Page 25

Chapter 25

Ford

I’m stomping my boots off when the phone rings.

It’s been years since I’ve ever given a shit about talking to anyone. Now, that's all I can think about.

“Hey, how’d it go?” I hate that I wasn't there with her. Wade can be an ass sometimes thinking he’s being funny.

“Well, Dr. Phillips gave me a clean bill of health.” April’s voice sounds triumphant. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but I’m glad it’s over.”

“Dixon wasn’t there?” That rankles me. I asked for him to keep an eye on her.

“Um, yea. He drove all of us. But I’m not going to have your friend check me out everywhere .” She stresses the last word. “That would be awkward.”

Fire creeps up my neck.

I hadn’t thought about that part. A sour taste fills my mouth at the thought of anyone except me seeing her naked.

Fuck. She ain’t mine.

But I want her to be.

“I shoulda been there. How was the sheriff?” I’m still ticked for not planning ahead. To distract myself, I squat in front of the stove and toss in another log.

“Oh, I haven’t talked to him yet. I was wondering if you’d mind going with me for that?” She takes a shuddering breath that echoes through the speaker. “It might be rough, rehashing all the details.”

“I’m honored you’d have me there for that.” I’ve seen some of her vulnerability, like moments of rain on a sunny day. But I have a feeling this is going to really open up those wounds.

I hope I’m strong enough. I have to be…for her.

She doesn’t have anyone in her corner.

And she deserves to.

“Thank you. We went to a second hand store today so I could pick up a few clothes. I have the receipts here to keep track. I appreciate you letting me borrow some money until I get my cards and everything back…” She trails off. “The guy on the helicopter said that usually the women’s shelter is where people in my situation are taken. I feel pretty special that you’re letting me stay here.”

My chest feels tight when I think of her having to go there. “I wish I could do more.”

Shit, I didn’t mean for my voice to crack.

“You’ve already done so much. More than I know you were comfortable with.” She pauses, with garbled sounds in the background. “Sorry, had to find the charger. Anyways, I was just going to say that I know you’re only going to be out of the cabin for a week, so afterwards, you know, if you wanted, um…” Her word salad fades.

“What, frosty? Spit it out.” I haven’t known her to be at a loss.

She lets out a long sigh. “I just need help for a little while, and maybe a ride to Missoula. Then you don’t have to feel obligated anymore. I know I’ve been pushy, and it might be because I’m trying to find any kind of distraction from all the crap that happened.”

Damn it. I can hear the tremble and the doubt.

I know that feeling all too well.

Questioning every thought. Wondering if any decision is the right one.

I could be a professional at self loathing.

But she shouldn’t.

I’m guessing it’s the hidden answer she’s wanting.

Is she good enough? Is she worth it?

They’re the same things I’ve asked myself every second since I first saw her.

“I know all kinds of ways to keep you occupied.” Hell, it’d probably do me good too. Entertaining her keeps my own thoughts out of the darkness.

I’d rather focus on her, it’s a much better place.

She giggles softly. “Ford? Are we just using each other to hide from our demons?”

I remember what she said to me yesterday. “Would that be so bad?”

I’d forget the world exists if I could find myself between her thighs.

She makes all the misery disappear when I’m with her.

“No. I enjoy thinking about you.” Her tone drops to a husky whisper. “I mean, it’s hard not to, here in your bed, hugging your pillow and pretending it’s you.”

My cock twitches imagining her stretched out with the pale round dimples of her ass poking up into the air.

I’d bury my face there and die happy.

Falling back onto my mattress, I close my eyes to picture her more clearly. “Tell me, what can I do to take your mind off of everything?”

“Mmm, well, remember that last night I was there?” Rustling tells me she’s shifting.

“I’ll never forget it.” Neither will my poor dick. It ached for hours afterwards.

“That would be a good start. But I want more, Ford. I want you to make new memories all over me.” There’s a panting lilt to her words. “I want you to erase the nightmares with your touch.”

Fuck, I’m so stiff I have to unzip my jeans to free myself.

“April, I’d give anything to be there right now. I would kiss every inch of your skin until all you’ll ever know is the feel of my lips.” My palm wraps around my throbbing cock. I squeeze hard enough the barbells on my shaft dig into my fingers in a losing effort to not come.

She has a spell on me. Every time I think of her, it’s as if I fall into a hazy cloud of addiction…I shouldn’t want her as badly as I do.

There’s a piece of me fighting this need, knowing I shouldn’t hold her back.

But the part of me wanting to do anything it takes to keep her is growing, silencing my inner protests.

The taste of her I stole, that sweet narcotic that has plagued my thoughts, it’s almost as if it’s dancing on my tongue again.

Teasing me.

Tempting me.

Luring me.

“Where would you start?” A breathy moan lingers through her words.

I can’t stop the groan that escapes as I picture her mouth, wet and inviting. “I’d kiss you like I haven’t seen you in a year. Then I’d work my way down your neck, savoring every sound you’d make—” Her sharp inhale makes my nuts contract.

Fuck, I know what she’s doing.

“Tell me where your fingers are,” I choke through the gravel filling my throat.

All I can think of is how she’s the only one who can slake my thirst.

“Where I want you to be,” she murmurs. “I’m so wet I can hardly feel myself. I wish you were here…” Her whine rattles though me, sending sparks in a firefight down into my leaking cock.

The bead of pre-cum that I roll over my sensitive tip with my thumb is nothing compared to how soaked I know she can be.

“Faster, frosty. Flick that hard little clit like it’s my tongue down there lapping you up.” My own palm works up and down over the barbells, matching the rhythm of her rapid pants.

“F-Ford…I’m…oh my god.” Her cries are enough to send me over the edge, spilling over my fingers and onto my bare belly.

Twice today I’ve made a mess thinking of her.

I haven’t jacked off this much in years.

It takes a moment before I can get my breathing back to normal.

“Get some rest. I promise you won’t be sleeping once I get there.” I grab a wad of paper towels and wipe myself off.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” she giggles. “Goodnight, Ford.”

Holding the phone in my hand, the emptiness of the tiny cabin settles back over me.

Only one more day, then I’m never letting her go.