*
*
Faith chewed on the roasted lamb, she was trying to resist the man whose gaze was like a hawk. It was impossible considering that they were the only ones in the large restaurant.
She was avoiding him. Sterling knew that much. Her quick response whenever he tried to strike up a conversation.
He found it quite surprising that she had easily agreed when his mother had suggested that they both have an outdoor dinner.
After last night, Sterling was certain that she still felt something for him, it didn't matter that she was trying so hard to deny it. They belonged together, she needed some time to accept that, but he believed that she would come around.
As his gaze lingered on her, he wondered how she still managed to take his breath away.
She was gorgeous, dressed in a beautiful white gown that showcased her bare shoulders, her curly hair had been stylishly pulled up, drawing his eyes to her slender neck, it was simplicity, yet so sexy.
He could imagine his hand wrapped around it while she writhed beneath him.
Fuck!
He didn't need these thoughts now.
Suddenly, he felt so relaxed, the fact that she was here with him was like a reward. The feeling one gets after working so hard and he was reaping the fruits.
If he hadn't been watching her so closely, he might have missed the way her fingers clenched around her glass of juice until they almost turned white.
Was he making her nervous? Or was it something else?
His guess was proven right when he caught her throwing glances outside the window. Sterling followed her gaze, the street was quite lonely, but there was nothing weird about it.
Then she looked at him, the anxiousness in her eyes alerted him immediately.
"What's wrong, Faith?"
Face cast a glance over the window, worry made the food she had just eaten feel like poison in her stomach.
Could she tell him about her experience with the strange man this afternoon? And that even now she was feeling watched?
What if the stalker was lurking around somewhere?
She started to open her mouth to tell him of her fears.
"No, there is nothing wrong." She voiced instead.
If she told him about today's stalker, he would no doubt send men to monitor her every movement, if he watched her so closely, how would she ever proceed with her plans? Why was this happening now of all times?
Sterling didn't look as though he believed her but he didn't push for an answer much to her relief.
Faith had taken a bit of effort to look good, she planned to gain his trust, to get him to sign those documents.
They were done, Sterling paid for the meal and soon they were outside and walked to his car. Faith decided that if she wanted his trust, she might as well stop avoiding him.
"Actually, I need to talk to you. Do you mind if we take a short walk?"
One of his perfect brows lifted, otherwise, he said nothing, she followed after him, his strides were a little too fast for her shorter legs.
Some seconds tickled past, she didn't know how to begin.
"You seemed anxious, are you okay?" Faith was surprised when his fingers entangled hers, she suddenly felt safe and even managed to forget that the stalker might be outside.
The evening breeze was cool, blowing tendrils of hair across her face. Sterling's hands against hers were warm, she felt giddy inside, like a schoolgirl on her very first date, and had to quickly remind herself that she had a mission to accomplish.
" You know, I've been thinking about it, about us." It didn't go past her notice the way his hand seemed to tighten around hers.
"Staying with you isn't as bad, your mother is completely welcoming of us__" Faith almost bit her tongue, and her brain struggled to come up with more words.
Why was talking to him about this so difficult? She wet her lips nervously, noticing how the night suddenly grew quiet and under the scrutiny of his eyes.
"But__?" He spoke when it seemed as though she would not continue.
"There are no buts Sterling. I was thinking that maybe we could give us another try, we could make everything different this time?"
She watched the way his face lit up in surprise, it lasted only for a few seconds before his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Did he not believe her? Was she too obvious?
"Why did you change your mind? I know you well Faith, you do not change decisions so quickly." After a short pause, he added.
"You're not deceiving me, are you?" His eyes were threatening to melt her.
Faith flushed nervously, wondering how he could read her so easily.
"Of course not! Why would I lie about something so serious? If you think I have an ulterior motive, you can just forget about what I just said." She sighed quietly.
"I'm tired of fighting you each time, We both made mistakes, and I hope to let it go, Maya deserves a healthy home, I know you care a lot for her and I'm grateful, which is why I thought we could call a truce."
Faith held her breath, feeling a bit guilty that she was using his love for his daughter to soften his stony heart.
"How could I not care about her, she's our daughter, I love her. I would do anything for the both of you."
Faith didn't doubt his sincerity, but that was the root of the problem, he would do anything for her.
Faith wished she had taken alcohol, it might have boosted the courage she so much needed, but she had to breastfeed Maya later.
When he smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth, Faith felt her heart ache. She knew instantly that Sterling wouldn't be the only person hurt by this game she was playing. Even though she claimed to detest him, a part of her was still in love with the man she thought he was. Despite knowing everything, her stupid heart still wasn't giving up, the part of her that still loved him wouldn't let go.
Still, she couldn't allow herself to be with him, which made her hurt even more.
Why couldn't she just hate him? Her revenge would have been so much easier.
"You do not know how happy your words make me."
Why did she think that he was kind of pathetic, He truly believed that he loved her and was so convinced that they would work.
A gasp left her mouth when his large body
suddenly covered hers in a warm embrace, his face drooping lower until his lips were almost at the same level as mine. Faith's eyes lingered on his lips, suddenly recalling that sinful moment__ He knew what she was thinking because his eyes suddenly seared with heat.
"Faith" He whispered her name huskily, his
luminous eyes raking over her face, a tingly sensation wired through her, fire building up in her core when those soft lips
brushed against her cheek before the tip of his nose began to trail down her jaw to her neck. She didn't know what prompted her to look behind him at that moment. Her heart stopped in fear as she did so.
The figure stood several feet away but Faith instantly recognized him. She stiffened, unable to look away. A car suddenly drove past, flashing its headlight, and in that moment the man disappeared, running into the street ahead.
"What is it?" Sterling felt the change in her mood.
"Nothing." Faith whispered, but her voice was shaky, her hands tightly clasping his arm. Realizing he was frowning deeply at her, Faith was almost urged to spill the truth.
"I feel cold, can we return to the car now?" She spoke instead, and without waiting for a response, she started to drag him along with her.
Faith didn't know if her eyes saw right, or perhaps it was a trick of her mind, but when that car had flashed its light, even though briefly, she had seen that face.
Dan
Her ex-boyfriend was the person stalking her?