Chapter 10
Brenden
Faith was in my arms, her lips inches away from my own. I didn't need sight to tell me we fit perfectly together. Over the chaos of the apologetic waiter and the crew cleaning up glass shards, I could hear her heart hammering in rhythm with mine.
"You're blushing," I told her.
"Oh my god, can you feel it? My cheeks get so hot." Faith struggled to unwind herself from my arms.
I settled for holding her hand. Even that was enough to keep the odd electricity pumping through from her to me. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time. Equal parts nervousness and excitement, like inching closer to the apex of a roller coaster hill.
"Want to get a little air?" I asked her.
She squeezed my fingers and I led her back to the elevator. The hostess followed, apologizing profusely, but I assured her we’d had a lovely time.
Before I could pull Faith into the relative privacy of the elevator, a photographer stepped up. "Quick picture, please?"
Faith tried to lean out of the frame but I held her close and smiled. The flash surprised me and I blinked hard against the light that had penetrated my eyes. Faith didn't pull away; instead she guided me gently into the elevator and kept her hand tucked in mine.
"You could see the flash?" she asked as the elevator started to move.
"Yes. I can see blobs, sometimes shapes. Mostly just shadows. In fact . . . Nevermind."
Faith lifted our joined hands. "Go ahead."
"Can I touch your face? It really does help."
She stood in the center of the elevator and laid my fingers on her cheek. I swept them over high cheekbones, a pert little nose, and her shyly smiling lips. Then I traced the graceful curve of her neck and down her soft shoulders. I could feel her trembling.
As my fingers traced down the length of her arms and intertwined with her hands, I leaned down. There was no hesitation. I could feel her shallow, surprised breathing, and my lips naturally found hers.
The kiss was gentle, hesitant, but it was setting off car alarms inside me. My mind fired off a fantasy of Faith against the wall of the descending elevator, and my hunger was so quick I had to pull back.
"Sorry. I'm so sorry. That was too forward," I said.
The elevator doors opened, and I could sense her confusion. She must have been just as flustered as me. I turned her around and pointed her in the right direction. Her hand trembled in mine as we crossed the foyer and the doorman bid us goodnight.
In the cool of the street, she turned to me and said, "Walk me home?"
"Sir?"
Faith jumped again and I whirled on Jasper, a smile on my lips. "You know, we've got it. We're going to walk. Don't worry, I think Faith's got everything under control."
“Very well, sir.”
Faith giggled and we quickly escaped down the block. There, around the corner we stopped. Faith stepped close to me again.
"What is it?" I asked.
Her lips answered with a soft press. I could feel her smiling and I kissed her back with equal exuberance. She made me remember that dating was supposed to be fun and falling in love could be easy.
"What the—get off her!"
The angry voice was followed by an even angrier set of hands. One grabbed my collar but I twisted down and evaded the second fist swinging in a clumsy right hook.
"Really, Faith? I don't hear from you in months and this is how I find you?" The angry voice turned on her.
"Stop right there." I reached out toward the man's huffing breathing and bumped my hand hard against his chest. "You're not going to talk to her like that."
"Brenden, I'm sorry." Faith's voice was high and upset. "Jake, leave him alone."
"Yeah, Brenden, back off." Jake tried for another right hook.
I was ready, ducked, and came back up with an upper cut of my own, but Jake was gone. From the muffled gasps, I knew Jasper had the man pinned hard against the brick wall of the alley.
"Enjoy your walk, sir," Jasper said, barely winded.
Jake didn’t move.
"I'd be careful, Jake," I said. "He's a retired SEAL. They like staying active if you know what I mean."
Jake made the mistake of going after Jasper instead of leaving. My driver was silver-haired and wiry but Jake didn't stand a chance. I didn't need my sight to know Jasper had a wolfish grin and was ready to fight.
"Please, no! Jake, stop. Brenden, tell Jasper to stop!" Faith hopped up and down in a panic.
"Why? Who is he?" I asked.
" He's my ex-boyfriend!"
Faith shrieked as Jake missed another right hook. Jasper caught his wrist and flipped him hard onto his back. Faith hovered between me and the man gasping for air on the ground.
"Your ex?" I asked.
"Yes! We were engaged, he walked out, and apparently tonight I'm running into everyone I know on the street." There was an edge of hysteria to her voice that quelled even Jasper's excitement.
He let Jake scramble up. Faith's ex spit at my feet and then walked off.
Finally, at the corner, he turned and called back to Faith. "We'll talk some other time!"
I tried to catch her hand so I could apologize, but Faith was out of reach.
"Sorry. That was so embarrassing. I haven't seen him forever. Are you okay?" Faith's words were as erratic as her heartbeat.
"I'm fine. Are you?"
She stepped back a few more feet. "Yes. I mean, no, but I will be. I should probably go."
"I'm sorry," I said.
She stopped and I was relieved to hear a slight smile in her voice. "Don't be. Thanks for the walk."
She left me standing on the sidewalk wondering what I had missed.
"Don't worry,” Jasper said. “ I'm just as confused as you, and I actually saw the guy." He clapped me on the shoulder and steered me toward my car and home.