Page 91 of Always a Bridesmaid
“Don’t act like you’re surprised. We both knew it was going to happen. And he’s attached to me, too.”
“He has been a right pain in my ass the past two days. I think he misses you.” Ford stopped at another intersection—the one where he’d turn right to take her to Maisy’s or left toward his house. His grip on her thigh tightened as he coasted his lips over hers. “I’ve missed you being there, too.”
There they were—the words that filtered into her soul and mended her broken pieces.
The instant she opened for him, Ford swept his tongue inside and stroked it over hers. “Actually, I have a different idea,” he said, his voice gruff. “Feel like another adventure?”
“Hmm.” Violet acted as if she had to mull it over as everything inside her shoutedyes. “Will there be rodents or vermin involved? Thanks to last weekend, that’s a question I now feel I have to ask.”
He huffed a laugh and shook his head. “No vermin. Well, we might come across some out in the wild, but no herding will be required.”
Speaking of wild, her body was short-circuiting, and thank goodness no one had pulled up behind them. She pressed her lips to his, basking in the way they automatically moved against his and said, “Kiss me like that again, and I’ll go just about anywhere with you.”
…
Ford’s antagonistic thoughts had almost ruined the evening.
Instead of getting upset or letting him hold her at a distance, Violet had reached out and reminded him how incredible she was.
Maybe he didn’t have all the answers, but the woman showed him how it felt to be genuinely happy. He thought he’d experienced joy before, but these past couple weeks had shown him an entirely new level.
On top of all her other amazing qualities, she’d helped him train the puppies and become a better bridesdude. She’d even defended his honor to the scariest woman—nay, person—in town. Not to mention how well she’d fit in with his friends. Truth be told, since the moment they’d met, she’d justfitin general.
What was he doing, allowing his issues and fears to get the best of him? Especially when every other part of him screamed that he’d be an idiot to let Violet go?
High risk, high reward was his home base, and it was time to take a risk already.
After a quick stop for supplies and to grab Violet’s camera, Ford drove to the hillier side of Lake Jocassee. He parked his truck at the trailhead, and then he was out and rounding the cab. He opened the passenger door, gripped Violet around the waist, and lowered her to her feet.
The moonlight lit up her bewitching features, and his doubts melted away. They had an undeniable connection, and they owed it to themselves to see how far it could go.
He slung on his backpack and then linked his fingers with hers. “Ready for a short hike?”
“What’s a short hike in Ford McGuire speak?”
“A mile or so.”
“Is that how long we have to go to find a spot where you haven’t made out with another woman?” she asked, the words on the teasing side, although a hint of curiosity underlay the question as well.
“Shep and his big mouth,” Ford murmured with a shake of his head.
Violet craned her neck and peered at the dirt trail that led to chimney rock. “I suppose a mile is survivable, even for someone as out of shape as I am.”
“Sweetheart, I like your shape just fine.” Evidently, thinking about going all in had him going to the cheesy extreme, but the happiness singing through him and leaving his steps lighter made it impossible to give a damn.
Halfway up the trail, Violet accused his “or so” of meaning five miles. But she continued to climb at his side, her labored breaths giving him flashbacks of their sessions between the sheets.
His heart beat a heady, carnal rhythm that awakened his inner caveman.
If this night went as planned, he’d have her in that position again soon—he had a quilt in his bag, just in case. As the saying goes, better to be prepared than end up with pine needles poking your ass.
Finally, they reached the top of chimney rock. From this bird’s-eye vantage point, you could overlook the entire lake. The way Violet’s jaw dropped as she took in their surroundings affirmed he’d made the right choice in bringing her here.
She clasped a hand to her chest, awe softening her features. “It’s beautiful.”
“So are you.” Right as he was about to kick his own ass for being so sappy, a slow smile spread across her face.
Violet shot pictures while Ford spread the quilt under a nearby tree. He knelt on the fabric and poured wine into two scorch-marked camping mugs that had only ever held coffee before.
