Page 6 of One Night Rebellion (Bellehaven Hotties #10)

J T

It's been literal years since I've gone to church with my parents, but here I am, along with my little sister in the front pew of Bellehaven Baptist. It's been a revolving door of people welcoming me back into town, but there's one person I keep looking for.

Addie.

I guess it would make sense she wouldn't be here this morning. We were out until three o'clock in the morning, doing things we shouldn't be thinking about in church, but I'd still hoped to see her.

Glancing behind me, I see Malcolm, his fiancée, his mom, and Luke. No Addie though.

"What's got your attention back there?" Sierra asks, looking in the same direction as me.

"Nothing, just seeing who all is here. Isn't that what church is for?"

She huffs, rolling her eyes. "No, JT. Church is for worshipin' the Lord, not lookin' for the hook-up you had the night before."

"What the h—heck, Sierra. What are you talking about?"

She gives me a grin. "I might be a tween, JT, but we're all connected by phones and the internet.

I know that might be hard for you Millennials to understand, but if people spot you in Willowbrook, they post you on Spotted in Bellehaven.

Everybody, including the preacher, knows what you were up to last night. "

The way she drags out the “i" in night rubs me the wrong way. "Nosy-ass busybodies."

"Did you really think that changed? Even I know that's never going to happen."

Just as I'm about to answer her, I notice someone rushing through the doors right before they close. It's Addie, wearing a dress that's too short to be legal in the house of the Lord, or maybe it's just me having impure thoughts where I shouldn't be.

Malcolm waves to her, and she rushes over. As she takes a seat, her eyes meet mine, and a memory of how those lips of hers felt under mine flows through my body. I tilt my chin in acknowledgement, and she offers me a smile.

Pastor Jenkins takes the pulpit, adjusting his glasses as he looks out over the congregation. "Today, brothers and sisters, I want to talk to you about the sins of the flesh. About how our bodies can lead us astray from the Lord's path."

I can't help the low chuckle that escapes me, earning a sharp elbow from Sierra.

If only Pastor Jenkins knew just how well acquainted I'd become with certain aspects of the flesh last night—the way Addie's skin felt warm and soft beneath my hands, even through the barrier of our clothes.

The memory sends heat coursing through me, which is definitely not appropriate for Sunday morning service.

Sierra shoots me a look that could kill. "Behave," she hisses under her breath.

I try to focus on the sermon, but my eyes keep drifting to Addie. Every time she shifts in her seat, every time she crosses her legs, I'm reminded of how she felt pressed against me in the front seat of my Mustang, windows fogged up, her breathing ragged against my ear.

When Pastor Jenkins finally wraps up his sermon about temptation and redemption, I'm more than ready to get out of here.

As we stand for the closing hymn, I catch Addie's eye again.

This time, there's something knowing in her smile, like she can read exactly what I've been thinking about during the service.

After the benediction, we make our way toward the back of the church where Luke and Malcolm are waiting with their families.

"JT!" Luke calls out, extending his hand for a shake. "Good to see you in the house of the Lord, man."

"Yeah, well, Mom insisted," I reply, glancing at my mother, who's already deep in conversation with Addie’s mom, probably about the church potluck next week.

Malcolm grins, wrapping an arm around his fiancée's waist. "We were thinking about heading over to The Dinner Bell for lunch. Y'all want to join us?"

Before I can answer, Mom pipes up from behind me. "That sounds wonderful! It's been too long since we've had a good family meal out."

"We should probably carpool," Addie suggests, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Parking at The Dinner Bell on Sundays is always a nightmare. Half the county shows up after church."

"Addie's got a point," Malcolm agrees. "Why don't we figure out who's riding with who?"

I step forward before anyone else can make arrangements. "Addie, you can ride with me."

Her cheeks flush slightly, but she nods. "That sounds perfect."

As our families continue making plans, I lean closer to her. "Meet me at my car in five? I'm parked around back."

She nods again, and I have to resist the urge to let my hand brush against hers as I walk away.

Five minutes later, I'm leaning against the driver's side door when she appears, her heels clicking against the asphalt. The afternoon sun catches the highlights in her hair, and that dress—God, that dress—hugs her curves in all the right places.

I open the passenger door for her, and as she slides into the leather seat, I catch a whiff of her perfume, the same scent that lingered on my clothes after last night.

"Such a gentleman," she teases as I close her door and walk around to the driver's side.

Once I'm settled behind the wheel, I turn to her, letting my eyes take in the sight of her in my car again.

"You look beautiful, Addie. That dress..

." I let my words trail off as I reach over, my fingers finding the bare skin of her thigh just below the hem of her dress.

Her breath catches, and I feel her muscles tense under my touch.

"JT," she whispers, but she doesn't pull away.

"What?" I ask innocently, though my thumb traces a small circle against her soft skin. "I'm just saying you look pretty. Is that a crime?"

She laughs, the sound breathless and shaky. "Not here. Not now. Your family, my friends—they're all going to be wondering where we are."

I know she's right, but I let my hand linger for just a moment longer before reluctantly pulling it away and starting the engine. "You're right. But later?"

The look she gives me is full of promise. "Later."

As I back out of the parking space, I can't help but smile. Sunday lunch with the families just got a whole lot more interesting.