Faith (A Dark Romance Novel) Read Free

good thing no one had approached me up until that point, because I was feeling like a royal idiot for not even being able to respond.
    He leaned in to me, his lips close to my ear. “I said hello.”
    I swallowed down my fear. “Hi.”
    He cocked his head to the side, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t seem to fit in here.”
    I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks and I lowered my gaze, peering down at the floor between our feet, the toes of my shoes becoming interesting again. “That apparent, huh?”
    “Little bit, yeah. In fact, I’m not even sure you’re supposed to be here. You’re not twenty-one, are you?”
    The heat in my cheeks intensified. Of course he wasn’t interested in me – maybe he was indeed the owner and he just wanted the minors out of there. I contemplated lying, but I’m a horrible liar. Lying is yet another sin, after all. I shook my head. “Eighteen. My friends…”
    “I seriously doubt they’re twenty-one either.”
    “Are you going to kick us out? Or call the police? Please don’t. My father…” I looked up at him, pleading. My father would be so disappointed, and the very last thing I wanted was to disappoint him. I just wanted to do something a little wild for a change. Just my luck my one act of rebellion was going to land me in a heap of trouble. I could see in my mind’s eye the fury in my father’s eyes if he had to pick me up at the police station. I hadn’t been given the belt in a year or so, but no doubt I’d be feeling its wrath over this.
    “That depends.”
    “On what?”
    “We ditch this place and go somewhere a little more quiet. I’d like to get to know you.”
    I stared into his eyes, those dark onyx pools that fascinated me and pulled me in. A part of me was telling me not to go with him, that it was a very bad idea. Bad things happened to careless and reckless girls who went alone with strange men. But there was another part of me that wanted to be like the rest of the girls. Hell, half of the girls I’d come with had already left with men, some of whom they hadn’t even known until that night! He’d said he just wanted to get to know me, not that he wanted to have sex. No harm in that, right?
    Good Christian women do not go to bars and clubs looking for men. Only immoral women frequent places like that, baby girl. I could hear my father’s words in my head. It had been his reaction when I’d told him the girls at school went to clubs on the weekends. He’d then proceeded to forbid me from continuing my friendship with those misguided young women and return to home schooling for the remainder of the year. However, I’d ignored his advice, and here I was, in front of a man I knew he wouldn’t approve of and contemplating leaving with him.
    But not for sex , I assured myself. Men like the man before me never took an interest in the shy, introverted church girl. Never. Years of experience had taught me that. But for once, one claimed to be, and it thrilled me. I know this sounds odd, but it made me feel special.
    He extended his hand to me. “I’m Tanner.”
    I accepted his hand and it closed around my dainty one. “Emily.” He didn’t release my hand immediately, and I’ll admit I didn’t want him to. His touch was strong, possessive.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so forward. I really am just interested in getting to know you. No expectations other than just having a little walk and a chat. It’s too loud in here to really have a conversation. I promise I’m not some crazy kidnapper or anything like that.”
    A soft smile spread across my lips. “Isn’t that what a kidnapper would say?”
    “Hmmm. You might be right.” He took a step back and spread his hands out to his sides, his lips forming a wide smile again. “But do I look like some crazy guy? Do I really look like I’d need to kidnap girls from bars and keep them locked in my basement?” He laughed, his