Page 21

FAITH

C oulter’s culinary skills had blown me away. I placed my paper napkin on my empty plate and raised my glass of wine. “To the best meal I’ve had yet in the Keys.”

“To good company,” he said, his eyes twinkling as his glass clinked against mine.

He was right about the wine pairing. The subtle notes of citrus and green apple went perfect with the fish. I was surprised when he topped off our glasses that we’d nearly polished off the bottle.

“Let’s take this out to the dock,” he suggested. “It’s too nice a night to stay indoors.”

I nodded, grabbing my glass and following him outside. Now that it was completely dark, the blanket of stars took my breath away. “Stars are brighter here in the Keys, far from the big city lights of Miami.”

“Everything is better here than in Miami,” he chuckled. “After you,” he gestured at two Adirondack chairs. I settled into the one on the left, and Coulter stretched his long legs out after he settled in the other.

“Oh my god,” I said, pointing to a shooting star streaking across the sky. “Did you see that?”

Coulter nodded, with a big smile. “Quick, make a wish!”

I wished I didn’t want to kiss him so badly.

Stargazing beside a hot man was not how I thought my evening would end up. But it felt so easy and natural. I was more relaxed than I had been in months. Our conversation flowed like we’d known each other for years, sipping our wine under the stars.

As I finished the last of my wine, Coulter offered to open another bottle.

“I shouldn’t. In fact, I should probably get going,” I said, sitting up, running my hand through my hair. The combination of beer, wine, starlit night, and the devastatingly handsome man next to me was the perfect mix for me to make decisions I might regret.

I stood, swaying a bit on my feet. I was more than a little tipsy.

“Are you okay to drive?”

“No, I probably shouldn’t,” I answered, suddenly embarrassed. “Do you mind if I leave my car here? I’ll call an Uber.”

Coulter looked at me, a slight smile playing on his luscious lips. “You’re welcome to stay here.”

Feeling a flush rise in my cheeks, I shook my head. “That’s really kind of you, but... ”

“I’ll give you the bed,” he interjected, “and I’ll sleep on the couch. I promise.”

Suddenly I wanted this man to make me all kinds of promises. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.” I bit my lip.

He frowned slightly, “Why not? We’re having a good time. I don’t want it to end just yet.”

“Honestly, this is the most fun I’ve had in the six months since I moved here,” I admitted, “but I’ve had a little too much to drink, and I don’t want to cross any lines.”

Coulter leaned forward, his eyes sincere. “Faith, this is the most fun I’ve had talking to a woman in ages. You’re welcome to stay. I promise I won’t sneak into your bed in the middle of the night.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” It was me I wasn’t sure I could trust.

He gave me a roguish smile. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

I bit my lip again, torn between propriety and the undeniable connection I felt. “It’s just…”

“Just what?” he asked softly. “We’ve been talking all night. It’s been… nice.”

I sighed, knowing he was right and hoping I was being silly. It had been more than nice. “Alright,” I said finally. “But I’ll take the couch.”

He shook his head, a teasing light in his eyes. “No way. My mother will come back from the grave and skin me alive if I put you on the couch. You take the bed so I live to see morning. Deal?”

“Deal,” I said, smiling .

He stood, towering over me as his broad hand wrapped around my arm just above the elbow. “Let’s turn in before I convince you to let me open another bottle of wine.”

“That would be a very bad idea.”

“I’m full of those.” He laughed as he guided me back into his house.

“I bet you are.” I snickered, realizing how easily he made me laugh.

Coulter showed me to his room, motioning toward the neatly-made bed. “The sheets are pretty clean. I changed them a couple of days ago. But I can get you a fresh set if you like.”

“Don’t be silly,” I said. “It’s fine.” Part of me liked the idea of sleeping in sheets he’d been between just this morning. “Thank you, Coulter,” I said, touching his arm. “Tonight has been fantastic.”

His lips parted in a smile. “Yes it has.'' He looked around me toward the bathroom off his bedroom. “I just need to brush my teeth and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

I stepped to the side. “It’s your house. Do what you need to do.”

“Do you want a toothbrush?” He called from the bathroom, “I think I have extras.”

“Oh, yes, that would be great.” He rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a 3-pack that still had two in it.

I chuckled as I took the toothbrush from him. “Do you keep spares for overnight guests?”

“I buy in bulk because I’m frugal,” he answered. “Lucky you. ”

He passed me the tube of toothpaste, and we stood there staring at each other in the mirror while we brushed our teeth.

The thought, or maybe it was a fantasy, flashed through my mind that this was what it would be like if we were dating.

Sharing intimate little moments that seem insignificant but are anything but.

I shook my head as I spit into the sink.

“What?” he asked with a playful look in his eyes.

“Nothing,” I grinned, rinsing my toothbrush. “It’s just sweet.”

“My mom told me I was too sweet for my own good when Kylie broke up with me.” He let out a dry laugh. “She wasn’t ever wrong about anything as far as I ever knew, so it’s probably the truth.”

“There are worse things to be.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know about that. Nice guys finish last.” He tapped his toothbrush on the edge of the sink before placing it in the holder on the wall. “But that’s okay, I bowed out of that race a while back.”

“Yeah, me too. Who has time to try to impress dates?”

“Like you have to try to impress,” he chuckled. “Do you need anything else? Water? Chocolate?”

“Why didn’t you offer me chocolate before we brushed our teeth?” I laughed. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Okay, I’ll leave you to rest.” His hands wrapped around mine, clutching them between us. “Goodnight, Faith.”

I looked up into his hazel eyes, so distracted by the warm rush that he invoked that I had a hard time answering. “Goodnight, Coulter,” I finally said .

When his hands released mine, I instinctively grabbed his wrist. “Wait.”

His brow raised and he just stood there looking at me with those hazel eyes, waiting. “Yes?”

I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I couldn’t let him go. My heart pounded so hard in my chest it took my breath. I gathered all my strength and swallowed hard before asking in a trembling voice, “Will you just lay here with me for a few minutes?”

Coulter’s head cocked as he eyed me with caution. “I don’t know if I can control myself enough to just lay with you.”

The fireworks that lit up inside me overrode any filter that might have stopped me blurting out, “What if I don’t want you to control yourself?”

“I’m warning you, I don’t need much encouragement to lose control with you, Faith.” He let out a little laugh but I could see the nervousness in his eyes. “It’s been all I could do not to kiss you all night.”

I slid my hand into his, interlacing our fingers. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks.”

“Then come here, woman,” his fingers tightened around mine, gently tugging to pull me closer.

I stood on my toes to lift my lips to brush his, sending a warm current through me. Coulter’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a real kiss. His lips pushed mine open, claiming them. Claiming me.

After weeks of trying to deny my attraction to him, when I allowed the floodgates to open, the desire rushed through me like a raging river.

My weight settled into Coulter’s tight grip around my waist like a ragdoll.

Our tongues danced a tango of give and take like we’d been doing it for years.

But trusting a man like I trusted him was anything but familiar.

Heat rose between us. He finally pulled away. “If I lay down there with you, I will definitely not behave. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

The alcohol had lowered my inhibition, but my judgment was intact. I wanted him with every fiber of my being. I stared deep into his hazel eyes and said without hesitation, “I’m sure.”

Coulter’s mouth curled in a crooked grin. “That’s even better news than the DNA results.”

Our mouths crashed together in a passionate kiss that made my knees even weaker. My hands ran up under his shirt, over the muscles that flexed under my fingers.

Coulter fumbled with the buttons on the front of my shirt, reminding me that I was still in my uniform. I couldn't wait to get it off. My shoulders shimmied to wiggle out of the starched white button-down while our lips moved over one another and our tongues intertwined.

I pulled away from the kiss long enough to yank his shirt up over his head before he unclasped my bra. Sliding my hands up his muscular back, I tried to pull him to my mouth, but his shoulders held firm and his gaze traveled up and down my chest. “Wait,” he whispered, “I just want to look at you.”

My breath caught and I felt suddenly shy, but the yearning in his eyes set me at ease.

“Jesus, you’re so fucking beautiful,” he groaned before pulling my bare chest against his.

The growing bulge in his board shorts pressed against me, making me crave it.

Pulling at the tie on the waistband, my fingers found the velcro closure, tugging impatiently until it opened with a satisfying swish.