Free Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) by Dani Matthews Page B

is not going to get you tonight,” he assures while I can tell he's holding back a laugh.
    “But we wouldn’t see one coming if there was one!”
    He chuckles and his warm hands are on my waist, then I’m lifted up against him, my legs immediately wrapping around his hips as I instinctively cling to him. “Ace!” Our lower bodies connect for a brief second, and a zing of pleasure down south has me freezing up. Ace adjusts me, lifting me higher up so that my hips are now cradling his stomach rather than his pelvic region.
    “Sorry ‘bout that,” he mutters as he begins to walk towards the water.
    At this point, I don’t care about the water. I’m more focused on the fact that my arms are wrapped around his broad shoulders and that my bra-covered breasts are pressed against his impressive chest. He’s warm, his skin smooth. I can feel the strength within him, and I feel absolutely feminine and safe. His head is close to mine as he carries me out into the water. As it flows up over my ankles, and then up my knees, I barely feel the coldness of it. The fear from before has left me. By the time the water is gently lapping around my bra, I’ve relaxed in his arms.
    Ace adjusts his grip, and one of his hands cups my behind to keep me from slipping. His head turns, and his face is mere inches from my own. “So, what do you think?”
    It’s a struggle to pull my mind away from the warmth of his hand on my bottom. I turn my head away from his and look around at the water. It’s dark and cold, but I feel beyond safe with him. A smile curves my lips, then it widens. “I love it.”
    “You’ll have to come back during the day sometime. You’ll like it better in daylight.”
    No, this is perfect. If he’s not with me in the daylight, it won’t even come close to this moment. “I like this just fine,” I reply as I turn my head and look at him. “Thanks, Ace,” I say softly.
    “Anytime, Angel.”

Chapter Eight
Ace
     
    I’ve just made sure Faith is safe and secure in her apartment, and I’m walking toward my own when a sharp voice has me pausing. “Wait up!” Caleb calls from down the hall behind me, his voice full of barely contained anger.
    I tense, knowing this conversation is going to test our friendship in ways it’s never been tested before. I shouldn’t have taken off with Faith tonight, but I hadn’t been able to resist. Looks like I’m going to pay for it. That's the thing that bothers me the most about this situation between me and Caleb. I feel like he's going overboard with his big brother protectiveness where Faith is concerned. Where the hell did it come from? He's not even that way with Zoey. Hell, she'd threaten to castrate him if he ever pulled this shit on her.
    I turn around and see that Caleb and Zoey have just exited the elevator and are walking towards me. Zoey’s face is resigned and wary while Caleb looks like he's just barely controlling his temper. That in itself is a very bad sign. Caleb never loses his temper. He's probably the most patient and understanding guy I know.
    Without a word, Caleb unlocks his apartment door and motions me inside. I step into the apartment with them right on my heels. Zoey flips on the light and Caleb turns on me. “What the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea what went through my mind when Faith didn’t answer her phone? You’re lucky someone saw you leaving with her or the police would be involved!”
    It all suddenly becomes crystal clear.
    I did fuck up tonight. With Faith’s past, it would be natural for Caleb to assume the worst even if her ex is rotting in prison. I hadn't realized that Caleb would think something terrible had happened to her.
    Before I can say anything, Caleb is speaking again in a coolly, calm voice—which in my opinion isn't any better than his anger. “Where’d you take off to? I told you she’s off limits.”
    “I’m not going to fuck her. I’m trying to be her friend,” I say levelly as I try to