Despite our almost kiss from two weeks ago and the tension that’s flowed between us during every interaction since, to him, I’m simply a girl with a crush.
A monumental crush, but a crush, no less.
And not only a crush, but an unrequited crush on a man who’s ten million miles out of my league.
Just then, as though conjured from my thoughts, the door of the barn opens to reveal that same crush. The one who dominates my waking and sleeping thoughts.
Who has done so for over two years now – probably longer, if I’m honest.
Our eyes lock and hold. Mine are blown wide with surprise, undoubtedly red and puffy from crying for the last two hours, while his are deep, dark blue pools, taking me in with an intensity that makes my blood surge.
That gives me butterflies in my stomach while stealing the breath from my lungs.
He’s shucked the blue tie he was wearing earlier when he’d departed Circle H with Lorelai Arden, his date to the twenty-first birthday party his family is hosting for him at a swanky hotel in Austin.
The same date who’s the cause behind my tears and frustrations, and just as I open my mouth to ask what he’s doing here instead of celebrating at his own party, Ford beats me to it.
“My dad set me up with Lorelai. Her whole family ambushed me today… I hadnoclue it was coming. And I had zero choice in the matter, Tink.”
His words do nothing to assuage the hurt flowing through me, so I swiftly fold my arms over my chest and shake my head as nonchalantly as I can muster. “You don’t owe me an explanation, Ford. In fact, you owe me preciselynothing.”
He moves farther into the barn, closing the door behind him before bringing his hand up between us, depositing a pretty bouquet of my favorite coral peonies on a nearby shelf, all while keeping his gaze locked with mine.
“Peonies aren’t in season right now, so I ordered them earlier this week. Planned on giving them to you today.” His lips lift slightly on one side in a lopsided half-smile that makes my stomach dip. “They’re your favorite, right?”
I can only blink in the face of his unexpectedly thoughtful gesture before managing a tiny nod. I’m entirely baffled by how he knows my favorite bloom, and as my sluggish brain tries to decipher his actions, his jaw clenches.
“I saw you arrive on Tessa as we left. Couldn’t get the image of your face outta my head.” He edges closer until he’s just out of reach. A frown mars his ridiculously handsome face as his eyes bore into mine with intensity. “Seeing me with Lorelaihurtyou.Ihurt you, didn’t I?”
Shifting my gaze away to look down at my boots, I swallow roughly as I try to hold on to what little pride I have left.
“I saw the pain on your face as clear as I’m seeing the tears there right this very second.”
My nostrils flare as a fresh ball of emotion rises in my throat, and all I can do is shake my head, praying to whatever higher power exists to please help keep my emotions in check.
Suddenly, Ford is in my space, his hand sliding into place at the nape of my neck to tilt my head up to his, sending a shock of awareness straight through me. A feeling of utter peace, of belonging, of safety, follows before I raise hesitant eyes to turbulent ones.
“I wouldneverhurt you, given the choice, Tink. Notever.” He brushes the pad of his thumb across my cheek, his gaze deepening with intent before he cups my other cheek with his free hand.
My stomach swirls with a blend of hope and yearning that spreads through my entire body until I’m practically vibrating beneath his hold.
His breath whispers across my lips, making my heart pound so rapidly that I wouldn’t be surprised if it jumped right out of my chest.
“Why…why did you come back?” My question is a bare whisper, and I hold my breath, concurrently fearful and hopeful of his response.
But it doesn’t come.
Instead, conflicted, stormy eyes flick between mine before dropping to my lips, remaining fixated on them for a long beat until he speaks at last. His words are hoarse. Raw. And they speak directly to my heart.
“You don’t wanna know how many times this past week I’ve wondered what your lips might taste like…” He dusts his thumb lightly over my bottom lip, his eyes seemingly captivated by the action, his darkened gaze making my skin tingle.
“As soft as a peach…”
He raises blown pupils to mine, and the unconcealed desire there sets my veins aflame as he whispers, “I have no fucking doubt these perfect lips would taste just as goddamn sweet, Tink.”
My breaths come in short rasps, his chest rising and falling just as rapidly as my own, when he suddenly growls, “And I can’t resist the craving any longer?—”
His final word is muffled when he covers my mouth with his, teasing the seam of my lips with his tongue and urging them to open.
