Ford stopped in front of a short tree stump with two axes embedded into it. It was clear this pit had never been used, the area pristine and floors lacking any wood shavings.
As I took in the space, my gaze slid over the two targets at the end of the pit before snapping back to the one on the right. I squinted, trying to get a better look to see if it was actually what I thought it was. When I realized my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me, I couldn’t stop the laugh from bursting out.
There, secured directly over the bull’s-eye of my target, was a picture of Ford’s smiling face staring back at me.
I glanced over at him, only to find his eyes already locked on me, his lips curved up in a soft smile. He was looking at me like he’d never seen me before, and I guessed that much was true, considering how rarely I laughed in his presence.
This time, I wasn’t imagining how his gaze dipped to my mouth and then stayed there. My lips tingled in response, as if his attention was a brand on me, searing me from where he stood.
And then he opened his mouth and reminded me exactly what this thing was between us, refueling every ounce of frustration I had with this unbearable man. “Since you’re used to losing to me, I figured you could use any leg up you could get.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
QUINN
“Areyou planning to get through this whole night without saying a word?” Ford asked, amusement clear in his tone.
Ignoring him for the moment, I stepped up to the tape, axe in hand, and cocked my arms back over my head before letting it fly toward the target. It landed with athwapdead center of the now-demolished photo of Ford. I didn’t know if it was the picture he’d put up or beginner’s luck, but I was on fire tonight, landing all but three of my throws, many of which had been bull’s-eyes.
I smirked to myself as I retrieved the axe, then tossed his words back to him. “I figured you could use any leg up you could get, so I didn’t want to be a distraction.”
He stood by the tree stump at the border of our pit, one hand braced on the handle of his axe. He didn’t take his eyes off me as I strode toward him before swinging my axe into the stump next to his.
“Your mouth isn’t the only thing that’s distracting tonight, kitten. But I’m multitalented,” he said, swiping a thumb over his bottom lip as he eyed me. “Believe it or not, I can do a lot of things while my hands are busy.”
As if he hadn’t caused a shiver to race down my spine with his words, he grabbed his axe and got into position for his turn. He probably hadn’t meant them to sound dirty or flirty—or, hell, maybe he had. ThiswasFord after all—but combined with the look he shot me, his eyes molten as he gave me a slow once-over, I was feeling the heat.
If I was honest, I’dbeenfeeling the heat the whole time we’d been here. Hell, the entire night since he’d stepped up behind me in the clinic parking lot. I had no idea what it was about him or why the chemistry between us crackled, but there was no denying it did. No matter how desperately I wanted it not to.
We’d spent most of our time on opposite sides of the pit, but I could still feel the tension sizzling between us. Could feel the heat of his gaze on me, following my every move, never straying from me even when faced with the not-so-subtle advances of several women here tonight. Advances he ignored entirely in favor of watching me.
And I was valiantly ignoring how much I liked it.
It obviously wasn’tFordwho was doing this to me. I was clearly starved for any male attention at all since it’d been so long. That, and I hadn’t eaten in hours, so this Manhattan Ford had bought for me had gone to my head.
He threw his axe, landing a three-point shot on the board, but it still wasn’t enough to take over my lead in our race to twenty-one. Andthat…that was exactly what I needed to focus on. This ever-present competition between us—the one that had been there as long as I could remember. It was comfortable and familiar, and I slid into it easily, shoving all the other feelings away.
“Still nothing to say?” He strolled toward me, all swagger and confidence, his eyes never leaving mine. “Fine, I’ll be the lube.”
Of course, I had chosen that moment to take a sip from my drink, and I choked and sputtered as soon as his words registered. After several moments of coughing, I croaked, “The what?”
“Lube,” he enunciated far too loudly, even considering the chaos around us. “Nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes you just need it.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Mabel asked, popping her head around the corner.
I startled at her sudden appearance, nearly spilling my drink as I jolted backward. “God, Mabel, where did you come from?”
“You should know by now that my ears are attuned to anyone discussing toys or the tools that enhance their enjoyment of them.” She sniffed, and I swore she would have tossed her hair over her shoulder if it weren’t so short. “It’s a gift. As for your little problem, I just so happened to order a variety pack of samples for my last party. I’ll give you a few later at home, Quinn—strawberry’s my favorite.” She shot us a wink before she scurried away, holding up her phone and focusing again on the Live she was apparently hosting for the soft launch.
“Oh my God.” I stared after her, mouth agape. “Please don’t tell me she was recording when she said that.”
Ford stepped up right next to me and lifted a single shoulder, the move causing his arm to brush against mine. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Ignoring the hum of awareness from where our skin touched, I said, “Well, that’s just great. Not only am I going to hear about it later from her, but now that conversation is going to be all over Starlight Cove by the end of the night. That’s exactly what I need.”
“Sounds like maybe you just need the right flavor lube, but no worries. She’ll hook you up.”
“You are theworst,” I hissed. “Why the hell did you even bring it up in the first place?”
