Page 59 of Every Little Kiss
“Oh yeah, that top looks great,” Grace agreed, taking out a notepad and pen from her purse. “It takes you from a respectable B to a full C.”
She looked down at her boobs and sighed. Not even a respectable B today. “The top got me zero action the last time I wore it.”
“You weren’t ready to be kissed, which is where the seven signs that you’re ready to be kissed comes into play. Primping comes in at number seven,” Avery informed them as if she were fluent in the language of seduction, when in reality she looked like a grown-up blonde Dora the Explorer.
Then again, the adventure guide was the only one of the three who was getting any.
“But it looks like I’m going to have to give you CliffsNotes, because Ford just walked in and is doing the same sweep you did.”
Liv’s stomach tightened, and she was about to turn around when she heard someone shout, “Ford, over here, man.”
It was one of his buddies at the bar, calling him over, most likely for guys’ night. Not wanting to draw attention, Liv sank down into the booth.
“That is the exact opposite of what you should be doing,” Avery said. “No wonder why he didn’t kiss you at the door. Now sit up and make direct eye contact and don’t look away.”
“Or I can respect that he’s here for guys’ night and talk to him tomorrow.” When she wasn’t in work scrubs with sprinkles on them.
“Or you can fluff your hair in his direction, sign five in letting him know you want to be kissed,” Avery said, and both women started waving.
“Can you not?” Liv grabbed Avery’s hand and lowered it to the table.
“Too late. He waved back to the crazy girls.” It was only then that Grace put her hand down. “Aw, he’s a keeper.”
“What happened to just the fun side?”
“That was before I saw all his sides. They are equally impressive, and I give you permission to explore all of them,” Grace said with a grin. “Ifyou report back with details.”
“He’s here to see his friends,” Liv said. “No more details to share.”
“Actually, he’s here to see you.”
Liv didn’t have to turn around to see who that gravelly voice belonged to, because her nipples went hard. Taking in a deep breath, she prepared herself for the impact and turned, but it was all in vain.
Grace was right—the man was smoking hot. In dust-covered boots, low-slung tactical pants, and enough testosterone to level a football arena, Ford was over six feet of unadulterated fun waiting to be tapped. Appreciating the way his work shirt clung to that very defined chest of his, she decided that fun was something she desperately wanted to happen.
“We’re celebrating,” Avery pointed out. “Want to join us?”
“Thanks, but I just need to talk to Liv,” he said to the table and then looked right at her. His smile was dialed to flirt, but his eyes were serious. The kind of serious that made Liv’s hands sweat. “Do you have a second?”
“A second kiss,” Avery coughed, and Grace laughed.
Ford let the dimples pop out, but she could tell he had to work for that smile.
Liv cut her friends a hard glare, then stood. “Sure. I was going to get a beer at the bar.”
Before Liv could respond, Ford had her hand in his big warm one, and he was leading her though the brewery, past the bar and his buddies—grabbing two bottles of beer on his way—not stopping until they were outside, the warm evening air surrounding them.
It was only in the light of the sinking sun that she realized just how dirty he was. He looked as if he’d been playing beach volleyball—fully clothed. His scruff was so thick it could be considered a beard, his eyes were tired, and his body language was on edge.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He came to a stop on the side of the building and let go of her hand to cup the bill of his cap and pull it low on his head in an unconscious move that was all male and pent-up nerves.
“Ford, is everything okay?”
Setting the bottles of beer on top of a crate, he turned to face her.Study herwas more like it. He slowly took in every inch of her, and a small smile touched his lips when he spotted her sprinkle scrubs. “I got you something.”
To her surprise and delight, he pulled a small brown box from his jacket pocket. He held on to it, as if debating if he really wanted to let go, before looking up at her with his eyes and offering it to her.
