Finding Faith (18 page)

Exiting the room, his mind was filled with thoughts of Faith and how she looked lying in his bed. He’d never seen anything sexier than her curled up, waiting for his return. The smile that spread over his face couldn’t be contained. This would be one night where he and Madison would eat dinner and complete her bedtime routine very quickly. Because for the first time in a very long time, Cooper was looking forward to going to bed early.
 

Three hours later, Cooper found himself sitting in the wingback chair in the corner of his room. For the past hour, he had watched Faith sleep. And thought about the future they would build together. One of them would have to sell their house. Smiling to himself, he knew she would fight him tooth and nail on that. He was actually looking forward to it.
 

It was mostly dark in the room. The heavy bedroom drapes were pulled back and the sheer curtains allowed the moonlight to seep into the room. Watching her in the quietness of the room, he hadn’t wanted to move or make any noise. Whether she wanted to or not, she was going to get some rest. Although he wanted nothing more than to climb into bed with her and pull her body close to his, he waited.
 

His entire life had changed in the blink of an eye and it was all because of Faith. Things had looked so bleak for him for so long. He had been worried that he was losing himself to the darkness and the only thing keeping him connected to the light had been his little girl.
 

Now, here he sat months later, in the semi-darkness of his bedroom and he felt at peace. Everything he needed was right here under one roof. She had given him someone to dream of a future with again. For that reason alone, he would not disrespect her and climb into his bed without her permission. Watching over the woman who made him live again, his chest felt tight at how close he had come to losing her.
 

No matter how long it took, he would sit here and wait for her. Until she opened her eyes and welcomed him into his bed and into her arms, he would sit and watch over her. Protect her. Love her.
 

Standing up from the chair, he moved to the window and looked out at the neighborhood. Street lights reflected on the street, casting the neighborhood in shadows.
 

It was time to let go of Heather. Madison would always know who her mother was. Her memory would be kept alive through their daughter. He would make sure of that. What they had was good and he knew that his love for her, and hers for him, had been real and true. But it was time for him to let go of the past and move toward his future. With Faith.
 

Goodbye, Heather.
 

A rustling sound came from behind him. Assuming Faith was just shifting positions, he didn’t immediately turn around. Not until he heard her voice break the silence of the room.
 

“Cooper?”
 

Turning to her, he began walking over to the side of the bed, “Hi, sleepyhead.”
 

She stretched and turned over on her back, her skirt riding up on her body from the movement. His breath hitched at the sight and he froze in place. Palms itching to touch her skin, he ached to reach out and touch her, to rub his hand along the expanse of her exposed thigh.
 

He chose instead to keep some distance between them, “You fell asleep on the couch and I brought you upstairs. You’re worn out, sweetheart. You’re not getting enough sleep, Faith.”
 

“Oh, I’m sorry, Cooper. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. What time is it?” She asked as she moved into a sitting position on the bed.
 

“It’s just after ten. Madison’s been in bed for a couple of hours now.” Still not moving, he was afraid to do anything that would make her decide to leave.
 

Looking at the digital clock on his nightstand, she began to stand up, “Oh, that’s not good.” Her eyes took in the rest of the room, “Cooper, is this your bedroom?”
 

“Yes, I figured this would be the most comfortable place,” he said.
 

Giving him an odd look, she stepped away from the bed and pointed to the restroom. “I’ll be right back,” she said while making her way to the room.
 

Cooper, didn’t move. He simply turned to watch her walk away and then turned his eyes back to the window. That feeling was in his gut again, but this time he knew exactly what it meant. Tonight was a turning point in his life. Whatever decision Faith made once he said what he had to say, would be okay. It would not change the course of the path he was on. But it might force him to change tactics.
 

Even so, he knew that his life was going to change tonight. This time, for the better.
 

After a few minutes, he heard the water on in the sink for a few seconds and then Faith exited. Her skirt was wrinkled and her blouse pulled free of the waistband. Barefoot and beautiful, he looked at her with the eyes of a man in love. In that moment, he knew he would do anything and everything to keep her by his side.
 

Her tongue came out to wet her lips and his pants got a little tighter. Damn. “Do you want a nightshirt to sleep in?”
 

“Huh? Um, no, I should be leaving.”
 

“Why is that?” Mindful of how the question may sound to her, he kept his voice low.
 

“Cooper, this is your bed...and your house. I should really go home. Plus, I have a long day tomorrow,” she said. Although her mouth said the words, her legs weren’t moving toward the door. Cooper took that as a good sign.
 

“Don’t leave, Faith,” he whispered.
 

The silence in the room was deafening. After what seemed like minutes, but he knew were only seconds, she responded.
 

“Why should I stay?” Even in the darkness of the room, he heard the surprise, and the anticipation, in her voice. Her eyes looked at him and he wanted to beat his chest and yell out to the world that she belonged to him.
 

“I’m asking you not to leave me. Not tonight,” his voice was husky and raw with need. “I like seeing you in my bed. I like knowing that you’re under the same roof as I am. I want nothing more than to come up to our room at night and see you lying here. I need that, Faith.” Pausing for a second, he poured all of his need for her into one sentence and prayed she would understand, “I...need...you...with...me.”
 

The intensity of his words surprised even him, but he knew that he had never spoken a truer statement. Finally moving over to stand in front of her, he simply took her in. Inches away from her, he looked into her eyes, allowing her to see underneath all the layers that had been built up over the years.
 

“Let me have you tonight,” he whispered as he bent to kiss her softly on the lips. What he didn’t say, was that he wanted her for tonight and every night after. “I need you. And you know you need me, too.”
 

Ever so slowly, he reached up and started to unbutton her blouse. Faith didn’t move, she simply stood in the middle of his bedroom as he undressed her.
 

“Cooper…” she pleaded.
 

“Faith,” he breathed out. “You have to let me do this my way, sweetheart.”
 

“But what about…” words seemed to fail her as he brushed a kiss on top of one breast. One of his hands came up slowly to grasp the other one, his rough palm rubbing across her distended nipple. Moving his hand slightly, he brought his thumb and forefinger together and squeezed her nipple through her lacy bra. It quickly pebbled up in attention, seemingly to beg for more of the sensation.
 

“This is our night, Faith. Just you and me. No one else.” Placing a kiss on her lips, he pressed closer to her, giving just a hint of the desire that was percolating just below the surface. “This is our beginning, baby. No more looking back. It’s you and me.”
 

Noticing the water well in her eyes, he wanted to scream out at the pain he was feeling at the moment. So much hurt he had caused her, all from his indecisions. “Don’t cry, baby. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
 

Her body seemed to relax as she picked up the meaning of his words. “I know, Cooper. You’re right, tonight it’s just you and me,” she whispered back to him.
 

Continuing his efforts, he reached around her body and unhooked her bra. All the while, he was nibbling along her lips, chin and neck. After tonight, there would be no doubt in her mind
that she was all he wanted, all he needed. His life was starting over, and she would be front and center.
 

His head lifted and he just stared at her, looking into her eyes glazed over with lust. God, he wanted nothing more than to surge inside of her body and take her for hours. All he wanted to hear were her screams of passion. All he wanted to feel was her walls convulse as she released her cream on his cock, soaking both of them in the juices created from their love.
 

Love? Yeah, he sure as fuck loved this woman.
 

And although she hadn’t said it to him in return, he didn’t mind waiting. Every action, every word, every glance, proved to him that she loved him just as much. His Faith would never give so freely of herself, removing all of the barriers guarding her heart, for a man that she didn’t love. Not like this.
 

Cooper grabbed the waistband of her skirt and pulled it down her hips. Faith’s hands had been gripping his arms, but went to his shoulders when she had to step out of the garment. He threw the skirt over his shoulder, not caring where it landed. Leaning in, he placed a kiss on each of her thighs, just inches away from her moist heat.
 

Her intake of breath hinted at just how much she wanted this as well.
 

While still kneeling in front of her, he reached up and grabbed her hot pink satin underwear and pulled them down her body. The wetness from her slit could be seen as he pulled the material away from her body. Damn, he thought as his mouth watered, I can’t wait to taste her. That would come later. At the moment, all he could think about was getting inside of her.
 

“You’re so beautiful, baby. Do you know how long I’ve wanted this? How long I’ve needed you?” Loving words spilled from his mouth as he continued to place tiny kisses along the skin he had already bared to his gaze. Her thighs, the area just above her mound, her slightly rounded stomach, her beautiful firm breasts, her neck and finally her lips. Delving his tongue deeply into her mouth, she tasted so sweet to him. He would never get enough of this. Of her.
 

Sliding one hand down her naked body, he reached her dripping sex and was tempted to drop to his knees and lap up the juices pouring from her body, but refrained. As he felt Faith unravel as his fingers played along her slit, reaching for the bundle of nerves that would bring her such ecstasy, he refused to move away from his position. His main priority for tonight included sliding his cock inside of her and making sure he was forever imprinted on her.
 

He slid one finger inside of her and her mouth opened in a gasp. Rising on her toes, she tilted her body, allowing his finger to go deeper. Their kiss became messy as their passion rose and he dipped a second finger inside.
 

Her body seemed to suck his fingers inside and his cock began to weep with pleasure. Fighting the urge to take her standing up, he lifted her into his arms, her legs straddling his waist. Her moist heat seeping through the material of his slacks. He walked them over to his bed and laid her down. Her arms reached out for him as he went around to the foot of the bed, “Don’t stop, Cooper.”
 

“Oh, I won’t. You can count on that,” he growled as he quickly removed his clothes.
 

Her eyes got big as she saw him naked and in all of his full glory. “All for you, baby.” Kneeling on the bed, he crawled up so that he was lying in between her legs. Just as he’d always
dreamed of. Looking down at her, he said the words that would change everything, “I love you, Faith.”
 

Heart expanding with all the words and declarations she wanted to say, Faith knew that could come later. Right now, all she could do was return the words that Cooper had given to her.
 

“I love you, too, Cooper,” she said as he crawled toward her on the bed.
 

For a moment, he just stopped and stared at her. “Do you mean it?”
 

“I’ve loved you almost from the beginning. You were all I wanted or needed. My fear held me back,” she responded.
 

Leaning back as he lay his body on top of hers, she moaned in pleasure. First contact of full body skin-on-skin and it felt like heaven. Dipping his head, he captured her lips and began kissing her as if his life depended on it. Not to be outdone, she gave just as good as she got. Her hands grabbed him and pulled tight. Her legs spread wide in abandon.
 

When he broke the kiss and moved to her breasts, suckling and nibbling on them, she keened in pleasure. His mouth should be labeled a lethal weapon. “Oh, Cooper, that feels so good,” she couldn’t hold back the gasps and moans.
 

She felt one of his hands moving down to the apex of her thighs and almost hyperventilated as her body tensed in anticipation. He dipped one finger between her labia, separating her slick folds with one thick digit. Rubbing the hardened nub resting between her slick labia, his finger stroked up and down, moistening itself on the juices escaping her body.
 

“Oh! Oh! Yes, Cooper,” she exclaimed in ecstasy.
 

Just then, he switched from one breast and moved to the other, his wicked mouth suckling her nipple deep into his warm mouth. Her hips swiveled and she writhed on the bed, begging for him to do something more, to go deeper. As she opened her mouth to beg and plead for release, he dipped his middle finger into her dripping core.