“What’s in that case?” she asks me, point-blank.
I swallow hard, not knowing why she’d even ask. I thought it was just a plain old suitcase.
Unless she looked inside.
Can’t. I have the key right here.
I thumb the key in my jeans, I still have something going right.
“Is that what this is all about?” I ask her, worried how or even why she’d be so concerned about the case.
“What’s in it, Noah?” she asks again, an edge to her voice I don’t like.
Like she’s asking for someone else.
“Something I have to deliver,” I tell her truthfully.
“So, it doesn’t belong to you?” she asks, her eyes changing again, her shoulders sagging.
“No. No, it doesn’t. I’m delivering it for someone. A promise I made them if you must know,” I tell her, not minding I’m showing my own irritation now.
“Faith, I don’t know what’s happened since I went outside, but like I told you earlier, I have to go soon. I have something I need to do and I thought you were going to come with me.”
I can’t see it, but can sure as hell feel it.
An invisible wedge between us.
If it had a shape or a face, oh, I’d say it was part Preacher part Sheriff and maybe even part pig-nosed repairman.
I could tell her everything, but I don’t know if we’ve even got that much time.
Plus, my past, both recent and ancient isn’t a place I like to revisit.
“I mean it, Faith,” I tell her. “I want you with me, but I’ll have to be on the road and soon.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Faith
Seeing Noah again, his truck behind him, and weighing it up against all the emotions of the past few hours.
I freak out.
I don’t know what happens, but I’m suddenly so mad with him and at the same time, I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my whole life.
I thought that truck was a stranger’s, that it was those fugitives my Dad was talking about. I thought they’d come to-
I don’t want to ever think like that again.
Trouble is, I end up coming off like a psycho witch from hell. But Noah’s so sweet, he puts up with all of it, sits me down until I can try to explain, but I can’t.
It’s all too much for me to deal with.
I don’t believe he’s a criminal, I don’t believe he’s stolen anything. And yet there it is, that case he takes everywhere.
And now he won’t tell me what’s in it.
Only tells me he has to go and he wants me with him.
I ask him what’s in the case a third and final time. He doesn’t get mad, just looks hurt.
“Faith, do you trust me?” he asks, those dark brooding eyes suddenly calm and clear looking.
I feel my head nodding. “Of course, I trust you, Noah,” I tell him honestly, without a doubt I trust him.
“Then trust me when I tell you that what’s in the case isn’t mine and I promised to deliver it to someone, with no questions asked,” he says firmly but calmly.
I want to tell him all about what Dad said, to tell him the Sheriff will probably be here any minute, but he only puts a finger to his lips and then to mine before he kisses me, making me forget everything again.
I forget how crazy I was just now, the magic of his lips on mine takes me away from everything like it really is just Noah and me.
Always will be.
On the one hand, it breaks my heart to think about just leaving without even seeing Dad. But when he kisses me, when he holds me like this, I know it’s all I really want.
It’s all I really need.
“I promise you, Faith,” he says, “That soon it’ll be over. That soon it’ll make sense. But for now, I just need you to trust me, okay?”
I chew my lip for a moment until I realize he’s only waiting for me to say what I’ve already decided.
“Of course,” I blurt out, knowing I’d go anywhere, do anything he asked of me.
Not because I can’t think for myself or because I’m afraid.
But because I love him.
I’m not just in love with Noah Templeton.
I know I actually do love him, mind, body, and soul.
Wanting to tell him so, I miss my moment, and in a second he’s making us both something to eat.
“Is there really time for that?” I ask, still not wanting to worry him with the Sheriff thing, but not wanting to hold us up any more than is needed either.
“There’s always time to eat,” he says jovially, reminding me I need to eat as well and he wants to see me eating three meals a day from now on.
Seeing Noah relaxed again, happy; it makes me relaxed and happy.
Sort of.
I want to apologize for acting so crazy just now but I know it wouldn’t matter. Noah takes me as I am, every mood, and every moment.
I can only honor him by doing the same, and I remind myself to do as he just asked and trust him like a woman who loves him should.
“What about my Dad?” I hear myself asking.
More like I’m asking myself out loud. I can see his face in my mind, the hurt and the worry. The pain he’ll be in once he knows I’ve left with Noah.
“It’s not like we’re going to the moon, Faith. I just have to drive to Louisiana, make my delivery and then we can do whatever you want.”
Hearing him say it so simply takes the edge off, but I know my Dad won’t see it that way.
“It’ll all make sense in a day or two, tops. I promise, Faith. When was the last time you got out anyway?” he asks me.
“I only came back from college yesterday, been gone four years, only came home twice for two days at a time,” I tell him truthfully with a straight face.
“Oh. Well, no harm in keeping that momentum going for another day or so, eh?” he asks, looking away gnawing his own lip now.
He’s started to do what I do. I never noticed him do that before.
I wonder what other habits we’ll pick up from each other.
A couple of days? I think even my Dad should be okay with that unless I tell him who I’m with.
“I think Dad will be fine with it,” I announce, deciding to lie to my Dad instead.
Like a lot of things lately, there’s a first time for everything, and a white lie to my Dad to protect his feelings is worth more than a ton of the truth I now would crush him right now.
Noah stops what he’s preparing and comes over to me, his arms wrapping around me and squeezing me tight.
“I meant what I said, Faith. My life started yesterday. Everything else is deadwood that will fall away.”
I want to ask him about the case again, but know better now.
“What is it about your past that’s so bad?” I ask instead, only hoping to understand him better.
He holds my face in his hands and kisses me gently before answering, “It wasn’t so bad. Every minute was leading up to the moment I met you,” he says cryptically.
“I never really think about the past,” I tell him.
“It’s always been just me and Dad here, then I went off to college. My whole life’s been more about the future than the past.”
“And what did you major in at college?” he asks with interest, relaxing his grip so he can keep making us something to eat.
“Economics,” I tell him, making a face that almost mirrors his as he screws it up.
“But I was more interested in my other subjects, I wanted to switch to classical literature but by that stage it was too late,” I recall, heaving a sigh.
“Sounds like you do have a past after all,” he says dryly, holding up a piece of each type of bread with a cocked brow in question.
“Both,” I tell him. “Why not? We can have rye and white can’t we?” and we both laugh.
“Spoken like a true literary economist,” he says loudly, and I watch him, fascinated by the simple movements of his huge body as he makes us bo
th sandwiches.
“I could watch you all day, Noah Templeton,” I observe, making his lip curl with satisfaction.
“It’s gonna be a face-off then,” he announces, handing me my sandwich.
“Why?” I ask innocently.
“Because I’ve thought the same thing about you a million times already since I first laid eyes on you.”
I feel myself blush, but it’s thrilling to hear him talk like this. I never knew anyone, let alone a man like Noah would ever dream of looking at me twice, let alone be so infatuated with me. Like I know I am with him.
Obsessed is probably the word.
“You hungry?” I remark, noting the stack of sandwiches he’s made.
“It’s a long drive. We don’t have to-” he starts to say, but it’s alright.
Like I already decided, I’ll eat whatever Noah puts in front of me. Anything that’s made by him is pure nourishment for me.
Although, I forgot to mention to him how much I hate pickles, which I realize he’s put on every single sandwich, including the one I’m eating.
Reading my mind, or maybe just my face, Noah takes my sandwich and puts it on top of his.
“If you don’t like pickles, why didn’t you say so?” he asks, laughing to himself before asking me what I want on mine.
“Sorry baby, I just forget there’s two of us now. I’m used to cooking for one,” he adds, shrugging at the huge stack of pickle-laden sandwiches he’s made for the trip.
“Maybe we could just stop and grab a bite when we need to?” I offer, making him smile wider as he leans over to kiss me again.
“That sounds like a much better idea,” he whispers. “Maybe at a hotel?”
I feel my heart flutter as soon as he says it, the look in his eyes telling me just one thing, and it’s nothing to do with food.
My head starts nodding so hard it feels like it might fall off.
“I think that’s a perfect idea,” I purr, suddenly not hungry for sandwiches, only ravenous for that feeling. Starved for the sensation of the man in front of me between my legs again.
“How soon can we leave?” I squeak, suddenly so excited I forget my Dad, forget the suitcase. I can only see Noah now and I want us as far away from everything as soon as possible.
Just the two of us, so I can give myself to him. So he can claim me good and proper.
Feeling myself starting to squirm in my seat I wonder if I can even wait that long.
“We can leave as soon as you’re ready,” he says casually, taking a big bite of both my sandwich and his in one mouthful.
Oh, I’m ready, Noah. I’m ready.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Noah
I can tell Faith’s cut up about bailing on her Dad, she just got back from college.
And where is he, I wonder. Hmmm.
I never had parents to worry about me, or me to worry about them. There was only one person who ever cared for me, and they’re the whole reason for this trip really.
Faith scratches a note for her Dad, which I deliberately avoid looking at. It’s kind of long for a note, more like a letter which she puts under her picture by the front door as we leave.
Her college bag is still unpacked so it’s a no-brainer to take it along.
She pulls the front door shut hearing the lock click, she takes my arm in hers as I walk her to my truck.
“No dirty laundry?” I ask jokingly, hoisting it into the back.
Her look of embarrassment corrects me and I pull her close, giving her a long, hard kiss.
“We’ll have plenty more dirty laundry before we’re through,” I growl softly to her, making her giggle.
I help her up into the cab and squeezing her thigh as I lean over, I show her how the belt works.
“You sure you want this?” I ask her, knowing her answer already, but more or less having a pinch myself moment, confirming to myself it is actually happening.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, with anyone else,” she says dreamily, and I kiss her again, far too long and enough to make me forget about everything, except the feel of her body under mine.
“We should get going,” she says finally, and I nod, still wondering if there’s something she knows that I don’t. But she’s right.
I wanna get a few miles in before we stop, hopefully, get clear of the state line at least.
Pulling out from the old plantation house, out onto the dirt road that leads up to the highway, she doesn’t even look back.
“What would you do if I didn’t come with you?” she asks me, and without even looking over I can tell she has a mischievous grin on her face.
“That, I don’t even want to think about,” I honestly tell her, because I know if she didn’t come with me I really don’t know what I would’ve done.
Faith picks up on my mood and we stay quiet until we reach the highway a few miles up from her place.
The sight of a police cruiser with lights flashing coming in the opposite direction doesn’t bother me much, see ‘em all the time.
Been pulled over plenty of times so far, out of state plate’s means most cops always want to pull me over and just have a look to see what I’m up to.
But Faith seems to jump out of her skin, gasping and wriggling in her seat like she’s seen the devil himself coming right at us.
She pivots in her seat, looking behind us once we pass it, and starts to fidget nervously.
“What is it, Faith? Worried about your house so soon, do you wanna go back and see what’s wrong?” I ask her seriously, thinking she must be worried about something back that way.
“No!” she almost shouts. “No I don’t, just keep driving. Step on it!” she exclaims, and I laugh. Still not sure if she’s kidding around or deadly serious.
She loosens her belt, sliding over to the middle of the bench seat, and straps herself in right next to me, gripping my arm like her life depends upon it.
“Let’s just keep driving, huh?” she says again, and looking at the fear in her eyes in the rearview, I’m starting to wonder if maybe Faith Holding has some secrets of her own.
Secrets she doesn’t want the law to know about.
I tell myself that’s silly, I spoke to her old man myself. It’s not like she’s done away with him, or anyone else. She’s probably just shy of the cops, lots of people are.
Putting it to the back of my mind, I hook my arm around her, enjoying her so close, and settle into the long straight road ahead of us.
Thinking about Faith and her Dad, the only family she has, as far as I know, I get to wondering.
“What about you, Faith? You want a family someday?” I ask, really thinking out loud more than meaning to ask her.
Maybe it’s putting the cart before the horse, but I really do wanna know if Faith wants a family as much as I want to put one inside her.
She’s made for it, both making and carrying babies. I can just tell. And I know a family of my own is something I’ve always wanted, never having had one myself I figure I won’t have any bad habits to project onto our kids.
There I go, I’ve already decided.
Faith makes a sleepy sound, stretching herself out a little from her curled up position next to me.
“I think it would all depend on who the father was,” she says thoughtfully, and I give out a little yelp as she pinches my side.
“I mean it though, Faith,” I tell her seriously. “Is it something that’s important to you or not?”
“Truth?” she asks me, and I can see her wide eyes looking up at me in the mirror.
I nod my head, wondering if it really is too much too soon for her to deal with, on top of everything else.
“I hadn’t really thought about it until you asked, but if I could be a mom… the mom I never had...”
She trails off, her eyes moving away and looking out the window.
“I shouldn’t have brought it up, I’m sorry Faith,” I tell her, feeling rotten for thinking of myself before her own feelings.
“It’s alright,” she assures me, squeezing my arm. “My mom left before I was old enough to even remember, Dad tells me she couldn’t commit to the life of a Preacher’s wife. Having me was Dad’s motivation to be a man of God, even though the marriage didn’t work.”
“You don’t want to be a preacher do you?” she asks me, looking quite serious.
“No, no I don’t think I do,” I tell her without having to think about it.
“Then that’s settled then,” she says, smiling and pecking my cheek. Leaving the whole question answered without us having to say another word.
I could press her, just to find out how soon she might want to explore having a family, but I decide it’s best to leave it for now.
We have to make babies before she can actually have them, Noah.
As we drive, her hand moves from my arm to my leg, until finally, she’s stroking me through my jeans, purring as I try to focus on the road.
I think she’s just double answered the whole baby making question.
Checking the signs as we drive, and hoping she doesn’t start stroking me too fast, I calculate the time needed to get over the state line and then to our next major city.
I decide on the spot that a roadside motel won’t do. Not for our first time, to claim her as my own it has to be nothing but the best.
I feel my foot getting heavy and the truck humming to life as we pick up just enough speed to make a difference without attracting attention.
Faith eventually contents herself to grip me through my jeans and in a short while, she falls asleep, murmuring my name occasionally and moaning, shifting in her seat.
Driving me fucking crazy but also giving me a taste of what’s ahead for both of us.
We cross the state line, and although nothing feels changed, I do notice a sensation of being freer with Faith now.
Not under her Daddy’s roof anymore and nothing but the open road ahead of us.
Our future.
I still have three states to cross after this one, but if I don’t claim her soon, if I don’t do something to ease this ache inside us both, it’s gonna feel like a forever trip instead of just a day or two.
It’s out of our way of a straight line, but I need gas now anyway and the next major turn off is towards a major city too.
Preacher's Daughter: An Instalove Possessive Age Gap Romance Page 6
