Waiting on Faith (She's Beautiful Series Book 2)

by Nicole Richard

  I looked at him. “Would you take me for a ride?” He had already offered, but I felt the need to ask anyway.

  His smile grew into a full-on grin that was equal to the Cheshire cat’s. “I would love to. How about a shower first?” Closing the distance between us, he lifted his shirt off my body and flung it over his head before pressing his body against mine. Bending, he kissed my neck, nipped his way to my ear, and in a low sexy growl, he said, “I love seeing you in my shirt, but do you know what I love even more?”

  I barely managed to shake my head.

  “Taking it off you.” Swooping down, he took my nipple between his teeth and sucked hard, teetering on the scale of painful but definitely pleasurable. I had no time to react before he picked me up and hauled my ass straight to the shower.

  I sized him up, ogling every sexy inch of his caramel-colored skin before resting my eyes on his dragon tattoo. I wondered how long it had taken him to get that ripped, but I didn’t ask.

  “You ready?” he asked, before pulling a shirt over his head and leading to the garage.

  Cy pulled the door handle and held the door open for me, and right before I took my seat, he stole another warm and hungry kiss. After sliding into the cool leather seat, I looked at him with an excited smile stretching across my lips.

  “Thank you,” I said before he shut the door.

  I took a good look at the inside of Josie. She was restored to look almost brand new. I ran my fingers across the dash as happy thoughts flowed, warming me from the inside out, but it didn’t stop the inkling of worry from seeping through. How could this be so easy between us? There were still things that hadn’t been shared and that made me shiver, hoping the bond that was growing could weather out any storm.

  Cy slid into the driver’s seat and when he started the engine, I was not prepared for the scare of my life. Josie rumbled, her vibrations rattled through me, and seconds later, I was turned on . . . again.

  This car was the epitome of sexy, and we hadn’t even left his garage yet. I watched Cy as he rotated between gripping and releasing the steering wheel before he relaxed. He looked over at me with a huge grin and asked one more time. “You ready, Blue?”

  I nodded my head and rubbed my palms along the tops of my thighs. Suddenly, I was nervous. Maybe it was because of the power this car possessed? She was obviously made for speed and a little hell-raising.

  Cy pressed a button on a small black box, and the garage door opened. He turned around with his arm across the top of my seat back so he could reverse out and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “It’s been a while since I took her out.” He glanced at me again. “I may forget myself and put her to the test. Forgive me if I get reckless, and if you’re scared at any time, let me know, okay?”

  I bit my top lip in anticipation, nodded, and then smiled. I had no idea where we were going, and honestly, I didn’t care.

  We drove.

  After we were out of his neighborhood, he pulled my hand to his lips and planted a soft kiss against the back of my hand. My heartbeat picked up a little bit, and I decided right then and there that I was thoroughly screwed.

  Pushing the speed to eighty-five, Cy looked at me with a devilish grin. I was sort of hoping he’d go faster, but I didn’t want to tempt him and attract the blue lights—not that he needed any instigating with the speed he was going. With the music playing and Cy obviously in a happy trance, I shifted my attention toward the window to enjoy the scenery.

  Geographically, I was lost.

  We exited the highway and were soon traveling on a remote two-lane road. I glanced over at him for a moment and imagined the young teenage boy who found a certain kind of peace while sitting behind the wheel of this equally sexy and beautiful car. Cy squeezed my hand, and I let the silence be, just enjoying the ride. My head fell back against the headrest and drifted to the side so I could gaze out the window at the passing trees, wispy white clouds, and the crisp blue sky.

  Perking up a little, I saw the green-and-white road sign for Effingham County. It didn’t mean anything to me, though. I was still lost. I softly giggled to myself at the funny county name.

  As we entered the little town, we drove past a couple of dilapidated farm homes before a few city buildings came into view.

  “That’s the courthouse right there.” Cy pointed to the right of the windshield.

  The redbrick historical building took my breath away. There was something to be said about old architecture. I was able to count eighteen windows behind the six large white pillars before he continued on our journey.

  “How do you know that’s their courthouse?” I turned to look at him. It could have been a courthouse at one time, but maybe they used it for other things now.

  “My grandpa used to bring us up here a lot.”

  The next building that caught my eye was obviously the town prison with the rolls of barbed wire running along the top of the fence line, but there wasn’t much else after that and I turned my attention back to the sky.

  It didn’t take long to break the silence. I heard Cy chuckle as we passed by a couple of cars parked on the side of the street and their alarms started to blare. My guess was that the loud rumbling vibrations Josie made set them off.

  “Happens every time.” He smiled proudly, and I swore he actually caressed the steering wheel in pride.

  A short while after, we pulled off the asphalt onto a red dirt road, and Cy shut the car off. Lifting our hands from his lap, he kissed the back of my hand again.

  “Come on. I want to show you something.”

  I HOPPED OUT of Josie and jogged around back to open Natalie’s door, lending my hand to help her out.

  As soon as her feet were steady on the uneven ground, I spun her around so I was leaning on the side of the car with her secure in my arms. Her soft body leaned into me, she tilted her head back to look at me, and I stole a kiss before grabbing her hand. “Come on.”

  We walked hand in hand toward the lake, which was hidden just beyond the trees. There was a miniature dock there that I helped my grandfather build years ago. We reached it, and without any urging, Natalie took a seat on the edge of it.

  “Scoot right a little bit.” I laughed, and she shimmied her butt about a foot, sitting smack dab in the middle.

  After toeing off my shoes, I sat directly behind and settled her between my legs. Natalie rested her arms on my knees, leaned back into me, and tilted her head so I could kiss her cheek.

  I loved having Natalie in my arms. Her smooth silky skin, the light fragrance of her hair, and the clean scent of my shampoo all assaulted my senses at once. I breathed in, trying not to be obvious that smelling her hair was one of my favorite things, more so since she smelled like me.

  Swinging her dangling legs, Natalie pulled her feet up to slip off her flip-flops and tossed them next to my shoes. Then she dropped her perfect feet over the edge again, skimming her toes along the surface of the water.

  “So, did you enjoy the ride?”

  “Umm hmm. I really like that car.”

  “So we do have something more than great sex in common,” I joked.

  She swatted my hand before resting her hands over mine, which were still running the length of her thighs. “I have never met anyone who liked classic vehicles the way you do.”

  “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love old cars. The Bronco I got a few years back because I needed something else to work on. My dad, Levi, and I brought it back to life. It was Levi’s idea to paint it a shiny emerald green, and I was adamant about the mud tires. I always admired the early seventies model half-cab Broncos. They look badass.”

  She looked over her shoulder at me. “Your vehicles are just as sexy as you are.”

  She tucked her chin to her chest an inch and mischief danced across her face. “So, you think I can drive her sometime?”

  I chuckled. There was no way in hell she was driving my car. “No way, baby.”

  A silly pout puffed on her pin
k lips and she scoffed. If she thought I’d change my mind, she was certifiably crazy.

  “It’s pretty and peaceful out here.”

  “It is. My grandpa used to bring us fishing out here when we were kids. This place holds some great memories.”

  “I wish I had good memories to hold on to like that.”

  I hugged her a little tighter.

  “Tell me your favorite.” Her voice sounded a little sad. I would give her every happy memory I had if I never had to hear that sound again.

  I scanned the area, replaying each summer my grandpa brought us out here. “That spot right over there”— I pointed to the right— “is where I almost drowned.” I chuckled, thinking back. “My grandpa brought my cousin Liam and me here one summer. We were probably nine or ten years old, I can’t remember. Liam and I had both reeled in our first fish of the day, and we kept bickering about whose was bigger—mine was.” She giggled, and I kissed her cheek. “I guess he couldn’t handle the truth, because next thing I know, I’m being shoved into the water.”

  “Are you serious?” She laughed.

  I nodded. “Yup. I was just learning to swim and thought I was going to drown. Obviously I didn’t, but Liam laughed the entire time as I doggie paddled for my life.”

  “Tell me another one.”

  And I did. I told her about my favorite picnics with my grandfather, and how when a tornado blew through the area a few years back, we were the ones to volunteer to rebuild the dock. I told her how when we were all younger, AJ bet Levi twenty bucks to jump over the fire. Levi, who never backed down from anything, took the bet, but ended up setting himself on fire. When I told her about the time Liam cried over dropping his favorite comic into the lake, she almost fell over laughing.

  When the well of memories dried up, we sat there, watching the water ripple as the breeze passed.

  “Blue?” I said after a small beat of silence.

  “Hmm.”

  The three little words I wanted to say choked me, and I froze. The knot of uncertainty twisted in my stomach and made my palms sweat. “You want to start heading back?” I said instead.

  Natalie’s head moved in a complaisant nod. “Yeah.” She stood, and I followed.

  Right after clicking our seat belts, I grabbed her hand, locked our fingers together, and rested them on my thigh. “So you’re not going to let me drive?” She smiled, biting the side of her bottom lip.

  I ran my hand atop my short hair and looked at her closely, contemplating. I loved her, even if I hadn’t declared it yet, why wouldn’t I want to share everything I had with her? “You sure you want to drive?”

  She smiled brightly, sat straight, and shook her head. “I don’t think so, but thanks for changing your mind.”

  “Woman . . .” I growled out and started Josie.

  The ride back was quiet, but this time, it was because Natalie fell asleep. How she could sleep with the sounds Josie emitted was beyond me. I snuck peeks as I drove at a cruising speed and watched her chest rising and falling in slow, even patterns. She was absolutely breathtaking.

  It was dark when I pulled into her driveway, and the lack of engine sounds must have woken her.

  “Sweet dreams, beautiful?”

  She nodded her head lazily with a sleepy smile. “No dreams, but I needed a nap.” Yawning, she covered her mouth halfway. “I’ve got a couple of things to do. You want me to meet you back at your place?”

  Wrapping my fingers behind her neck, I pulled her in for a kiss, whispering into her ear, “Yes, baby. I want you sleeping in my bed tonight. Don’t take too long.”

  Sliding out, she ducked her head back in. “I’ll see you soon. Oh, and Cy?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Thank you for today. I had a really good time.”

  She closed the heavy door as gently as she could and hauled ass all the way to the house. Right before climbing the first stair, she turned around and blew me a kiss. Smiling, I started Josie up and revved the engine as a good-bye. Halfway to my house something tugged at my mind and the hair on the back of my neck tingled. I glanced at my speedometer. I was only going forty. My eyes traveled to the rearview, but the only car behind me was a black SUV. I shook off the feeling and turned into my driveway.

  THE SECOND I heard the click of the lock, I pressed my back up against the hardwood door for support, closed my eyes, and replayed the most romantic and peaceful day I had ever had. Something told me Cy was about to spill three very important words . . . the tenderness in his voice when he said my name . . . the way his arms squeezed me a little tighter—but they never came.

  It didn’t matter as much as I thought it would, because he didn’t necessarily have to say that he loved me for me to believe it. I could feel how much he cared by the things he did and the way he treated me like I was his princess.

  This was what love truly felt like. It was an astounding feeling, and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Words confessed or not.

  I was still floating on cloud nine when I walked into the living room and felt a breeze pass by me. My steps faltered, and I turned to the open window. I didn’t remember leaving it, but I could have. Or, maybe Cy opened it and forgot to close it? I scanned the rest of the room, but nothing looked out of place, so I shrugged it off, walked over to the window, and slid it almost all the way shut.

  Cy and I had been spending so much time together that it felt like I was missing an important part of myself when he was gone. I hated the feeling, but we both had to work and had family commitments. There was always going to be time apart. Maybe a dog to keep me company would be a good idea.

  High on the thought of love, I plopped down on my favorite turquoise chair and stared up at the ceiling fan, giggling. I was acting like a seventeen-year-old lovesick fool. Letting out a happy sigh, I picked up my phone and dialed Grace.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Grace. How are you?”

  “I’m good—tired, but good. I don’t remember pregnancy being this difficult with Drew.”

  Guilt hit me like a gut punch, and suddenly, it was hard to take a deep breath.

  I remembered.

  I shoved those thoughts away and put on my happy face, despite the fact that she couldn’t see it. I didn’t want to give away anything in my voice. “Well, I’ve heard every pregnancy is different, maybe you’re having a girl? Are you going to find out?”

  Grace stifled a yawn. “I wanted to, but AJ wants to be surprised.” She lowered her voice a little and continued with a pinch of irritation, “Like finding out being pregnant wasn’t a surprise in and of itself.”

  Yup, she is having a girl.

  “Well, it sounds like you’re tired, maybe you should go to rest?”

  An obvious yawn broke through this time. “Nah, it’s okay. So what’s up? You sounded awfully happy when I answered.” She was trying to sound cheerful, and I loved her for that.

  “Actually, I am happy—crazy happy.” I had to tell someone and I doubted standing on the street and yelling it to random strangers was a good idea. “Cy took me for a drive today. I have no idea where I was besides the sign saying ‘Effingham County.’” I heard Grace giggle, it was the same sound I made when I read the sign. “We sat out on a little dock for hours. It was beautiful.” I paused for a second. “Grace . . .”

  “Yeah, Nat?”

  “I think—no wait—I’m in love with him.” There, I ripped the Band-Aid off and said it. Not to the person who should have heard it, but I said it.

  “Oh my gosh, Natalie, that’s great!” she practically screamed. Before I could say anything else, she jumped right back in. “Wait! That is great, right?”

  “Yes, Grace. It’s everything and more. I can’t believe how happy I am. How happy we are. Cy is . . .” I sighed, looking up at the ceiling fan again. “I don’t know, Grace. Beneath that entire intense caveman exterior, he’s some kind of wonderful.”

  Her tone was cautious but still happy. “So are you guys on
the same page? Did he say how he feels about you?”

  “He did. He mentioned the other night that he was falling for me. We didn’t exchange the actual words, but I could feel it. It’s an amazing and indescribable feeling.”

  A strange noise outside caught my attention, making my whole body pause for a second. “Hey, Grace. Let me call you back later, okay?”

  “Sure, talk to you soon.”

  I tossed the phone without even saying good-bye and walked over to the window I had just partially closed. Everything seemed to be undisturbed though. Standing guard at the window for a few more minutes, I eventually decided that nothing was lurking in the bushes and closed and locked it. Anxious, I decided that my errands weren’t that important and packed a small bag to take to Cy’s house. I didn’t pack much, since I was pretty sure clothes were optional, and I was out of my house and on my way to his in mere minutes.

  A GIRL COULD get used to waking up in the arms of a man like Cy. Or was it waking up in the arms of the man I was in love with, knowing quite possibly he was in love with me too? Or was it just an illusion? I swore I fell asleep against Cy’s chest last night thoroughly sated, but as my eyes adjusted to the warm glow of sunlight shining in, I saw Cy’s side of the bed was empty.

  I had just reached over to see if his side was cold when the bathroom door opened and he sauntered toward me. His hair was wet and a white towel was secured low around his waist.

  “Good morning, Blue.”

  He bent down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, which made me give him a quiet moan of approval. He chuckled against my lips before pulling away.

  “Good morning.” Stretching and yawning, I let the sheet fall away from my body, exposing my plump breasts.

  “Uh, baby?” I looked down to where he was using his palm to try to control his manhood from knocking his towel off. I giggled and ran straight for the bathroom, unintentionally slamming the door. I was still too deliciously sore from last night to start anything with him this morning.