Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Posey
Ford looked like he walked off the front of a book cover.
He was tall, towering over me by at least a foot, with wide shoulders and defined muscles.
Tall, dark, and handsome easily described him, as he fit the look of a mountain man through and through.
Like a big teddy bear, his arms looked as if they could swallow me whole.
Dark brown shaggy hair fell over his even darker brown eyes, and his thick dark beard made my thighs squeeze together involuntarily. As if I couldn't control my own body around him.
He was a tad grumpy, but sometimes solidarity did that to a person. I wasn't afraid to learn more. In fact I craved it.
Maybe it was my therapist background, but I wanted to rip his brain open and explore deep inside. Figure out his inner workings and learn why he was the way he was.
But for now, I'd enjoy being in his presence. And also being warm and full.
“Your soup is delicious. I tried a recipe like this once. Didn't come out near as good.”
“The secret is to mix in some Italian sausage.”
“And the ricotta cheese topping. I left that out.”
“Can't ever leave out the cheese.”
“Why don't I clean up since you were so kind to feed me?”
“I got it.” Ford stood and grabbed the bowls before I had a chance. I watched his sexy muscles flex as he cleaned quickly.
“Do you have a truck?” Posey asked out of nowhere as she sipped her tea.
“Yeah, why?”
“I was thinking I should get back soon. Maybe I can head out in the morning. The rain seems to have slowed down.” She nodded toward the kitchen window. It's true the rain did slow, but I doubted it would be safe to go out by tomorrow. The clean-up crews weren't that fast around here.
“The problem is the cleanup. You won't make it very far down the mountain with tree limbs blocking the roads.”
“Shit, I didn't even think of that. You know, while it's really pretty up here, the city is much more convenient.”
“Yeah, if you like to breathe in pure smog and deal with assholes all the time.”
I chuckled. “Well, you certainly have an opinion there.”
“Nothing can take me out of these mountains. They're home.”
“Have you lived here all your life?”
“No. I grew up in southeast Massachusetts. Small, snobby town. Couldn't wait to leave. After floating around for a while, I came here to visit and never left. Now I work and live on the mountain, which is all I need.”
“Do you ever get lonely?”
“No. I like it this way.”
“I'm used to being around a lot of people, so it's been strange for me up here. But I wouldn't mind the extra time to start a fun hobby or two.”
Silence fell between us. I tried to read his body language, what he could possibly be thinking, but I didn't know him well enough yet. Never mind what I was feeling, a big jumbled mess of being turned on and unsure all at the same time.
I took one last sip of my tea and stood in front of the table. “Thank you again for everything. I think I'm going to head out.”
Ford stood abruptly and his hand darted out before he instantly drew it back. “Wait.”
I raised my eyebrow at him.
“It's just…it's dangerous out there. Why go back to a powerless cabin? You'll freeze again.”
His reaction warmed me from the inside. “No, I couldn't impose more than I already have.”
I turned towards the sink when suddenly Ford was right beside me. He grabbed my arm and my insides went haywire as alarm bells rang inside my head.
Ford stepped closer, and my breathing stopped.
“Wait. There's something I can't stop thinking about.”
I looked up at him, my blood rushing through my ears as my heart pounded.
“This.” He whispered before leaning in and kissing me.
For a split second, I stood there shocked.
Ford was kissing me.
The complete stranger, someone I had no idea existed two hours ago, was kissing me.
And fuck, it felt so damn nice.
After the split second of shock, I grabbed his arms and held on tight, my fingers squeezing his rock-hard forearms as I kissed him back with all the passionate fury I felt.
Our mouths moved together like a symphony playing harmoniously, his hands gripping my waist and squeezing. I slid my hands upwards over his large biceps and shoulders to his defined pectoral muscles.
His tongue slid in my mouth and danced with my tongue, over and over as we explored, teased, and tasted.
And when we broke apart minutes later, both of us out of breath, his eyes burned into mine. “Still want to go?”
I shook my head and slowly sucked my bottom lip in before letting it go with a pop. He groaned. “Usually I'd say buy me some dinner first.” I played with the buttons on his flannel shirt. “But you cooked me dinner, so I guess that counts, right?”
With a growl and no words, he scooped me into his arms in one fast, sweeping motion. I yelped and quickly wrapped my arms around his neck. “I'll cook dinner for you any night if it means I get to have you in my bed.”
I fanned myself as he carried me upstairs. “Holy shit, is this real life? Why didn't my boss tell me her neighbor was so hot?”
“She probably doesn't see me around. I stay under the radar.”
“But I found you.”
“Yes, you did.” Ford placed me down gently on his bed. “And while part of me wanted to slam the door in your face, the other part of me knew you were something special. I'm usually right.” Ford grinned before caging me in with both sides.
Fireworks exploded inside me as he leaned down and kissed me again.