Page 82

Ford picks up on my reaction, and I feel his teeth graze ever so lightly against the spot where my pulse thunders in my neck before he rolls me underneath him and kisses me properly.

I spread my legs automatically, welcoming him on top of me. He feels so warm and solid and heavy, pinning me to the mattress. And god, he really is an incredible kisser. It’s been forever since I made out with someone and just enjoyed that instead of rushing to the main event. I’d forgotten how amazing it could be, especially with a partner who actually knows what they’re doing with their tongue.

And Ford definitely knows what he’s doing with his tongue.

I’m getting seriously turned on, my body heating up all over, my breath coming fast and burning in my lungs. I can feel Ford getting hard against my hip through his pajama pants, his cock pressing into me. I remember what it felt like inside me earlier, and the memory makes me squirm as my clit begs for friction.

We break apart for a moment, and I gulp in air, my nipples hardening. “I had no idea when you walked in on Hayden and me that it would lead to this.”

“Oh?” Ford kisses along my jaw, making me arch into him.

“I couldn’t tell what you were thinking at first.”

“Who says I was capable of thinking? That was one of the hottest things I’ve ever witnessed.”

I have a question, but I’m scared to ask it. Scared of what the answer might be. Ford seems so confident and casual about all this. I can’t help wondering…

Ford pulls back slightly, his brow furrowing with concern. “What is it?”

“I was just… wondering. Have you ever done this before? Shared a woman?”

To be honest, I’m not thrilled with the idea. Obviously all three of these men have sexual experience. So do I. I don’t have a problem with that. But the thought that this might be a regular thing for them, where they routinely share women and pass them around… that makes me feel a little sick inside. I know this isn’t anything more than holiday fun, but the idea of being the latest in a long line makes me feel small and insignificant all over again. I’m not expecting a real engagement or anything, but it would be nice to think that I’m special in some way.

“No,” Ford admits, and my heart lifts. “This will be a first for all of us. Will that be a problem?” He gives me a teasing look. “I think Hayden and I figured things out pretty well earlier.”

I laugh, relief flooding through me. “Oh, you definitely did. Trust me, I wasn’t complaining about your… performance.”

“Good,” Ford growls, pressing me back down onto the bed as he kisses me again.

I arch my hips up, spreading my legs wider in invitation. I want him so badly that I feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve finally gotten a taste and now I’m starving for more.

But instead of taking things further, Ford pulls back. He’s flushed and breathing hard, and I can feel how aroused he is, so I know he wants this as much as I do. But he doesn’t let me pull him back down.

“I think it’s time we got some rest.” He gently tucks my hair back from my face. I can see him reining himself in, getting his control back. “You were sick yesterday, and you’ve had a long and… physically demanding day.”

He winks at me, but then his expression turns serious again. “You need sleep.”

“I really feel up for it,” I say, blushing hard.

“Look at it this way—you need to save your energy. I saw how Hayden and Gabriel were looking at you tonight. You’re going to need it.”

His words are playful, but he sounds genuinely concerned about my wellbeing. I’m touched. I really do feel fine and more than ready for another round, but it has been an incredibly long and overwhelming day. Ford looking out for me feels… caring. Like he sees me as more than just a hookup. It’s sweet.

I worry that sleep won’t come, given everything that happened and how my mind is still racing. But the exhaustion of the day really does catch up with me, and I fall asleep quickly and easily next to the man who was my boss, then my fake fiancé, and now… well, I suppose the best word is ‘fuck buddy.’

That doesn’t quite fit either, but I’m asleep before I can think of something better.

36

MAEVE

The next day, there isn’t much going on for once. I think even Elaine needs a break occasionally. Either that, or the rest of her family staged an intervention and strong-armed her into giving them a day off between all the scheduled activities.

It’s probably the latter, actually. The thought of that family meeting makes me smile—I can just picture how it must have gone down.

The three men are working when I wake up. Ford was already gone by the time I opened my eyes, and I’m surprised he managed to slip out without disturbing me. I don’t remember my dreams, but I do remember feeling safe and warm, like there was a protective presence beside me all night. I think we must have slept curled up together. The thought makes my heart flutter.

When I get down to breakfast, Lydia’s there chatting over her coffee, and Charles is absorbed in his newspaper, but none of the men are present.