Page 55 of Strawberry Moon

“I haven’t ever been in a relationship before. Is”—my voice cracked, so I stopped and took a deep, steadying breath before going on—“Is that what this is? Are we—Are we together? Or will you see me around?”

He stopped then, right in the middle of a song, squeezing me tight against him and finally, finally looking me in the eye. “I don’t want to see you around. I want to see you every day. I understand if you don’t want to wait around for me. I’m slow, and have a hard time talking about things, and—and I’m never gonna be one of your fancy city boyfriends.”

“Ford,” I interrupted. “I just told you. I don’t have any fancy city boyfriends. The longest I’ve ever dated anyone was three weeks, and he dumped me when he realized I wasn’t going to buy him stuff even though my grandfather was one of the richest men in the world. You’re one of the only people who’s ever looked at me and not wanted to look past, to him.”

I snuggled into his chest, taking a deep breath of the scent of him, alpha and work and farm, and the apples all around us, and everything was perfect in the world. Especially the little rumble he made in his chest. It was a growl of anger, just like the one he’d made the day we met, but this one wasn’t directed at me. It was on my behalf.

“Besides,” I said, closing my eyes and swaying with him once again, “I don’t want to be in the city anymore anyway. I just want to be a member of the Grove pack. If I could be a Grove, I would. It’s not like I’ve ever been a real Sterling, and I wouldn’t want that legacy for anything. Not even the money it came with.”

Ford hugged me so tight against him that I worried my ribs were squeaking, when a voice cut in from one side. “Don’t be ridiculous, Archer. You are a Grove, even if there isn’t a legal tie. You belong here as much as Ford does.” We both glanced over to find Linden next to us, dancing with Colt. He looked us over slyly. “In fact, I’d say maybe someday, we should be thinking about making it Archer McKesson. When you’re both ready.”

I sucked in a breath, ready to assure Ford that I wasn’t trying to pressure him into anything or replace his wife, but when I looked up at him, there was a softness in his eyes. A tiny smile playing across his lips.

He shook himself and flushed bright pink, waving the pack alpha off. “Don’t go pushing at him, alpha. We got time.”

“I suppose you do,” Linden agreed with a wink, and led Colt off the floor.

I stared up at Ford. The music had stopped for a moment, and we were the only ones standing there in the middle of the dance floor, unmoving. Staring into each other’s eyes, silent and... and the look on his face, the scent of him—it was screaming that he was as worried as I was. As unsure. But also, that he did want to be there, with me, holding me in his arms.

I lifted up onto my toes, and there, in front of the entire pack, pressed my lips against his. It was the test, wasn’t it? If he couldn’t stand to kiss me in front of everyone, then even if he wanted to be, he wasn’t ready. I couldn’t blame him. My life had been brought to a screeching halt when my grandfather had died, and I hadn’t even liked him, let alone planned to spend my whole existence living with him.

Ford didn’t move, didn’t pull away or press in, just let me kiss him, then go back down to my heels.

For a moment, I thought that was it, and that for now, at least, it was enough.

Then Ford tightened his hold on my waist, pulling me off my feet entirely, and leaned his face down to press our lips together again. Not a sweet, chaste kiss, either. He opened me up with his tongue and thrust inside, turning his face to get the best angle to completely plunder my mouth, right there in front of everyone.

Around us, the pack cheered and whistled, and... it was for us. Not because Rowan and Cliff were doing something entertaining. They were happy for me and Ford. Even Ford’s in-laws, tears shining in their eyes, were thrilled, Barbara clapping. Henrik stuck two fingers in his mouth and gave a ridiculous wolf-whistle.

Because not only did Ford want to give us a shot, but his pack—our pack—wanted us both to be happy. Together, if that was what we wanted.

39

Ford

Icouldn’t say I wasn’t nervous, introducing Archer to Barbara and Henrik as my boyfriend. With his hand in mine, I got through it. There wasn’t a thing to worry about anyway. Barbara and Henrik were perfect, smiling and happy to make his official acquaintance.

After that, we danced for hours. Even Jack eased up and joined in, linking arms on my one side, Archer on the other, as we jigged our way in circles around the happy couple.

At the end of the night, when it was time to drive Barbara and Henrik home in my old truck, I looked Archer right in the eyes and asked, “Want a ride?”

He’d be staying up in Grove House, like usual, but he didn’t even glance Linden’s way for an okay before he was nodding. I tossed my keys to Henrik, and Archer and I climbed into the back bed. When I opened my arm, he cuddled down into my side and the two of us watched the stars fly by above us the whole way home.

When we got there, I got out first. Barbara came around the cab while I held my hand out to help Archer down.

“You boys hungry?”

I raised my brow Archer’s way.

He flushed warmly and laughed. “I think I ate more at that reception than I do most weeks.”

“All right. You just holler if you need anything.” Barbara slipped her arm into Henrik’s, and they went inside.

“You, um, don’t want to go in?” Archer asked.

He was nervous. I could smell it. But I ducked down and stole a quick kiss. “Don’t go thinking like that. We’ll go in in a minute. I’m happy to have you out here. I want you to stay, so long as you want to.”

He nodded, his throat bobbing. “Then... what are we waiting for?”

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