Page 27

It feels like the most natural thing in the world to close the distance between us and kiss him.
For a brief second, when my mouth covers his, I hesitate.
Maybe I read him wrong. Maybe he’s horrified or offended.
But then Ford kisses me back.
It’s not a friendly kiss. Or a sure-why-not kiss.
It’s commanding, hot and confident.
It’s an unexpectedly fierce and demanding tangling of his tongue with mine, his fingers climbing into my hair to grip the strands tightly as his mouth dominates mine. He draws me onto his lap on the floor and a wave of heat floods my body, settling in my core, and weaving its way out.
When I gasp, he growls.
I never would have taken Ford for a growler. I shift my arms around his neck, grind myself deeper into his lap, the distraction welcome, wanted. “More.”
But Ford draws back, breathing heavily.
“Ivy.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “This isn’t what you want.”
“Yes, it is.” I reach for him.
But he resolutely eases me off of his lap and stands. I’m face to face with his very hard, very large erection. My nipples harden even as my cheeks flood with heat. I’m angry he’s turning me down when he so clearly enjoyed the kiss.
“Let me rephrase that. Maybe you want this—and trust me, I fucking do too—but your relationship with Brad just ended. I don’t want you to wake up and have regrets tomorrow.”
I sip my tiny champagne. It’s almost entirely gone.
What the hell am I doing? My emotions have been all over the last forty-eight hours.
He’s probably right, damn it.
It confirms that Ford is a nice guy.
I nod. “That’s fair.”
Ford holds a hand out to help me to my feet. The touch of his hand is light, and he’s put space between us. But he digs in his pocket and comes out with my engagement ring.
The giant diamond startles me, makes me feel off-kilter.
“I’ve been walking around with this in my pocket since you gave it to me. It’s been a lodestone, reminding me not to acton the attraction I have for you. I think you’re incredible and gorgeous and funny as hell and I’ve thought that since the first time I met you.”
I suck in a breath. I don’t know what to say.
“When you ask me for the ring back, I’ll know you’re ready to do whatever this is.” He points between the two of us. “Do you want the ring back?”
For a second, I almost say yes, because I want to feel Ford’s lips on mine, have his taut muscular body moving over me, making me forget the sting of Brad’s rejection.
But the thought of taking that ring makes me hesitate, and I know Ford is right.
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
He nods and slips it back in his pocket.
“You’re a wise man, Ford. And like I said before, you have a strong moral compass.”
Ford drags his hand over his beard scruff. “I hate myself for that right now, but I try to do the right thing.”