Page 42 of Fire

“Well, something is wrong. Talk to me.”

I let out a sigh. “It has been good, Ford,reallygood. It is so good that it feels like …”

“Like what?”

“Like it’s too good to be true. I know it has only been three days, but nothing can be this easy and feel this good—especially in my life.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Grace. I’m going to do my best to spoil you. I never want you worrying about the future. I won’t rest until you feel secure in the knowledge that even when life gets hard we will face it together.”

“I think I’m starting to believe you,” I breathe, giving him the truth—as hard as it is not to run from it.

“That’s my baby,” he purrs, kissing me softly. His fingers are stretched against my ass, and I feel the heat gathering in the center of me. I’ve not wanted sex in so long that the need that is beginning to pool inside of me is shocking. His gentle kiss is breathtaking, but feeling the hard ridge of his cock pressingagainst me makes me need more. “Now, tell me why you didn’t bring the picnic blanket with you. You and Asher love using that. It makes Asher light up.”

I frown at him. “I just decided to put the past behind me.”

“The past?”

“You know, I should be allowed to keep a few secrets if it doesn’t involve you or us,” I complain.

“Would you want me keeping shit from you? I won’t and I don’t want you to. Keeping any secrets is leaving a door open for misunderstandings. I’m too old for that kind of shit. You and I are going to be a team, and we’ll face things head on. Now, what aren’t you telling me?”

“Andrew bought me that blanket. Most of our dates involved picnics. I thought it was because he liked it when it was just the two of us. Now, I wonder if it was because he just didn’t want to be seen with me as much. I mean, there has to be a reason he kept me away from his club. It never really bothered me back then, but after seeing the way you’ve made sure I know everyone at your club and make sure I’m right beside you, I’m thinking Andrew never truly cared about me at all.”

“Are you still hung up on him, Grace?” he asks, and I can feel the anger in the question. I rush to reassure him.

“Of course not! I just feel foolish. I invested a lot in that relationship. I even gave him my virginity and now, I just feel really stupid because he easily cut me out of his life and ghosted me. I’m realizing that I helped him do that, because I didn’t insist on him making me a complete part of his life.”

“You’re not stupid, Grace. You just loved and trusted a man and instead of manning up and telling you what was going on, he hurt you. I can’t imagine what was going on in his head. Vector, in my experience, is a good guy. Clearly, how he treated you was not good. I will tell you I’m glad it happened, because if he hadn’tfucked up, you wouldn’t be here with me and for that I might just send him a thank-you card.”

I slap him playfully on the shoulder. “You will not.”

“I just might. Does Hallmark make thank-you-for-being-an-asshole cards?”

I giggle, shaking my head. “Probably not.”

“Well, they should. Now, I have one more question. Are you telling me—without telling me—that you lost your virginity on that damn blanket I had dinner with you and Asher on?”

“Uh, well yeah.”

“If it was here, I’d burn the damn thing and send the ashes back to Vector with the you’re-an-asshole card.”

“Well, it’s a good thing it’s not here. Vector is okay. You said he offered to help you find me, which is more than I would expect from him. I honestly wish him and Sloane well. I can forgive him for hurting me, but I don’t have to forget it, you know?”

“I do. I’m going to go grab a blanket off our bed and tomorrow we’ll go shopping for a new one that is special to us.”

“You don’t have to do that, Ford.”

“I know I don’t. Iwantto. I’m also hoping when you’re ready to move to the next step that you will let me make love to you onourblanket.”

“You really are wonderful. Do you know that?” I ask him.

“I’m not, baby, but I’m glad you think I am, because I’m not letting you go. You finish up cutting that pizza. I’ll fix us a pad on the floor.”

“Sounds good,” I tell him, already turning away.

He slaps me on the ass, making me jump and rub the cheek. “Hey! What was that for?”

“You could have at least pretended that you didn’t want to let me go,” he mock pouts.

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