Page 42 of Every Little Kiss
“Because I don’t want to get all excited only to have it blow up in my face,” she said quickly.
“Like I said, any kind of fire is out of the question,” he assured her. “But making this the best summer on record—I’m all in.”
Before he knew what was happening, Liv straightened right as Ford stood, and Bullseye—taking the commotion to mean that it was cuddle time—bolted out from his bed and underfoot.
Liv’s foot, to be exact, causing her to collide with Ford’s chest. Her one delicate hand went around his neck, and the other pressed against his chest. His hands were no better, as they slid around her waist to steady her, and Bullseye jumped up on both of them to get his group hug on.
“Leave the lady alone,” Ford said, batting Bullseye to the ground and telling himself to follow his own advice. But he noticed he still had one hand around her, spanning across her lower back, holding her to him—instead of holding her steady. Which was fitting, since there wasn’t anything steady about Ford right then.
His head was spinning and his heart thrashing. He liked being close to her.
Too much.
“Sorry,” she said softly, her voice nothing more than a whisper of breath, confirming that he wasn’t the only one having a hard time with their no-flirting rule, and her magnolias were as magnificent as he’d imagined.
Checking himself, Ford stepped back, but the damage was already done. Every one of her soft curves was now imprinted on his body, which meant he’d never have to wonder again. Only the lack of wondering led him down a different path of wonder, which included nothing but those curves in his bed.
The pathway to trouble, he told himself, unable to tear his gaze away. And because trouble was a hell of a lot more exciting than filing papers, he said, “I’m not.” And then because trouble loved company, he added, “So what time should I pick you up?”
“Pick me up?” she asked, and if she didn’t look so completely adorable, he would have laughed.
“If you want Harris to sign off on this, then we need to be strategic on what we ask for and make sure we walk the area to foresee any pitfalls.” Even though the only pitfall he could foresee at the moment was what was going to happen when she looked down and noticed that while he’d agreed to the no-flirting rule, other parts were protesting. “So when should I pick you up?”
“I guess this is where I say I’ll bring the pizza,” she said with a shy smile as she headed toward the door. Only to bump into it. “I have Sunday afternoon off, and Monday I’m working the swing shift at the hospital. Just let me know what works best for you.”
Ford was about to ask her how he should contact her, but he was too busy admiring her sweet little jiggle as she opened the door and stumbled out of his office. He took in her lithe body, the way her dress hugged her hips as she moved, and how nicely it stretched across her exceptionally toned butt.
“Woof!”Bullseye barked.
He looked down at his dog. “Like you’re one to talk.”
