Chapter 27 Stormy
Stormy
Iwake to the slow rhythm of steady breathing behind me and the gentle weight of an arm draped around my waist. At some point in the night, we must’ve drifted off and ended up like this, his body warm against my back, his presence quiet and comforting.
I think back to last night. We didn’t rush to sleep.
We talked—really talked. Not about the hard things, but about books.
The ones that pulled me in and held me close.
I couldn’t stop talking. Everything I loved about them came tumbling out, and he listened.
Maybe he was trying to preoccupy my mind, steer it somewhere calmer.
But it didn’t feel like a distraction for distraction's sake; it felt like he was genuinely interested. His hold is loose on me. Not gripping or tight, just enough to let me know he’s there, and that I’m not alone.
There’s space to move, to breathe, and yet I don’t.
I stay nestled in that soft stillness and let the reassurance of it settle into my bones.
And I like it, having him close.
Last night, he showed me something I hadn’t let myself believe before—that maybe not all men are like the men I’ve known.
Maybe there are some decent men out there.
Men who mess up sometimes, say the wrong thing, and stumble.
But they don’t intend to hurt you. They don’t twist your words or make you feel small.
They own their mistakes. And they try to be better.
Ford shifts, releasing a deep sigh, and the arm resting across my waist slips beneath my jumper, resting against my bare skin.
I freeze momentarily, but the warmth of his touch causes my stomach to tighten.
A soft flutter rises in my chest, and a quiet ache settles deep inside me.
His touch is gentle; unlike anything I’ve ever known.
And I suddenly realise that I want more.
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about this. The strength in his arms. The inked stories on his skin. The deep, rugged voice that resonates in my mind. Even with his grumpiness, there's no denying the attraction I feel towards him. I didn’t come here looking for anything, especially after the wreckage of my past. I told myself I was done, that I wouldn’t let another man take up space in my heart again.
But here Ford is, unexpectantly gentle, caring, and owning his mistakes.
Making me wonder if things with someone else could be different.
And this feeling right now with his body so close to mine …
it’s impossible to ignore. I want to explore it, to see what it would feel like to be touched by someone who isn’t tainted by cruelty.
To finally know what it feels like to be wanted in a way that doesn’t break me.
I want to be closer to him, to press into his warmth, to let myself forget everything else, if only for this moment.