Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) (20 page)

I decide right then and there that the bed has to go tomorrow. It's going in the dumpster—all of it. I'll get a new box spring and mattress, and I'll wait on getting an actual bed frame. If I can't attach restraints on anything, it'll avoid temptation. I will not turn Faith into my other women. I'm going to do right by her. This shit is new to me, but I'm going to do my damnedest not to screw it up.

Surprisingly enough, it was easy to for me and Ace to fall back into our regular routine during the past few weeks. Only now we spend a lot of time kissing and touching. Well, he touches me. A lot. We've never taken anything to the bedroom though, and I haven't let him kiss me down there yet. I'm finding that I'm enjoying taking things slower, and there's no pressure to rush into sex. I know it's coming, though.

Soon, too.

Which is why I need Zoey's help.

I grab my phone off the island counter as I leave my apartment to walk to work Monday morning.  After taking the elevator to the first floor, I step through the front door and into the warm California sunshine. I know the temperature won't stay like this forever, because it's mid-October. Pretty soon, it's going to start cooling down into to the lower seventies, and you won't have the sweltering heat pulling at you the minute you walk outside. I smile to myself as I begin to go through my short contact list for Zoey's number. Winter in California is going to be a whole lot nicer than winter in Arkansas.

Suddenly, my phone rings in my hand, startling me. It's my mom. I quickly put it to my ear, happy to hear from her. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Sweetie. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. How are things there?” I ask while walking around a pedestrian tying his shoe on the sidewalk.

“Quiet. Ben has friends keeping an eye on Oliver, and he's still in town,” she informs lightly.

“Has anyone been asking questions about where I took off to?”

“Not really. A few acquaintances have, and I've just kept it light and said you took off for a long overdue vacation.”

I can't help but smile with amusement as I shift my purse over my shoulder. I've come upon the first intersection and reach out to press the button for the crosswalk. “Mom, you do realize six weeks is a lot longer than just a simple vacation, right?”

“Sure, but no one's become nosy yet. I'll worry about additional questions when the time comes. So, what are you up to today?” she asks with interest.

I glance at the jogger beside me as I wait for the light to turn red. His eyes are on me, and he's kind of cute. I watch as his eyes slowly trail over me with interest. I'm wearing shorts and one of my many tank tops. I don't really have to dress up for work, so I don't. I'm amazed he thinks I'm worth checking out. I quickly avert my gaze the other way and see that the light has changed.

“Faith?”

“I'm on my way to work,” I tell her as I remember that she'd asked me a question. I'm walking briskly across the street when I hear the sound of tires squealing on asphalt. Before I can look up, a body slams into mine, and I'm landing in a heap of tangled arms and legs with someone. My left elbow and hip smarts slightly, and I lie there on the hard cement feeling stunned.

“Hey! You okay?” an unfamiliar masculine voice asks from above me.

I blink and look into the jogger's eyes with confusion. “Wha...?”

His eyes harden. “Some dumbass ran the light.” He eases away from me and then puts a hand behind my back, helping me sit up.

I try to shake away the confusion and look around. There are other pedestrians standing around, staring and whispering as they look at me and the jogger.

“Anyone get the license plate?” The jogger calls out.

They all shake their heads and one woman says, “It happened too fast.”

“Here, let's get on the sidewalk,” the jogger tells me. I shakily rise to my feet and allow him to lead me to safety. He peers at me questioningly. “You want to call the police and report this? You were the first one out there, the rest of us hadn't even stepped off the curb.”

I probably should report it, but I know it's not Oliver. It was just a coincidence. What is it with people nearly running me over these days? I give him a wobbly smile and shake my head as I adjust my purse over my shoulder. Miraculously enough, it'd stayed at my side throughout the ordeal. “It happened too fast for me to be able to give any details. Thank you for pushing me out of the way,” I say sincerely.

He nods. “I think next time, you might want to look both ways. People break the law all the time, makes more sense to be overly cautious than not,” he says lightly.

“Thanks again,” I tell him as I look around. “Did you see where my phone went?” With all the commotion, I must have dropped it when I hit the ground. We look around and find it near the curb. After thanking the jogger one last time, I turn and begin walking towards the café again with the phone to my ear. My mom is yelling my name with alarm.

“Mom, I'm fine,” I cut in as I stretch my left arm out to peer at my elbow. The skin is red and a little rough, but I'm not bleeding.

“What happened?” she demands.

“Someone ran a red-light. A pedestrian knocked me out of the way before I was hit,” I tell her lightly. I'm still a bit shaken up, but admitting that to her would likely cause her to hop on the next flight out here.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” I promise. “In fact, I'm already walking down the block to my job.”

“You're not reporting it?” she asks sharply.

“It's not him, Mom. There's no point. No one got a look at the license plate, and I'm not hurt.”

“But it should be reported—”

“I don't want to deal with the police. Not again, okay?” I cut in warily.

There's a long pause. “All right. I'm just glad you're okay.”

“Me too.”

My mom sighs in my ear. “Do you have any idea how strange it is to walk past your bedroom and not see you in there reading a book?”

“I miss not seeing you and Dad, too. It feels weird being on my own, but I'm learning to enjoy it. It's nice being independent,” I admit.

Moving out here has been the best thing to ever happen to me. It's made me learn to live and has helped me figure out who I am and what I want out of life. I've made up my mind that I'm not going back to Arkansas, but I won't tell my parents until this thing with Oliver is over with. I don't want to stress them out more than they already are.

“Well, if you're not home by Christmas, your dad and I plan on coming out there to spend it with you,” my mom announces.

“But what about Ben and Della? The baby's due around that time,” I point out.

“We'll put the trip on hold if Della has the baby, but only for a week or so. We still want to see you, Faith. I'm hoping you'll be home by then. Maybe Oliver will come around and stop trying to make you pay for Justin's sins.”

I don't think it's going to be that easy. He's tried to kill me twice. I highly doubt he's going to suddenly get over his anger. I flashback to the courtroom when Justin's prison sentence had been announced. My mom had started crying in relief, and I'd watched the back of Justin's head as he let it drop forward with defeat. Then, upon hearing loud sobbing, I'd caught sight of Justin's mother being held up by Oliver while his father stood near, staring stoically at his heartbroken wife. Oliver's eyes had been on me though, and the look had chilled me to the bone. I'd read the promise of retribution in his gaze.

“I guess only time will tell where his head is at and what his intentions are,” I say quietly as I reach out and push open the glass door to the café. “Hey, Mom? I'm at work now, can we talk later?”

“Give me a call when you have some free time. Have a good day, honey.”

“You too. Love you,” I tell her before hanging up the phone. I quickly tuck it in my purse and walk over to where Flynn is filling coffee orders for the short line waiting in front of the register. I quickly stash my purse and grab an apron. The rest of the morning is hectic, and the near-miss that morning is forgotten in the mad rush of filling orders.

I don't get a chance to call Zoey until my lunch break. The café is crowded today, so I walk down the street to a bench on the sidewalk with my cookies in hand. After sitting down, I pull out my phone and call Zoey. I'm sure she's in class, so I fully expect her voicemail. Sure enough, her recorded message plays in my ear. “If you leave a message, it better be good. Otherwise, use your thumbs and text me.”
Beep.

“Hey, Zoey. It's Faith. I have some shopping to do this evening, and I was wondering if you'd come with me? I need some advice on a few things. Give me a call or text me if you're free. I work until five.” I end the call and put the phone back in my purse.

I start munching on my cookies as I debate how much to tell Zoey. I know my lack of experience doesn't bother Ace, but I still want to do something so I feel sexy. The last couple of times Ace has seen my panties, I've wished I was wearing something sexier. I may not have much experience, but that doesn't mean I can't dress up for him and look my best. I just don't know what to buy. Zoey would have a better idea of what a guy would like than I would. I think she's the best person to help me with my shopping. I just can't let her know it's Ace I'm shopping for.

The rest of the day passes by in a blur. Monday's are always busy. I think it's because it's the beginning of the work week and people need their coffee fix to face it. When I was in high school, I used to hate Mondays, too. It's the worst day of the week when you know you have four more days of tests and homework before the weekend again.

I manage to sneak a peek at my phone later in the afternoon, and I find two text messages. The first one is from Zoey telling me she'll be over at six to pick me up. The second is from Ace, telling me that he's got a lot to do for one of his classes tonight, and he won't be able to stop over later. I reply back that I have plans with Zoey and we can aim for tomorrow night.

During the weekdays, it's a bit of a hit or miss thing when it comes to Ace being available. If he has the spare time, he swings over from seven-thirty to about nine or so, sometimes later depending on when he has to get up the following morning. The weekends is when we go out late, or he stays at my place until midnight or later. He has yet to spend the night, and it just hasn't felt right to take that step.

After I get home from my shift, I take a quick shower and make sure Daisy is fed and has received enough attention to satisfy her. By the time I hear a knock on my door, I'm ready to go. I quickly walk over and open it.

Zoey grins and peers over my shoulder. “Where is the little devil?”

I'm momentarily confused until I realize she’s referring to Daisy. “She's locked in the bathroom. She's shredded my comforter, one flip-flop, and the shower curtain. It's safer to lock her up.”

Zoey looks disappointed. “Can I just crack the door and sneak a peek?”

“No,” I say with a laugh as I step into the hall and shut the door, checking to make sure it's locked. “If I let you in that bathroom, you won't be coming out for a while.” I never thought Zoey would be a cat lover, but she’s taken a real liking to Daisy.

Zoey thinks it over and nods in agreement. “Yeah, you're right. But when we come back I want to see her.” She gives me playful look and adds, “Ace is spoiling you. I hope that's the only thing he's doing where you're concerned.” Her expression may be teasing, but I don't miss the hint of warning in her gaze.

Uh-oh. I decide to point out the obvious. I raise my hands in the air and wiggle my wrists deliberately. “Do I look like the type to be into the stuff he's into?”

Zoey snorts. “Yeah, you're right. Never happening,” she agrees as we approach the elevator. “What are we shopping for?”

The elevator doors slide open and we step inside. I wait until the doors shut before I clear my throat a bit awkwardly. “Lingerie.”

Zoey's eyebrows lift with surprise, letting me know that for once I've caught her off guard. “The kind that makes you feel good about yourself or the kind that makes a man hard?” she asks bluntly.

“Both.”

Her head tilts as she gazes at me. “Who is he?”

I look back at her innocently. “No one,” I manage to lie. “But eventually I'm going to go on a date again, and someday I'm going to want to do more than kiss.”

“True.” She gives me a knowing smile. “You have your eyes on someone, don't you? Are you still into Logan?”

“If he asks me out again, I'll probably accept,” I lie. This lying thing is new to me, but she seems to believe me.

Zoey looks thoughtful. “Well, you don't want to try to be someone you're not or give the wrong impression as to what you're after. Dress up in leather or anything too naughty and a guy is going to think you're more experienced than you really are.” She brightens and smiles widely. “This is going to be fun.”

I sure hope so
, I think to myself.

Otherwise, it's going to be a torturous evening.

I am sitting on Ace's lap, facing him as his lips ravage my own. He runs his hands through my hair and then slowly lets them slide down my back to the hem of my shirt at my waist. I'm always excited to makeout with Ace, but tonight, I'm wearing one of the new lingerie sets I'd bought when I went shopping with Zoey last night. I'd come home with a handful of new things, and I can't wait to show them off to Ace. I'm saving the lingerie set with the garters for the night I decide it's time to take it to the bedroom.

I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with my body when Ace is around. I'll let him take my shirt and bra off, and now that I know he really does have a thing for my breasts, I'm okay with baring them to him. It certainly helps that he seems absolutely fascinated with my nipples. He'll draw them into his mouth and play with them until I can't take it anymore, then he'll touch me between my legs or grind his erection against me, making me come for him. Last week, I just started letting him touch me beneath my panties. I'm still not willing to be fully naked with him, so I insist the panties always stay on.

I am extremely thankful we stopped when we did that night in his bedroom. Even at that point, I'd still been insecure about my breasts, and I have a feeling the sex would have been awkward thanks to me. Now that I'm more comfortable around him, I think when we finally do have sex for the first time, I won't be as nervous.

Ace breaks the kiss and tugs on my shirt. I obediently lift my arms up, allowing him to slide my shirt off. When the shirt clears my head, I shake my hair out of my face and watch his expression. Those gray eyes of his zero in on the white, satin push-up bra I'm wearing. It has small, yellow flowers all over, and it does amazing things to give me cleavage. It's sexy, but yet it's playful. Ace's tongue wets his lower lip as his eyes darken. He reaches up and cups my bra-covered breasts in his hands, his thumbs rubbing against the satin cups. “This new?” he murmurs as his eyes roam over my breasts with approval.

“Mmhmm. I went shopping with Zoey last night.”

His eyes immediately flicker up to meet mine, and they light up like a little boy at Christmas time. His lips curve into a wide grin as his eyes drop to where I'm still straddling him. “Yeah?” One of his hands leaves my breast to toy with the button on my shorts. “Are you wearing matching panties?”

I can feel his erection where the apex of my thighs presses against the fly of his jeans, and I feel pleased with Ace's reaction to my new lingerie. Knowing he finds me sexy is helping me gain some confidence. “Oh, did you want to see?” I ask as innocently as I can.

His eyes slide back to my face, and he looks amused. “Angel, are you teasin' me?”

“Maybe a little,” I say lightly as I carefully ease away from him. A frown flickers across his face until he realizes I'm standing up to remove my shorts. I watch his face as I slowly unbutton them and lower the zipper. His eyes are focused intently on what I'm doing, and I absolutely love that I have his full attention. I shimmy out of the shorts and let them fall to the floor, then I wait to see what he thinks. The panties match the bra and are hip hugging briefs. They are nothing more than a scrap of satin, but they make my tan look darker than what it is, and I think they make my body look curvier.

“Turn around,” Ace says in a strained voice.

Ah, yes, he wants to check out my butt. I should have known that's the first thing he'd want. I've learned in the last few weeks that he likes my butt more than anything. I'd bent down to pick up Daisy last week, and he'd groaned and made a lewd comment about sex and doing me from behind.

I turn and give him my back so he can check out my rear end. I've always kind of liked it. It's my breasts that I've always hated—until recently. The fact that Ace finds them so attractive has me realizing that maybe I'm just fine the way I am.

I hear movement behind me and feel Ace's warm hands running over my bottom. “God, I love your ass,” he tells me appreciatively. “One day, you're going to let me bend you over something so I can fuck you and enjoy the sight of your ass at the same time.”

Yep, my panties just grew damp. I love it when he talks openly to me about sex. It turns me on, and I draw in a deep, shuddering breath. I'm almost tempted to invite him into my bedroom tonight, but I have other plans. Most of our makeout sessions are about me, and him giving me pleasure. Tonight, I want to turn the tables on him. He always leaves his jeans on while we fool around, and I've never had the courage to touch him down there.

I turn around, causing his hands to drop from my body. He's sitting on the edge of the couch, and I meet his gaze. “You're overdressed.”

He settles back against the couch, and his eyes stay on mine as he slips off his shirt. I admire his broad shoulders and finely sculpted chest. He's so sexy. I walk over to him and carefully settle myself on his lap again, the moist center of my body pressing against his erection. He groans and his warm hands instantly grip my hips. I reach up and run my hands through his hair as I lean in for a kiss. Ace's fingers dig into my hips ever so slightly, and I know he's trying to restrain himself from taking over. This is the first time I've tried to take control of the situation, and I toy with his lower lip, scraping my teeth against it before soothing it with my tongue. I'm fully aware that Ace's breathing has picked up, and I press myself closer, wanting to feel his chest against mine. Sure enough, his chest is moving rapidly in time to his breathing.

My lashes flicker up as I open my eyes to meet his. His eyes are full of desire. I feel bad that he's held himself back, not doing anything to ease his need while he's given me what my body craves. I smile slightly and turn my attention back to his mouth. I kiss him, playfully sliding my tongue between his lips until he tries to capture it with his own. Before he can, I end the kiss and trail soft kisses down his jawline and then to his pulse. I run my tongue over it, and I can feel it throbbing.

Ace swallows, then groans as I place openmouthed kisses along his throat. His skin is salty and warm, and I'm enjoying this exploration I'm embarking on. Very carefully, I ease back slightly so that I can kiss him down the center of his chest until I turn my head to the right and graze my teeth against the barbell piercing his nipple. His hips shift restlessly beneath me, and I decide to play a bit. I tug and lick, drawing more groans before giving attention to his other nipple. I'm noticing that Ace is growing tense beneath me. If I didn't know better, I'd say I've got him close to a possible orgasm. The way he grinds beneath me every so often tells me I'm doing something right.

I draw in a deep breath, gathering my confidence as I pull my lips away from his left nipple. I kiss the center of his chest, licking up a droplet of sweat. I'd gone down on Justin plenty of times, but I'm a bit nervous going down on Ace. What if he doesn't like my technique? I shut down that train of thought, knowing that if I dwell on my concerns too much, I'll chicken out and lose the confidence I've managed to build up tonight.

Ace's stomach muscles are clenched tight, and I lick the ridges, slowly trailing my lips down until I come upon his belly button. I find it incredibly sexy, and I tease it with my tongue briefly before daring to follow the thin line of hair that disappears beneath his jeans.

Ace is now completely still beneath me. I realize he's so still that I don't even hear him breathing. I can't tell if that's a good or bad thing, and now that I'm down here, I can't just stop and leave him high and dry. His erection is still straining against his jeans, so I assume it's okay to continue.

I trail kisses lower until I have no choice but to ease down between his knees so that I am kneeling before him. I reach up with my right hand and carefully unbutton the top of his jeans, then slowly lower the zipper. I watch with anticipation as I see the outline of his penis behind the red fabric of his underwear. I make a move to touch him, but hard hands slam into my shoulders.

“No!” Ace growls. I'm roughly shoved away from him, and I find myself falling backwards. The force of his shove has me sprawled on my back, staring up at the living room ceiling with stunned bewilderment. After dragging in a much needed gulp of air, I manage to pull myself up into a sitting position so I can look at Ace.

Only he's not there.

The apartment door is slamming shut loudly, and the sound of it echoes throughout the apartment, causing me to flinch.

It slowly sinks in that Ace has rejected me.
No, no, no.
I shake my head and try to deny it. He wouldn't do that to me. He's not Justin. But yet here I sit, and he's gone.

Tears fill my eyes as I wrap my arms around myself. This is the kind of thing that Justin would pull. Ace would never hurt me. Not like this.  Even though I know there had to be a reason behind his reaction, pain still cuts through me like a knife and has me doubling over as a huge sob escapes me. This somehow hurts worse than when Justin cruelly pointed out how bad I was at sex.

I struggle to my feet and walk shakily to the door where I double check to make sure the door is locked. I highly doubt Ace will be back, but I still want that lock in place. I want to make sure I'm guaranteed privacy.

Feeling defeated and heartbroken, I cross my arms over my bra-covered breasts and walk bare foot down the hallway. I hear Daisy pawing on the bathroom door where I'd locked her in it when I knew things were about to get heated with Ace. I feel numb as I let her out on the way to my room. I crawl onto the bed and curl up into a ball as more tears fall. Daisy hops up on the bed and curls up next to me.