In a gruff whisper, he asked, “Am I convincing?”
* * *
Skye disliked the way she suddenly felt, a little twitchy, a little too warm, and definitely aware in a sensual way, but whatever. Though he’d made his objections clear, Ford was here now, likely prodded by his more chivalrous friends, but so what? He’d do as well as anyone, and their association would be so temporary as to practically not exist.
Reminding herself that it was all for show, she let out a shaky breath. “If this goes off the rails—”
“It won’t,” he promised, and stood again.
When the knock sounded on her front door, he caught her fingers in his much larger, slightly rough, and incredibly warm hand.
Oh, not good. His touch was electrifying, though she tried to hide her reaction. Instead of feeling impersonal, the connection was far too intimate—at least for her. Ford didn’t seem all that affected.
The second she gained her feet, he led her through the kitchen, past her small dining room, into the living room, and to the entry door. Of course, he knew the way. Their houses had similar layouts, but with different exteriors. Hers was siding, his brick. Her landscaping was new and still small, his was lush and well-manicured. And now he had that amazing deck that made his pool a beautiful feature in his backyard. Her yard was more shaded, with several big trees.
“What’s his name again?” Ford asked quietly.
“Clyde. Why?”
Another knock sounded, followed by the doorbell.
He released her, saying, “Go ahead and let him in.”
Incredulous, she said low, “That’s what I’m doing.” She unlocked not one, but two locks. Ford said nothing else, but as she pulled the door open, he draped a long arm around her shoulders, smiled brightly, and literally took over.
Before she could get out a single word, he said, “Hey, Clyde, right?” He stepped aside to let Clyde in, and as he had her pinned to his side, she moved with him. “Nice ride you have. Is it new?”
Bewildered, Clyde stared at him. “Who the hell are you?”
“Neighbor,” Ford said, his smile still in place. “Friend. Confidant. Escort.” Lifting his brows, he added, “Admirer. Currentlythe one. You know what I mean.”
Bristling, Clyde said, “No, I don’t.”
“Ah, man. Sucks for you.”
Skye nearly choked. Good grief. Where had her standoffish neighbor gone? He was now the man she’d often heard joking with his friends.
She kind of liked both personas.
Ford hugged her into his side with an overdose of affection. “Skye told me you had to pick up a few things?”
“I have it all right here.” Darting away from Ford, she went to the couch and lifted a box. “Two CDs, your charging cord, a hat, the book you wanted me to read, sunglasses, ear buds, and your pen.” She met Clyde’s gaze and stated, “Everything you left in my car.” For some reason, she wanted Ford to know that Clyde hadn’t been in her house.
After considering everything she’d said to him and his friends, she’d realized how bad it had made her sound. Like a total user. Like someone who’d taken advantage of Clyde and then ruthlessly dumped him.
Not the way it had happened, and though she’d assumed that one visit with them was all she’d ever have, she’d hated to leave them with that impression.
Then Ford had showed up after all, and now here she was, with both men staring at her over the way she’d listed the inventory.
Ready to end the farce, she thrust the box at Clyde.
He took it only to set it aside. “I want to talk, Skye.”
God, this was so awkward. Gently, because she did feel bad, Skye said, “We’ve done enough talking, I think.”
When Clyde started to step forward, Ford got in his way. “Sorry, man.” His tone was still cordial. “She says no.”
Clyde was not a small man. He was muscular, maybe as much so as Bray. He intimidated a lot of people.
