Page 5 of Nail Me Down

I scream again.

“Holly, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Ford’s voice is groggy but recognizable. Also recognizable are his abs for days and bare chest with a smattering of chest hair, and a fucking treasure trail. The man’s in black boxer briefs and nothing else.

Fuck my life.

Shit. Now he’s crouching near my bed.

“Are you okay?”

I nod because my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth which it should definitely not be, but the other option is to let it hang out of my mouth like a dog.

“Are you sure? You screamed. Twice.”

“Ya,” I finally manage as I blink hard. “I’m good.” It’s been a really shitty day. And I just really do not want to cry in front of him.

“Do you need anything?”

Shit. I do. I really need a hug. Physical touch and all that. But this is Ford. And he’s half naked. I shouldn’t— “Ya.”

“What do you need?”

“I could really use a hug.”

His body stiffens slightly. Which…I get. I know I’m not his type. He’s made it really clear the few times we’ve met. He can’t hardly stand the sight of me, never mind having to touch me.

“Uh…”

“Never mind. It’s ok. I don’t need—”

“No. I can do it. Ya. Um…I can just give you a hug.”

He stands up awkwardly and I join him. Then he bends at the hips and pats my back three times. “There you go.”

And I don’t know if it’s the gesture itself or all of the night’s (and possibly months’) antics combined, but I giggle.

“That’s your hug?” I step back to catch his face reflected in the light streaming in from the window.

“Ya. Why? Not a good hug?”

“No. Not a good hug at all.”

“You can do better?” He challenges me playfully.

“Definitely.” And, forgetting that I shouldn’t do it, I throw my arms around him and plaster my body to his. Which…of course was a huge mistake. It doesn’t feel like a huge mistake though. It feels like summer camp. Like coziness. Like sun. Like something amazing could happen if I just open myself up to it.

For all the known and unknown reasons, I should not be hugging a half naked man in the dark in my room. But he’s here. And Damon’s not. Damon abandoned me. Neglected me again like he’s done for the last several months. I know, not a good reason. But maybe Damon and I are more disconnected than I thought if I want to find comfort with another man. Maybe I should free myself up for something better and let myself make this possibly huge mistake.

Though nothing is as huge as the bulge I suddenly feel against my abdomen.

Chapter 4

Ford

“Um…”

Fuck. I know what she’s about to say. I can feel it too, my cock practically burrowing its way into her.

“Just ignore it, Holly. Please.” My voice is strained, but I just want to hold her. “It means nothing. I’m a guy and it’s the middle of the night. You’re scared and sad. Just let me hold you for a second.”