“Charming story.”
Ford glances back at me to see if I’m being bitchy. I guess my expression pleases him because he smiles then opens the door for me. The entry leads to stairs going up and another set down. I hear Pax and a girl fucking loudly. They’re grunting and laughing and the chick whoops once.
When I glance at Ford, he’s grinning. “Are you loud?”
“I was just wondering the same damn thing about you.”
Ford smirks, taking my hand again. We walk up the stairs to a living room filled with chairs and two couches. I sense they have a lot of meetings here based on the number of seats. The walls are painted a dark color.
“Blacklight paint,” Ford says, walking into the kitchen. “Pax and I used to get stoned and turn on a disco ball. We’d talk about how big our hands were and the meaning of life. Once the disco ball took a bullet during a club meeting, the fun was over.”
I watch him grab two beers then he gestures towards the back deck. Outside, the night is loud. Bugs are clicking and chirping. Someone is playing loud music in the distance. I hear noises from downstairs where Pax is having fun. Hell, I think I even hear someone mowing their lawn.
“You can take the trash out of the trailer park,” Ford says, explaining the mowing as he sits on a long bench.
I watch him lean back and get comfortable. He opens his beer then mine. I gulp down half of mine while he only takes a swig and sets his aside. Through it all, I stare at him and wonder what the fuck I’m doing at his place.
Ford pats the sliver of empty space next to him on the bench. “You were jealous, huh?”
“Yes,” I admit, sitting down even though I have to rest half on him to fit.
“You should be. Maggie is a hot chick and wild in bed.” When I give him a disgusted frown, he smiles slow and lazy. “Did you think I’d sit on my dick until you were ready to put out?”
“Of course. I’m worth it.”
Ford’s smile widens. Softens too and I see real warmth in his eyes. “You just might be.”
Unable to refuse his smile, I’m terribly curious about what he’ll feel like against me. Temptation comes in many forms and one of the most undeniable is Crawford Reed stretched out on the bench. His shirt is pulled up just enough for me to see his hard stomach. I also notice dark hair leading up to a chest I’m sure is as powerful as the rest of him.
Setting my beer on a little table, I ease in next to Ford. His fingers immediately tug my hat off and toss it next to my drink. I try not to seem affected by the feel of his fingers against my scalp as he rustles my hair loose. I’m not fooling anyone.
Ford watches me as I settle into his embrace. I both love and hate the gentle look in his eyes. In my stupid brain, I think about how Lucky found a woman worth loving. Not another quick bang, but someone he made a family with. Guys like Ford are capable of that sort of thing. Logic says he had no reason to fall for any one girl. He’s still enjoying a warm body every night without any worries of Valentines and anniversaries.
“You think too much,” Ford says when I’m quiet for too long. “Thinking only goes so far.”
“I like you, but what’s the point?”
Ford smiles. “Now you’re really thinking too much.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know how I ended up here,” I say like I’m not the person caressing his chest. “I got jealous and my brain turned off.”
“I like that about you. Smart chicks are overrated,” he murmurs, cupping my face and kissing me like a man with nowhere to go.
Lazy and soft, his lips taste mine. My fingers grip his shirt, wanting a safety net, but none is coming. There’s only me, Ford, and the bed I made and must now lie in.
The lawn mower is no longer running when Ford’s lips leave mine. I don’t know how much time passes while he tastes and teases. I do know my face is flushed and my hips press against his. Somewhere during our casual kissing, I sorta began humping him. Playfully and not at all in a slutty way.
“I’m scrawny,” I mutter when his hand slides into my jeans and cups my ass. “No sweet curves.”
“You got a pussy?” he asks, causing me to glare into his eyes. Ford only smiles. “Well, do you?”
“Well fucking duh.”
“Then don’t worry so much, Shay. I’ve been waiting a long time to get into your panties. I don’t care if you’re a scrawny broad. As long as you’re a girl, I’ll be a happy man.”
“Long time,” I scoff. “It’s been less than two weeks.”
“An eternity for my dick.”
I shouldn’t laugh. I fucking hate when he talks about dicks and pussies. I want to smack him and go independent bitch on his sorry ass. I can’t though. He’s smiling at me and his hand feels good against the bare skin of my scrawny butt. In his asshole way, he’s being charming. Hell, if it doesn’t work too.