Ford cups my face and studies me. “You’re in a mood. Why?”
“Life is fucked up, you know? It doesn’t do what it should. Good people suffer. Bad people get away with shit. It’s depressing.”
“Who are the good and bad people in your little rant?” he asks in a soft, maybe defensive voice.
“What does it matter?”
“I’m a bad guy. Are you complaining about me?”
“Are you trying to start a fight because I said I missed you?” I ask, grabbing his shirt and glaring at him. “Don’t you even think of messing with me when I’m in a bad mood. If you try to run, I will hunt you down and force you to fuck a smile on my face.”
Ford gives me a slow sexy grin. “Don’t tell anyone, but I missed you today too.”
Kissing him, I whisper against his lips. “Is that why today you texted me like a clingy bitch?”
Giving me a dark glare, Ford wants to play cold. My tongue finds his and he realizes games need to wait.
Thanking Darby, I say goodbye to Lula and grab my bag with work and overnight clothes. I climb on the back of Ford’s Harley, press my face against his leather jacket, and hold on tight. We arrive at Apron Strings after racing around afternoon traffic.
The waitress from before frowns at Ford and sits us in another girl’s section. I suspect she slept with him at some point. I suspect the same about tonight’s waitress. Everyone has fucked Crawford Reed. I’d be jealous, but can I really blame them? He’s hot and fucks like a dream. No way can I hold a grudge. Of course, I’ll smack anyone who makes a move on him while I’m around.
After we order, Ford leans over and kisses my forehead. “Here’s some cash to get your feet done.”
I look over the three twenties and frown. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t really have to do much of anything in life. I’m a rebel.”
Grinning, I shift onto my knees and stare at him. Ford immediately sighs.
“I’m not buying you. Is that what your big brain is thinking? I don’t want to give you money so you’ll fuck me. I don’t think you’re a whore or whatever you’re imagining.”
“A whore,” I balk. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Ford grunts. “You’re always fucking thinking and it hurts my brain to keep up with your shit.”
“Your brain hurts?” I say, caressing his cheek. “Oh, honey, you’re not stupid.”
Running his fingers down the seam of my jeans, Ford grins. “You’ll take the money and get your feet sexy. Then, I get to see you do the striptease, right? See, I’m not helping you, just looking out for my dick.”
“Maybe you are stupid.”
“I don’t want you making a big deal out of the money.” When I smile at him, his expression shifts to fear. “Don’t get any ideas that the money means anything.”
“How can it not? I look at you and my heart beats faster and my stomach gets butterflies in that annoying teenage crush way. When you do nice shit for me, I want more. I’m selfish that way.”
“I’ll disappoint you. Better not get your hopes up.”
“You’re so sexy when you say things like that,” I whisper, kissing him softly.
Ford licks my lips until I slide over into his lap. We both want more than we can do in a restaurant. Ford pulls his lips away first then kisses me once more quickly.
“What if I got all fucked up?” he asks, studying my face. “Like my face was slashed and I wasn’t so damn sexy. Would you still get those butterflies?”
“Of course I would,” I say, nuzzling his throat. “You’re more than a handsome mug. Sure, I might have you fuck me from behind, but I’d still want you.”
Wrapping me tighter in his arms, Ford laughs. “My ego needed that.”
“Thanks for the money,” I say, staring into his blue eyes.
“I know you want to save up for your brothers to visit. Pax wouldn’t have said that shit about you ditching them if he knew you.”
“We should force him to endure more quality time with me. He deserves nothing less.”
“Oh, I have plans,” Ford whispers then growls in frustration when our food arrives. “I don’t want you off my lap.”
“Like I said earlier, life is fucked up, you know? We don’t always get what we want.”
When Ford leans his forehead against mine, I sense he’s bothered about more than his cock. A melancholy vibe rushes off him for the rest of dinner. I see concern in his eyes when he drops me off at work. As if I’m not worried enough, he tells me not to fuck around when he calls to check on me.
His tension infects me and I remain on alert all evening. My only relief is when I’m back in his arms.
31
Ford
Happens to Everyone
Shay’s bad mood makes me a little crazy. I need her to smile, so I can see her eyes light up. Shay’s happiness is all I can think about lately.
I hate how whipped I feel. I can’t be responsible for keeping her in rainbows and sunshine. Trying is a mistake, but I can’t stop myself.
By the next morning, Shay’s in a happy mood as she lowers her pussy over me.