Page 66 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Nineteen

PIPER

Delicious Friction

It was the first time in over a month I’d had a day off from all my jobs. I glanced around my apartment, my gaze lingering on the spot where Ford and I kissed last night.

He’d surprised me. I thought the minute we were through the door, his hands would be all over me. If I’d made all the guys I’d dated stand in a police lineup, I’d label them pathetic, bad and, of course, utterly chaotic with a dose of potential criminal. Nine times out of ten I went for door number three.

Ford was the complete opposite. He asked what I needed and let me set the pace. At one point when he raked his fingers through my hair, I found myself swallowing down a sob. I’d been dating since I was fifteen and never before had a man been so tender with me. Paid attention to my cues. Listened when I said what I wanted.

The mid-August sun sparkled through my sliding glass door and I got an idea. After taking a quick sip of coffee, I moved into the hall and knocked on Ford’s door.

He answered a few seconds later and I had to grip the edge of my pajama top. Ford all buttoned up was swoony. Ford with sleepy eyes, unruly dark hair and a day’s worth of stubble was five-alarm fire hot.

‘Mornin.’ He glanced at the dancing cows in hula skirts on my pajamas and that boyish grin of his made it hard to think pure thoughts.

‘I’m curious. How do you feel about lakes?’

He scratched at his hair, making his bedhead even sexier. ‘Lakes?’

‘Yes. You know, big bodies of water. Usually with trees and a shore around it.’

He laughed. ‘Yes, thank you, Miss Wikipedia.’

‘Lake Rainer is a short drive away, and I don’t have to work today. Are you up for a little swimming? Maybe a picnic? I could ask Barb and Susan to throw in some cookies as an extra enticement.’

He stepped out into the hall, the smell of toothpaste on his breath. ‘Bird, are you asking me on a date?’

Date. Who knew a single word could send such a shot of terror down my spine.

‘Uh. Maybe,’ I said, shrinking back.

He tugged on the drawstring of my shorts and yanked me to his chest. Did that move where he slid his hand behind my neck, cradled my head and gave me a kiss so steamy it nearly made my knees buckle. He pulled away much too quickly and pressed his forehead to mine.

‘Sorry. Had to get that out of my system.’

‘It’s okay,’ I stammered, my senses engulfed in his woody scent. ‘The lake?’ I babbled. ‘Sound like fun?’

‘Count me in.’ He gave me a peck on the cheek and said, ‘Come back in half an hour?’

‘That’ll work.’

He gave me a wide smile before saying, ‘Oatmeal raisin.’

‘What?’

‘You said enticement. Mine comes in the form of oatmeal raisin cookies.’

He turned and closed the door before I could sputter out that no one really liked that flavor of cookie.

When we first walked to where Ford’s car was parked near the community bank, I had to swallow a laugh. I hadn’t pegged him as a station wagon kind of guy.

‘Go ahead. Get it out of your system.’

‘I did not say a word.’ My barely contained laughter gave away my amusement.

‘What? It’s a classic,’ he said like he was a little hurt.