Becoming Faith

by Joy Eileen

  During the daytime, we barely had time to say a couple words to each other before another urgent matter sprang up. Stealing a few kisses here and there when we had free time seemed to be the extent of our time together.

  Night was now my favorite part of the day. When we were finally able to escape our responsibilities and fall into bed, holding each other before we passed out from exhaustion.

  We were aware his life would become even crazier in LA, so we were trying to make the time we had together special.

  “Oh, hey, Killer. I didn’t know it was you,” I answered playfully.

  His eyebrow shot up on one side, silently showing me he knew I was full of shit. Somehow accepting that Kill and I belonged together made me even more in tune to his thoughts.

  My body reacted to him without my permission. He wreaked havoc on my system, tearing it in different directions. Part of me took comfort in the safety he provided, while the other was flooded with lust, always enveloped with love.

  “Funny.” His lips landed on my neck, sending tingles down my spine and straight to my core.

  “Shut up, Killer. I knew it was you.” I molded to his chest, soaking him in. I inhaled deeply, at peace that I would never get enough of his essence.

  “Damn straight you knew it was me, woman.”

  Laughter bubbled up at his arrogance. His hands landed on my ass, lifting me until the only option I had was to wrap my legs around him.

  “Did you sneak guys in your room in high school to make out with them?” he asked, a naughty expression lighting his face.

  “My dad was a cop when I was in high school. I was also a total nerd. I never even had a boy in my room. When Jason stayed here, my dad made him sleep in the office.”

  Kill’s arms snaked tighter around me when Jason’s name washed over my lips. I sucked on his bottom lip, nibbling on the plump flesh.

  Jason’s name was used less frequently. He hadn’t been able to reach me since we’d changed my number. His presence in our life was starting to fade. The PI Kill had hired ensured us he was still in the facility his dad had shipped him to. My reprieve was welcome and I refused to worry about him until there was a reason.

  “Wanna be my first?” I whispered in his ear, my voice breathless. I sucked on his earlobe, wishing I had enough time to allow my tongue to memorize his entire body.

  Weightlessness made my stomach jump. Kill turned around and launched us onto my bed, his mouth attached to mine, swallowing my screams. Not wanting to alert anyone to our whereabouts, I tried to stay quiet, but when Kill’s mouth made its way down my neck, soft moans escaped me without permission. My fingers threaded through his thick dark hair, securing him against my heated skin.

  “You’re going to get me murdered. The wedding’s about to start. Victoria will torture us if we mess with her plans. As much as I love you, Slick, I don’t think you’re worth being on the receiving end of Victoria’s angry rant.”

  While he tried to convince me we needed to behave like adults at my father’s wedding, his tongue said something completely different. He traced a path along my exposed collarbone. My double-crossing hips pushed into him. His erection dug into my stomach, showing me he wasn’t as restrained as he pretended. All thought escaped me when he kissed down the swell of my breast.

  Cool air rushed over me when he abruptly sat up. Goosebumps raised my skin. My eyes snapped open from the loss of his body heat. His gaze burned, devouring the top portion of my dress. His legs were positioned on either side of me, straddling my waist. My chest was the only thing visible to him.

  “Holy shit, you look fucking sexy. I think you should change.” His face darted around my room, landing on my closet. “Do you have anything in your closet you could wear? Your old nerd clothes?”

  “You’re seriously just now noticing what I’m wearing?”

  Devil cut dimples appeared on his cheeks. “I was preoccupied.”

  “I can’t change. This is the dress Martha picked out for me to wear as her maid of honor.”

  “Shit, everyone’s going to be thinking of you naked during the ceremony.”

  “Nobody’s going to be thinking of me naked while my dad and Martha are getting married.”

  “I will.”

  “Well, you’re a pervert.” I tried not to smile and failed. I tore my gaze from Kill’s dimples and allowed it to move down his body, realizing I was a hypocrite. I didn’t know what he was wearing.

  Without a doubt Kill in a suit was a deadly combination. It fit him like a glove, and I wanted to rename myself Isotoner. Holy shit, I needed to stop hanging out with Jet.

  The black suit jacket hugged his muscular frame. The crisp blue shirt matched his eyes. My hand reached up and rubbed the scruff on his chin, loving how it scratched my fingertips.

  “Damn, Killer. You shine up pretty nice.” My voice dropped an octave. My nipples seemed to be saluting him with their own version of a thumbs-up.

  “Oh, yeah? You like what you see?”

  I licked my lips, my eyes traveling up his body again while my hands connected with his firm abdomen.

  “Stop looking at me like that, Slick. I love Martha and your dad, but I’m having a hard time remembering why I need to stay for their wedding.”

  I cleared my throat, conscious of how incredibly inappropriate my thoughts were. I was at my dad’s wedding, for fuck’s sake.

  “You’re right. I got carried away.” The disappointment in my voice couldn’t be concealed, so I didn’t even attempt it.

  Kill’s half smile materialized both dimples now standing proud on his stubbled cheeks.

  “Don’t look so down. I’ll make it up to you.” He leaned in and kissed me lightly.

  Not one to miss a chance, I lifted my head, pressing my lips harder into his. My mouth opened to invite him in. Kill groaned, his tongue plunging into my mouth and taking control. His hands brushed over the sensitive tips of my breasts and we both inhaled sharply.

  “Faith, Kill. Are you in there?” Victoria’s voice broke into our heated session, reminding us once again we were not in the most opportune place.

  Kill pulled back and winked at me. “Yeah, I was just helping Faith. Her leg was giving her some trouble.”

  I shot him an you’re an asshole look as I pushed him off me, afraid if he stayed where he was we would miss the wedding.

  Or at least be late. Really late.

  “Did you happen to catch the number of the bus you just threw me under?” I hissed.

  “Oh, well, I need Faith to get into position. We’re about to start,” Victoria said.

  “I almost had her in position,” Kill whispered to the door.

  I burst out laughing at the evil eye he shot the door. “Later, Killer.”

  “You can count on it, Slick. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  His soft lips brushed across my nose before he moved to adjust himself in his pants. My shaky hands smoothed my dress down for what felt like the millionth time. When we were back together Kill opened the door. The grim set to Victoria’s mouth showed us she knew exactly how Kill was helping me with my leg. By trying to spread them. Yep, definitely needed less Jet time.

  Her observant eyes narrowed toward Kill. Without a care in the world he stood by the doorway with his half smile. Seeming immune to his charm, Victoria let out a huff. She grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled me down the hallway.

  “See you soon, Slick.” Kill’s voice followed me as Victoria led me away, putting a smile on my face.

  Martha was securing the veil when Victoria pushed me into the master bedroom, effectively shutting the door, and Kill, out. I caught Martha’s reflection in the mirror and smiled. Her face glowed with happiness. I could tell she was having just as much trouble as I was keeping the ever present smile at bay.

  “There’s my maid of honor.”

  I moved behind her to help with her veil.

  Martha had asked me to be her maid of honor after her daughter, Claire, refused
the position. Claire, and Peter, Martha’s son, were both boycotting the wedding. Not because their mom was remarrying, but because she had invited their father and his husband to the wedding.

  Martha’s ex-husband, Dave, had left them when they were younger for their male car mechanic. Dave wanted to be a part of his children’s lives, but they refused.

  “How’s your father?” Martha asked, turning from the mirror to face me.

  She was stunning. Her knee-length navy blue dress was cinched at the waist with a chunky red belt to accentuate her tiny figure. The dress clung to her hips and kept on hugging until it reached her knees. The top showed off her impressive cleavage, and I secretly hoped my girls looked as good as hers when I was her age. The veil was a little blue hat with lace covering her forehead. It was placed on top of her shiny blond hair, which was held back in a twist.

  “He’s doing fine. He’s nervous you’re going to run out of here.”

  Martha shook her head and dabbed the bottom of her eyes with the handkerchief. “Stupid man. I wouldn’t run from him. He wouldn’t know what to do without me.”

  I laughed and gave her a gentle hug, not wanting to wrinkle her dress. “We would all be lost without you if you tried to take off. I should warn you, all the boys would be after you. We love you. You look beautiful, by the way.” I let her go so I could check her out one more time.

  “Actually, you look amazing. I hope my girls look as good as yours on my wedding day.” Okay, so I wasn’t so secretly hoping.

  “You better not wait as long as I did to get married. I want my girls to look this good at your wedding. If you make me wait, gravity’s going to take hold.”

  “I have duct tape and superglue. You’ll be good.” My heart sped up at the mention of a wedding. My finger automatically went to the ring I hadn’t removed since Kill had slid it on for the second time. He’d said he would wait until I was ready to call it an engagement ring. I knew to him it was never anything else.

  “Come here.” She wrapped me in another hug and sniffled next to my ear.

  “Nope, no crying. You’re going to ruin your makeup.”

  “I know.” She dabbed her eyes again. “I’m just so happy. I love your dad so much. I’m just...happy.”

  “I love you, too. I’m so glad you and my dad are getting married. But no crying. There’s no crying in weddings.”

  The door opened. Victoria, in a flurry of attitude, walked in, saving our makeup from imminent ruin.

  “Okay, ladies. It’s time!” she exclaimed. The clack of her heels even had a no nonsense sound. “Faith, it’s time to strap those suckers on.”

  We both smiled as I pulled out the shoe box from under the bed and slid my new heels on. The dress Martha had picked out for me was the opposite of hers. It was red with a navy blue belt. Instead of hugging me down to the knees, Martha let me pick one where the skirt flared out at the waist. It was adorable and hit just below my knees.

  The shoes were made for this dress. I scared the woman in the shoe store when I squealed after spotting them. It probably didn’t help I was hobbling on crutches. I was ecstatic I finally got to show them off. They were navy blue with a red bow on the front. I loved them at first sight.

  Victoria and I both sighed when I stood up and checked them out in the mirror. She didn’t let me admire them as long as I wanted. She snapped me out of my shoe lust, stating it was time to go.

  Victoria lined us up, going over what we were supposed to do in intricate detail. She’d drilled this into our heads the past week, so I zoned out as she droned on.

  When it was time, we walked to the back door. The backyard I used to play in had been transformed into an elegant setting. Victoria may be one of the scariest women I’d ever encountered, but she was a miracle worker. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

  My dad, Kill, and the officiator were under a white arch adorned in blue flowers. There was a dance floor and DJ booth set up on the other side of the yard, ready for the reception.

  Victoria signaled that it was my turn to walk. I tightened my core before taking my first step, refusing to show I was still weak. Kill wasn’t going to be happy seeing me in heels. If I did anything in the slightest to show I was unstable, he would have no problem throwing me over his shoulder to my waiting father.

  My hope was he would be too stunned at how incredible they looked that he wouldn’t give me too much trouble.

  My dad and I smiled at each other when I reached him. I pecked him on the cheek, careful not to leave a lipstick mark, before settling into my spot. The music swelled, and my dad’s face lit up when he spotted Martha, the love he had for her shining through.

  I wiped at the tears falling down my cheek. Seeing my big strong dad tear up was too much for me to handle. Not wanting to be a blubbering mess, I looked away, giving my dad a moment with his bride-to-be.

  My eyes connected with the front row, afraid to look at Kill. Jet, Amy, D, and Van smiled at me when I spotted them. I fought my frown when my eyes scanned over Bailey. I kept reminding myself she was just a rebound for Van and wouldn’t be around too much longer. Jessie screwed him up when she left. When I finally got a hold of her, she would be on the receiving end of a lecture for once. Shaking off my negative thoughts, my eyes finally swept to Kill standing behind my dad.

  He gave his half smile and wiggled his eyebrows. I bit the inside of my cheeks to keep from giggling. Images of Kill and I standing together, getting married, flashed through my head, rendering me breathless.

  The ceremony was short and sweet. They both wrote their vows. By the time they were through, I was the blubbering mess I was trying to avoid.

  After the kiss, Martha and my dad were announced as husband and wife. Dad lifted Martha up in his arms and carried her into the house. Everyone applauded for them, while I tried to get my emotions in check.

  Chapter 2

  When the newlyweds finally showed their faces, the reception was in full swing. Victoria transformed the yard into a party atmosphere with the sweep of her hand. Her assistants scuttled around like little ants, removing chairs and dismantling everything no longer needed. My dad and Martha were glowing as they sat in the front table, overlooking all of their guests.

  Amy and I gathered around the table with the boys. Unfortunately, Bailey was glued to Van’s side.

  “Mom looks hot. I’m so glad they found each other. If anyone deserves happiness it’s them.” Jet stared at the happy couple with a serene smile on his face.

  The first night we arrived, Martha wiped something off Jet’s cheek with her finger. After he was clean, she patted him on the shoulder. His honey brown eyes glassed over from her gesture. To his credit, he cleared his throat and said ‘thanks, Mom’ before kissing her on the cheek. The title of mom stuck. In fact, all the boys seemed to consider my parents theirs.

  All of us stared at Jet in shock. Even Bailey took a moment from her complaining to look at him after his little speech.

  “What did I say now?” he asked when we continued to stare.

  Amy leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. “You didn’t say anything wrong. You’re perfect.”

  “Well, I’m a fucking genius,” he said, bringing her over to sit on top of his lap.

  Victoria did her snapping thing again and the dinner tables were cleared away. The newlyweds were summoned to the dance floor for their first dance. The boys surprised them with an a cappella version of their song, “Sea of Love” by The Honeydrippers. When their dance ended, the dance floor flooded with guests.

  “Take off those sexy shoes. I think you’ve tempted fate and me enough with those tonight,” Kill whispered in my ear.

  “I thought you would be mad when you saw me wearing them,” I admitted with a smirk, leaning down to take them off.

  “I wanted to be. I don’t want to see you get hurt after all the progress you’ve made.”

  “Why aren’t you mad?” I teased, placing my arms around his neck when we reached the dance floor
.

  He leaned in and kissed me, resting his forehead on mine. “Because you looked fucking hot in them.”

  I laughed at his response, moving to the music. The smell of the freshly picked flowers scented the warm night air. The night had a magical quality to it.

  Martha and my dad swayed next to her former husband and his partner. Both couples were talking, more than actually dancing. Martha’s face screwed up, and my dad looked at her with concern. It was obvious they were talking about their missing children.

  Martha excused herself, and I disengaged from Kill. “I’ll be waiting for you when you get back,” he said before I had a chance to explain where I was going.

  “You’re the best.”

  “Yeah, I know. Hurry up and come back. I’m ready to get you back to the hotel and have my way with you soon.”

  “What about dessert?”

  “Really? You’re going to set me up like that? You’re better than that, Slick.”

  I laughed and kissed him before hurrying off to find Martha. She sat on the bed in the master bedroom. Knocking gently to let her know I was coming in, I went to her.

  “Are you okay?” I put my arm around her.

  She laid her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I’m so happy. I feel guilty that I can feel so happy, when my kids refuse to acknowledge their father and now me.”

  “I promise, Martha, they’ll come around. You’re an amazing mother. I wish mine was like you. They just need some time to accept their parents are fallible. It’s a hard realization for a kid to have.”

  “Yes, but they aren’t kids anymore,” she huffed. Her shoulders relaxed, letting me know she was calming down.

  “We’re always kids when we think about our parents.”

  “You’re a smart cookie. You’ve had your dumb moments. Like when you were denying your feelings for a certain sexy rocker, but you came around. I’m proud of you. I would be honored if you thought of me as your mom. Hell, Jet and Amy already call me mom,” she said with a laugh.

  Tears sprung to my eyes and I squeezed her tighter. “All right, it’s settled. You’re my new mom. One I get to choose. Not the shitty one I was given. As for Jet, Amy, and the rest of the band, I think you’re stuck with them as well.”