28. Ford
28
FORD
Three Days Later
“What are you doing?” Ford asks, coming through the front door carrying a basketball and Asher tagging along beside him.
“Yeah, Mom. What are you doing?” he parrots.
“What does it look like?” I laugh.
“It looks like you’re cooking,” Ford mutters, looking at me. I can tell he’s frustrated I’m not lying around doing nothing, but even so, he walks right to me and presses his lips gently against mine. “Hey, baby,” he whispers close to my ear. His deep voice makes my knees weak.
We’ve been back in Virginia for two days now. That doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but for me, it might as well have been a lifetime. My time here is night and day compared to what I’m used to in life. I don’t know what I expected, but honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised me if Ford turned into a monster with three heads. On the way here, I prepared myself constantly for everything about him to change. In these last two days, the opposite has become true. He’s even better than he was in North Carolina. He’s relaxed and happy. The man is also making time for Asher, even though he’s busy catching up on things here. Last night, they played basketball in the driveway of his gorgeous house. Then he came in and he and Asher made dinner. Today is the first day that I’m starting to feel like myself. I even managed to put some makeup on. It doesn’t completely hide my bruises, but it is an improvement. I’m not as sore either—which is a really good thing. The most surprising thing, though, is that I’m … happy. I realize I can’t decide things in just three days with Ford, but still, this feels different. I feel different.
“Hey,” I respond to him. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I thought you were supposed to be resting?” he asks, pulling up a stool in front of the gorgeous waterfall granite island that is kind of the centerpiece of his huge kitchen. It’s white and gray, full of light, with big windows over the sink that overlooks the beautiful backyard. It’s also open to the dining room, which is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and a set of French doors that lead to an enormous deck. It’s like a dream home. I still can’t believe he even mentioned he’d sign the house over to his daughter and move to be with me. I would accuse him of lying, but I know he's not. Whatever else Ford might be, he’s not a liar. I’ve been around enough of those to recognize one when I see them. He’s just a straight shooter, and that makes me feel … secure.
“Yeah, Mom. You’re supposed to be resting. Me and Ford always cook for you. It’s our job,” Asher gripes, putting his hands on the bar just like Ford is.
I could almost giggle when I see him. Ford even gave him a MC cut that looks just like the club one that Ford wears. The name patch on it reads, “Hoops”. My son is over the moon that he has his own name. He’s trying to mimic everything Ford does. Ford is loving it and honestly, I am too. It blows me away what a change my son has undergone in just a matter of days.
“I guess that means you don’t want any barbeque chicken pizza, huh?” I ask, knowing it’s his favorite. His beautiful green eyes widen with excitement.
“Did you make the crust yourself like you do back at our old house?”
“I did, with the cheese in the crust like you like.”
“Oh, wow! Thanks, Mom!”
“You’re welcome,” I laugh.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m in for a treat?” Ford says.
“Because you are?” I murmur, grinning at him.
“I get the feeling you’ve been keeping secrets, sweetheart.”
I laugh. “I hope you like it.”
“You made it for me. I’m going to love it,” he says, leaning over to press his lips on mine.
I blush when I pull back. My gaze goes immediately to my son, but he’s just grinning away, completely happy. “Why don’t you guys go wash up and I’ll dish up the pizza?” I tell them.
“Hey, Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we have a picnic?”
“Well, I didn’t bring the blanket,” I murmur. Ford frowns at me, probably because he knows I cleaned out my rental. I know that Benny and his men knew I lived there. I know Ford said there was nothing to worry about with him any longer, and I trust that. It makes me happy—even if that makes me a bad person. That said, I’m sure if Benny knew, so do the Korslovas and I don’t trust them. Ford called them—despite me asking him to let it go. He told them I’m his old lady—which is a term that annoys me, but apparently in MC terms, it just means I’m his woman. I don’t know what exactly was said, but Ford called someone in the Bratva with more firepower than the Korslovas and said they won’t be an issue for me. Still, I decided to move out of the house and pack our stuff. I didn’t want to bring it to Virginia. Ford argued and, in the end, we put my stuff in Ford’s garage. That way, I can take it with me if I leave or unpack if I stay.
I didn’t imagine I’d ever say this, but if things keep going like they are, I’m going to stay. I’m happy. Ford isn’t keeping me from his life. I’ve met all his men and their women. I like everyone. The club does have women for the single guys. That was a little uncomfortable, but they were very respectful and Sayla—one of the girls—told me they do not cross the line with men who have old ladies, unless it’s something the old lady wants and joins in. It’s a different kind of lifestyle for me. I appreciate the fact that nothing goes on when kids are around, however.
“I can go out to the garage and get the blanket, sweetheart,” Ford volunteers.
“I … uh … didn’t bring it from North Carolina. I just left it in the house.”
“Hey, buddy, why don’t you go jump in the shower and put on your PJs. I’ll find a blanket and set up a place for us to eat and we’ll watch that new movie you want.”
“Deal!” he yells excitedly, then takes off running to the bedroom that Ford let him pick out.
“No running,” I call out after him.
“Okay, Mom,” he responds—while clearly still running.
Ford just laughs, looking gorgeous. Seriously, it should be against the law for a man to look that good. I shake my head. “He used to listen to me more,” I mostly joke.
“He’s happy,” Ford says.
“I know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.”
“What about you, Grace? Are you happy?”
“I am,” I answer, not looking at him as I turn to the oven and take the pizza out of the oven. I place it on top of the stove. Then, I put the mitts down and search for the pizza cutter.
“Gracie,” Ford prompts, and he has quietly moved up beside me.
“You only say my name like that when you’re trying to make me melt,” I mutter.
“I want the truth. Are you happy?”
“I said I was,” I huff, annoyed.
“Then why don’t you seem like it?”
“I am happy, Ford. I just …”
“Just what, sweetheart?” he says, putting a hand on each of my hips and turning me around to face him. I bring my hands up to his chest to brace myself.
“Ford …”
“Talk to me. Remember our deal? You give me a fair chance and we don’t keep secrets from one another.”
“I don’t really have a secret,” I grumble.
“Well, something is wrong. Talk to me.”
I let out a sigh. “It has been good, Ford, really good. It is so good that it feels like …”
“Like what?”
“Like it’s too good to be true. I know it has only been three days, but nothing can be this easy and feel this good—especially in my life.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Grace. I’m going to do my best to spoil you. I never want you worrying about the future. I won’t rest until you feel secure in the knowledge that even when life gets hard we will face it together.”
“I think I’m starting to believe you,” I breathe, giving him the truth—as hard as it is not to run from it.
“That’s my baby,” he purrs, kissing me softly. His fingers are stretched against my ass, and I feel the heat gathering in the center of me. I’ve not wanted sex in so long that the need that is beginning to pool inside of me is shocking. His gentle kiss is breathtaking, but feeling the hard ridge of his cock pressing against me makes me need more. “Now, tell me why you didn’t bring the picnic blanket with you. You and Asher love using that. It makes Asher light up.”
I frown at him. “I just decided to put the past behind me.”
“The past?”
“You know, I should be allowed to keep a few secrets if it doesn’t involve you or us,” I complain.
“Would you want me keeping shit from you? I won’t and I don’t want you to. Keeping any secrets is leaving a door open for misunderstandings. I’m too old for that kind of shit. You and I are going to be a team, and we’ll face things head on. Now, what aren’t you telling me?”
“Andrew bought me that blanket. Most of our dates involved picnics. I thought it was because he liked it when it was just the two of us. Now, I wonder if it was because he just didn’t want to be seen with me as much. I mean, there has to be a reason he kept me away from his club. It never really bothered me back then, but after seeing the way you’ve made sure I know everyone at your club and make sure I’m right beside you, I’m thinking Andrew never truly cared about me at all.”
“Are you still hung up on him, Grace?” he asks, and I can feel the anger in the question. I rush to reassure him.
“Of course not! I just feel foolish. I invested a lot in that relationship. I even gave him my virginity and now, I just feel really stupid because he easily cut me out of his life and ghosted me. I’m realizing that I helped him do that, because I didn’t insist on him making me a complete part of his life.”
“You’re not stupid, Grace. You just loved and trusted a man and instead of manning up and telling you what was going on, he hurt you. I can’t imagine what was going on in his head. Vector, in my experience, is a good guy. Clearly, how he treated you was not good. I will tell you I’m glad it happened, because if he hadn’t fucked up, you wouldn’t be here with me and for that I might just send him a thank-you card.”
I slap him playfully on the shoulder. “You will not.”
“I just might. Does Hallmark make thank-you-for-being-an-asshole cards?”
I giggle, shaking my head. “Probably not.”
“Well, they should. Now, I have one more question. Are you telling me—without telling me—that you lost your virginity on that damn blanket I had dinner with you and Asher on?”
“Uh, well yeah.”
“If it was here, I’d burn the damn thing and send the ashes back to Vector with the you’re-an-asshole card.”
“Well, it’s a good thing it’s not here. Vector is okay. You said he offered to help you find me, which is more than I would expect from him. I honestly wish him and Sloane well. I can forgive him for hurting me, but I don’t have to forget it, you know?”
“I do. I’m going to go grab a blanket off our bed and tomorrow we’ll go shopping for a new one that is special to us.”
“You don’t have to do that, Ford.”
“I know I don’t. I want to. I’m also hoping when you’re ready to move to the next step that you will let me make love to you on our blanket.”
“You really are wonderful. Do you know that?” I ask him.
“I’m not, baby, but I’m glad you think I am, because I’m not letting you go. You finish up cutting that pizza. I’ll fix us a pad on the floor.”
“Sounds good,” I tell him, already turning away.
He slaps me on the ass, making me jump and rub the cheek. “Hey! What was that for?”
“You could have at least pretended that you didn’t want to let me go,” he mock pouts.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Do you mean it? You better be careful, saying things like that just might make me think you want to keep me in your life.”
“That’s because I do,” I tell him.
“Good, now quit distracting me, woman. Go get the pizza together and I’ll grab the blanket.”
“Yes, sir.” I answer as he’s walking out of the room and stops to look at me. There seems to be a fire in his eyes when he looks at me.
“One day soon, you’re going to have to give me those words while you’re naked, and in our bed,” he croons.
He gives me a grin and then walks out of the room, leaving me shaking my head, and wondering if I’m brave enough to ask Ford to make love to me …