by Kristi Gold
“Is your feed business lucrative?” she asked, following another small bite.
He was more interested in watching her mouth than talking, engaging it in something other than everyday conversation. “I do fairly well. It enabled me to build my own house, complete with all the modern conveniences.”
She sent him a teasing look. “No water wells and outdoor plumbing?”
“Water well, yes. Outhouse, no. But I do have a pool.”
“Wow. That’s great, and so is this cheesecake. Want to try it?”
“Sure.”
As soon as she had the fork poised at his mouth, the cheesecake took a dive, rolled down his bare chest and ended up in his lap. “I’m sorry,” Kerry said, followed by an uncomfortable laugh.
“No problem.” For Ford, it was somewhat of a problem, especially when he fantasized about her licking her way down his torso to clean up the sticky path.
Instead, Kerry grabbed a napkin, dipped it in a glass of water then worked over the spot. When she reached his groin, he caught her wrist. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
She looked down, then back up at him, awareness as well as a faint shade of pink on her pretty face. “Oh. Sorry again.”
Ford took the napkin from her, picked up the bite of dessert, rolled it up into the cloth and tossed it onto the table. “No harm done.” Not much, although even the ice water hadn’t helped his predicament. He was hard as a harrow and couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“Want to try it again?” she asked.
Oh, yeah, he did. He wanted to take up where they’d left off the night before. “If you mean the cheesecake, no.”
In spite of the absence of wisdom, he took her hand, laid the fork on the tray, then pulled her against his side.
“Friendship, Ford,” she said, but didn’t try to move, even when he rubbed his hands down her bare arms.
“I’m just trying to warm you up. You’re covered in goose bumps.”
“I know, but I’m not cold.”
“What are you, Kerry?”
A breathy sigh drifted from her lips. “Crazy for being here. Crazy for wanting you to kiss me again. For wanting you, period.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice before Ford took full advantage of her sweet lips. He tried to be gentle, keep it light, but the rush went straight to his head, causing him to conduct a very thorough, very deep investigation of her mouth.
Without thought, he lifted her up to straddle his lap. Kerry didn’t issue a complaint, didn’t pull away from him at all. In fact, she responded to the kiss without hesitation, and he welcomed that. Welcomed her hands coming to rest on his chest. Even welcomed his erection as she moved her bottom against his lap even knowing he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Totally on edge, he kept his hands at her waist and fought the temptation to touch her everywhere. Yet temptation won out when she moaned against his mouth and the glide of her hips against his groin grew more insistent.
Keeping his mouth firmly mated with hers, Ford used both hands to push her skirt up her legs, knowing full well that she needed something from him, something he was more than glad to give her. What he’d almost given her last night.
He waited a few moments, allowing her the opportunity to stop him, which she didn’t. Instead, she dug her nails into his shoulders, played her tongue against his in a suggestive rhythm, exploring his mouth without reservation, exactly what he planned to do with her body, if she let him.
He lifted her bottom from his lap with one hand and with the other tugged the skirt up around her waist then pushed her panties down to the tops of her knees. Only then did he break the kiss and waited for her permission before he continued. He stroked the back of his knuckles below her navel and slid his free hand beneath the back of her shirt. “I want to touch you, Kerry. I have to touch you.”
She locked into his gaze and murmured, “Ford, I need—”
“I know what you need, and I want you to know how it can be with a man who only wants to make you feel good.” He traced circles above the golden vee between her legs. “But you only have to tell me no, and I’ll stop.”
She released a shaky breath, her unfocused eyes locked on his eyes. “This is insane.”
He slid his hand lower, but not exactly where he wanted to be. “If you say yes, I’ll make you crazy in a damn good way.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Yes. Make me crazy.”
Yes was exactly what he’d wanted to hear. Yes was all it took to proceed. He turned his palm and cupped her between her thighs then gently slid one fingertip through the damp folds. She bucked when he hit home, but she didn’t bolt from his lap. Instead, she tipped her forehead against his to watch him touch her. Ford did the same, totally caught up in the erotic scene—Kerry with a leg on each side of his thighs, completely open to him, his hand in motion between her legs. He made methodical passes over her swollen flesh, intent on giving her a mind-blowing climax like she’d never known. His erection strained painfully against his jeans, and he considered opening his own fly to provide much-needed comfort. But he didn’t want to stop until he’d given her what she needed. He also didn’t want her believing he had to have more. This was for her benefit. All for her.
When Kerry pushed against his hand, Ford increased the pressure of his strokes and slid one finger inside her. He felt the beginnings of her orgasm, slightly at first then stronger and stronger. A sound caught somewhere between a moan and a whimper slipped out of her mouth. He captured that sound with his mouth, gliding his tongue in sync with the movement of his fingertip while he experienced every wave of her climax. He fantasized about how she would feel when he was buried inside her, almost at his own peril.
Kerry collapsed against him, her cheek now resting against his chest while he rubbed her back as he considered whether he should ask her to come to his bed. That wouldn’t be a good idea, he decided. He sure as hell didn’t want to rush her and risk she would turn away from him again. He would have to be satisfied knowing that someday soon he might have the opportunity to show her how it could be between a man and a woman when no force was involved.
But he wasn’t completely satisfied, his only excuse for holding her face in his palms and saying, “Stay with me tonight, Kerry.”
Without responding, she pulled her panties and skirt back into place, scooted off his lap, then turned around on the sofa, her gaze fixed on some unknown point across the room. “I can’t, Ford. I know that’s selfish on my part, considering what you’ve done for me tonight, but I’m just not ready yet. In fact, I shouldn’t have allowed any of this to happen.”
He understood what she was saying, and he didn’t blame her. Still, he had to tell her what was on his mind. “Kerry, I know you’re still dealing with my deception, but whether or not I told the truth about my identity, I still want to be with you. And I know you want to be with me, too. You proved that just a minute ago.”
She sighed. “That wasn’t exactly me. I’m usually very cautious.”
“You were very hot. And you make me that way.” He had half a mind to take her hand and show her. He chose to tell her. “I’m so turned on right now I could make love with you all night. And I know it would be so damn good between us. But I also know that’s probably too much to ask of you right now. I’m willing to be patient and let you decide if and when.”
Clasping his hand, she pulled it up and held it above her breasts, against her pounding heart. “Ford, there’s something you have to know.”
His immediate thought was she’d been lying about her relationship with Spencer. “What is it?”
A flash of pain reflected from her eyes. “I’ve tried to be intimate with other men, but it’s been difficult. You’re the first one I’ve allowed to be that close to me since…” Her voice faltered along with her gaze.
He tipped her chin toward him so she could see how badly he hurt for her. “You may not believe this, but I do understand what you went through. And I hate like hell you had to go
through it.”
Although Abby hadn’t suffered Kerry’s fate, Ford had witnessed firsthand what her personal experience had done to his sister in terms of her relationships with men, and that made Kerry’s situation all the more troublesome. He wanted to be a man she could trust. He wanted to prove to her he wouldn’t hurt her in any way.
Kerry laid her head against his shoulder, their joined hands resting on his thigh, no more words passing between them. Ford enjoyed having her so close, relaxed and seemingly content, even if his own body still burned for her. But he had to take it easy, not be too persistent. And maybe, just maybe, he would have his opportunity to make love with her. Even if that didn’t happen, he’d never regret knowing her. He would regret having to leave her.
“Did they ever catch the bastard who assaulted you?” he asked after a time.
She sighed. “No. It was dark in the alley, and I couldn’t see his face. I couldn’t identify him.”
He released her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, all he could think to do. He said, “I’m sorry, Kerry,” all he could think to say.
“It was a long time ago,” she said before raising her head to look at him again, an all-too-apparent ache in her eyes. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t carry a few internal scars from the experience along with the external ones. But when I met you, I decided it was time to take a few risks because I trusted you.”
“And then I blew it when I lied to you.”
She shrugged. “That’s all behind us now. Maybe we should just start over.”
Ford could accept that, as long as she was willing to be with him for however many days he had left in this city. “I agree.”
“And that means I have to have time to decide how far I want this thing between us to go.”
She had to learn to trust him all over again, he realized. “I’ll give you all the time you need.”
“Speaking of time.” She checked her watch. “I really do have to go, otherwise I’ll have a hard time getting up in the morning.”
“I’m going to have a hard time all night.” Ford wanted to take back the comment the minute it jumped out of his mouth. Old habits were damn difficult to break.
Thankfully, Kerry smiled. “I’m sure you’ll handle things just fine.”
He wanted her to handle “things,” but from this point forward, she would have to take the initiative. “I’ll manage.”
When Kerry left the sofa, Ford came to his feet, hating that she was leaving. He followed her to the door, and once there she turned to face him with a smile. “What do you have planned for tomorrow?”
“I have an appointment with Grant’s attorney to see where we stand.”
Her smile faded as if she suddenly remembered he was still fighting for his uncle’s very survival. Ford had to admit, at times he’d forgotten, too, especially when she’d been in his arms. That served to play up his guilt even more. “I’ll stop by after work tomorrow, if that’s okay,” she said.
That was more than okay with him. “I look forward to it. Maybe we can go someplace to eat that doesn’t serve hotel food.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, and I’ll see you then.” She walked out the door before he had a chance to kiss her again. Walked out before he could issue another lame apology. Before he tried to invite her once more into his lonely bed.
Ford would keep her in mind all night long, all day tomorrow until she came back to him, and probably long after he left godforsaken California.
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Six
E ventually Ford would be leaving California, a thought that kept playing over and over in Kerry’s mind as she tried to work. Adding to her lack of concentration was the remembrance of her lack of inhibition last night, Ford’s gentle skill, the absolute pleasure of his touch. Even now she shivered, twitched in the rigid office chair, feeling the effects as if it had happened only a few moments ago, not hours before.
Right now she had to think about her less-than-exciting job, filling in for a vacationing accounting clerk, and on a Monday, no less. Being stuck at a cluttered desk, inputting financial figures, wasn’t nearly as exciting as the thought of escaping the doldrums to be with Ford. And that meant to be with him in every way.
Of course, she’d had the prime opportunity the evening before, but she’d squandered that because of a mix of mistrust and fear. At least she was beginning to understand him more, and that included why he’d lied to her. Granted, she didn’t care for his dishonesty, but she did comprehend it. His obvious love for his uncle had been more than apparent. He would do anything to protect his family. As Millie had said, there was a lot of honor in that.
She also recognized that after she’d bared her soul, he hadn’t pressured her for more intimacy. But that intimacy issue was first and foremost on her mind. She was just beginning to recognize her own needs, a positive step in the right direction. Most men she’d dated in the past had walked away thinking her aloof, unattainable, which she had been. Until now. Until Ford Ashton had come into her life with the promise of showing her the power of her own sexuality, and she couldn’t ignore her desire to let him take her wherever he would.
She deserved to be whole again, and she inherently knew Ford could help her on her way. She wasn’t looking for him to save her because that would be unrealistic. But she’d arrived at the point where if she didn’t have all of him, and soon, she was in danger of going up in a carnal blaze of glory. Some might consider her a fool for even considering such a thing, but Kerry liked to think of it as being a fair exchange. She could offer him her friendship, and he could offer her an experience the likes of which she’d never known. For once, a good experience. No. A great experience.
Kerry glanced at the clock on the wall, noting it was only 9 a.m., still three hours away from lunch and eight hours away from Ford. Tonight she planned to take it to the limit by taking Ford up on his offer to stay with him. First she had to get busy, even though she’d rather eat pure horseradish than to return to the dull data entry.
“Would you please take care of this, Kerry?”
Glancing up from the computer, Kerry forced a smile at the oh-so-cocky Mona Gilbert—or Hormona, as the office girls like to call her—the newly appointed admin to the interim CEO. “Take care of what?”
“This.” Mona tossed a pink message note in front of Kerry. “The post office keeps calling. They need you to pick up some mail that I presume didn’t get routed to the office after Mr. Ashton’s death. I don’t have time to deal with it.”
Like Kerry had the time. “Fine. I’ll get it at lunch.”
“See that you do.” Mona swayed away, taking with her the stifling scent of overpowering fruity perfume as well as her arrogance. Too bad she hadn’t worked for Spencer. They would have gotten along just great. Two peas in the proverbial pod. Bed buddies. Yuck.
Kerry tossed the note aside and sighed, cheek resting on her palm. So much for a relaxing lunch hour. She would grab a sandwich, pick up the mail and then return to her riveting work. Or she could pick up the mail, forget the sandwich and grab Ford.
Kerry suddenly decided that was a great option. In fact, she made another decision, as well. She had two weeks’ worth of vacation coming. The company could do without her for a few days. She would finish out the morning, then present the excuse that something dire had come up at home, and spend the time getting to know Ford better. Getting to know all of him, before he was permanently out of her life. And try to help him with his goal to clear Grant. Of course, that meant leaving Millie alone, but Kerry could remedy that with one phone call to Millie’s niece. It could also mean getting in too deep, heart first. Worth the risk, as far as Kerry was concerned.
Pumped up on anticipation, she began keying data at a record pace, mentally chanting, “Three more hours until lunch.” Three more hours until Ford.
Ford spent the best part of Monday morning sitting in an upscale office waiting for Grant’s attorney. Shortly before noon, Edgar Kent
finally rushed into the room.
“Sorry I’m late, Mr. Ashton,” he said as he extended his hand to Ford for a quick shake. “Busy morning.”
Ford sat back down at the chair across from Kent’s desk, tempted to tell him apology not accepted. Instead he asked, “What’s going on with my uncle’s case?”
Kent scooted his rolling chair beneath the desk and forked a hand though his silver hair. “Right now we’re waiting for the grand jury to convene to hear his case.”
“When will that be?”
He moved aside some documents to uncover a file and flipped it open. “Probably not until next week, maybe later.”
That sure as hell wouldn’t do. “And Grant has to waste away in jail until then?”
Kent closed the file and folded his hands on top of it. “If the grand jury finds that the evidence supports holding him over until trial, then he could be in for a long stay in jail. He’ll be arraigned again if that happens, and I’ll request bail again, but I’m not counting on having that granted.”
Ford leaned back and released a rough sigh. “Do you think the evidence will hold out?”
“The witness who says he saw your uncle entering the building the night of Spencer Ashton’s death is fairly compelling, especially since he picked him out of a lineup.”
“Who is this witness?”
“I only have a name right now, but I’ll be interviewing him when the time comes.”
Ford leaned forward, his hands gripped tightly on the chair’s arms. “Why don’t you let me interview him? Because he’s damn sure wrong about Grant.”
Kent scowled. “The last thing we need is to have you harassing a witness. You need to allow the justice system to work.”
Ford let go a cynical laugh. “Justice? What justice? An innocent man’s sitting behind bars right now. That’s not justice. That’s immoral as hell.”
