Page 71 of The Gathering
“Holy shit,” Ethan whispered. “Like a decoy.” He flew to the control panel and began typing. “I can write a script to mimic Cat’s bio-signature. Give the rogue program a fake emotional core to crush.”
“Excellent,” Handy approved. “Then I’ll evacuate my dear brothers.”
“Yes,” Ethan said, breathless, hurrying. “But they’remybrothers.”
Jek Likes The Nun
(he’s a fucking sinner)
Jek arrived early for the shelf building job with Sister Lenora. He wanted time to get a fire going and warm the place before she showed up. And also plan out the job. And think. And brace for impact. It wasn’t an all-day job, but he knew himself well enough to be prepared to justify making it one should he want.
He checked his watch. She had ten minutes to arrive and prove she was habitually punctual. It was on his list of things he liked about her. He’d been returning to that list, looking for negatives to add to it. He managed three and they were actually all positives that he didn’t like. Her being sogivingof herself being number one.
He eyed the closet walls where the shelves were going then walked to the single window at the far end. He glanced out at the misty morning, already ready for the lunch he had planned with her. Gumbo at the small school park.
In the middle of wondering what she’d wear, he spotted her. More like his dick spotted her. “Damn,” he muttered with a grin. He’d hoped she’d wear something besides her habit. It was still a dress, down to the ground but it was the color of burlap with a dark green apron over it and a cute fabric carpenters’ belt over that.
Fuck, she was fun to stare at. But the absence of her head covering is what did it for him. He’d wondered way too often over her hair. He knew it was dark. Now he knew it was dark andvery long. She wore it in two thick braids that made her look like a sweet little carpenter’s angel. With full breasts.
Fuck, he was wicked. And wanting to have confession with her was the most wicked thing of all.
He remembered he’d decided on calling her just Sister. Mostly to keep her feeling safe. It was shorter than Sister Lenora and more intimate. But not as intimate as Lenora. Which was a beautiful name. One worth saving for special occasions.
She was climbing the steps when he opened the door. “Morning Sister,” he greeted. “You broke your punctual rule.”
Her bright smile vanished with wide eyes.
“As in you’re early.” He stepped aside with a chuckle. “You’re usually right on time. I came early and made coffee. Got the chill out of the air.”
Her smile returned with one of her big laughs. “I decided to dress for the job, and boy did that turn out to be a most difficult decision!”
He made his way to the kitchenette, wondering if those big laughs were nervous ones. “Yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because Ineverhave to decide such a thing! I kind of forgot how!”
Another big laugh. Definitely possibly nervous. What else would she be nervous about? He added it to his Lenora list.
“You take cream and sugar?”
“Oh, yes please. I normally don’t drink coffee, but I’m learning to like it here as it seems to be the main staple of conversation. Which I love,” she hurried, always mindful of not being misunderstood or offensive.
“That it is. There’s lemonade and a pitcher of water in the little fridge, I noticed. If you prefer something else. I brought gumbo for lunch.”
A quick inhale. “Gumbo! Lucky you!”
He handed her the coffee cup, putting the handle in her reach. “I brought enough for both of us.”
“Oh, thank you!” She took it and brought it to her mouth, taking a careful taste.
Jek watched her mouth on the cup. He was obsessed with her lips. He could sit and watch her mouth all fucking day. “Good?” he checked when she looked at him getting her smile and nods.
“So good, thank you.” She eyed his body. “Is this your work uniform?”
He had to laugh. “Not really. I wear what I work in and work in whatever I wear.”
“So practical!” she said. “My habit works the same way. Only it’s not always easy to work in.”
“I imagine not.” He turned and poured him a cup. “We got a few minutes to spare to get our caffeine. I’ll pull you a chair by the stove.”
