Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)

Her gaze returned to his. “Something else I’m not sure I should ask.”


He put his beer on the table and slowly stood. For a woman who’d been married a few years, she was surprisingly naive about what went on in a man’s mind. He supposed that most of the reason was that her ex was g*y. He doubted Eric had thought all that differently, only that the object of his interest must have been someone else.

He circled around the table and pulled her to her feet.

“Never doubt,” he told her right before he kissed her.

* * *

ISABEL REMEMBERED THE LAST time with Ford. The passion had built slowly, catching her off guard and making it difficult for her to understand what was happening. This time, that wasn’t the problem. Her body recognized the upcoming kiss and apparently approved. Even before his mouth settled on hers, her nerve endings were buzzing in anticipation.

His lips claimed hers with a combination of heat and passion. Her eyes closed, allowing her to concentrate on the feel of his hands gently cupping her face. She rested her fingertips on his shoulders.

He was strong, she thought absently. Strong and powerful and very male.

Their mouths brushed once, twice before she parted for him. Just like that—kiss me more, she thought, a little shocked by her reaction. He obliged and slipped his tongue inside.

Her body came alive at the first stroke. Heat exploded low in her belly and spiraled out, capturing every part of her. Her br**sts, which had never been that interesting to her, began to feel heavy and ache. She knew her ni**les were tight.

She kissed him back, moving her tongue against his, wanting more of the heat and need. The hunger itself was pleasure. Anticipation was like a nip followed by a kiss. Slightly uncomfortable but ultimately pleasing.

She leaned into him, wanting to feel her br**sts crushed against his hard chest. Only not like this, she thought, running her hands up and down his back. Not with so many layers of clothing between them. She wanted skin on skin. She wanted him touching her and licking and—

The clarity of the image was as startling as her imagining it and she pulled back, unable to believe what was happening. She stood on her back porch confused, breathing hard and with a strong need to rip off her shirt and bra and have Ford put his hands on her br**sts. Not just his hands. His mouth. And not just her br**sts.

She tried to catch her breath. What was happening? This so wasn’t her.

“You okay?” Ford asked with a grin.

She nodded. “Confused.”

“I do that to women. You’re overwhelmed with desire. I should have warned you.”

Which would have been funny if it wasn’t true.

His smile faded. “Seriously, Isabel, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. It’s just kissing you is different.”

“Is it the fangs? Not everyone finds them a turn-on.”

She managed a laugh. He pulled her close again and lightly kissed the tip of her nose.

“Not like with Eric?” he asked.

“Or Billy. Or the unnamed hordes in between.”

“You had hordes?”

“I had one other guy. Maybe two. It wasn’t impressive.”

His dark gaze met hers. “So it’s the passion that has you nervous?”

“I guess. I like what I feel, but it’s so strange.”

His mouth twisted. “Well, damn. Now I can’t take advantage of you.”

“Did you plan to?”

“I was hoping.”

She took a deep breath and then placed her palm on his chest. She looked into his eyes and murmured, “Maybe next time.”

Now it was his turn to suck in a breath. “Just say the word.”

CHAPTER TEN

CONSUELO WATCHED HER CLASS walk into the gym. The thirteen-year-old boys were at that awkward stage. Some were tall and lanky, while others had yet to start their puberty-induced growth spurt. Reese and Carter walked in together, as they always did. Reese had been in town awhile because of his dad, but Carter had shown up only a couple of months ago. His mother had died and Carter had come looking for his father—Gideon, a man who’d never known about his son. After a few missteps, the two had connected. With Felicia as the glue in their relationship, they’d formed a family.

Now Carter crossed the room and stopped in front of her.

“You went on a date.” His voice was accusing.

Consuelo nodded slowly. “I know.” She wasn’t going to apologize. Carter’s declaration of everlasting love was sweet, but hardly real.

“You’re not going to wait for me, are you?” he asked with a sigh. “Even though I’ll be eighteen in five years?”

“I’m too old for you. But there will be other women in your life.”

“It won’t be the same.”

She held in a smile. “I know and I’ll have to live with that.”

Reese came up and rolled his eyes. “You gotta let it go, bro.”

“I will. There are some cute girls at school.”

“See?” Consuelo told him. “Your heart is already healing.”

“But if you ever change your mind,” he began.