Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) (34 page)

“Ace?”

Instead of looking at my nude body, his eyes hold mine. “What?”

“I love you, too.”

His eyes light up for a heartbeat before they darken with a heat that sears my gaze. “I need you real bad right now. But when morning comes, shit's going to get real. You're going to respect my need to do everything I can to protect you and our relationship. That means I don't care who the fuck tries to get in my way, I'm going to annihilate them if they so much as try to harm you or try to turn you against me. You hear me, Faith? You're mine, and no one's taking you from me. No one,” he says fiercely before his eyes drop to my body with renewed determination.

I have to talk to Caleb.

Before stepping out of my apartment and knocking on Zoey and Caleb’s apartment door, I quickly pull my hair up into a sloppy ponytail and slip on a pair of lounge pants and a tank.

I had literally just left Ace's five minutes ago while he was still struggling to wake up. Today is going to be hard for him since he'd barely gotten any sleep last night. I feel guilty that I'd had the nightmare and things had gone down the way they had with Caleb, but I don't regret how the night ended. Ace loves me, and last night he'd made love to me slowly and thoroughly. He also did it in a way that he's never done before. We had sex missionary style without me being restrained, and it had been sweet and beautiful. I'd been careful not to run my hands down his hips, and it'd been amazing to feel so close to him.

The door before me opens, wiping my goofy smile off my face.

Zoey stands there, her dark hair pulled up in a messy knot. I can tell she's been awake for a bit since her eyes are alert, but she's still dressed in an off-shoulder crop top and satin shorts. “Faith,” she says in surprise. I hear a muffled voice call something from within the apartment, and Zoey winces as she looks at me apologetically. “He's still mad. Can you come back another time?”

“Can I come in, Zoey? I really need to talk to him,” I plead.

She shrugs. “He's mad at me, too. It's not like he can get any madder.” She opens the door wide so I can step inside.

It's still early, and I'm betting Caleb has a class he has to attend soon. I feel bad just dropping in like this, but I want to talk to him before he goes to the campus. Who knows what will happen if he comes across Ace. The last thing I want is for those two to get into it further—especially over me.

I look around the kitchen and living room, but it's empty.

“Bathroom,” Zoey murmurs to me before she heads for the kitchen.

I hope I am doing the right thing. Ace has made it clear that he'll take on anyone and anything to keep me in his life. Well, it's time for me to fight for Ace as well. I won't allow Caleb to cut Ace out of his life.

As I walk down the hallway, I pray that Caleb isn't naked or anything. Thankfully, the bathroom door is wide open, and I spy Caleb just finishing up shaving. The bathroom is still slightly steamy, and all he's wearing is a towel wrapped around his hips. He takes one look at me and grabs the hand towel off the counter, wiping the excess shaving cream off his face. “Faith, I need time to process last night,” he says calmly as he sets the towel down.

I cross my arms over my chest and stay where I'm at in the doorway. “I'd give you that time if there wasn't a chance you'd see Ace on campus.”

His blue eyes settle on mine and he frowns. “It's not like I'm going to attack him on sight.”

“It's not fair of you to blame our relationship on Ace. I make up a part of it, too,” I point out.

“I know you do,” he says with a sigh as he runs both his hands through his wet hair. He abruptly turns to face me, his eyes heavy with emotion. “But I was very clear to Ace not to make a move on you, and he did it behind my back anyway. Faith, he's all wrong for you. He's not going to give you what you need, he's going to take and take. And when he's done, he'll walk away,” he says darkly.

I shake my head adamantly. “No, he won't. We went into this relationship with eyes wide open, Caleb. Ace is everything I've always wanted and more. I love him.”

Caleb winces and his jaw tightens. “He's going to hurt you.”

“He loves me.”

“He
thinks
he loves you,” he corrects in a biting tone.

“Caleb, he's not playing me,” I insist. “He really does love me. He also cares about you. When we made the decision to take our relationship to the next level, it wasn't easy. Especially for Ace. He knew you'd hold it against him, but in the end, he decided to take a chance on something real...with me. Would you begrudge him that?”

He gives me a look. “You don't know him like I do. His attention span lasts about as long as it takes for the next woman to flash some leg or cleavage at him.”

“I am fully aware of his past. I also know a lot more about him than you think I do. I see him for who he is, and he sees
me.
I won't choose between you two. I love Ace, and nothing you say or do will ever change that. You need to decide if you can support us or if you are going to turn your back on us,” I say simply, even though none of this is simple. But Caleb needs to see that I can't be swayed where my feelings are concerned for Ace.

Caleb's lips tighten. “He's got you so damn blinded by all his bullshit.”

Nothing I say is going to get through to him. I'm disappointed but not surprised. Ace had warned me that his past would be an issue. “I think you need to trust in my ability to know what's best for me, Caleb. I feel
alive.
I'm finally in control of my life.”

“Has he tied you up yet?” Caleb asks abruptly, his body tensing as he waits for my answer.

Damn it.

I refuse to hide who Ace is. I am not ashamed of the man I love, and I am not ashamed of the parts of him that people think are messed up. I tilt my chin up slightly and meet his gaze, refusing to back down from the topic. “He has, and I enjoyed every single second of it. Furthermore, it was about trust, not all about control.”

He shakes his head with disgust, anger flashing in his eyes. “If he really loved you, Faith, he wouldn't have ever tried it with you in the first place. Not with your past.”

“Caleb, my past is my past!” I practically shout with frustration. “I am not that girl anymore. No one controls me!”

“You just admitted he's tied you up during sex!” he shouts back, his hands waving slightly with his emotions. “Sounds to me like he's in control. He'll control everything you are, just like Justin. Ace is one hundred percent dominant, and you're going to lose yourself to whatever it is he wants from you,” he says bitterly. “When he's done and casts you aside, you're not going to know who you are anymore. You should have never come here, Faith.”

I flinch, and my eyes well up with tears. “You're not being fair. He's your best friend, haven't you seen the good parts of him that I've seen?”

His eyes hold mine. “I've seen plenty. He's a good friend to have when it comes to the same sex. Put a woman near him, and he'll use her for his needs until the next one comes along.”

“Okay, you two. That's enough before you both say something you'll regret,” Zoey intervenes as she walks up and gently clasps a hand around my arm. “Time for you to go.”

There's nothing more to say, and I'm silent as Zoey leads me out of the apartment. In the hall, she hugs me tightly to her, and I burst into frustrated tears.

I don't know what the fuck I'm going to do.

Faith spent the night and then booked it out of here about fifteen minutes ago in hopes of talking with Caleb. I can only hope he goes light on her and saves his anger for me.

“You going to eat that?” Jeremy asks, interrupting my thoughts.

I glance at the fresh fruit I'd sliced up in the bowl that sits before me. I'd sat down at the island counter to eat since I don't have to attend morning practice at Veterans Stadium. On mornings I have to be present at practice, I skip breakfast and eat on campus before my first class. Today, I have time for breakfast, but I'm not the slightest bit hungry.

“Go for it.” I push the bowl towards him.

Jeremy takes the bowl and leans his hip on the other side of the counter, his brown eyes curious as he pops a banana slice in his mouth. “What's with you? I heard you and Faith going at it last night, which should have worked up an appetite.”

“Everything's gone to shit.”

Jeremy studies me. “Fill me in.”

“You didn't hear Faith's scream last night?” I ask dryly.

“She screamed?” Jeremy reaches up and scratches the side of his head. “Ah...no. I heard a few moans, but no screams. Sorry, man.”

“I'm not referring to sex, dickhead. She had a brutal nightmare in her apartment last night, and Caleb used his spare key to barge in and check on her. I happened to be with her at the time,” I tell him, deciding to leave out the details.

“Oh...shit. That's where you got the bruise from?”

I stare at him. “How else did you think I got it?”

Jeremy shrugs and plucks a grape from the bowl. “It was obvious you and Faith were fighting last night. I thought maybe she decked you or something. It wouldn't be the first time one of our girls have hit one of us. Remember when Zo punched Caleb after that party?” He shakes his head with disappointment. “I wish I'd been there that night,” he says before he pops the grape in his mouth.

“Does Faith look like the violent type to you?”

“She could be.” He gives me a sly look. “Only you would know that, though. Sometimes those quiet ones are the ones that really go wild in bed.”

“Enough about sex,” I say, shaking my head as I sober up. “Caleb knows about us, and he's pissed at me. I don't know how to fix the situation. Faith is over there trying to talk to him as we speak, but I doubt she'll get through to him where I'm concerned. There's also more,” I say darkly as I think of Faith's confession about this Oliver guy that's after her.

“What else happened?” Jeremy asks with a frown.

“You know Faith's past, right? About what her ex did to her?”

He nods, his expression tightening. “Glad the motherfucker's rotting in prison.”

“Yeah, well his brother's not. His brother is after Faith to make her pay for what happened.”

Jeremy sets the bowl down abruptly. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“There were some suspicious incidents in Harrison before Faith moved here. She was almost hit while biking, and she was actually run off the road once while she was driving her car. Different cars were used both times, but ironically enough, Justin's family owns a used car dealership. She says Oliver was pretty angry when Justin went to prison, and she thinks he's trying to exact revenge. Her parents sent her out here to get her away from him, but now this week he's shown up in Long Beach,” I explain tightly.

“Do the police know this?”

“Yes, but from what Faith said, they can't do much at this point. There's no proof it's Oliver, and she hasn't come face to face with him.”

“What can I do to help? She need someone to walk her to work or anything? I'm game,” Jeremy says instantly.

I'm pleased by his offer. I'd known he'd be willing to help, but it's always good when help is offered rather than having to be asked for. “She says she's taking the bus to and from work. He hasn't tried anything in public, which would be stupid on his part. I'm thinking she's good at work. But if I need you to watch over her when I can't, will you?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

I nod and debate on approaching him with something else that's been on my mind since Faith had fallen asleep in my arms last night. While she'd slept, I'd been wide awake and thinking of ways to keep her safe. With my classes and training, I can't be with her 24/7. It's going to be difficult not being near her or knowing that she's safe.

Sometime in the early hours of this morning, I realized the best thing I could do is move in with her temporarily. She'd then have someone with her nightly, and I'd be there during my free time. In reality, it wouldn't really change much of anything at this point. I've been spending my nights there since we began sleeping together. It's just now I'd have most of my shit over there rather than over here.

Jeremy's finished with the fruit and setting the bowl in the kitchen sink when I decide to just throw it out there. “Hey man, I'm thinking of temporarily moving in with Faith,” I announce.
That is if she'll allow it
, I add silently. Faith's gotten to be pretty independent, I'm not sure if she'll go for it or not. I don't want to bombard her with it right away, so I'll sit on it for a few days before I approach her with the idea.

Jeremy stares at me like I've lost my mind. “She do some magic voodoo on your dick last night or something? You want to
move
in
with her? You used to turn green at the mention of the word commitment.”

I can't help but chuckle. “She definitely does something to my dick,” I agree before sobering up. “I'm serious. I don't want her alone at night, and it'd be easier for me to keep an eye on her if I'm staying there. Temporarily,” I add.

“Damn,” Jeremy grumbles as his expression turns disgruntled. “She's got you committing, fucking her more than once, and she's the reason behind you dumping your bed—even if you won't admit it. Now you're talking about moving in with her?” He shakes his head with disgust. “Dude, you can tack that temporary on all you want, but even I can tell that once you get yourself in that door, you're not coming back out. Son of a bitch, I'm going to have to find a new roommate.”

“Whoa, back up,” I hold up my hands to ward off anymore of his comments. “I never said it'd be permanent.” But I'm realizing I'm not exactly against the idea.

Jeremy shoots me a look. “You're pussy whipped, and you know it. What the fuck is going on lately? Everyone's settling down with pussy,” he mutters under his breath as he walks away towards the hallway.

“If it turns permanent, I'll pay my share of rent until you find a new roommate,” I call to him, just to aggravate him further since it's always fun riling up Jeremy.

Jeremy's voice floats back down the hall as he calls me a few names I've never heard before.

I laugh under my breath as I rise from the stool to get ready for my first class.