Chapter 9
FORD
Glancing up from pouring white wine into a glass that rests on the kitchen counter, I notice Brielle walking into the room in only my hoodie and nothing else.
I have to do a double take for many reasons—one, how magnificent she looks in my clothes, especially with a sexy look gracing her face.
Mostly, I’m watching her stride into my kitchen because I’m amazed that I kept restraint upstairs, and now too, as the sweater hits her knees but leaves enough for the imagination.
But we are a long game, and I need to take my time with her.
Everything is now happening, one domino after another.
“I’ve poured you a glass.” I slide the drink to the edge of the counter where Brielle parks her cute behind on a stool. She’s already curling the fabric over her hands because my hoodie drowns her.
Brielle looks at me skeptically. “Right, wining and dining me, because suddenly you have an inkling to go old-fashioned.”
I grin to myself before I lean over to capture her mouth for a kiss, one that she willingly gives.
“Quick, hard, and to the point wouldn’t have sufficed, baby. And once we get naked later, then we are not leaving my bed,” I warn her.
She takes the glass between her fingers, leans back, and hums a sound. “You mention later. I’m not so sure you should assume,” she taunts.
I ignore her attempt to tease me and instead look at my watch.
“Listen, you should take this wine, go relax by the pool, and I’ll be back soon.
I need to run next door to Spencer’s, and you look a little too flushed to join.
Have to give them a bottle of champagne as a congratulations, since they got engaged last night.
I had promised Hudson I would stop by, as they are throwing a little celebration before Spencer goes back on the road for a game. ”
“Is it a full moon? Engagements seem to be happening a lot lately.” She sips from her glass.
“You’re saying that like you’re still engaged. You should take it easy; you need your rest for later.”
Brielle looks up from her wine. “That’s very considerate.”
Leaning over the counter, I take her hands in mine. “We should take a breather before we cross the line that I have every intention of repeating… a lot… tonight.”
“I’m trying not to think,” she mentions.
That worries me slightly. We wouldn’t be the first people to get caught up in lust. “Elle, I won’t be a regret.”
She is quick to offer me a gentle assuring smile. “I meant, I want to enjoy our time together here, today, tomorrow. I just know there are more factors to consider.” Nothing she’s saying is soothing. Her finger escapes my hold to tap the back of my hand. “Factors we will consider because we are…”
“More than a one-night fuck.”
Her lips purse out, and she tilts her head at an angle. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”
I return to standing, bopping her nose with my finger in the process, but I catch her in a daze as she stares at me. “You okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just kind of… surreal… this.” She points between us. “Kind of takes getting used to but not in a bad way. Kissing you feels natural, very natural, but this dynamic is a little new, or rather it’s been so long where we haven’t been together-together.” She tips her wine glass back.
“Way too long,” I lament. “We can go slow,” I offer.
“I don’t think my body can cope,” she casually mentions, with a trace of a smirk on her lips. “Besides, you have to dine me, so dinner is slow enough.”
“But that’s all physical. What about all the other stuff?”
Our eyes meet briefly for a check-in.
“You mentioned something on the boat that we can have a few days where we make up for lost time, be in our own little world before we face reality, and I think that’s our first step.”
And maybe she’s right.
“Sure,” I answer.
Yet, I could jump right in, but I need to let her lead the way. I’ve already thrown a lot at her. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to pull out all the stops to woo her.
That’s what I think it is, I respect her so profoundly that I want to give her romance before we get lost in one another.
She isn’t any woman, she’s the love of my life.
“I’ll be back soon,” I promise. “Go get comfortable. If you want to study and need something, just look in my office.”
She chortles. “There is no way I can concentrate now.” Her nails tap on the counter, and she seems to have a moment of clarification. “Are you nervous? Am I throwing you off your game? Is that why I’m not lying in your bed right now?” She’s entertained.
I smile awkwardly as I swipe my thumb across my chin. “Uh,” I croak out.
“It is, isn’t it?” Brielle now softens her voice when she realizes the answer that I’ve been internally denying.
“Don’t be silly. I remember every little detail of your body and have noticed every change since.”
Her eyes grow big. “You should probably get out of here because I could take that the wrong way.”
“I just meant that I notice when you add highlights in your hair, or you’ve slept well, when you’re in a good mood or bad.”
She blushes, and I take it as my cue to walk to her, step between her legs, and cradle her head in my hands.
“I like that it’s you who notices.”
“Good,” I say before I kiss her once more as a parting gift. “I’m not nervous. You just bring out the best of me.” One more kiss because I can’t resist, and I’m out of there.
I hand Spencer a bottle of champagne as I step into his kitchen where Hudson and Piper are talking with April. The champagne is kind of pointless, as everyone in this room has a closet full of over-the-top and highly priced bottles, but it’s the thought that counts.
“I’m not going to stay long, just dropping by, as good neighbors do,” I announce.
Spencer slaps a hand on my shoulder. “That’s okay, I have to leave in an hour. I have a game this week.”
“We know you’re busy too, Ford.” Piper smiles.
It’s then that I notice everyone is staring at me peculiarly, with fixed grins on their faces like they’re waiting for something.
“You all okay?” I ask.
“For sure. Anything you care to share?” April wiggles her brows, her blonde hair not moving an inch as she stretches her smile.
I’m trying to read the room but failing miserably.
“We saw a little scene of you carrying someone over your shoulder,” Spencer mumbles.
Ah fuck, there is a spot between our property lines that is cleared. We figured we should have a path to each other’s yards and docks, for safety since there are kids around.
“Total The Notebook vibes,” April adds.
Hudson rolls his eyes. “Your plan working?”
“Shouldn’t we be discussing April and Spencer?” I suggest.
Spencer and April look at one another then shrug their shoulders. “Nah,” they agree in unison.
“Brielle and I are taking some time… for ourselves.”
The ladies in the room clap their hands together in excitement, and I’m beginning to wonder if I walked into a bear’s den.
“Calm down, ladies.” Hudson grins, slightly scared for me.
“Pulling out all the stops, huh?” Spencer asks.
I muss my hair. “Trying. I need to figure out dinner for tonight. Tomorrow, I have a few ideas.”
“I’ll make your dinner,” April is quick to volunteer. She’s a nutritionist and cooks daily.
“You just got engaged,” I emphasize the obvious.
She is already heading to the fridge. “Yes, and my fiancé has a game to catch. I have a bunch of meals in the freezer. Meat or no meat? Maybe a lasagna?”
“Are you sure?”
April is already pulling out a container from the freezer drawer. “Totally. Here, this is lasagna with pumpkin and sage, the instructions are on the container, and let me go grab some bread dough that I’ve had resting for days.”
“Aren’t I a lucky man?” Spencer fondly admires his fiancée, the homemaker.
Spencer’s seven-year-old daughter skips into the kitchen, with her pigtails swaying in the air. “Is Connor here?” Excitement is apparent in her voice.
I lean down to her eye level. “Sorry, he’s at hockey camp.”
“Oh.” Her face falls, and she stomps away.
“Someone has a crush. So adorable,” Piper notes, with her hands on her chest in admiration.
Spencer and I look at one another, thankful we are not yet near the teenage years.
“We should keep an eye on that, right?” I question.
Spencer gives me a cartoonish look. “Don’t remind me.”
April arrives with a cloth bag full of food. Handing it to me, I’m quick to notice she went overboard, including a bag of salad.
“This is way too kind.” I take the tote.
“Nah, it’s fine. Besides, I expect a full report later in the week or maybe I will have my dog accidentally stroll into your yard, and oops, I need to go rescue him. Would seven be an ideal time for that?” she jokes.
I have to smile at her humor, and I’m thankful that I have such great neighbors. We look out for one another.
“Thank you. I don’t mean to dash already, but I really just wanted to say congrats in person real quick.” I open my arms to hug April, then Spencer gets a side hug.
A quick round of goodbyes, but, of course, Hudson has to be the last to give me the older-and-wiser advice that he loves to dish out.
“Opportunity is what we make of it. Grab it when you can and don’t let go.” His advice isn’t new, but I appreciate him reminding us when he can.
“I have no intention of letting it go,” I promise.
Returning to my house, I put everything away for later then throw on my swim trunks before I head out back to find Brielle lying on a lounger beside the pool in a black bikini and sunhat as she reads a massive book with a highlighter in hand. She is giving studying a whirl, I guess.
I’ve seen her in a bikini a few times over the years, but now I’m allowed to look and fantasize without guilt, and I love that.
“Ditched the air conditioner and my hoodie?” I say as I whip off my t-shirt.
She glances up from the book and smiles.
“Really? Yet again, you feel a shirt isn’t necessary?
” I have to grin because she’s calling me out.
“Illinois summer is good to us this year, so I’m going to enjoy this eighty-five-degree no-wind weather.
We know winter is coming at some point. I thought I would try to study, but I haven’t made a dent. ”
I sit on the lounger next to her. “Good, you should relax. My sister sent me some photos of Connor today at camp.” I pull out my phone and swipe the screen to show Brielle, who instantly smiles wide.
“He’s a cutie.” Connor is wearing skates and is holding his hockey stick as he waits for his turn to hit between the orange cones. “Growing so fast.”
“Yeah, he is.”
We look at one another with affection, as there is never a moment that we don’t look elated when discussing our boy.
I decide to put my phone to the side so we can focus on each other. We can be selfish and not focus on gushing the praises of our son for one afternoon. Today is about us.
“So, how about at six we have dinner?” I suggest.
Brielle closes her book. “What’s on the menu?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“You’re cooking?”
“Kind of.” Half the truth. I’m turning the oven on at least.
She nibbles her bottom lip, trying not to smile, but I can tell that she’s happy. “Okay.”
“Shall I go grab more wine?”
“No, I’ll save my intake for later, plus it’s a little too warm out for wine.”
“You’re warm?” I stand up and offer my hand. “Come on, let’s go for a swim.”
Brielle’s fingers carefully walk into my palm, but I grab hold of her wrist and yank her up, causing her hat to fall. Quickly, I hook my arm under her knees to carry her.
“Don’t you dare throw me in,” she giggles.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I grin.
She clings to my neck. “Liar.”
And she’s right, I drop her in the deep end and dive in after.
We both submerge under the water before swimming to each other. With water swooshing around us, I love the way Brielle brings her arms around my neck before wrapping her legs around me. She knows I’m her anchor both in the pool and life.
Our bodies are close, and it feels so damn right, yet tantalizing. This will be a struggle not to play with the tie behind her neck, but it will make tonight even better.
“Hi,” she says shyly.
“Hey.” I dip my head down to kiss her neck. “Look at us.”
“Crazy.”
“Nah, crazy is waiting this long.”
She gives me knowing eyes. “Maybe.”
I can’t read what is hinted in that word, but I don’t get too worried as she kisses me with intention.
For the next hour, we just wade in the pool, splashing around and chatting about the Bar exam, Lake Spark, and the training facility that I’m running.
It’s easy and relaxing. In a way, no different from the way we’ve been the last ten years, except for the fact I get to touch her, hold her, and kiss her. It’s a change but welcome.
We were in a good mood when we both went our separate ways to shower and change. I threw on a fresh t-shirt and jeans before I worked my magic in the kitchen and outside. I’ve dated, sure, but I’ve never romanced someone the way I am for Brielle.
By the time I have everything set up, Brielle arrives down the stairs barefoot but in a black cotton dress that clings to her and stops mid-thigh.
Her mouth parts open with a gasp when she walks outside to the edge of the patio where I’m lighting a few candles on the table to keep the mosquitos away.
This is the perfect spot to overlook the lake and sunset.
My Bluetooth plays music; I’m really on a Hovvdy kick lately, and it fits us for this moment.
“You did this?” She walks to the table. “It’s beautiful, romantic, and a little surprising. But unexpected is easy to do, as no part of today is how I was planning my week to go.” She notices the warm lasagna, salad, and bread. “You cooked?”
“I might have had April’s help so I won’t poison you.” I bring her chair out to help her in.
“I’m slightly relieved with that news,” she admits and slides onto the chair. “Thank you.”
We have white wine in a bucket. Olive Owl, her favorite, and I get an abundance of wine supply since Hudson’s son married into the family that owns the brand. I’m quick to pick up the bottle and get busy with the cork.
“A toast,” I suggest.
“Depends on what we’re toasting,” she playfully challenges as she picks up the wine glasses on the table and holds them out for me.
I think for a second. This isn’t a new beginning because I don’t want us to erase what was, especially since it includes our son. I pop the cork and begin to pour. “To timing.” It’s the best I can do.
“Maybe. Or to waiting. Maybe we’ll figure out if we’re worth it,” she counters with hope in her tone.
Optimism is something we share, which is why we clink our glasses to celebrate the night ahead.