He fists either side of my panties and whispers, “Lift those hips for me, baby.”
I oblige, and he slides the material down my legs, tossing them to one side before his mouth descends on me, eating me with a passion that makes me shatter to pieces in less than thirty seconds as I cry out his name.
He raises his eyes to mine as he stands, wiping my orgasm from his lips. Then he climbs onto the bed, gathering me againsthis hard chest to press a kiss to my forehead, and I close my eyes tight, so filled with bliss that I could float away.
We lie there silently for long minutes, wrapped up in one another in a comfortable silence that stretches on, filling us both and preparing us for the day ahead.
“I gotta leave, baby.”
I nod as he presses a soft kiss to my lips before sliding off the bed. He dresses as though in fast-forward mode, having spent his limited spare time with me.
With one final kiss to my lips, Ford rushes out of the apartment, and I quickly set to the task of getting ready to meet Hayles and Reese.
Once I’ve dressed in simple blue jeans, an oversized white shirt, and ballet pumps, I grab my purse and take the elevator to the ground floor, where I find Damon waiting.
My eyes blow wide in surprise as he winks. “Can’t keep a good man down.”
I squeeze his shoulder appreciatively before he escorts me to the waiting town car.
“First day back?”
He shakes his head as he opens the rear driver’s side door. “No way. Ford wouldn’t let me back near you again until I was one hundred and ten percent cleared and back in action.”
We share a smile as he closes the door to settle into the driver’s seat, and the conversation is light the entire way to Fern. Once he’s parked, he trails me inside, taking up his station by the hostess podium.
“Good morning, Miss Hart.” I share a bright smile with Inga, the hostess, as she directs me to our usual table.
Reese rises out of her seat, enveloping me in a tight hug before Hayley reaches across the table to squeeze my hand in hers.
“I’m famished. What about you, girls?”
Reese lifts her menu, perusing it slowly, and I meet Hayley’s eye with a smile, knowing well that we all know the menu inside out.
“I’ll have the vegetarian quiche.” Hayley makes a face at my announcement as I pat my tummy. “All those yummy mushrooms and bell peppers…and thecheese! Yes. Double yes. All the yeses. I’m in heaven.”
“Well, I’ll stick with my normal stack, please, and thank you. Cheese, eggs, and vegetables…yuck. Does Ford realize he’s living with a heathen?”
Chucking, I shake my head. “Oh, he knows.” I shoot her a wink. “And helovesit.”
We’re both laughing when Reese lowers her menu with a grin, tilting her head to one side in question.
“And how did things go for Ford when he visited his father? Did he ask him about his involvement with your mother’s death?”
Her words scratch at old wounds that will never heal, and I silently curse Hayley for having told her of Ford’s news as my smile dims before I reply. “He found closure. That’s all we could hope for in a situation like this.”
She nods slowly, deposits her menu on the table, and signals to Inga, who approaches swiftly. “I’ll have the eggs Benedict and a mimosa, please, Inga.” Then she faces us. “I just need to freshen up real quick.”
As she meanders off to the restroom, Hayley and I place our order before I twist about to face her with wide eyes. “Why did you tell her about Ford’s trip to Jasper? What if she mentions it to Dad? So unnecessary?—”
“I didn’t say a word about it, Em. Your business is your business.” She regards me with nothing but the truth in her gaze.
My forehead bunches, and I blink several times. “So how did she…”
Like a bolt from the blue, Beck’s nonsensical words from Tryst replay in my head.
I only ever did whatshewanted me to. It was all for her.
Chest tightening, I try to tamp down on the thoughts that keep niggling until I push back my chair and stand. “I’ll be right back, Hayles.”
