“I love that you don’t care what people think.”
Ah, that.
“I used to care what people thought, mostly my ex-wife. I wanted to make her happy.” I hoped that bringing up my ex-wife at this moment wasn’t a faux pas, but she was part of my past and therefore part of me. “I wanted to give her the life she wanted. I wanted to be who she wanted me to be.” I thought back to the depressed shell of a human that was left of me once she left. “I gave all of myself.” I sighed and leaned my head on top of Faith’s. “But in the end, it still wasn’t enough. We were both very unhappy.” I turned down Park Street. “That’s when I had to learn that all that matters is what I think about my life, about myself.” I shrugged. “Those are the only things I am in control of.”
“How mature of you.” She shook her head.
“Okay, therapy and time also helped.” I squeezed her side.
I pulled up to her duplex and put the truck in park. She sat up, and I missed her warmth at my side.
“I admit though, I’m spending a lot of time wondering what one other person is thinking and feeling.” I searched her blue eyes. “It scares me a bit.”
She gave a shy smile. “Who?”
I rolled my eyes. “You, Faith.”
She chuckled and leaned in closer. “I might spend all my time thinking about you too.”
I swallowed as I stared down at her pink lips. They had been teasing me all night. Between that and the soft blue of her dress, which looked amazing against her skin, and her lean legs, which my hand begged to touch, she was driving me crazy.
“Thanks for tonight,” she whispered. “For all of it.” Her gaze dropped to my mouth, and my throat went dry.
“I’m happy to take things at whatever pace you want. If you aren’t ready for this kind of relationship, I get it. I come with baggage.” I smirked. “Cute baggage, but still, baggage. But, Faith, I desperately want to try.” I ran my hand down her arm. “I haven’t felt like this in years, and I would hate myself if I let my fear ruin this.”
Her mouth curved into a grin “Trust me, your baggage is way cuter than mine.” She leaned into my touch. “I’m still trying to find out who I am. I have past issues I’m working through, and I don’t know how to let them go.” She gave me a sad smile. “But I know I have never been this happy.”
She pulled me toward her, and whispered in my ear. “I want to try.” Goosebumps ran down my back. It took every ounce of strength I possessed not to pull her mouth to mine in that second.
But I didn’t want to rush, I wanted to take my time. I put my hand on her cheek, and she leaned into my palm, her bottom lip brushing my thumb. I wrapped my other hand around her hip, the soft fabric of her dress against my palm. Faith tilted her chin toward me. I closed the distance between us, hungry to have her hands on me and her mouth on mine. My stomach tightened as I held her tighter to my chest. Her lips were soft as they melted with mine.
It wasn’t enough. I couldn’t get close enough to her.
I thought a kiss would satiate my hunger, but all it had done was leave me ravenous.
Her tongue traced the bottom of my lip, and she pivoted to face me better, and a groan escaped my lips.
Heaven help me, but I was lost. I wanted this woman in my life.
“You are so beautiful,” I whispered, unable to keep it to myself any longer. “I don’t know what spell you’ve cast on me,” I muttered between kisses as my mouth traced her jawline.
She leaned away. “Me? You’re the dangerous one.” She placed her hands on my neck and pulled me back to her mouth, and I happily obliged.
Chapter Twenty-Four
FAITH
Despite the negative temperatures, I had never felt warmer as I replayed that kiss with Adam over and over in my head. The way Adam’s eyes devoured me as he said that I held him captive.
Me.
Shy and slightly boring me. I bit my lip. I absentmindedly walked around Mason’s desk and bumped into it with my thigh.
“Ope, sorry, Mason.”
My entire world finally felt right. Rose and Marissa knew about my past and still stood by my side. And Adam… Well, Adam had been amazing. He swept me off my feet with those big biceps of his and I still haven’t landed.
“Why are you smiling weird?” Danny’s voice pulled me out of my daydream.
