“Nothing to tell. Dad was a dumb fuck with an addiction to cheap booze. Mom suffered from depression and was also looking for something to fix that for her. When Pax and I were five and seven, she left us in a car for a week. A couple of hookers brought us stuff to drink and eat at first. Eventually, they figured Mom wasn’t coming back. They called the cops and we ended up in the system.”
Ford gives a head nod to an arriving club guy then continues his story, “Sounds bad, but we always stayed together and got decent foster families. The only reason we got moved around was because the state would think Mom could handle doing her job and give us back to her. She’d try, but the woman can barely take care of herself. She’d fuck up and we’d go live somewhere else.”
“I’m sorry.”
I expect Ford to make a crack about proving how sorry I am by doing something with his cock. Instead, he smiles.
“You’re a good kid.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“A little bit.”
“How do you figure?”
“You act like a virgin. That makes you a kid.”
“That’s stupid. So if a fourteen year old girl acts like a slut, she’s older than me?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” he says, scratching at his beard. “Why are you so sensitive?”
I open my mouth to argue then realize he’s deflecting from sharing about his mom. Scooting closer, I smile.
“I almost ended up in foster care a few times. I feel like I should hug you,” I say, scooting closer again. “But I won’t. I know that’s a kid move.”
Ford laughs. “You like messing with me.”
“I like you, period.”
Ford’s gaze softens. “I’m not a monster. I know the girls think Pax and I are incapable of feeling shit, but they’re wrong. I feel plenty of shit. I just don’t whine about it like their whipped husbands do.”
“I find whining sexy,” I whisper, holding his gaze.
“I had a bad childhood, Shay. Please fuck away my pain.”
We both laugh then I notice Pax throwing a chicken bone at another guy. Ford frowns, before letting out a sigh.
“Pax has poor people skills. I wish I could give him some of my talents, but they’re not transferable.”
“Do you want to go over and hug him?” I tease. “You look concerned.”
Ford opens his mouth to give me shit. Except I’ve slid closer and now my arm is pressed against his. He closes his mouth and studies my face.
“I’ve only see one other person with gray eyes and he was a crazy bastard. I didn’t know they could be so fucking beautiful until you.”
Flushed and overwhelmed, I sigh. “I don’t know what to do about you. Should I pull you closer or make a run for it?”
“I know the feeling.”
I smile softly. “What’s your dog’s name?” I ask, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“Folgers.”
“Cute. I’ve never had a dog before.”
“We never did either, so Folgers ended up spoiled. It’s too late to fix him.”
“If I ever get a dog, I’ll be careful not to spoil it.”
“Folgers likes the ladies.”
I glance up at Ford and smile. “Of course, he does.”
He kisses my forehead and my whole body flushes with heat. How the hell does he make me crazy with such a minor gesture?
I glare at him. “Do you know?” I grumble, crossing my arms over my excited nipples.
“Oh, I know,” he says, stretching until his arm rests around my shoulders. “What I don’t know is how to take all that you’re feeling and turn it into a spot in my bed.”
“This is like when I found out you weren’t born a badass. Once again, I’m disappointed to learn you don’t have me figured out.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve gotta plan. If it doesn’t work though, I’m giving up.”
When I frown, Ford gives me a grin. “Did you think I’d chase you forever?”
“Forever and a week aren’t the same thing.”
“They are for a guy like me.”
I stare at my hands. “I like how it feels when you chase me. It really builds my confidence. I don’t know how it’ll feel when you catch me though.”
Ford leans closer so his lips are near my ear. “If you let me, darling, I’ll make you feel like nothing you’ve known before.”
“That’s not really saying much with my history with men.”
“Even so, I can promise you a night full of confidence.”
Even grinning, I don’t feel capable of the kind of confidence a woman needs to sleep with Ford. My old boyfriends were little boys compared to him. After a quickie in a car, they thought they were studs. Ford is a whole different beast.
Lucky struts over in his lazy way and gives us the once over. “Ford, if you’re gonna play boyfriend then get the girl something to eat and drink. Make a fucking effort, will ya?”
Ford removes his arm from around my shoulders and stands up. “Sure, pops.” He glances down at me. “Anything you can’t eat?”
I shake my head and he strolls away. Once Ford is out of earshot, Lucky looks at me.
“I can get the hose if he’s bugging you, Shay.”
I watch Ford filling two plates while Pax looks over his shoulder. The brothers share an easy bond and I understand the big brother/little brother vibe between them. A big guy like Ford, Pax is likely a scary guy when pissed. Yet the look on his face right then is like Devin wanting Donnie Junior’s approval.