Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)

“Or we could do this.”


Without warning, he dropped her hands, which was sad, because she was liking the feel of his fingers against hers. Only instead of stepping away, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her against him.

She went because, well, she wasn’t sure why. But when she got there, she found it was really nice to be pressed up against Ford. Before she could lean in against all those muscles, he lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers.

The touch was unexpected. Hot and tender at the same time. Almost teasing as if this were a game. If so, she wanted to play, she thought as her arms settled on his shoulders and her fingers found their way to the back of his neck.

Without meaning to, without thinking, she tilted her head. His mouth settled more firmly on hers. The next logical step was for her to part her lips, so she did. He moved his tongue against her lower lip before slipping it into her mouth, where it tangled with hers.

Several things happened at once. The sensible part of her brain pointed out that not only were they in the middle of town, standing on a street during a festival, but he was only doing this because he was trying to fake out his mother.

The rest of her quickly smothered the information with a flurry of impressions. The coolness of his hair against her fingers. The way her br**sts flattened against his chest. The pressure of his palms rubbing against the small of her back.

A liquid sensation seemed to flow through her, stealing her strength and leaving her pliable and willing. Wanting stirred—nearly unrecognizable in its unfamiliarity. But the need to get closer, to climb into him and be completely a part of whatever it was they were doing, was inescapable.

He kissed her deeply, stirring her with every stroke. She answered in kind, wanting to arouse him as much as he aroused her. She felt heat on her cheeks, tightness in her ni**les and stirring between her thighs. For the first time in her life, she was faced with burning sexual need. It both frightened and empowered her.

She felt less controlled and more driven by need. She had always regretted when the foreplay came to an end and things got serious, but not today. Today she wanted Ford’s hands on her body. Every part of her body. She wanted him touching and rubbing and nipping until she... Okay, that part was less clear, but one thing was certain. The kissing wasn’t getting it done.

This was what her friends were talking about, she thought as she hung on to him. This desire to be naked and touch and taste. She wanted to explore all of Ford, to discover where hard planes led and caress the unexpected tender valleys. She wanted to breathe in the scent of him, to have him hold her and fill her over and over again as he—

He released her.

She surfaced, blinking, out of breath and not sure what she’d been thinking. She was the one who didn’t find sex satisfying. Ever. Why on earth would she be fantasizing about doing it with Ford?

“Okay, then,” he said, his voice slightly strangled. “I thought that would be a little more PG-rated.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Next time, give a guy some warning.”

She stared at him. “Warning?”

She started to move away and he grabbed her. “Not so fast. I need a minute.”

She didn’t understand what he was talking about. Then her gaze dropped to his jeans and she saw a massive erection straining against his fly.

Consuelo had warned her that Ford liked all women and he obviously knew how to kiss. So the fact that he was aroused wasn’t something she should take personally. Still, it was nice to know he’d been caught off guard, too.

“I know that smile,” he grumbled.

“What?”

“You’re feeling smug.”

She grinned. “I am,” she admitted. “More than a little. We should get you something cold to drink.”

“Just give me a second. I’m thinking about kittens. Kittens aren’t sexy.”

She rested her palm on his stomach. “Anything I can do to help?”

He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her hand away. “Don’t do that. Not doing that would help.”

She giggled, inspired by her newfound power. He sighed heavily, then put his arm around her.

“Why did I think you’d make this easy?” he asked.

“I have no idea. Because it’s so much more fun to make it hard.”

* * *

DESPITE THE FACT that it was late afternoon, the festival was going strong. Consuelo hadn’t planned to come to it at all, but somehow she’d been unable to walk away from the music and crowds. She wandered over to a booth where a pretty young woman was selling handmade jewelry.