Three Little Words (17 page)

“I got that. It might be part of your problem.” He put her hand back in place. “Just give me five minutes. If you don’t like it, you can stop.”

She stared into his face and tried to guess what he was thinking. So far everything he’d done had been designed to make her feel at ease and sexually satisfy her. Did she really want to start complaining now?

“Five minutes,” she agreed, putting her fingers back where he’d placed them.

“Slow circles. Steady pressure.”

She blinked at him. “You’re telling me how to do this?”

“Someone has to.”

She didn’t know if she should laugh, hit him or accept the criticism in the spirit in which it was meant. She picked the latter and collapsed back on the bed.

Her fingers were smaller than his, so she used three instead of two. She moved slowly, not sure how to duplicate what he’d done. But with each circle, she got immediate feedback and was able to adjust the speed to one that was—

“Damn, that’s hot,” he said.

She opened her eyes and saw him watching her. She pulled her hand away immediately. Heat burned on her cheeks. “You’re not supposed to stare at me.”

“You have a lot of rules.” He shifted so she felt his thickness pushing into her. “But as soon as you’re comfortable with us making love, I’m going to have you do that all the way.”

“You want me to touch myself and have an orgasm while you watch?”

“Sure.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Repeating “people don’t do that” seemed silly. “Would you do that, too? With me watching?”

“Sure.”

The idea of him touching himself with her right there was oddly exciting. What else did couples do in bed that she didn’t know about? She had a feeling Ford would be happy to tell her all about it.

He tapped the back of her hand. “Back to business, young lady.”

She did as he requested. With the first stroke, she felt the familiar tension return. Then he eased into her.

Ford was both long and thick. He stretched her, pushing in until her legs fell open more. Nerve endings cooed in delight at the friction. He withdrew and pushed in again.

There was no counting this time, no need to busy her mind. Her body understood what was happening and hurried toward the path. She touched herself as he’d taught her, keeping time with him. They both moved faster and faster. She started to lose control as pressure built up inside her.

Without thinking, she dropped her hand and held on to him. She wrapped her legs around his hips and drew him in closer. He surged harder, thrust deeper and the first ripple of her release washed over her.

He quickly followed, opening his eyes to stare into hers as they both surrendered to the pleasure they shared.

* * *

I
SABEL
STOOD
IN
her shower the following morning and did her best not to break into spontaneous song. Because she so could. She could sing and dance, and she wouldn’t be the least surprised if little woodland creatures were waiting in her bedroom to help her dress.

Because it was that kind of morning. The sun was shining, the earth rotating, and she had spent the night having orgasm after orgasm.

Maybe that made her a shallow person, but she could live with the judgment. The things Ford had done to her had been spectacular. She hadn’t known her body was capable of such pleasure. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t figured it all out before. Of course, she and Billy had both been young and the horde had been a one-night kind of thing that had left her feeling icky. With Eric, well, she’d already dissected those problems.

She turned off the water and got out of the shower. After drying off, she wrapped herself in her robe and opened the bathroom door. And screamed.

Ford was standing right there.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” she asked, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart pounded hard against her rib cage.

“I brought you coffee.”

She took the offered mug, then glanced down and realized he was not only naked but erect. Anticipation sent heat rushing all through her.

She turned, set down the coffee, dropped her robe on the floor and stepped into his arms. He was kissing her and moving her back at the same time.

After he shoved the coffee to the back of the vanity, he lifted her up to the counter and spread her legs. She reached between them and guided him inside.

He filled her in a single stroke.

She wrapped her legs around his hips and nibbled at his jaw. “Hard,” she instructed, already halfway to her release. “Don’t hold back.”

“You’re my kind of girl.”

She brought his hands to her breasts and arched her head back. As he pumped in and out, he squeezed her nipples. Less than a minute later, she was flying, crying out her release. He followed quickly.

When they were done, they stayed where they were, trying to catch their breath.

“You’re going to kill me,” he told her.

“Is that a complaint?”

He grinned and kissed her. “No. It’s a challenge.”

* * *

F
ORD
SPUN
SLOWLY
in his seat. Justice looked up from his notes.

“Are we keeping you from something?”

“Nope,” Ford said easily, doing his best not to grin. Mostly because he didn’t want questions, but if ever there was a morning to be a happy guy, this was it.

Isabel had been a revelation. Sweet and sexy. When she’d come apart in his arms... He shook his head. There weren’t any words. He just knew it was the best feeling ever.

Consuelo looked at him. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

“You’re too happy. It’s annoying.”

Angel grunted. “You were supposed to have dinner with Clyde and his wife last night. He’s a potential client.”

“More than potential now,” Ford told him. “He’s coming in later to sign on the dotted line.”

He reached for a sheet of paper, crumpled it up and tossed it into the trash can. “Score one for me.”

“That was your handout for the meeting,” Justice told him.

“I’ll share with someone else.”

Consuelo continued to glare at him. “I’m going to hurt you later.”

As they had a workout planned at three that afternoon, there was every chance she was telling the truth. Not that he cared. He could still please Isabel with a broken leg or arm.

Once she’d figured out the whole point of sex, she hadn’t been able to get enough. They’d reached for each other again and again in the night. And that morning—talk about hot.

What he couldn’t believe was that no one had bothered to take the time to figure out how to please her. She wasn’t especially difficult; she was just inexperienced. He supposed Eric had something of an excuse, but what about the other guys?

Idiots, he told himself.

He should go online and find her some toys. Nothing that would freak her out, but a few fun things. He had a feeling she would enjoy playing, as would he.

Angel crumpled up his notes and made a basket into the trash can. Justice snapped his laptop shut.

“What about the meeting?” Consuelo asked.

“There’s an assembly at Lillie’s school. I’d rather be there than dealing with these two.” He motioned to Ford and Angel.

“So I’m in charge?” Consuelo asked, sounding pleased.

“No blood, no dead bodies, no broken bones.”

“You’re limiting my fun.”

“We’re still business partners. If you kill them, it’s more work for you.” Justice walked out of the conference room.

Ford heard footsteps in the hallway; then Justice said, “He’s back in there.”

Was Isabel looking for him? He got up and hurried out the door, only to find Leonard walking toward him.

“Hey,” he said, nodding at his friend. “What’s up?”

“Is there a place we can talk?”

“Sure.” He motioned to his office, two doors down. “Everything okay?”

“Fine.”

Leonard followed him inside, then shut the door. He pushed up his glasses and cleared his throat. “I want to start working out.”

Ford leaned against his desk. “Sure. That’s easy. Have you joined a gym?”

“I’m going to, but I thought maybe you could give me some lessons or something. Tell me what I need to be doing.” Leonard’s face crumpled. “Maeve mentioned that you looked good. When I pressed her, she made a comment about...” He swallowed. “Your butt.”

Ford raised his eyebrows and held up his hands. “Look, there’s absolutely nothing going on between Maeve and me. I haven’t seen her since you were in the hospital.”

“I know that,” his friend told him. “I’m not saying there is. But look at you. You’re a SEAL and I’m an accountant. I want her to talk about my butt.”

Ford saw the combination of love and worry in Leonard’s eyes. “Easy enough. You don’t look like you need to lose any weight.”

Leonard slapped his stomach. “I could lose ten. Maybe fifteen, but what I mostly need is to put on some muscle. Can you help with that?”

Ford walked over and patted him on the back. “I sure can. We’ll make a schedule and I’ll get you started. Just remember, it’s not a good workout if you don’t puke.”

Leonard’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re kidding, right?”

“You’re going to have to wait and see.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Y
OU
HAVE
TO
LET
GO
of the door handle,” Ford said.

“Technically, I don’t.”

Isabel hung on to the Jeep with both hands. If she stayed where she was, she didn’t have to go into the house. She didn’t have to see anyone and she didn’t have to lie. If she let go, Ford was going to make her walk into the family dinner. And then what? Denise would take one look at them and know they’d had sex.

Ford stood in front of her. “What’s the problem? You know everyone in the family. We’re all friendly. They like you.”

“I glow.”

He smiled slowly, looking more than a little self-satisfied.

“Stop it!” She glared at him. “Denise is your mother.”

“She thinks we’re together, so why is your glowing a bad thing?”

“It’s tacky. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

He moved close, crowding her. “That’s not what you said this morning.”

Isabel kept her chin up and refused to blush. It wasn’t as though she was exaggerating. Now that she’d discovered what all the fuss was really about, she couldn’t seem to stop wanting Ford. While he hadn’t moved in or anything, he was spending every night in her bed.

“What I said this morning has nothing to do with your family. Especially your mother.” She drew in a breath. “Fine. I can do this. Just don’t look at me that way.”

His gaze turned predatory.

“That way. You know you’re doing it. Just stop.”

He chuckled and pulled her hands free of the handle, then lightly kissed her knuckles. “Just know that in three hours we’ll be able to leave. We’ll head home and you can be on top.”

The image of what happened when she was on top quickened her breathing. “Don’t do that!” she pleaded.

“Kittens,” he told her. “Think about kittens. It really helps.”

They walked up to the front of the house. The door opened before they got there.

“You made it,” Denise said with a smile. “Welcome, Isabel.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Isabel said as Denise pulled her son close and hugged him. Then she was hugged as well, and they all went into the house.

The spacious living room was empty and quiet, but plenty of noise spilled out from down the hall.

“Brace yourself,” Ford murmured as they followed his mother. “It’s going to be chaos.”

He wasn’t kidding. They stepped into the huge family room and found themselves surrounded by people. Ford was one of six kids. Four of his siblings were married and every one of them had at least one child. Some more. Which meant there were thirteen adults and eight kids, a number of dogs and more noise than a rock concert.

“Ford!” Montana called when she saw her brother. She rushed toward him. His other sisters followed suit.

Isabel stayed close and greeted everyone. As Ford had promised, the family was friendly and welcoming. But as the minutes passed and Ford was hugged and patted on the back and attacked by toddlers who thought he was cool, she felt a subtle tension invading him.

She studied him closely, wondering at the cause. He was still smiling and joking. But she saw the tightness of the muscles in his jaw and the way he kept glancing toward the exit. She felt the extra beat before he responded to questions about settling into town.

She didn’t know if it was the press of people or the fact that he was dealing with his family at close range and all at once, but she realized the situation was difficult for him.

Not sure what to do, she moved next to him and took his hand. “Can we get something to drink?”

Her request caused a flurry of activity. While the family was distracted, she squeezed his fingers. She raised herself on tiptoe.

“Three hours, big guy. Then I get to be on top.”

He flashed her a smile and she felt him relax.

By the time the bottles of wine had been opened, the guys had gone back to watching the game and the women were collecting in the kitchen. The older kids disappeared into the game room, while the babies were passed around.

“Can I help with anything?” Isabel asked Denise.

“I’ve got it under control,” Ford’s mother said, then sighed. “It’s so nice to have the whole family here.”

Montana joined them. “Kent’s by himself.”

“You say that like you’re surprised,” Denise said.

“I am. He’s seeing someone. I thought he’d bring her.”

Denise turned around and stared at her middle son. “Kent is dating?” She raised her voice to be heard across the room and over the game. “Kent, you’re dating?”

Kent looked at her, then stared at Montana. “Really?” he asked. “You couldn’t give me a couple of weeks of privacy?”

Montana winced. “Sorry. It just slipped out.”

Simon, Montana’s husband, was instantly at her side, as if to protect her. “Is everything all right?” he asked.

Montana smiled at him. “I’m fine. If I need you to slice up my brother into tiny pieces, I’ll let you know.”

Simon kissed her. “I would appreciate that.”

He returned to the game.

“Who’s Kent seeing?” Denise asked, lowering her voice. “One of the women I suggested?”

“I don’t think she was on the list.”

Over Fourth of July, Denise had set up a booth at the festival—looking for a wife for Kent and for Ford. She’d had baby pictures of her boys so interested women could get an idea of what their children might look like, and she’d taken applications.

“Do you know Consuelo Ly?” Montana asked.

Denise frowned. “Why is that name familiar?”

“She teaches at the bodyguard academy,” Isabel said, wondering why her friend hadn’t mentioned dating Kent. “Have they been seeing each other long?”

“No,” Montana said. “I don’t think so.”

Isabel figured Montana had been talking to Carter—Reese’s friend. Reese was Kent’s son and would be the person to know if his dad was seeing anyone.

Ah, the thrill of small-town living.

* * *

“H
E
’
S
A
FLIRT
,”
Dakota said with a sigh. “I don’t want to think about what he’s going to be like when he’s in high school.”

“It’ll start before high school,” Nevada said with a grin. “Look at those dimples.”

“Speaking of dimples and babies,” Denise said, passing around the sliced roast. “Are you and Tucker ready to have another baby?”

Nevada grimaced. “Mom, get off me. It hasn’t even been six months.”

“I know, but you waited awhile to get started. Grandbabies, people. I can’t have too many.”

“Denise,” Max said gently from the far end of the table. “Don’t torture your children.”

She smiled at him. “You’re right.”

Dakota leaned toward Isabel. “Max is the voice of reason. He keeps Mom in check and for that we’re grateful.”

Isabel knew that Denise had been seeing Max for a few years, but so far they hadn’t decided to marry. He was a great guy, very calm and centered.

The Hendrix family had produced a lot of kids, Isabel thought, feeling a twinge of longing. She and Eric hadn’t discussed having children very often. She’d thought they had plenty of time and he... Well, she didn’t know what he’d been thinking. Either way, it was good they hadn’t started a family, what with the divorce and all. But she’d always seen herself as a mother. Being single was going to complicate that situation.

More food was passed around the table. Isabel watched Ford take small portions of everything, but he didn’t seem to be eating. She put her hand on his thigh and felt the tension in his muscles.

He looked as though he was having a good time, but she could tell the evening was wearing on him.

“How are things going at work?” Denise asked him.

Isabel squeezed her fingers against his thigh. “He’s so busy,” she said with a smile. “Have you seen the facility? It’s amazing. Angel’s building an outdoor course that is incredibly challenging.” Information Consuelo had told her. “I couldn’t do it, but those of you who are more athletic should try it.”

“That would be fun,” Montana said. “Not that I’d go. I’m not very coordinated. Max, do you think we should have an obstacle course to train the dogs?”

And just like that, the attention was off Ford.

He put his hand on top of hers and then smiled at her. She smiled back.

Ford was always so funny and charming, she thought. Joking with everyone and acting as if he was just one of the guys. It was easy to forget that he’d been gone so long, serving his country in difficult and dangerous places.

He wasn’t the kind of man to brood, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have ghosts of his own. She ate her dinner and talked to people, but stayed alert to any conversation shift that might upset him.

Later, when they were driving home, she wondered if she should say anything. Or ask questions. In the end, she decided to let him speak or not.

When they arrived back at their place, she climbed out of his Jeep and started for the house. Ford stopped her and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t kiss her; instead he held on tight.

She rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in the quiet of the night.

She wondered what had happened. Was it his family? The close quarters? The questions? Just that some days he had to deal with his past and some days he didn’t?

But she didn’t ask and he didn’t offer. Instead he shifted so his arm was around her and led her toward the house.

“I’m thinking ice cream and then sex,” he said as she pulled her keys out of her purse. “What about you?”

She fumbled with the key and he took it from her. As he opened the door, she knew that she wanted this. What they had together. The fun and the conversation. The sex and the friendship. She wanted to be his buffer and have him take care of the yard and be manly with the barbecue. She liked the rhythm of their life together.

It wasn’t love, she told herself firmly. But it was still special and something she wanted to hang on to for as long as she could.

“Ice cream and sex sound great,” she told him.

He grinned. “You’re the best girlfriend ever.”

“I bet you say that to all your women.”

“Maybe,” he admitted. “But this time I mean it.”

* * *

“Y
OU
READY
FOR
THIS
?”
Consuelo asked.

“Sure,” Kent said, even though he wasn’t.

Somehow he’d agreed to work out with her. It wasn’t his idea of a date, so he wasn’t sure how it had happened, but here he was, in the CDS gym. Any confidence he’d arrived with had been destroyed by the sight of Ford helping his friend Leonard to his car. Leonard had been shuffling, as if his legs hurt too much to walk regularly, and he’d held an ice pack to one shoulder.

Ford’s comment “Not a good place for civilians” hadn’t helped.

Now he faced a petite fireball who was very likely going to kick his ass. To make matters worse, she was dressed in formfitting workout clothes that left nothing to the imagination. He was in baggy sweats and a T-shirt, but even so, if he got an erection, the world was going to know.

Basically, he had a three-part plan. Don’t get injured, don’t make a fool of himself and keep his eyes off Consuelo’s ass.

“What do you want to do?” she asked, tilting her head so her ponytail swung toward the ground.

“You tell me.” Which was a better answer than the real one, which went along the lines of “I want to have sex with you. Anywhere, anytime, again and again.” He had a feeling she wouldn’t respond well to that line of conversation and that if he pursued it, he would end up with something broken.

“We have a basic workout we give recruits to assess them,” she told him. “How about that?”

“You don’t have a basic math-teacher assessment instead? Because I’d be good at that one.”

“You can take pi to eight digits?” she asked, her voice teasing.

“And beyond.”

“Impressive.” She grinned. “Okay, let’s start with jump-squats.”

She demonstrated by squatting down, then jumping high in the air before landing and then repeating the procedure.

“Ready?” she asked.

He nodded and they did them together. By the tenth, he was feeling it in his thighs. By fifteen, he was breathing hard. By number twenty, he had a vision of himself limping like Leonard.

They moved on to other exercises, each more challenging than the one before. Consuelo gave instructions as she worked along with him, barely breaking a sweat. He was thinking that he needed to up his game when it came to his four-days-a-week run. And maybe add a little weight lifting to his regimen.