Page 22

22

HARPER

F ord leads me into the living room.

He sits on the couch, pulling me onto his lap again, as though I weigh nothing.

“Connor. Hand me my bag beside the couch.”

Connor hands it to him with a smirk when he meets my eyes.

“Let’s check out some rings, wifey.” Ford unzips the backpack, pulling out a laptop.

“Ford, I swear to God?—”

“You shouldn’t do that. Gram will give you hell.” Connor plops down beside us, smirking.

I stick my tongue out at him, causing Ford to snicker.

“This whole thing is… just insanity.”

I glare at Ford.

His hand digs into my hip. “Don’t make me take you upstairs and fuck the attitude out of you,” he warns, nuzzling my neck.

I hate the way every nerve ending comes alive inside my body from the simplest touch from him.

The way my breath inadvertently hitches before my lips part, and my breaths rasp out.

There’s no doubt that Ford Brooks affects me like no one else ever has.

And I hate that the smirk on his face tells me he damn well knows it.

“Stop,” I whimper, trying to pull away from him.

He’s too fucking close.

“I better get some popcorn for the show,” Connor says, a wide grin lighting up his face as he hops up and races to the kitchen.

I swallow hard, alone with Ford since Gram is in the shower.

“Listen, we?—”

His warm lips cover mine.

He tosses the laptop on the couch beside him, then wraps me in his arms, pulling me closer.

This feels far too familiar.

It’s like I’m seventeen again, and we’re having one of our infamous marathon make-out sessions the second we’re alone.

We’re nearly thirty, yet the passion and feelings burn between us like an inferno.

Wait.

What am I thinking?

My hands plant against his chest, trying to push away. “Ford.”

“Stop doubting. Just feel.”

His lips claim mine again.

That’s the whole fucking problem.

If I allow myself to be swept away by my feelings for this man, he’ll consume me whole.

Then I’ll be sucked into his madness, skipping down the aisle beside him.

“Ford.” I push against him again. “We need to talk?—”

His lips leave mine as Connor’s footsteps grow louder. “You guys want anything to drink?”

“I’ll take some water. How bout you, babe?”

I need a hose to douse myself and put out the flames.

“Water, please,” I squeak, my cheeks growing pink when Connor smirks.

“Coming right up. Two bottles of water and a hose to put out Harper before she bursts into flames.”

“Haha!” I glare at him while Ford snorts behind me.

He nuzzles into my neck, driving me crazy.

Connor’s laughter fades as he hurries away.

I turn to Ford, stern-faced. “You need to stop.”

“Stop what?” His hand slides up my stomach and between my cleavage. Even though the fabric of my shirt separates our skin, a shiver rolls down my spine.

“Don’t play innocent,” I hiss, my control wavering. “You know what you’re doing.”

He raises his brows, his blue eyes shining with intensity, stripping me bare. “What am I doing? Affecting you?”

He runs his nose down my throat, goosebumps exploding in his wake.

My muscles tense as I do my best not to react. “N-No.”

He chuckles, nibbling at my skin. “You’re a damn liar.”

Connor plops onto the couch, the aroma of popcorn filling the air. “You two haven’t even started looking at rings yet, have you?”

Ford’s head pops up. “Nope. Been too busy.”

He grabs the laptop from beside him, adjusting me slightly.

Opening the lid, he winks at me. “I need an engagement ring first.”

I groan aloud. “You need to get your damn head examined.”

“I’ve been telling him that for years.” Connor pops a piece of popcorn in his mouth and chews. “Course, this is the smartest thing he’s done in years.”

I gape at him. “You’ve got to be joking!”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. The two of you make sense. It’s about time you pull your head out of your asses.”

“Pull my head…” I blow out a large breath. “I think you may be even crazier than Ford. He kidnapped me and is planning our wedding. He tied me to a chair while cooking dinner and planned my entire life out for me.”

“He untied you so you could eat.”

Ford chuckles from behind me, but I ignore him, too busy staring at Connor like he sprouted another head.

“Are you kidding?”

“I’m speaking the facts, ma’am.”

“Ugh! This whole situation is so ridiculous.”

Gram enters the room, a wide grin on her face. “I think it’s cute.”

I shake my head, not bothering to speak.

“You know what would be cuter? If I kidnapped you and?—”

Ford chokes on the water he just took a sip of. “Don’t finish that statement, Byrns.”

Gram bats her lashes at Connor. “Our love affair must remain clandestine. My grandson is protective.”

She winks at Ford before she looks at me. “Don’t worry. Once he’s busy with his bride, we can finally come out in the open.”

“I swear I’m the only sane person in this room,” I grumble.

Ford pulls me back against his chest, setting his laptop on my thighs. “What do you think of that ring?”

My eyes drop to the screen, fully prepared to make a sarcastic comment, but the words die in my throat.

A gasp slips out before I can stop it.

It’s gorgeous!

I never told Ford I’d looked at rings, dreaming of the day he’d propose.

That I spent hours looking until I found one I loved.

And it looks exactly like the sparkling diamond gleaming at me through the screen.

“I think this is the one,” he whispers, his chin on my shoulder. “You should see your face.”

My body tenses. “You’re seeing things, Brooks. I’m not marrying you, so there’s no sense in looking at?—”

“And I already told you that you are, so there’s no sense trying to deny it.”

“Uh-oh. Lovers quarrel.” Gram opens a jar of peanuts and pops a handful before grabbing the TV remote. “I’ll make sure I remove my hearing aid tonight before all the make-up sex starts.”

“Gram.” Ford rolls his eyes while I stare at her, appalled.

Connor nearly spits out his popcorn from laughing. “I may need to record it and send it to the hockey group chat?—”

“No!” Ford and I scream in unison.

“Don’t even think about it,” I screech, embarrassed.

“I’ll fucking kill you if you even think of recording my woman.”

“How the hell will the team believe you’re getting laid without proof?”

“It’s none of their damn business,” Ford hisses. “Besides, they’ll know I am once I take my wife back to the city with me.”

I roll my eyes and open my mouth, but Ford’s lips are beside my ear. “If you say you’re not gonna marry me, I’ll stick my hands down your leggings and finger you right here.”

My mouth drops open.

He squeezes my hip and whispers, “Good girl.”

My heart pounds faster, and my pulse thrums inside my ears.

Why the hell does that turn me on?

As if he’s a damn mind reader, he adds, “You have a praise kink, baby.”

I’m stunned because I didn’t know I had that… until now.

Until Ford.

“See, plenty of stuff to learn about the other.” He winks at me. “I can’t wait to spend a lifetime learning everything about you, firecracker.”

A thrill goes through me, but I keep my face impassive.

How does this man always know exactly what to say to make me come undone?