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He got her set up with the cup and a sleeve of crackers, and when he glanced back, Ford was still standing there. The look on his face had nothing to do with what they hadn’t gotten to finish upstairs. It was softer than that. Cole turned back to the kid and asked her whether ginger ale medicine came with a bedtime story, and let Ford keep looking as long as he wanted.

“Sometimes I get extra stories,” she told him.

Cole was pretty sure that was a stretch, but he gave her credit for trying.

“Well, then we’d better get you tucked in so your daddy can read to you.” Cole tried not to think too hard about why she’d been all about her dad until she saw Cole and had since basically forgotten he was even there.

“I want you to read to me tonight,” she whined.

Cole looked up at Ford for permission. Given the way things were progressing between them, he had to be careful about protecting Charlotte. Things seemed good right now, but that didn’t mean everything wouldn’t go to shit at some point.

“That’s fine, but you need to come and give me hugs on your way up,” Ford said.

Cole studied his features for any sign he was simply placating his daughter but found none. And when she insisted Cole carry her, Ford didn’t hesitate before wrapping his arms around both of them. Cole tried not to read anything into that.

“Get into bed. I’ll grab your cup while Cole reads one story.”

Cole was a sucker. They’d both heard Ford tell her she only got one book, but then she did the puppy-dog eyes and her bottom lip jutted out, and Cole caved. By the third book, she was struggling to keep her eyes open, and by the last page, she was out, one hand still fisted in the blanket. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and snuck out of the room.

Ford was waiting for him outside her room and backed him gently against the wall. This was the first time either of them had shown any sort of intimacy while Charlotte was home. Cole tried pulling away, but Ford held him tighter.

“I swear, I’m starting to think that kid’s gift is horrible timing,” Ford muttered before pressing his lips to Cole’s neck. “I had plans for us tonight.”

“She comes first. That’s the deal.” Cole meant it. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ve got time.”

“You keep saying that.” Ford pulled back far enough to look at him. “But I’m starting to get impatient here. Thinking I was an idiot to suggest we go slow because now I’m being punished for it.”

“Well, that’s not dramatic at all,” he teased. “What if I promise to make it worth your while when we do finally get a kid-free night together?”

Ford kissed him once, soft, and let his hand slide down to lace their fingers together. “I suppose that might help. Won’t make it any easier to sleep without you next to me tonight. And a good orgasm was going to be the remedy to me overthinking everything.”

“Oh please, you’ll sleep great because there won’t be anyone keeping you from doing your best starfish impression all over the bed,” Cole scoffed. “As for the other, if you think you can be quiet, I could come and tuck you in too.”

Cole slid his hand between their bodies, cupping Ford’s cock. He chuckled as he felt him thickening. They needed to get to somewhere more private. Cole turned Ford and backed him down the hall. “Yeah, I think you like that idea. You want me to get on my knees so you can feed this to me?”

“I didn’t realize you had a filthy mouth on you.” Ford kicked the door closed behind them, reaching around Cole to push the button lock. “I guess we’d better see if you can follow through.”

Oh, that absolutely wasn’t going to be a problem. Cole’s mouth watered as he watched Ford unzip his jeans. He steadied himself with a hand on Cole’s shoulder as he kicked out of them. Cole grabbed the waistband of Ford’s briefs. “These too.”

The urge to shove Ford onto the bed was strong, but Cole wasn’t about to risk hurting him. Instead, he shoved his hands inside Ford’s briefs, squeezing the firm globes of his ass before shoving down the cotton. It was a shame Cole steered clear of hockey players most of the time because the fact that they had the best asses was undeniable.

“You know, this isn’t exactly fair,” Ford complained as Cole eased him onto the mattress. “Why am I naked while you’re still fully dressed?”

“Because this isn’t about me.” Cole wanted to give Ford what he needed tonight.

If he tried reciprocating, Cole wasn’t sure they’d be able to stop. The first time they were finally together in the sense of penetration, Cole wanted to be able to take his time. He wanted to fuck Ford long and slow, the way Ford had admitted to wanting.

He tapped Ford’s hip. “Roll over. I want to do something.”

“What?” Ford suddenly sounded uncertain.

Cole knew Ford hadn’t been with many men, but surely he understood the concept of ass play, right?

“Just trust me.”

Cole saw the moment Ford relented. He was nervous, but still turned over control to Cole. That was a heady feeling. Cole crawled onto the bed next to him, bending down to kiss his way across Ford’s shoulders.

Ford shivered as Cole traced a finger down the length of his spine. He tensed when Cole’s finger dipped into his crease. “There’s lube in the nightstand.”