Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Faith spins around, a look on her pretty face I can’t quite decipher. “You’re leaving?”
“I had planned on it,” I say, unable to keep myself away from her any longer. Taking a step forward, I place one hand on her hip, while the other pushes strands of hair off her forehead. “I have an early morning team workout I have to be at, so I thought I’d let you get settled tonight and maybe sleep in. But I’ll be here by noon or so to start our weekend together.”
She smiles and relaxes. “Okay. That sounds good.”
Again, I step back and walk toward the door. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never leave. “There’s a continental breakfast downstairs, and here are the car keys,” I state, removing them from my pocket and setting them on the desk. “I kept the spare key card, but only for emergencies. If you’d prefer to have both, I’ll leave it.”
She’s already shaking her head. “No, you keep it.”
With a single nod, I reach for the door handle and give it a turn. “I’ll be here by noon,” I reiterate, most likely just to add a few more seconds of time with her. “Make sure you use the safety latch when I leave.”
She grins as she walks my way. “Yes, Dad.”
With a low growl, I mutter, “The things running through my head aren’t very fatherly, Faith.”
“No?” she asks, running her hands up my chest and resting the palms against my pecs.
I shake my head, unable to form words. I’m strung tight with desire, a need for her I’m not sure will ever be sated. “Good night, Faith,” I whisper softly.
“Good night, Chad. Thank you again. For everything. I’m really excited to spend these next two weeks with you,” she replies, going up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek.
I’d much rather have her lips on mine like earlier, but I’ll take this too.
At least for now.
“Lock up,” I insist once more before finally turning the handle and stepping into the hall.
“Night, Chad,” she repeats, grabbing the door. “See you tomorrow.”
I nod, standing still until she closes the door and I hear the locks engage. Only then do I head for the elevator, preparing for the short walk back to base.
It’s late.
Damn late.
Tomorrow morning is going to be brutal, but the lack of sleep will be worth it. Knowing she’s here, in California, is worth any loss of sleep I may experience over the next two weeks. I’m going to take advantage of our time together as much as I can, because I know it’s limited. Two weeks won’t be nearly enough time with her, this I already know, which is why I’m going to make the most of it.
And not think about that final day until it comes.
Because that day will be the one I lose my heart completely.
The day she returns home and takes it with her.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Faith
As soon as I engage the lock, I make my way back to the king-sized bed and plop myself face-first on the mattress. I don’t know what I thought tonight would be, but I didn’t anticipate being alone this soon. At least we had the drive, which was two wonderful hours of Chad time. I’m exhausted from the flight and need a shower. However, I know that if I don’t touch base with my parents, even though I’m an adult, my brother and best friend will be blowing up my phone and calling Fort Irwin demanding my whereabouts.
Okay, that’s a little far-fetched, but I don’t want them to worry, and I know they will.
With a heavy sigh, I climb off the bed and go in search of my phone. I decide to call my parents instead of texting. I know if it was me, I’d want to hear their voice. Just like I wanted to hear Chad’s.
“Faith!” Mom answers.
“Hey, Mom.” I chuckle.
“How was your flight?”
“Good. No issues. Chad met me at the airport, and I just got checked into my room. It’s about a two-hour ride from the airport to the base.”
“That’s what your dad was telling me. He looked it up when you told him where you were staying.”
Most girls my age would roll their eyes at that, but me, I just smile. I love that my parents care. When I told them that I was flying to California to visit Chad for two weeks, they told me to be safe, to have fun, to tell Chad hello, and to check in often. It’s not a hardship to let the people you love, and that love you, know that you’re okay.
“I knew he would.” I smile.
“How’s Chad?”
“He’s good. He’s in a new position, which is why he was moved to California from Texas, so he has a lot to learn, but he seems to be enjoying it. He’s already back at base. He has something in the morning, but we’re going to go out and explore the area tomorrow afternoon. He hasn’t had much of a chance to do that since he got here.”