“I think most people would.Maybe it’s okay to stop fighting it, and instead do your best to forgive yourself for your role in what happened.”Lord knew that was easier said than done.
He finally looked up, his expression so vulnerable it hurt.“That works for you?”
She gave him an are-you-for-real look.“Hell no.I stuff that shit down and pretend it never happened.”Sadly, not an exaggeration.
A laugh burst out of him, but he quickly sobered.“Look, I didn’t tell you about Con to fish for emotional support.I was trying to explain why I never let myself get serious about anyone.His death hit me so hard, I couldn’t imagine opening myself up to that kind of loss again.”
Her heart fluttered.Did that mean…?“And then I come along—” she leaned back and gestured to herself with a sideways look “—irresistible obviously.”
His lips quirked.“Obviously.”
“But I’m all free-spirited and reckless…too much like him, and it freaks you out.”
His chin pulled back.“No.That’s not—” A groove appeared between his brows and he grimaced.“Maybe it did, early on.But only because it gave me the excuse I needed to protect myself.You’re not reckless.Not really.”He stroked her cheek with his thumb, sending a little shiver of desire to her toes.“You are so much more than the show you put on.”
Her heart stampeded across her sternum and her face heated.“You think so?”
“I know it.”He scooted closer, his gaze soft.“You’re a woman of many layers.”
“Like an onion.”
He huffed out a laugh.“Yes, definitely.Or a parfait.I hear everybody loves those.”
Oh, my God.Grinning, she said, “I love that you’re paraphrasingShrekto me right now.”
Touching the tip of her nose, he said, “I loveyou.And whether you’re an onion or a dessert, I love all of your layers.”
She blinked, her throat tightening.Was he for real?“The ones you’ve seen, anyway.”Her voice came out breathier, less flippant than intended.He had no idea about the dark memories she fought so hard to suppress.“Why the sudden one-eighty?”
He sighed, his mouth twisting.“I know this feels sudden to you, but if I’m honest, it’s been there a long time.I didn’t want to admit it, but you should’ve seen me when Blitz and I got caught in the rain this morning.I wasn’t running to escape the storm.I was running back to you.”His large, warm hand slid across the nape of her neck.“Nat, my heart skips a beat every time you enter the room.I’m awestruck by you.”
She flashed hot and cold, not sure whether to trust what she thought was happening.Maybe she’d hit her head and lay broken and unconscious at the bottom of the stairs.
Ford’s eyes sparked with heat.“You’re intelligent, fierce, adventurous… And sexy as hell.The minute you walked out the door, I knew I’d fucked up.I’ve been such a coward, so afraid of loving someone who might leave me in one way or another, that I vowed to avoid it at all costs.When you left, I realized it had happened anyway.And this time it was unarguably my fault.”His fingers threaded into her hair.“But this time I have a chance to fix it.I hope.”
She nodded, feeling buoyant.
“Actually, first I have a confession to make.”He rolled his lips between his teeth.“I found your note.Actually, Blitz did.”
She could feel the blush crawling up her face, but before she could think of a response, he said, “And I respectfully disagree.Idofeel the same, and wearecompatible.And you’re the bravest person I know.I was wrong for thinking you’d leave without a word, but I’m not wrong about that.”
She studied him, looking for any signs of deception, feeling a weird amalgam of joy, fear, and uncertainty.How much of his sudden revelation that he loved her was because he knew she was a sure thing?
He combed her hair back from her face, his gaze tender.As if reading her mind, he said, “I already figured out what an ass I’d beenbeforeBlitz brought me the note.My first instinct was to run after you, but you told me not to and I had to respect that.If I hadn’t heard you cry out—”
She kissed him.For him to go against every protective drive he had, merely because she’d asked him to… That was rare.Precious.She didn’t know if it would be enough to keep them together for the long term—assuming they even got that chance—but she finally believed that he loved her.
And goddamnhe was an excellent kisser.Attentive, curious, playful…demanding.Shivers chased down her spine as he pulled her closer and she savored his heat, the scent of rain on his bare skin, the soft press of his lips—
Bzzzzz.Bzzzzz.
Her eyes popped open.
“Fuck.”Ford jerked back and dug the phone from his back pocket with a scowl.
She swayed toward him briefly, then snapped upright.Only a few people had his burner number.
“What is it?”He gave Nat an apologetic look that quickly morphed into a grim one.“Shit.That’s…probably not good.Thanks for calling.”He nodded absently.“Will do.Love ya.Bye.”
