Unbound Faith (Bulletproof #1)

by J. L. Baldwin

  It wasn’t a creepy feeling, but more of a warm, sensual feeling. Sarah must have refilled my coffee when I wasn’t paying attention because I lifted the cup to my lips to take a sip and during my sip, I looked over the cup and caught a glimpse of the same familiar muscles, and tattoos, and those beautiful blue eyes from the mirror behind Sarah. Oh. My. God. No way it wasn’t, it couldn’t be, but it was. He grabbed his drink from Sarah who only smiled sweetly at him. Obviously, she doesn’t remember him like I do. I saw him thank her before he turned around then spotted me. When his eyes find mine, a huge flirtatious smile spreads across his face when he picks me out of the crowd. Then as if I’ve summoned him, he starts over to me, devouring me with his eyes with each and every step he takes.

  Triple crap.

  Chapter 9

  Jayde

  As he strides over, my eyes assess him as he makes the slow and torturous walk over to me. I can’t help but take in his tailored suit, navy blue and a bright red tie. The color reminds me of a red Corvette; sleek and sexy, just like him. A girl can do so many things with a tie. And now my thoughts are wondering into inappropriate territory again. His eyes never leave mine as he walks over like a lion stalking its prey. The way his eyes take on a predatory stance makes my entire body hum with delight.

  When he stops at my table, his lips curl slightly upward. “So we meet again.” He says, showing perfect white pearls when he smiles. It’s taking a lot of self-control not to lean up and kiss him but I hold back. That would be a very horrible first impression. Or actually a third since we’ve already met.

  “H…hello Z…or is it…?” Shit, I still don’t know his name. His light chuckle sends shivers down my spine as he takes a sip of his drink. “You’re still not getting my name princess. I told you when I damn well feel like it.” He sits down opposite of me in the booth without being invited and sips on his coffee and my eyes sweep over how delicately his tongue darts out to lick his lips to erase any traces of coffee that had slipped down.

  “Now you say that as if we will see each other again.” I reply, taking a sip of my coffee. He looks at me with a burning intensity, and his eyes dart down to my lips then back up to my eyes. “Well, I just met you the other day and we’ve already met two more times. Besides, I’ve already got you figured you out.” He demonstrates what he means by pointing to his temporal while not taking his eyes off of mine. I can’t help but get the chills at his stare down.

  “How could you have already figured me out? You’ve known me less than a week.”

  Z brings his coffee to his lush lips and takes a small sip before sitting the cup back down, assessing me. Discovering what makes me tick in the only way a man can.

  “Oh, I’ve figured out more than enough of what I needed to know.” He says, smirking.

  Appalling. Disrespectful. Asshole. Yep, those three words describe this guy right here. And I was getting pissed off that he thinks he knows so much about me. Well time to put it to the test. “What’s my favorite place in the entire world?” He looks up at me puzzled, and confused choking on his coffee. “Excuse me?” Crossing my arms across my chest, my nostrils flare as my anger grows. “You said you know me. I’m testing you.”

  “Hmm interestingly enough. Alright, let’s see. Your favorite place in the entire world is New York City. You want to live there because you feel like the old saying goes, if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. Am I right?”

  My mouth drops open. How the hell did he know that? “How did you know I wanted to move to New York City?” I ask.

  “Because the fact that your bag had the Statue of Liberty on it. Your shirt had the Empire state building on it. Oh and the fact that you confirmed it proves my point.”

  “You’re an asshole.” I say, and he smiles.

  “That may be true princess, but I’m one that you’re going to be seeing a lot of. You can bet your cute little ass on that.” He stands up as if he just finished a meeting while straightening up his suit and tie. My eyes dart to his hands flexing around his tie. Those hands, covered in only a few tattoos, look like they can do so much to a woman. Z discards his paper cup into the trash but before he turns back around, I decide to speak up.

  My curiosity gets the better of my judgement. This guy was a grade A asshole but I needed to know more about him. “Will I ever learn your name?” At my question, he turns back around to face me. The scent of his cologne surrounds me, capturing my senses and I can’t move. Leaning down, his face is mere inches from mine when he disregards my question by placing a soft kiss on my lips. Tender yet demanding, letting me know he will get more when he damn well pleases. And my body reacts by leaning into his kiss. It isn’t until a wolf whistle from across the room breaks him free from my lips which I instantly miss. Damn college kids.

  “Not yet princess…in due time, you will.”

  He turns and walks out the door of the coffee shop without another word. There’s something I never want to lose the feeling of. His lips on mine. It was like my body erupted and was on fire. When I come back down to earth, Sarah squeals and scoots in next to me into the booth. “Girl, oh my god, who was that?” She asks me, speaking softly enough for only me to hear.

  Still reeling from the euphoria of his kiss, I dive straight into the details. “I met him on the beach the other day then at the bar the other night. I haven’t been able to get his image out of my brain. It’s like it’s etched there forever, not that I’m complaining.

  “That’s the bartender from that bar we went to? And you saw him shirtless? Oh god, was he just as hot?” She asks me, getting all excited making me smile. “Much hotter but that’s beside the point. After he kissed me, I felt…god I can’t explain it.”

  Sarah jumps up out of the booth, still jumping up and down. “Okay, let me clock out and then tell me everything, okay?” I nod and she goes over to the time clock and pushes her card into the timer so it records the time she left. Grabbing her purse, she walks back over, more like jogs back over to me and scoots back into her same spot. “You got the scoop on Mr. Tall dark and sexy who walked out the door?

  I nod happily. I hope she has all night because this is going to take a while.

  Chapter 10

  Jayde

  As I began the dirty details on Z, my eyes stayed glued to the door where he just walked out. He’s like the shiny new toy that I want to play with over and over again. “Jayde! Hello? What are you thinking about?” I ignore her question. There’s something about him that I can’t stop thinking about. Maybe it was the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the entire world. These feelings were strange, even to me. Somebody who has no experience in this particular area.

  “You want me to lie or the truth?” I joke, finally answering her burning question. My mind was elsewhere. It was always elsewhere. Stuck in the gutter.

  “Well, you can do either one. He’s your man after all.”

  “Whoa, hold up. He is not my man. Never was, and never will be. Hell, I don’t even know his name. I only have a single letter. Z.” I reply and as much as the very thought made me smile, I had to be realistic. He was never going to be mine. Never. Sarah grabbed my hand and forced me to look into her eyes. Before, I wouldn’t even listen to a word she said. As I got older, I got smarter and learned to listen to her more.

  “Sweetie listen, I know deep down there is a tiny part of you that wants to explore. And when I say explore¸ I mean ‘explore’ him.” She smirks. “But you have got to stop putting yourself down like that. He will be yours if you want him to be. Be assertive. Tell him what you want. Guys like a girl like that. Trust me, I know.”

  “What happened to me telling you all about him and this not turning into a pep talk?” I ask, trying to keep my anger to a standing point. It was obvious he drove me insane, and I only met him twice. Not cool for somebody who is always calm and collective.

  “Well it seems to me your ass needed a pep talk. Go out and let loose. You’re twenty-six, try to live a li
ttle.” She replies, shifting in the booth so half of her gaze is on me and the other half can look around the shop.

  “Jayde, look around. What do you see?” I turn my body in the booth so my eyes sweep around the shop and I shrug my shoulders. College kids filled the booths and tables all around the café enjoying themselves¸ not having a care in the world until it was time to head back to class and back to adulthood. “Kids. College kids. Enjoying their spring break.” A loud bang hits the table and I jump. Sarah nudges me as she slams her hand down onto the table again. “Bingo, but what else?” My eyes sweep around the shop again and I shake my head. “Not a clue. What are you getting at?”

  “I’ll tell you what I see. I see college kids out there living their life, away from text books and classes. And don’t get them confused by the stereotypical college kid. I’ve spoken to a few of them and their main objective is to have fun and let loose, but do it responsibly. Hell, I wish I was responsible at that age, but I wasn’t. Which is why I’m working at a café.”

  “You don’t have to be working in a coffee shop, you chose to work here.” She looks over at me disappointed. “I don’t want to live off of daddy’s money forever. Yes he left it to us in his will but I don’t want to be that girl. The one who mooches off her dead fathers fortune and doesn’t do anything with her life.”

  Taking a sip of my coffee, I nod. “Yeah, but you had the option to go to college, to get a better job than this.” I sweep my arms around, gesturing to the entire room. She hates it here, I can tell. But she’s too stubborn to go anywhere else. I scoot towards the edge of the booth but Sarah grabs my hand before I exit. “Listen. Just please take into consideration what I said. I’m going to go shopping later on, you’re welcome to come with me. I think it would be good for you.”

  As good as that offer was, I had to refuse. I’d rather finish off the rest of the day doing what I do best. Trying to finish up with a juicy story to feed to the newspaper so I’ll be able to become an award winning journalist. Journalist. That email. “Holy shit.” I whisper. Sarah looks back up at me confused as I sit back down into the booth and pull my laptop out. Usually my emails, especially fan mail are confidential, but this one I have got to show to Sarah so she can see how appalling this guy was. That’s exactly how he was, but he was exciting. And I wanted to know more. Craved to know more.

  I smiled as her eyes bulged reading the email and her hand flies up to cover her mouth. “Oh my god! Is he serious? He can’t be serious. You mean to tell me there is a guy out there, who seems to me like he is your biggest fan…and wants to take you a hundred different ways? Need I say more??” She asks as she wriggles her eyebrows up and down and I gasp. “I can’t believe you!! This guy could be a creeper for all we know.”

  “Or he could be some insanely hot, intense ugh, words can’t describe it…and he’s looking to meet you. This could be your chance!” I look at her like she’s lost her mind, which she probably has. “Are you crazy? Hooking up with a total stranger not to mention the fact that he is a fan of mine, doesn’t really shout professionalism now does it?” Without another word, I shut my laptop and slide it back into my bag. Showing her that email was a mistake.

  “This is exactly the kind of shit I’m talking about. You’re scared.”

  She assumes and I shake my head. “Nope not scared, overly cautious.”

  “I call bullshit on that. He intrigues you and you know it. Tell me there isn’t a part of you deep down that isn’t curious, isn’t wondering how amazing this guy is, in and out of the bedroom.”

  “I’m not curious at all.” I lie. That was a total lie. No way would she believe that.

  Sarah smiles in spite of herself. “Again, I’m calling bullshit on that one. Quit lying to yourself and do something.”

  Maybe an excuse will help deter her attempts at this insane idea. “Can’t like somebody if you don’t know his name.” I reply, gaining some of my control back from rereading that email. Even though it’s the second time I’ve read it, it still sent shivers down my spine. I am pretty sure that this guy isn’t going to stop at only one email.

  “Are you talking about Z, or email mystery guy?” She asks me.

  “Ha ha, both to be honest.” I sink back down into the booth in defeat, embarrassed as my face blazes crimson. Sarah takes both of my hands in hers, squeezing gently. “Reply to the email dude, right now. Give him what he seeks. Then, work on the other one. Who knows what avenue you may venture down?” She picks up her purse and slides out of the booth then turns back to me. “At least think about it?” She asks before she walks out of the shop. I hadn’t even realized she had her stuff in the booth beside her. No wait, she grabbed her stuff before we talked. Damn, I really am losing my mind. After Sarah left, I realized that I haven’t told her much about him. I guess I’ll fill her in later. As soon as I can figure Z out, then I can explain him to other people. There wasn’t a whole lot to figure out. He was handsome, and charming, and had a dominating persona from what I could tell. Or was I confusing him with email mystery guy? Either way, I had to figure out something. So I opened my laptop back up, opened my email inbox, and hit reply.

  Dear Fallen Angel

  Shit, what do I say? I guess I should just let my fingers do the talking.

  Thank you for your kind email. And I appreciate you taking the time reaching out to me, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. You see, there is too much explicit detail in your email and I do not know how it got through our filter but…

  Okay, redo. That is too much like a rejection. I’ve never turned down a fan letter and I’m not about to start now. I erase everything and start over.

  Dear Fallen Angel,

  Thank you for your kind and thoughtful email. It was very intriguing and delightfully detailed. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a bit of a dominant man but that’s okay. There’s nothing better than a man who knows what he wants and if he wants to have his hands wrapped around the soft locks of a woman as he pounds into her from behind, then so be it. Be the man that any girl would love to have. There would come a point in time when you have to step up to the plate and be that guy. The one who every girl falls for. Be more assertive if you crave the control of a good woman. You will have no problem getting a woman if you have that possessive attitude.

  And from my personal perspective, I do like a man to take control and be dominant over me. I too wish to be taken like that, so that is what I personally think. And we’ll leave the fucked so hard I see stars bit out. That might be going a bit overboard. Even though that’s intriguing all in itself. ;)

  Take care

  ~Jayde

  And I hit send. No proofreading, no editing, I immediately send it and stop breathing right there. Now the real fun begins.

  Chapter 11

  Zac

  Why do I keep putting myself through this? She deserves more than some ranging horny asshole taking up her time. First the beach, then the bar, and now the café and now that damn email is haunting me. I can’t believe I’m putting her through all this. I head back to the office after leaving the coffee shop. I had to leave before I did something stupid. The ping of a new email filled the small office space around me. A million scenarios flood my mind on what that email could possibly say. Sitting down my coffee, I want to throw the hot liquid across the room and say fuck it and bail on the whole mission. Jayde’s name popped up as the latest email and I smiled despite the sick feeling I had of pretending to be some sex god. Or a sex god with a poetic persona.

  “Shit.” I mutter to myself as my fingers struggle to tap the keys to open the email. Fuck, if this girl doesn’t drive me crazy, I don’t know who does. Granted I’ve only just met her but reading her articles, I wanted to find out so much more.

  But I will destroy her. I know that much. Taking her and making her mine will be a challenge, but one I’m up for. My mother always said to fight for what you want. But if it was the last thing I do, I was going to do it. She would be mine. Never be
fore has something been this hard to obtain. The minute I saw her, all chocolate haired and ivy green eyes, I knew exactly what I wanted, and what I needed. She changed what sated the beast deep down inside. All he wants and craves is to claim what he thirsts for. Ever since I met her, all I can think about is how the hell I can get her into my bed. Fuck, if I didn’t get hard just thinking about her, about how she must feel as she is riding me over and over, screaming my name. God I needed fucking help.

  The taste of her lips on mine, made my cock swell in my jeans and I fucking knew I was in for it. Yeah I sound like a fucking pussy, but damn if I didn't want her…no I needed her like the air I breathe. Before I entered that coffee shop, I sensed she was there. It’s as if my soul was calling out to her, saying to come find her but she…

  “Ow! Fucking hell, what was that for?” I groan angrily, bending down to pick up the book that was hurled at the back of my head. Craig, my partner and supposedly dearest friend chuckles loud behind me. Fucker.

  “To bring you out of your haze there Z, you really need help. God I can’t imagine what you were thinking about. Maybe a brown haired curvy goddess perhaps?” I picked up the book and chucked it back at him.

  “There chuckles, now you know how it feels. And I wasn’t.” I wave him off. “Leave me the hell alone.”