Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“How can you say that? You don’t even know me.”
“I think I do. I know all of this is scaring you. I’m not asking for promises. I just want you to take a breath and give me a chance. Let me prove to you I could be the man that you need. The man that you and Asher need.”
I swallow, almost afraid to breathe. “You’re forgetting that you live in Virginia and I’m in North Carolina.”
“I haven’t forgotten that at all. I want you and Asher to come out to Virginia a bit. Test the waters, I guess you could say.”
“Ford, I can’t just uproot my life. Asher has school, friends, and I have a job. I—”
Before I can finish listing the myriad of reasons this won’t work, he presses his lips to mine, ending my tirade. It’s a sweet kiss, his tongue just barely skimming against mine. Still, it’s one of the best kisses I’ve had. When he’s done, he pulls back and smiles at me.
“You don’t have to decide tonight. Just think about it. That’s all. I’m here in bed with you. I’m telling you I love you and I want to be in your life. If you can look in your heart and say you have zero feelings for me, I’ll leave you alone. It would probably destroy me, but I’d still do it. I really need you to think hard on it, though. Because I wasn’t lying to you, Grace. I truly believe you are where I belong. I think we’re perfect for one another.”
“Ford …” I breathe, trying not to cry. How can he say this to me? Surely, he should be able to tell that he deserves much better than me.
“Just think about it, Grace. Please?”
“Okay …”
The joy that blooms over his face can’t be mistaken. As I see it, another part of the wall I surround myself with crumbles. This time when Ford kisses me, I open for him immediately. His tongue tangles and dances with mine. His hand slides against the column of my neck while his thumb brushes back and forth on my cheek. I whimper under the force of his lips, my body moving against his as desire begins to take over, but he pulls back, breaking our connection. He gently kisses my forehead. “I’m not going to rush any of this. I want to savor it. We’ll go as fast or as slow as you want to go. There will be no pressure from me. You’ve had a hell of a few days. You’re safe and in my arms. I want you to get some rest tonight, okay?”
“Okay,” I murmur, thoroughly confused. “Wait, what about Asher?”
“Stop worrying. Lyla loves kids. He’ll be fine for a couple of hours. Now, let’s sleep gorgeous.”
“Okay,” I repeat, because I do feel exhausted.
I snuggle down into him, closing my eyes. After about twenty minutes, I notice that Ford’s breathing has evened out. I think about getting up and going to Asher’s room to sleep. The only problem is I don’t really want to leave. I let my lips caress Ford’s chest, smiling at the taste of his skin on the tip of my tongue. This man has done so much for me and my son. I’ve never known anyone like him.
“Thank you for what you’ve done for me and Asher. You deserve so much more than me. I can’t do that to you, but it’s hard because I think I already love you.” I let out a sigh and snuggle closer to him, letting myself relax and sleep claim me.
27
FORD
I sigh as I look down at Grace. In sleep, she’s even more beautiful and I wouldn’t have thought that was possible. I was awake half of the night trying to figure out how to crack this hard exterior that Grace has around her. I heard every word she said. She loves me. Hearing her say it was good. I knew the emotion was in there. I could feel it between us. Still, I know the problem and it’s a big one. I need to somehow prove to her she can trust that love. That’s no small feat, considering everyone in her life has let her down. I’m not sure how to even tackle it. What I’m considering doing might blow up in my face, but I honestly don’t have many choices. Asher is on my side and since I don’t want to be away from him as much as his mother, I’ll enlist him to help me, too. It’s underhanded—not how I like to do things. I’m not letting Grace and Asher slip through my fingers, though. I can’t.
I smile as I watch her eyes flutter before she finally opens them. I grin as she stares at me. “Ford?” she whispers.
“Who else would you wake up in bed with?” I purr, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. She tenses for a minute, but then I feel her tongue slide against my lips. I open for her, but don’t press it—wanting to see what she does next. When her tongue tentatively slides into my mouth, gently stroking against my own, I feel like I won the damn lottery. I let her control the kiss. I fight to not turn it into something more passionate, knowing my Grace isn’t ready for that. I just let her experiment and play. Sadly, all too soon she stops, then looks up at me with the prettiest pink blush on her cheeks that I can see, despite the bruising still evident on her face. “I should kill him again,” I mutter without thinking.