“I’ll wait until you’re ready, too,” I say softly, and I press one more kiss to her lips before I let go of her. I carry her suitcases back to the guest room—her room, now—and then I head to my own room to take a long, cold shower where I can give my cock the release he so desperately needs.
CHAPTER 22: Tatum Barker
Manila Envelope
I’m not mad, but I’m definitely…something.
Hot, for one thing.
I tear off my jeans and bra, and I change into just a T-shirt for bed, not bothering with shorts.
I slip under the covers of the bed in the guest room. All alone.
I don’t think he realizes how ready I am to move on. Or how freaking horny I am after all that hot kissing.
Archer was a good kisser, but there’s something totally different about Ford’s kisses. They’re all-consuming, like our souls are somehow connecting.
This feels big. Important. Different.
I’m trying not to make comparisons to Archer, but it’s hard since he was my first love. My first…well, everything. I don’t have a big basis for comparison outside of him except for one hookup after one of our breakups. He had one, too. We both thought it was well and truly over that time, and when it wasn’t, we were honest with each other about it when we got back together.
And I get it from Ford’s perspective. Wethoughtit was well and truly over in the past, and it wasn’t. He’s waiting for us to get back together since we have every other time.
He doesn’t want to be the hookup I have to confess to my partner when we patch things up. But that’s the thing—we’re not patching things up this time.
The past week in Vegasfeltdifferent. Of course I still love Archer. He’s a great guy, and I spent half my life either wanting to be with him or actually being with him. And I think that’s part of why we held on so long. It was comfortable. It was easy. But it was also nothing more than friendship for far too long despite trying to pretend like it was more.
And nothing made me more aware of that fact than seeing him in the flesh and not feeling those old feelings I once felt. I didn’t have butterflies when I landed in Vegas. Instead, I had dread.
But when I landed back in Tampa, I had butterflies. I had excitement to see Ford. My pulse thundered so loudly I could hear it in my ears. My legs felt weak. I felt nervous. It felt like the start of somethingnew. Exciting. Different.
And that kiss?
God.
I touch my fingertips to my lips as I think about that kiss, and then I can’t seem to help myself as I lie in the bed in Ford’s guest room. I picture the surprise in his eyes at the airport as I moved in toward him, just before I closed my own eyes and pressed my mouth to his.
I lick my fingers, and then I push them into my panties. I stroke my clit softly at first, and I open my thighs to give myself more room. I push my finger into my pussy, and I didn’t need to lick it first. I’m plenty wet after Ford warmedme up with all that kissing. It was deep, sensual, sexy. Fucking hot.
I pump my finger in and out as I remember the feel of his mouth on mine. The way he smelled, the way he tasted. The way he felt.
I slip my other hand under my T-shirt and grip onto my nipple as I slide my finger out of my pussy and furiously rub my clit. I feel the wave wash over me as something gives way, and I clamp my legs together as the pleasure undulates over me, pulse after pulse. I do my best to stay quiet through it, but my God, did I need that release more than I realized.
The only problem is that as soon as it ends and I lie panting alone in the guest room, the ache presses in on me again.
I want Ford Bradley, but it looks like I’m going to have to wait for him.
I’m not used to waiting. I’m used to getting what I want because I go after it.
And Icouldgo after it. I could walk into his room, tear my shirt off, and slide into bed beside him, and he’d give me exactly what I want.
But I can’t do that to him. I can’t do that tous. He’s right. If we’re going to make it past a one-night hookup, we need to wait until the time is right.
It feels right for me, but it looks like maybe it’s not right for him.
* * *
Ford agreed to accompany me toourmanor to show Devon and Lindsay around the place on Tuesday. I walk into the kitchen after I’m ready for the day, and he nods toward some takeout boxes on the counter.
