Chapter 11
brIELLE
Iwake feeling fulfilled.
Stretching out my arms and stirring in Ford’s bed, I make no mistake that I am in his arms, and he has been holding me all night after we went a few rounds.
He smiles down at me. “Hey, beautiful.” His voice is hoarse.
“How long have you been awake?” I yawn.
“A little while. I’m still getting used to sleeping in after years of waking early for training.”
His hands rub warmth into my arm near my elbow. I inhale his scent of morning musk, and I enjoy it because it means I’m in his bed.
I should pinch myself to confirm that this is reality, but I feel his cock wide awake against the back of my thigh, and I know that this isn’t a dream.
“After last night, don’t you need a little extra sleep?” I wonder.
He smirks at me before he adjusts our bodies so that I can rest my head against his chest. I eagerly draw circles on his pec with my fingers because his toned physique is a masterpiece that I like to touch.
“I’d rather watch you naked in my bed.”
“So be it, but I’m not going easy on you this morning,” I warn him.
Ford’s fingers caress my back as we lie together, perfectly intent.
“I thought we could head into town for some breakfast, then I need to head to Connor’s camp.”
My head perks up. “You’re seeing Connor today?”
Ford squeezes me closer. “You too. You’re coming with me if you don’t mind watching me teach a group of ten-year-olds.”
I smile. “I’d love to.”
“Good. Then we’ll head to Jolly Joe’s and make our way to the training center after.”
“Ooh, you sound like you have us on a tight schedule,” I note.
Ford snorts a laugh. “No, but we should be out of the house in about an hour.”
A mischievous grin overtakes my face, I can feel my lips curl. I walk my fingers up Ford’s chest. “If we have an hour, then I think there is something we can work on.”
Ford flips me to my back with a satisfied smirk of his own. “What could that be?”
“We have a lot of time to make up for, so I think…” I wiggle and feel between us to grip his cock, and his head falls low as he enjoys my hand wrapped around him to give him a stroke.
“I couldn’t agree more.” He slithers his body out of my hold and down the mattress, disappearing under the duvet.
I grab hold of the duvet to inspect what he’s doing, only to find him parting my thighs open and staring at my pussy.
“Just checking how swollen you are and ensuring my mark stayed inside of you.”
Fire ignites inside of me from his words. My nipples harden, and my body is awakened with extra sensitivity, including the air that hits my nipples.
“And,” I breathe. “Do you approve?” My voice is uneven, as I’m so heightened and I need his touch.
Ford swipes my clit with the pad of his thumb. “I want to fill you up again.”
“I want that too.” I lick my lips.
I can’t take it anymore, and I scoot up to sitting and encourage Ford to swap places.
I straddle him with my knee on each side of his hips.
Taking his cock in my palm, I wrap my fingers around him to give him a few pumps before aligning him with my opening and sliding on top of him. We both moan at the same time.
“Take what you want from me,” Ford encourages and squares my hips with his hands.
“Everything feels too good.” My lids go heavy, and my back arches, with my hair falling behind me and my breasts on offer.
Ford sits up, brushing his lips along the curve of my breast. “That’s because only my cock should be inside of you. I was made for you, and you were made for me. Now be a good girl and tell me that you understand that only I will ever make you come.”
I think I might faint. When Ford says these things, he has a determined edge in his tone, a sort of territorial order that he likes to remind me of, and it only turns me on more, especially when I feel him slide in and out of me.
“I understand.”
“Say it, Elle.”
“Only you will ever make me come,” I promise.
He growls before he sucks on a nipple, while his fingers dig into the flesh of my hips.
I continue to move, bouncing on top of him, and Ford meets me on every thrust. I fall back onto my arms, but I can still see him inside of me. Ford brings his finger to my clit as he takes over setting our speed, and I clench around him, with the world blurring around us.
“Let go, and I will fill you up. I want you to feel me inside of you the whole day,” he tells me.
I nod as I circle my hips around him, following his demand. “Ford,” I call out as I tremble, and he is quick to catch me.
My orgasm comes easy, and that’s mostly because this man knows my body. He feels my needs because everything I want leads me back to him.
Ford brings a cup of coffee to his lips where he’s sitting next to me in our booth at Jolly Joe’s.
The soda shop-styled cafe always has something for everyone, from milkshakes to a cinnamon roll with coffee.
It’s quiet this morning, so the subtle sound of doo-wop can be heard while we look out the big windows onto Main Street.
“I don’t remember you drinking coffee. Something about caffeine killing your hockey mojo,” I remark as I play with the spoon in my coffee mug.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I no longer have to worry about hockey demands. I run my own show. Besides, you know why I really ordered a coffee here.”
I smile brightly as I dip my spoon into my coffee and scoop up a red jellybean. “Because of the ridiculous idea that someone had to add jellybeans to coffee?” It’s a Jolly Joe’s specialty.
“You never know what color you’ll get.”
Looking down at the food in front of us, I question how we will get through all of this. We have almost every item on the menu; pancakes, eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls. This entire week has turned into a week of sex and food, which in retrospect is not a bad thing.
“Remember when you used to take me here for ice cream?” I dig into my cinnamon roll with the side of my fork.
Ford sets his coffee down. “Turtle sundae with butterscotch, not caramel, and an extra cherry on top.”
“And you were chocolate with marshmallow.”
“We didn’t spend much time amongst civilization, though.”
I give Ford side-eye and raise my brows.
He rumbles a sound under his breath. “I want to take you to our place. We can go tomorrow.”
“You mean the lagoon? I’m sure there’s a new set of teenagers who made a claim that it’s their spot.”
Ford chomps on a bacon slice. “I’ll pay them to scram and remind them to keep it safe.”
I laugh at how ridiculous that sounds, but I know that it’s something Ford would do.
“A few days ago, I would have been petrified to go there. It’s too overwhelming with memories of you. But now… it sounds perfectly fitting,” I announce and take another giant bite from my cinnamon roll.
“Good. So today we will see Connor, take it easy, and you can study if you want, and then tomorrow, we’ll make it a day.”
“Sounds good.” I move my plate to the side and feel I need to address the obvious. “Seeing Connor today, you know that he—”
Ford quickly interjects. “Can’t know that we’re kind of a thing again?”
“Yeah, exactly that. We shouldn’t confuse him.”
He looks at me, slightly irritated, his gaze piercing. “I get it. But make no mistake, we are playing the long game.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, but it requires a little more thought than that. You said give this a week. I mean, I don’t even live in Lake Spark.”
“Yes, but next summer Connor is switching schools anyway for middle school, so you both can come to Lake Spark.”
“And what about my career? I mean, I’m not exactly sure there are a lot of job prospects here for me as hopefully a new lawyer,” I highlight the apparent, and I feel like I’m tainting our last amazing 24 hours.
Ford angles his body to me and takes my hand. “First off, no hope, you will be a new lawyer soon.” I appreciate that he has always been my biggest cheerleader. “And job prospects, I don’t know. I’m sure my training facility needs more people on our legal staff.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not going down that route.”
“This time we won’t let anything or anyone get in our way,” he promises, and I love the faith in his voice.
I attempt to smile, but deep down I have a fear that something will get in our way.
“Come on, eat a little more. You need your strength.” There is pure sexiness in his voice.
We finish up our breakfast and take a little walk on Main Street, as we have time to spare. I see Piper in her boutique, and she waves at me through the window.
“I should go in and say hi.”
Ford steps back and holds his hands up. “Go for it. I’ll stay out here.”
I look at him peculiarly. “Why?”
“She’s my neighbor and Hudson’s wife, so I need to remain somewhat respectable. I can’t go inside her boutique with you and not go crazy.”
“It’s just a bouti… ahh.” My brain catches up, and I roll my lips in as I try not to grin. “A lingerie boutique.”
Ford slides his hand into my hair to pull me in for a kiss. “But go in there and have fun. Use the credit card for it.”
I burst out with a laugh. “You want me to use the credit card you gave me, which is for Connor and things he needs, to buy lingerie?”
“Why not? I like providing for my family.” He can’t control his grin.
I wave him off. “I’ll be quick.”
I don’t look back and head straight into Piper’s boutique. The bell chimes over my head and the door closes behind me.
Piper is behind the counter, opening a box, with her daughter asleep in her stroller in the corner.
“How is life with our favorite hockey player? You both look cute walking hand in hand down Main. By the way, there is a rumor that Margo wanted to buy out the florist for your upcoming wedding.” Piper has a knowing grin as she focuses on her task.
I assess the array of lingerie and pajamas in the store. I’m not sure where to focus, everything is either beautiful, sexy, or cozy.
“Remind me to fix that scenario. And Ford and me? It’s… well,” I say as I touch the fabric of a red nightie.
“That’s a good choice, but if I may be a little bold, then I would suggest the deep purple color.”
My hand retreats back like I touched a hot pan. “Oh, I just came in to say hi and check to see how Grace’s skin is going.”
Piper walks to her daughter and smiles. “She’s doing better, thank you. Sleeping like a little angel. Her bath with the oat oil really helped.” Piper steps in my direction. “Let me repay you with something.”
“Don’t be silly. Advice is free,” I protest.
Piper holds a finger in the air. “Exactly, advice is free.” She walks to the corner and reaches behind a rack of clothes on hangers to pull out an item hanging in the back.
When she holds it up, my eyes nearly bug out.
It’s a bra-and-panty set with stocking suspenders, black with bright pink edging.
“I can’t wear that!”
“Of course you can.”
I shake my head in astonishment.
“It’s always fun to shake things up.”
My mouth opens but no words come out. “I guess… well, Ford and I, we’re…”
Piper patiently waits for my explanation.
“We were teenagers when we were first together, kind of sweet. Now, we’re adults with a kid.” I laugh.
“Exactly. Show him you’re a woman now. That’s my advice. Remind him that everything is different, and that can make things even better.” She holds the set out in front of her. “I think I got your sizing right.”
Blowing out a breath, I’m not sure what to say. “Why not.” I throw my hands up into the air. “But let me at least pay.”
“Nonsense.” Piper is already pulling out tissue paper and a bag.
“Thank you,” I give up and make a mental note to give back to her in some way at a later moment.
“You’re very welcome. Happy neighbor, happy life, right?”
“I’m not your neighbor,” I remind her with a smile.
“But Ford is, and he has been pining for you for forever.” She hands me the bag.
Taking the bag, I can only agree. “Me too, if I’m being honest.”
Saying our goodbyes, I make it back to Main Street to find Ford leaning against a tree with his shades on. That is until he sees I have a bag in my hand, then he propels off the tree and tips his sunglasses down to the tip of his nose.
“I’m curious,” he firmly states.
“Me too.” I laugh nervously.
He pulls me close and tries to steal the bag hanging off my fingertips, but I don’t let him succeed.
“Naughty us will have to wait. We need to go see someone important,” I remind him with a fake stern look.
Ford growls into my neck before stepping to the side, taking my hand, and walking us in the direction of the car.
“Our son,” he confirms.