Page 110 of Wild Love
He rolls his eyes at me in his signature bitchy way. “You think I’m going to be jealous of a mouse?”
I lean against the doorframe, stare up at him with wide, innocent eyes, and shrug.
We have a stare-off, which is nothing new, but there’s an added heat. An added knowing.
“You’re infuriating,” he grumbles, and then he drops his head to kiss me, and I smile against his lips.
This kiss is different. It’s not edged in anger or frustration or overbearing tension.
It’s achingly sweet. Not soft, but drawn out. Again, his knuckles stroke along my cheek, and a shiver races down my spine. I step closer, wanting to be wrapped up in him.
Again.
All night.
All day.
If Ford were a blanket, I’d pull him over my shoulders and walk around like I was wearing a cape.
His tongue swipes against mine and his hand settles on my throat. “I came to invite you to our bonfire tonight.” Hisbreath is damp against my lips. “But now that I know Scotty has moved in with you, I think you should pack your bags and stay with me instead.”
The tip of my nose runs over the stubble at the edge of his sharp jawline. “That might raise some eyebrows on the professional front. You fuck me once and move me in with you?”
He lands one hard kiss against my lips before pulling away and stepping back. “You know I don’t give a damn what people think of me. You can stay in the guest room if that’s more professional for you. I can fuck you just as easily in there.” He hits me with a cocky smirk, stepping farther back as though he’s preparing to leave. “Because we both know it wasn’t only once. It was just the first time.”
I bark out a laugh, grinning back at him. “I’ll think about it.”
“If you choose a mouse named Scotty over me, I’ll be offended.”
“I meant the bonfire. I’d be an idiot to choose Scotty over you.”
I half close the door on him, pleased with getting the last word in. But then I open it again and see him staring at the bunkhouse with a boyish smile on his face.
“But Ford, we need to tell Weston.”
I expect the smile to drop from his face, but it doesn’t. “I know.”
It’s from behind the closed door I hear him call, “See you tonight.”
Because he knows me well enough to understand, I don’t need to think about it at all.
I hope Ford doesn’t want to have sex with me tonight because I ate far too many hot dogs and s’mores. I’m so full that all I want to do is go to sleep.
Possibly right where I am. I’m already wrapped in one of Ford’s blankets, after all.
The fire is warm, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and the glass of wine in my hand tastes way too damn good.
West just ruffled my hair—more of a noogie, really— and took off with his feral daughter and bookish boy.
Gemma and Ford Senior took off a few minutes later. And Ford just walked Cora back up to the house. Being there to see Cora connect with grandparents she never knew she had was a highlight of my life. She watched everyone chat and laugh and tease each other with wide, starstruck eyes.
I could have watched her taking it in all night long.
My little storm cloud glowed bright as the moon.
And now it’s just me, my food baby, a glass of wine, and the stars.
I feel myself doze. A loud crack from the fire startles me awake and I shake my head. “Get it together, old girl,” I murmur.
