Page 161 of Exes and Oh Hell No

Like he’s wrestling with something he doesn’t want to feel.

My body has been swaying to the music and Allie’s powerful voice, but suddenly, I stop.

I feel it.

A presence.

A shift in the air so sudden, my stomach drops.

I know it before I even turn.

Ford.

He’s here.

His growl is so loud, it pulls Connor from his Allie-induced trance.

Connor grabs Ford’s arm. "Bro, wait. Just?—"

Ford doesn’t even hear him.

Connor tries again. "Man, just let her?—"

I’m frozen, unable to move, watching the train barrel toward me, about to run my ass over.

But then Allie’s voice hits the final chorus, and she belts out a high note, her voice clear and steady, despite how drunk she is.

Connor stills.

His hand loosens on Ford, and his breath shudders as he stares at Allie like she’s an angel.

And in that moment, he’s fucking gone for her.

Helpless.

Speechless.

Smitten.

He doesn’t even try to stop Ford a third time.

Which means—I’mscrewed.

Because Ford is already moving toward me with the speed of a runaway train.

The moment his eyes lock on me, the moment he sees me standing on this goddamn table, wearing his shirt and nothing else, I know.

I’m dead.

The heat in his gaze is pure fury.

Pure possession.

Pure, unrelentingFord.

I fucked up.

But instead of apologizing, I grin like an idiot, my body warm from the booze flowing through my veins.

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