Page 22 of Filthy and Fierce

“Dixon!” Faith gasps.

I squeeze her shoulder. “Honey, it’s okay. You’re his daughter, and I can’t blame him for this. One day when wehave a daughter, I’m going to ground her until she’s thirty-five.”

Speechless, her mouth falls open, and she just stares up at me. I know I’m pushing my luck, but I kiss her forehead again before looking at her father. “Charlie, please. Five minutes.”

He lowers the gun and glares at me. “Parking lot in five minutes, Chase. You better show up.”

He finally looks at his daughter. “Get dressed. You’re going with me.”

I move to stand in front of Faith, and Charlie’s face twists in anger. “She’s free to go when she wants, but she’s going to stay here and get dressed. I don’t want her down there while you and me talk in case it gets ugly.”

Charlie glowers at me. “I may be old, but you won’t get the best of me. You took advantage of my daughter.”

That hurts. I thought he knew me better than that, but I have to remind myself this is his daughter. I can’t blame him for anything he’s feeling. “I won’t fight you, Charlie. No matter what you say to me, think of me, or do to me, I won’t fight you.”

“You think I can’t take you? I can. I can kill you right now and not think twice about it.”

Faith exclaims, “Dad!”

I shake my head. “I’m not going to fight you because you’re my mentor. You’re the closest thing to a dad I have, and you’re the father of the woman I love. I won’t fight you.”

Charlie stomps his foot. “I’ll see you in the parking lot.” He looks at his daughter. “Faith, you coming?”

She shakes her head. “I’ll be down in a little while, Dad.”

He doesn’t like it, but at least he doesn’t try to force her. As soon as he walks out the door, Faith pulls from my arms. She takes off the sheet and is gathering her clothes. “That was good, Dixon. I mean, I don’t like to lie to my dad, but maybe he won’t kill you now.”

I pick up my T-shirt and pull it over my head as Faith continues rambling. “This is actually kind of perfect. We can get through the weekend, and when we break up, I’ll just act like I’m over you, and we can end it. No harm, no foul.”

“Faith.”

But she doesn’t stop. “You sure were quick on your feet, but I really do think this is for the best. He’ll forgive you if he thinks you have real feelings for me and?—”

“Faith,” I say a little louder this time.

She is fully dressed now, putting her long red hair into a ponytail. “What?”

I walk over to her. “I wasn’t lying to your dad. I do love you.”

Hope flairs in her eyes, but she shakes her head. “No, you don’t.”

I tilt my head to the side and smile at her. “Princess, I think I know what I’m feeling.”

“But—” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.

“Faith. I know this is fast. I know I’m ten years older than you, and I know you may want different things than what I can offer you, but I do love you, and I would do everything I can to make you happy. I want to build a home with you. I want to have babies with you… I want it all.”

Her eyes widen in disbelief or like I’m speaking a foreign language. “Dixon?”

I stop when we’re toe to toe. “I love you, Faith.”

She’s speechless as she stares at me.

My stomach knots. “You don’t have to decide anything now. I know I’m rushing you but?—”

She puts her hands at my waist. “I love you too, Dixon.”

I let out a breath in a big whoosh of air. She dives into my arms, kissing me like there’s no tomorrow. I wish I could stay right here, but I need to go and see her dad before he comes back up here.

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