Page 33 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

Ford came awake slowly the next morning. He felt good – better than he'd felt in a long time. His body felt relaxed – tired, but good. His eyes popped open when he remembered why.

He smiled at the sight of Amelia curled up in a little ball at the far edge of the bed. He scooted over to get closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. She opened her eyes briefly and smiled before closing them again as she curled her arm around his waist and snuggled into his side.

He lay on his back, smiling up at the ceiling. When Boone had told him to go home early yesterday, he hadn't been expecting things to turn out like this, but he was more than happy that they had.

It had been a long time since he'd had sex – a hell of a lot longer since he'd made love to someone he cared about. And... He pressed a kiss to the top of Amelia's head. He'd never in his life experienced anything like what he'd shared with her last night.

He swallowed. Maybe he shouldn't have admitted that he wanted all of her – or told her that he'd keep doing this forever if she wanted him to.

But he couldn't take the words back now, and he wouldn't even if he could.

It was the truth, and he didn't have it in him not to tell the truth, no matter what consequences that might bring.

He relaxed a little when he remembered that she'd said it first – told him that she wanted all of him. He didn't know that she meant it in the same way that he did, but it was a start.

Watching his siblings meet their partners and fall for them over the last couple of years, he hadn't really considered that he might follow in their footsteps. It just hadn't seemed like meeting the right woman and falling in love was in the cards for him.

He looked down at Amelia again, smiling at the way her long lashes brushed her cheeks.

Yeah, she was beautiful, but more than that, she was what he'd told her – she was his kind of perfect.

And now that she was here... He sucked in a deep breath and made himself a promise.

Now that she was here, he was going to do all that he could to persuade her to stay – to be with him.

He tightened his arm around her – to be his.

He felt bad when she opened her eyes, but it didn't last when she smiled and asked, "Are you okay? What am I, a squeezy toy?"

He let out a low chuckle. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I shouldn't be mauling you. I just woke up happy that you're here with me. I wanted to hold you while I can."

She tightened her arm around his waist. "It wasn't a complaint. I was just curious, that's all."

He shrugged happily. "I don't know what to tell you, Lil’ Bit, but unless you've got a problem with it, I don't see me stopping."

He loved the sound of her laugh. She was still half asleep, and it showed in her voice. "What's with this ‘Lil’ Bit’ thing? Where did that come from?"

He inhaled sharply. He didn't even know where it had come from, but he'd called her that a couple times last night. And as he met her gaze, he realized that he didn't want to stop calling her that.

He shrugged. "It just means, like, little thing. Like you're a little lady."

Her eyes seemed to shine when she smiled. "I've heard it before. I've just never heard you call me that before."

He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Are you saying you don't like it?"

He could see her answer before she spoke – her pink cheeks gave her away.

He poked her side with a smile. "You do, don't you? You like it."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I feel like I shouldn't."

"Why?" he asked with a frown.

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just... I don't want to go all sappy female just because the big sexy ranch guy showed her a good time."

His frown deepened. As far as he was concerned, he'd done more than show her a good time, but...

She ran her fingers over his cheek. "That didn't come out right, did it? But you know what I mean. All I'm saying is that I don't want to let the best sex of my life cloud my brain."

That made him feel a whole lot better.

"I don't think it takes a clouded brain to like being given your own pet name, does it?" he asked.

"No, it's not that. It's just..." She looked more awake now, and he could see that she was giving the matter serious consideration. "I'm not some little itty bitty sweet thing that needs to be taken care of."

He chuckled. "Believe me, I know. I just... I won't say it anymore if you don't want."

She tightened her arm around him. "What I'm trying to say and messing up is that I do want." She looked up into his eyes and pressed a kiss to his lips. "But only because you're the one saying it. Does that make more sense?"

He grinned. "Not only does it make sense, but it makes me feel pretty damn good."

"Good," she said with a smile. "Then I like it for both of us."

He slid his hand down over her ass and gave it a squeeze. "I'd love to give you a lil’ bit more this morning, too, but I have to get up and go. Do you want me to bring you some coffee up before I leave?"

"No." She sat up, and he loved that she didn't try to cover herself with the sheet – just sat there all beautiful and naked as she said, "If you need to get up now, I'll get up with you. Do you eat breakfast before you go? I can make coffee."

He ran his hand over her hair. "I don't eat until later, but I can make you something if you want."

She shook her head. "No, thanks. I want to be able to pull my weight around here."

He nodded slowly. As tempted as he was to tell her that he'd make her coffee every day especially if she wanted to start waking up in his bed with him, no way was he going to say it.

If getting up and making the coffee would make her feel at home, then he had no problem with it. Although... He reached out and ran his hand down her side. He'd have even less of a problem if she wanted to stay right where she was – here – in his bed – naked.

"Ford!"

The sound of Ty's voice calling his name had them both diving for cover.

His instincts kicked in, wanting to protect her – even if it was only from his brother's eyes and not some mortal threat.

As she had already done so often, Amelia proved to him that she was quite capable of looking after herself.

As he dived for her, she'd already popped down under the covers, covering even her head.

He let out a short laugh as he said, "You know, if Ty comes in the room, that might look even worse."

He laughed harder when she slapped his leg but didn't come out. "Just see what he wants." Her voice was muffled by the duvet.

Ford couldn't help grinning as he shouted, "Still in bed, Ty. What's up, squirt?"

"Shit. Sorry.” Ty's voice came from the bottom of the stairs.

"Shit. I didn't think. I... I thought you'd be up and about and on your way to work by now.

I'm just dropping you a tray off. I have to get to the restaurant early this morning, and we had a big table that didn't show last night.

It was a plated deal, so the food was already.

.. I wanted to get trays delivered to each of you before I head back over there.

Everyone's got their own tray now, so I'm leaving one for you and Amelia, and I figured you could take the last couple down to the bunkhouse. "

"Thanks, Ty. Appreciate it. I'm sure Amelia will, too. And I'll let the guys know that they owe you one."

"They don't owe me a damn thing," said Ty. "Is Amelia not up yet? I should keep my voice down. Or better yet, get out of here."

Ford lifted the edge of the cover and peered down at her. She gave him a rueful smile but shook her head when he beckoned for her to come out.

"I don't know what she's up to yet," Ford called back to Ty. "I'll see ya later, squirt. And thanks again."

"Not a problem. See ya later."

Ford waited for the sound of the kitchen door closing behind Ty before he lifted the covers again. "It's safe to come out," he told her.

She sat up beside him and rolled her eyes at him. "Sorry... I didn't know what to do."

"You could have just stayed there. He wouldn't have come in."

"No, I don't suppose he would – but I panicked."

"Why?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. There's no reason to, is there?"

"None that I can think of."

He held her gaze, and she started to laugh. The sound of it hit him right in the chest.

"I feel like a teenager who sneaked into her boyfriend's bedroom and is terrified of getting caught."

He laughed with her. "And I feel like the lucky boyfriend who doesn't care if he gets caught.

" He tucked his fingers under her chin as he added, "Because being with you is everything.

" He cocked an eyebrow. "What do you say – do you want to sneak into my bedroom again tonight? I'll make it worth your while."

She leaned against his shoulder with a big smile on her face. "I'd love to – although I'd rather you scoop me up and carry me away again. That's such a turn-on."

He kissed the tip of her nose. "Then I'll do it every night."

Her pupils dilated as she looked into his eyes. Maybe he shouldn't have said it, but he meant it so rather than explain himself, he just nodded.

~ ~ ~

In the kitchen, Amelia started the coffee pot and looked around, wondering if there was something quick and easy she could make him for breakfast. She'd insisted that Ford should jump straight in the shower since he was already later going out than he'd planned to be – and that was her fault.

He'd claimed that it wasn't, but if he hadn't already been up when Ty called in, she knew full well that he would have gone downstairs to see him if she wasn't there.

She covered her eyes with her hands and chuckled. Why on earth had she dived under the covers like that? She didn't know. And, of course, Ford had been right when he joked that if Ty had come into the room...

She shook her head and went to the fridge to get milk. When she spied cheese and ham in there, she pulled them out. Now she knew what she could make him for breakfast.