“I’m gonna sleep in the other guest room.” She looks defeated.
“Why?”
“Well, it’s obvious you don’t want me anymore.”
“What? What makes me believe that?”
“You left me. You walked out after I told you everything.”
“Sweetheart, I didn’t walk out on you. I needed to regain control over my anger. I’m so fucking mad at your dad right now. I wanted to make sure I didn’t lash my anger at him out on you. You have no idea what I want to do to him, but never in my life would I leave you. We’ll work through this together.”
“You don’t resent me then?”
“No, Peach. I could never do that. Don’t you know? You hold the key to my heart. All I see is you. When I look at you I see a survivor. You’re such a strong woman. Despite everything you went through, you still came out on top. Look how far you’ve gotten. Almost two years ago you wouldn’t even give the thought of a relationship a chance, now here we are, you’re in my arms and I’m not ever letting you go.”
I hold my hand out to her. When she grabs it I pull her into my arms.
“I’ll forever love you, Faith Livingston. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with.”
We both sink to the floor and I have no idea how long we sit there entwined with each other. It could’ve been seconds, it could’ve been hours. When I’m with Faith I forget everything around me.
“Make love to me, Seth,” she whispers.
“Are you sure?” Her feelings are raw right now and I don’t want to push her into anything. I’d wait forever if it meant she was okay.
“I’m sure. I want you to erase the memories of him, of them.”
Picking her up from the floor, I slowly kiss her and carry her over to the bed. I crawl in with her and hover over her. Never breaking eye contact, I start kissing her again. Her lips taste like peaches. She opens her mouth to grant me better access. Our tongues entwine in a sensual dance and I let out a moan. I’ll never get enough of her kisses. I meant it when I said I get drunk on them. I pull back from her.
“You’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. Every inch of you is so damn beautiful it takes my breath away. My world starts and ends with you. Nothing can ever compare to what I feel when I’m with you. I love you so much, Faith. I will never let anybody hurt you again. I hope one day I can take away all your pain.”
I nuzzle her sensitive spot on her neck. She’s squirming underneath me. I slowly rid her of her clothes, but not without kissing every inch of her. I want to erase his touches from her memory and replace them with good ones. I want her to know she is worshipped, that she deserves happiness.
“I want you naked, Seth. I want to see you.”
I get up off the bed and take my clothes off. This is the first time Faith and I have been together intimately since the night I walked out on her. I’m going to make this special for her. Her eyes trail up and down my body and the smirk on her face tells me she likes what she sees. I look down at her and can’t help but admire how beautiful she is. She literally takes my breath away.
Once I’m back in bed with her she starts touching me everywhere. My body instantly responds to her. Her hands stop at the bullet wound.
“I can’t imagine what I would’ve done if I lost you that day, Seth. To think that the last thing I said to you was that I needed time away almost killed me. I was scared I would never get to tell you how much I love you. I thought we were over before we even started.”
“Shhh... I’m right here with you. I came back like I promised you I would.”
“Please, Seth, I need you inside of me now.”
“I need to prepare you first, sweetheart.”
“No. Make love to me. I need you.”
Instead of answering her, I position myself at her entrance. I’ll do anything for this woman. I look into her eyes while I slowly enter her.
“Faith, you are so damn wet.”
“I told you I was ready.” She giggles. I think my heart is about to leap out of my chest at the sound of it. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful.
I watch her as I slowly move in and out of her. Her tight pussy fits around my cock like a glove. Never taking my eyes off of her I continue to make love to her, treasuring her body, showing her that she’s worth the fight it took to get here. I could stare at her all night and never grow tired of it.
Faith’s breathing grows heavier and her body is glistening with sweat. When her walls grip me tighter I know she’s close. I lean my head down to her nipples and start sucking. Her back arches off the bed at the feel of my tongue on her.
“Come for me, baby.”
She starts screaming my name as her pussy convulses around me, making my dick grow even harder. I don’t know how much longer I can hold back. It’s been so damn long since I’ve been with her, but I want to savor every moment with her. I can’t get enough of how she feels around me.
I release her breast and she’s staring at me with a satisfied look on her face. If this is what heaven feels like I never want to leave.
I push into her harder trying to send her over the edge again. When she starts trembling around me again I let go too. Falling on my side so I don’t crush her, I pull her closer to me.
“Umm... Peach?”
“Hmm?”
“We forgot to use a condom...”
“I’m on birth control. I’m clean. I had a check-up not too long ago.”
“Well... I don’t think I can ever go back to condoms now. You feel incredible. I don’t want any barriers between us.”
She snuggles up to me.
“I’m okay with that. I don’t want barriers either. Thank you for not giving up on me, Seth. Any other man would’ve walked away from me the way I treated you. Not you. You never stopped believing in me. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that.”
“You’ll learn soon enough that I’m a stubborn man. I go after what I want and when I saw you the first time, I knew I wanted you. No, correct that. I needed you. You’re everything to me. I hope you know that. Thank you for trusting me enough to open up to me tonight. It means the world to me.”
“I love you, Seth.”
“I love you too, Peach.”
With a smile on my face and the love of my life in my arms I fall asleep. Life doesn’t get better than this. I will fight every day to keep it that way. I got a taste of heaven and I refuse to let go of it. Faith is my lifeline. And I’m one lucky son of a bitch that she chose me.
Chapter 12
Faith
I feel a lot better after telling Seth about what my dad did to me. The only people I have ever opened up to like this are Caige, Skye, and Martha. It’s hard to talk about what I went through. This time it was different though. I want Seth to know the real me; no more secrets, no more hiding. I’m done letting my father define my life. Katherine is in the past and I’ll fight hard to keep her there. I’m a fighter. I won’t give up.
Seth and I are curled up in bed just enjoying each other. We have spent the last couple of days in bed. In three days I have to go back to work, back to reality. I don’t look forward to the moment I have to leave the bubble Seth and I have created since we got back from Germany. He has been amazing with me. Whenever I have a weak moment and break down, he is right by my side, comforting and calming me. I never imagined that I’d find someone who could affect me like that. When I’m with Seth the world fades out. It’s just him and me.
“What are you thinking about?” Seth gently nudges me.
“I’m thinking about how amazing these last few days have been. I still feel like I’m caught up in a dream and when I wake you’ll be gone. I don’t want to leave your side ever again. I also don’t want to go back to work in three days. I like our bubble.”
“Angel, you’re not dreaming. I’m right here with you. That’s exactly where I want to be until the day I die.”
I cringe. Thinking about death is still a sore subject. I almost lost Se
th in Afghanistan. I will never forget the hours of praying that he’d come out of this alive. I cried so much, I was sure I would run out of tears.
“Faith¸ look at me.” I look up into his hazel eyes.
“I know what you’re thinking. I promised you I would come back for you. I did. I’m here. You’re stuck with me. Don’t think about what could’ve happened. Think about what is. This is our chance. It’s you and me against the world. I’m not letting you go again.”
“That’s good because I’m not going anywhere. I’m in this for the long haul. When I almost lost you I realized that I’d rather risk you breaking my heart than spend another second away from you. I feel whole when I’m with you. That’s a feeling I have been lacking for a long time. You’re helping me heal and I know I can trust you to guard my heart.”
“Your heart is safe with me. I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
“I love you.”
“As I love you, Peach.” He leans down to kiss me. I melt at the feel of his soft lips. He starts pulling up my shirt but I push him away.
“Not again, you sexaholic. I’m sure I won’t be able to walk for days. I also need food. I’m starving.”
“I’m not hungry for food.” He starts trailing kisses along the sensitive spot on my neck. “I’m hungry for you.”
“Seth Jacobs, you’re terrible. Feed your woman.” I playfully slap his chest.
“Fine.” Seth is pouting at me. Laughter comes easy with him. I have never felt so free in my life. I don’t have to pretend around Seth. He loves me for who I am – flaws and all.
“What are you cooking for me?”
“One of these days I’m gona make you cook for me, woman. You always make me slave in the kitchen. I feel like our roles are reversed here.”
I fall into a fit of giggles. “They are. Unless you enjoy your food burned I highly recommend you don’t let me near an oven.” I’m not lying - I’m a disaster in the kitchen. One time I set off all the fire alarms. The local fire department came out to check on me. They thought the house was burning. Skye still doesn’t let me live that one down. Microwavable meals are as far as my skills go. There’s no telling how I survived when I was left to fend for myself. Then again, it’s not like we ever had fancy groceries in the house. Most of my meals consisted of soup and bread.
I shake the thoughts from my head. There’s no need to go back there.
Pulling on my favorite yoga pants and one of Seth’s shirts I head into the kitchen. Caige is sitting at the island with tons of Chinese takeout spread out.
“You’re my favorite BFF ever. Don’t tell Skye I said that.” I hug him.
“I figured you guys would be hungry when you finally made it out of the bedroom.” He winks at me.
“Damn right we have worked up an appetite.”
“Ick. Stop. No details please. You’re like my little sister after all. I really don’t want to have to punch Seth.”
Sticking out my tongue at him, I say, “You’re the one who brought it up.”
“Very mature, Faith.” He laughs at me.
“She is, isn’t she?” Seth chimes in. I give him the finger. “Thanks for relieving me from kitchen duty, man. She was about to make me cook a five star meal.”
“You don’t even know how to spell five star meal...” I poke at him.
“F..I..V..E..” Seth starts.
“Stop. Okay, you can spell it.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Peach. I used to spend a lot of time with my nanny Amelia. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Well, it’s about damn time you show me then. All you have cooked for me are simple meals. Even Caige can do that.”
“Hey! Keep me out of this. I’m not the one who sets off fire alarms.” Shit. Caige is gonna tell Seth about that.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now hand me my food. Or do I have to kick your ass?” The guys know not to get in between my food and me. That’s where friendships end.
I grab a box of takeout while planting myself at the kitchen island.
“What are your plans tonight, Caige?” I ask in between bites.
“Nothing really. My DJ gig for tonight was cancelled. I figured I’d just stay home and watch movies.”
“Sounds like a plan. Seth and I will join you. Should I head to the liquor store and get some drinks? We haven’t kicked back in a while.”
“Sure why not.”
We hang out in front of the TV, drinking and having fun. Looking at the two most important guys in my life my heart almost beats out of my chest. I don’t know how I got here, but I won’t complain. If this is what happiness feels like I’d gladly take it.
“Let’s play some Rock Band,” Seth suggests. I look at him like he’s crazy. Clearly my boyfriend had too much to drink and needs to be cut off.
“Hell yes!” Caige agrees. It’s two to one. I have no choice than to participate in their craziness.
Seth sets everything up and soon we are jamming out to “Bat Country” by Avenged Sevenfold. Caige and I are on the guitars while Seth is singing his heart out on the microphone. We sound terrible, but yet the guys manage to kick my ass. I’m too drunk for this.
Hours later we have played “Again” by Flyleaf, “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback and various other songs. We switch it up every once in a while but mostly Seth is hogging the microphone. He’s totally in the zone with dance moves and all. More than once I cry laughing at him.
“Okay you two. I gotta go. I just got a text,” Caige excuses himself.
“You can’t drive anymore, Caige Aaron,” I slur out. Even drunk I’m still responsible enough not to let my friend drive.
“Trust me, I’m well aware of that. No worries, Stacey is picking me up.”
“Who the hell is Stacey? Never mind, don’t answer that. Ick. See you later.”
Seth insists that we keep playing after Caige leaves. I am so drunk that I’m actually having fun doing this. He puts on “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard and starts singing. When I look up from the TV I see that he’s dancing and trying to strip.
“What are you doing, Seth?” I laugh. Ignoring me he keeps up the show. I lay my guitar down to watch him. I’m presented with his glorious chest when he finally frees himself of his shirt. His eyes are still on me while he starts unbuttoning his pants. This could be interesting. I can’t help but giggle. He is so silly.
Trying to step out of his jeans he stumbles and falls to the floor. I lose it. I’m laughing so hard, I’m starting to cry. I can barely breathe when he manages to get off the floor.
Dropping his microphone, he hovers over me.
“What’s so funny, my love? You don’t like my little show?” His smile is infectious.
“Oh I enjoyed it. We’re gonna have to work on your stripping skills though.” I’m still laughing. That’s when he starts tickling me.
“Stop, Seth. Please stop!” I scream out in between tickles. He doesn’t let off me. “Please, Seth, I’m gonna pee myself!”
Finally, he stops and I try to catch my breath. I barely recover when he starts nuzzling my neck.
“You want me to stop this too, Peach?” he asks me.
“Please don’t.” The mood has shifted and I’m completely turned on. I push him up so he is standing in front of me.
I pull my shirt over my head. Seth’s breath hitches when he realizes I’m not wearing a bra. I slowly push down my yoga pants. I’m standing in front of him in nothing but my lacy boy shorts. His eyes are traveling up and down my body.
“Like what you see?”
“Fuck me. You’re so damn beautiful. I thank my lucky stars every day that you’re mine.”
“Well, how about you show me just how thankful you are?”
Finally he kisses me. Our kiss is hungry and full of promises. I gently bite down on his lip, knowing very well what it does to him.
“Oh my baby wants to play, does she?”
“Always.” I wr
ap my legs around him when he picks me up to carry me to the porch.
“What are we doing out here?”
“Bend over and hold on to the railing. Do not let go of it until I tell you to.” I just stare at him. Giving up control when it comes to sex is not easy for me. I crave to be in charge of what happens. Seth must be able to read my mind.
“Do you trust me, baby? I won’t do anything you can’t handle.” I know he won’t hurt me.
“What if someone hears us?” Caige’s house is out of view for others, but the neighbors could still possibly hear us.
“You’re just gonna have to be quiet.” He winks. I take a deep breath before I walk to the railing and position myself like he wants me.
“Fuck. What a sight. But I think it’s time to get rid of these,” he says as he pulls down my boy shorts. “Damn, your pussy is glistening with your juices.” Lowering his head to my opening he starts licking. A quiet whimper escapes me at the feel of his tongue on my clit.
“Shhh, baby, you don’t want anyone to hear us, do you?”
I throw my head back while he continues his slow torture. I feel the familiar pull and know I’m close to the edge. He pushes a finger inside of me and I lose it. Biting my lip, I try not to scream in pleasure. Before I can come down from my orgasm, he drives into me. I’m a little sore from all the sex we’ve had in the last couple of days, but soon the pain turns into pleasure as he pushes in and out of me.
“Do you feel this, babe? Do you feel the connection between us? Nothing has ever felt so good as being with you does. The way your tight pussy grips my cock, it’s incredible. I can’t describe what you do to me.” His dirty mouth turns me on.
He grabs my hands off the railing and puts them behind my back. Holding them in a tight grasp he thrusts in me hard and fast. When I think I can’t take it anymore he pulls out of me. Walking us to the chair he sits down.
Uncovering Peace Page 10
