Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2)
Page 37
I'm just squatting down and pouring Daisy's food in her bowl when I hear Ace say, “What is it with you refusing the simplest of orders?”
My eyes roll as I cautiously stand up and set the box of food on the counter. I see that he's standing several feet away, arms crossed as he watches me. He's been ridiculously bossy lately when it comes to protecting me. I've always known Ace is stubborn and a man of action, so I'd known that if he ever found out about Oliver, he'd go all alpha male on me.
“I'm not an invalid,” I point out.
His expression tightens. “No, you're not. But is it that hard to follow an order when it's in your best interest?”
My eyebrows rise. “Until recently, no.” I smile sweetly at him. “I have you to thank for that.”
Amusement flickers in his intense gaze before he outright glares at me. “When I say crawl under the cars and go for the door that means go for the goddamned door. You don't fucking stand up like you're in a damned whack-a-mole game so that you can get your head blown off.”
“I was worried about you,” I say defensively.
His expression softens as he walks over to me. “You scared the ever lovin' shit out of me.”
“I'd do it again in a heartbeat,” I say firmly. “It's you and me or not at all.”
He reaches out and runs the pad of his thumb over my lower lip. “The way it should be,” he agrees as he lets go of his anger towards me. “Let's get you in the tub.”
I allow him to lead me into the bathroom, and I see that the tub is filled almost to the top. He'd even added bubble bath, so there's a coating of fluffy bubbles across the top. “That looks like heaven to me,” I say longingly as I make a move to pull off my top, but wince when my elbows begin to bend.
“Let me.” Ace very gently eases my shirt over my head. While I stand motionless, he strips me down carefully until I'm completely naked. Then, he helps me step in the tub. I sink down into the bubbles, sighing as the warm water seeps into my skin. I'm careful to keep my elbows on the rim of the tub so the bandages won't get soaked.
Ace looks down at me with a hint of playful regret. “I'd be in there with you if you weren't hurting.”
“You should join me anyway,” I coax.
He shakes his head. “Our dinner was trampled in the parking lot, and I bet you're just as hungry as I am. You game for pizza?”
My mouth waters. “Definitely.”
“I'll go order it while you relax.”
I watch him disappear out the open door and spy Daisy peeking in at me, her green eyes looking curious. I usually take showers, not baths. This is a new sight for her. I smile as she cautiously enters the bathroom and sniffs the scented air. She quickly decides I'm not doing anything interesting and takes off, tail perked up as she goes in search of Ace.
Ace is back a couple minutes later, and he walks over to settle on the bathroom floor next to the tub. His eyes scans my body beneath the scattered bubbles, and he gives me a wicked look. “Need help washing anything?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Sex is never too far from your thoughts, is it?”
“Not when you're around,” he says with a grin before his eyes drop to my lips. “That tongue of yours is going to pose some interesting problems for the next few weeks.”
My heart sinks as I realize for the first time that I won't be experiencing any of Ace's seductive kisses until it heals. When I’d bit my tongue in the parking lot, I’d bit it damned good.
“Faith?”
“Hmm?” I ask as I gaze at him with heavy-lidded eyes. The warm bath has me feeling relaxed and comfortable.
“Now that you're safe, do you want me to move my shit back to my apartment?” he asks lightly, his eyes searching mine intently.
“I'd rather you stay,” I say, my eyes locking on his.
Life's too short to be hesitating over something that makes complete sense. Most people would probably consider living together after less than a month of dating to be rushing things. I don't agree. I think we're right on track.
Ace grins. “That's good since I had absolutely no intention of moving out.”
I give him an impish look. “You do realize that you're going to have to meet my family, right? Maybe we could fly to Harrison this coming weekend instead of driving down the coast.”
His gray eyes widen with comical horror. “This weekend? Already? Babe, your dad hates me right now. Can't we wait until this whole thing blows over for a bit before I have to face him?” He looks at me with adorable uncertainty. “I'm not sure how to get myself out of the doghouse where he's concerned.”
“You'll be fine,” I assure. “And I was kidding. I want you all to myself next weekend. But I do want you to meet my parents and Ben. They'll love you like I do,” I promise.
He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my lips. “I hope so, because I'm not going anywhere. It's you and me from now on. You're it for me, and I'm never letting you go,” he says as his gray eyes stare into mine with an assuredness that lets me know that we're going to be just fine. We might have more hurdles to overcome in the future, but Ace will always meet me halfway.
A sense of contentment washes over me, and I savor it. I feel complete and whole again. My past has now been put to rest, and I have a future with Ace to look forward to.
Life is good.
No.
Life is great.
Dear Reader,
I never truly understood how important book reviews are to an author until I became an author myself. They help offer more insight about the book for those that haven’t yet made up their minds if they’d like to purchase it. If you have a few minutes to spare before you move on to the next novel on your Kindle or reading device, please consider going to Amazon.com and writing a review. Thank you in advance to those of you who will choose to share your thoughts with other readers. As a self-published author, it is very much appreciated!! Also, whether you leave a review or not, thank you for purchasing this book. You, the reader, are the reason I continue to write.
Sincerely,
Dani Matthews
Jeremy’s story, Caged, is now available at Amazon.com. For further updates on upcoming novels, you can visit my author page at www.Facebook.com/DaniMatthews,author.