Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) by Dani Matthews Read Free Book Online Page A

athletic training and working on my BA. After that, I want to get my Master's.”
    “What exactly does athletic training mean?” She glances questioningly at me over her shoulder before turning back to dump the chopped onion in the frying pan.
    “An athletic trainer is someone who is trained and certified in preventing, managing and rehabilitating injures. Mostly from physical activity, like sports.”
    “So you want to work with athletes?”
    “Professional athletes, hopefully. That’s why I need my Master’s. I’m hoping to get a job with a professional sports team. I like to stay busy, and traveling with a team would be better than sitting behind a desk all day and never going anywhere. I couldn’t handle working in a clinic doing the same routine every day. That’s not my thing.”
    Faith nods thoughtfully and moves to the refrigerator to peer inside. “Are you thirsty?” She peeks back out at me, and her expression is adorably sheepish. “I’m underage, so I only have soda,” she warns.
    “I have nothing against soda. I don’t drink that often anyway.” Alcohol messes with the mind, and I like being in control of everything I do.
    She walks over and sets a can of soda in front of me. “Your major sounds interesting. I can tell you enjoy what you’re doing.” She tilts her head quizzically. “Is that how you met Caleb? Through the university?” Her hands rest on the counter top as she focuses her full attention on me.
    I nod. “We had a few classes together when he first arrived, and I showed him around. We started hanging out, and then Z cuffed him to her bed. The rest is history.”
    Faith’s eyebrows lift. “Excuse me?”
    “You didn’t hear the story yet?” I ask with amusement as I accept the can of soda she’d set down and pop the tab.
    “Caleb never told me how he met her. All I heard was that he’d met someone, and it seemed serious. Then, a month ago, news spread that he got himself engaged.”
    “Z got hammered at one of my parties and stole my cuffs. She cuffed Caleb to her bed and then passed out. Imagine my surprise when she’s in my apartment the following morning trying to steal the key.” I shake my head, smiling as I remember the days when Zoey led Caleb on a bit of a ‘pussy chase.’ “Those two danced around each other for weeks until Caleb finally got her to admit her feelings. They’ve been inseparable ever since.”
    I watch her delicate eyebrows furrow. “You have handcuffs?”
    Her question has me inwardly wincing. After the shit she put up with, she probably wouldn’t approve of my sexual preferences in bed. Then again, she’ll probably hear about it from someone else eventually. I meet her questioning gaze. “Yeah, I got handcuffs. Among other things.” I have a drawer full of toys depending on what gets a woman off. Every woman is different, and I like to be prepared.
    “Why would you… Oh. ” Her eyes widen before she promptly turns around, so I can no longer see her expression. “Are you and Zoey close?” she asks lightly as she keeps her back to me, stirring the frying hamburger.
    “She’s one of my closest friends,” I tell her as I take a drink from the can of soda. I wish I could get into her head. I wonder if my kind of kink turns her off. Is she regretting asking me to dinner?
    “She’s very bold,” Faith replies in reference to Zoey.
    I release a low chuckle. “That’s putting it mildly.”
    Faith turns and looks at me again, her blue eyes bemused. “She’s used to getting her own way, I can tell.”
    I snort. “She’s a fuck—er, she’s pretty bullheaded.” I don’t know why, but swearing in front of Faith seems wrong.
    She drops the spoon in the frying pan and releases a sigh as she gazes at me. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”
    “Do what?”
    “Filter what you say. I’m nineteen, not fourteen,” she says indignantly.
    Shit. Now I’ve gone and upset her. “I didn’t want to offend you,” I say