Page 106 of The Snuggle is Real
“No, but the hair. The freckles. The lips.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Especially the lips, am I right, Ford?”
I glanced sidelong to see him stroking his beard, a blush just visible above the edge of hair. Hehadmentioned liking my mouth that first night. I just thought it was easier for him to compliment my mouth than something more masculine, but maybe…
LuAnne laughed, sounding delighted. “Oh, this is too good. Now, I’m glad I agreed to hang around a couple of days.”
“Weeks,” he corrected.
She waved a hand. “Whatever. You know what I mean.” She smirked at us. “This is going to be fun to watch.”
Ford rolled his eyes. “Okay, well, Mason and I have some wrapping to do. You can join us, or you can go to bed.”
“Where will I sleep? I’d share your bed, but…” She waved toward me. “Apparently, my old spot is taken.”
“Very taken,” I confirmed.
I would offer to go home, but what would that solve? I didn’t want Ford and his ex sharing a bed, and there was nowhere else except the couch whether I was here or not.
“How about I call Dottie and see if she minds you using her guest room?”
“Dottie’s still kicking, huh?” She smiled, seeming more relaxed than when she’d first arrived. “It would be fun to catch up, I guess. She was always a hoot.”
Ford pulled out his phone to make the call, and a few minutes later, LuAnne had gone next door.
“Should we bring in the gifts?” Ford asked.
Aside from the dollhouse, Ford had picked up a few small things to stuff Charlie’s stocking, and I’d bought a gift for her, too.
I nodded. “Yeah, but Ford, we need to talk.”
He winced. “I know having my ex around for a couple of weeks isn’t ideal, but it’s for Charlie. I swear to you I’m not?—”
I pressed my fingers over his lips. “Not that.”
He raised his eyebrows, and I dropped my hand. “Then what?”
“Charlie wants to stay, Ford. She told me in the bedroom.”
“And she will. Lu agreed to hang out a while.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s what she meant. I think she wants to stay…for good. Like, live with you instead of her mom.”
He sucked in a breath. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure? She didn’t say it in those exact words, but yeah…” I nodded. “She wants to stay here with you and—” I stopped, biting my lip.
“And what?”
“And maybe me too?” I suggested tentatively. “I mean, I don’t know if she wants that, but I do. If you can get LuAnne to agree, if Charlie stays, you wouldn’t have to do it alone. I…I love her, Ford. I…I love?—”
He grasped my arms, tugging me close, his eyes burning into mine. “What? You love what?”
“You,” I whispered.
His mouth landed on mine, tongue sweeping inside. I melted against his broad chest, clinging to his waist as he took possession of my mouth with an aggressive kiss. The sort of kiss that said I belonged to him.
“I already loved you, but you caring this much about Charlie? It makes me love you so damn much more.”
“Does that mean you’ll talk to LuAnne?” I asked. “Do you think she’d ever go for it? You keeping Charlie?”
