Page 15 of Filthy and Fierce
I pull the tube of healing ointment from the pocket of my jeans and hold it up. “This should help you.”
She leans back and covers her face with her arm. “Ugh, I don’t even want to know how you know to do this.”
I ignore her and put the ointment on my finger. I slide it across her red skin, and she jerks at first but then sighs contentedly. I have to remind myself she’s hurt and she doesn’t need anything from me but soothing. After I’ve caressed the ointment into her skin, I put the cap on the tube.
Her voice is soft. “I shouldn’t have gone riding today… after last night.” She moves her arm so I can see her face. “This isn’t your fault. I’m the one that was stubborn. You told me I shouldn’t ride, and I did it anyway.” She blows out a breath. “I just don’t want you to think this is on you.”
I move to sit on the bed next to her. I put my hands on each side of her head. “I googled it. I knew you would be hurting, and when you left on the horse today, I searched online to see what could help you. It’s not because I have experience with this or anything… I’ve never cared enough to worry about this.”
She blinks up at me, and if I let myself, I could get lost in the blue of her eyes. She brings her hand up and cups the side of my face. I know I shouldn’t, but I tilt my face into her hand as if I’m yearning for her touch. Maybe I am.
Her voice is so soft, I have to lean down to hear her. “So what you’re telling me is that you care about me.”
The connection between us is strong, and I can’t look away. Hell, I don’t want to. I shouldn’t admit it. I should stick to the plan, but I feel myself nodding. “Yeah, Faith, I do care about you.”
She raises up, and I lower my head. I don’t know who moves first, but our lips meet in desperation. I tilt her head, deepening the kiss. Her arms hook around my neck, and I don’t want this feeling to ever end.
Her moan is what brings me to my senses, and I pull back. She doesn’t let go, though. Her hands are still around my neck, and we’re looking into each other’s eyes. I don’t want to explain to her again why this is a bad idea or why we shouldn’t do it, but I do put my hands on hers and unclasp them from my neck. “I should go to bed. We gotta be up early in the morning.”
She opens her mouth but closes it quickly before nodding.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
I sit here, waiting, and I’m being a fool. I should just get up and go, but I don’t want to leave or walk away from her. She must see my indecision because she gestures to the door. “Go ahead. You’re riding tomorrow. You really should already be in bed.”
I nod, lean down, and give her a quick kiss before abruptly pulling away and standing up. Kissing her is an addiction.
I get to the door, and she sits up. “Thanks for… you know.”
She gestures to her lower body, and I nod. “You’re welcome, princess.”
I force myself to walk out of her bedroom, and as I walk to mine, I know I’m not going to be getting much sleep tonight with Faith just down the hall.
CHAPTER 10
FAITH
“Hey, Dad!” I say the next morning.
It looks like I’m late again because animals have been fed, supplies have been loaded, and trucks are ready to go.
“Hey, honey. You about ready to go?”
I hold the strap of my bag up. “I’m ready.”
He points to the truck behind his. “Dixon chewed Carl a new ass this morning, so he’s riding with me. You want to ride with us or you want to try your chances with Dixon? Just a warning, he’s in a mood.”
At that moment, Dixon walks around the truck. On sight, my body reacts to him. I’m not sure why I do it, but I know I want to spend time with him. “Dixon, you care if I ride with you?”
He looks between me and my dad. “Yeah, sure. You can ride with me.”
I don’t give him a chance to change his mind. As I’m walking to his truck, he grabs my bag off my shoulder. He follows me around to the passenger side and opens the door for me. Idon’t hide my surprise, and as I climb into the truck, he leans in. “I told you that you were dating the wrong men, princess. Your man should open your door for you.”
Before I can ask him if he’s my man, he shuts the door and then puts my bag in the backseat.
Dad and Dixon talk for a minute, and then we’re on our way to Whiskey Valley. I turn in my seat. “Soooo… what happened with you and Carl this morning?”
Dixon grips the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. “I don’t want to talk about Carl.”
