page A

comfort right now, as he was possibly thinking about all the negative publicity this situation with Grace was going to bring. Then he’d have to deal with the impact it would have on Grace’s current probation violation. Even a small touch seemed like it would help make this situation positive. Getting physical under distress could also lead to some spiritual unrest, and Candace was done dancing with the devil when it came to lust in her flesh.
    As she contemplated the spiritual ramifications that could come from being in such close quarters, Ethan groaned behind her.
    â€œIt smells good, right?” she asked purposefully to snap him out of his trance. Not only had his desires carried his mind and eyes away, but they had also somehow transported him to a spot only a few inches away from her. “It smells good, right?” she repeated.
    Ethan inhaled deeply. Candace smiled. Her mom was right, as usual. The scent of jasmine and wild berries was a delicate and powerful combination that could bring any man to his knees.
    â€œI don’t think that’s the soup. I think that’s you,” he said softly.
    â€œMr. Summerville, I do believe you’re being a little fresh.”
    â€œI believe you’re correct.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her away from the stove. “Are there any objections?”
    Candace giggled and leaned back just enough so that their bodies collided.

Chapter 14
    The aroma of bacon, potatoes, and tomatoes demanded that Grace come downstairs. She applied some BB cream to cover up the cracks on her splotchy skin and dabbed on a cranberry lip stain. How sweet of Ethan to send someone to cook for me.
    Grace dashed from her bedroom to the staircase just in time to catch what had to be by far the most passionate kiss Candace and Ethan had exchanged yet. Their bodies curved into each other, and Candace’s back was pressed against the granite countertop. The ladle for the soup dangled from the tips of her fingers. She clutched Ethan as if he were the last man on earth. The heat that emanated from their kiss was greater than the crackle and hiss of the burner beneath the soup, which was now boiling over. Grace’s stomach filled with a churning sensation. The contents of her stomach had already been emptied twice, so all that came out was a hacking sound, coupled by a dry heave. It was still dramatic enough to produce the effect that she wanted.
    Out of either embarrassment or shame—Grace couldn’t tell from her position on the steps—Candace broke from Ethan’s firm grip and went back to stirring the soup. Ethan met Grace at the bottom of the stairs.
    â€œAre you okay?” Ethan asked softly as his eyes scanned her face, assessing her well-being.
    Grace turned her lips down to form a sultry pout. “No. I think I need to rest,” she whimpered, shifting her gaze toward the kitchen.
    â€œCandace, can I speak to you for a moment?” Ethan calmly requested, walking toward Candace. He’d picked up on the hint that Grace had dropped with her eyes. Ethan whispered into Candace’s ear, offering her praise and thanks and promises of alone time soon to come before dismissing her.
    â€œThank you for everything,” Grace called out, waving at Candace from the steps as she prepared to leave. A tinge of remorse plucked at Grace’s heart as Candace exited, but she refused to give up the one good thing she had going in her life.
    Ethan made his way back to Grace and sat down beside her at the foot of the staircase. She rested her head on his shoulder. Voluminous clouds floated past her window. Grace wished she could just jump out her window and ride the wave of clouds until the end of time.
    â€œI know you told Candace that you didn’t want to go to the hospital, but I think you should,” Ethan insisted, breaching the calm that was slowly taking over Grace.
    She shook her head sheepishly, like a coy little