It wasn’t hard to read the interest in his eyes, but he waved his hand as if it didn’t matter. “The sight of a woman on her knees doesn’t do much for me.”
Yeah, like any man ever thought that. “You’re a terrible liar. You know that, right?”
He grinned. “You don’t have to be a good liar when you know how to fight. If you say something that offends someone and they take a swing at you, you usually come out all right.”
“That’s why I’m learning fighting techniques,” I agreed. “So I can insult people.”
“And because sparring with me turns you on,” Ford said.
It wasn’t something I could deny, so I didn’t even try. “What’s step two in the fight coordinator mating ritual?”
“It’s meeting me halfway over the sacred gearshift.”
My pulse sped up as I leaned forward, my hands resting on the edge of the console between us. Ford’s eyes dipped to my chest, and I was pretty sure that my scoop-neck top was gaping open and giving him a bit of a show. He didn’t seem to mind—and I didn’t, either.
Then Ford’s gaze was on my mouth as he leaned forward, meeting me halfway, like he’d said. I closed my eyes and leaned in—waiting to feel his lips on mine.
And waited.
And waited some more.
I opened my eyes to see that Ford had pulled back. “What is it?”
“I have to be honest about something,” he said after a moment.
Uh-oh. “You’re married?”
“No.”
“Gay?”
“No.”
“Dying?”
“No,” he said with an exasperated laugh. “Just listen, okay? Before we go any further, I should tell you that Tanner really likes you.”
“I like him too.”
“I mean he really likes you.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “Yeah, we… I mean, I suspected as much.”
Ford chuckled. “I wondered if he’d make a move. If you want me to back off, just tell me.”
I thought it over and wondered how to phrase what I wanted to say without him misunderstanding. Tanner was one of his two best friends, after all. “I like Tanner and I like you. Is that wrong?”
“Not in my opinion. But I don’t know where things stand between the two of you.”
“They don’t stand anywhere, really.” Except for friendship—which accounted for a lot, in my book. Especially since I never dreamed I’d feel anything for one of my stepbrothers except resentment.
“Then can I kiss you?”
“I sincerely hope so.”
He looked amused. “That sounded like a challenge.”
“Then I hope you’re up for it,” I said.
“I’m definitely up for it. Come back here.” He leaned in again and this time there was no hesitation. Our lips met and tension drained from my body as he kissed me thoroughly. It was replaced by excitement—a flush on my cheeks, a quickening heart rate, and heat between my legs.
I liked how Ford didn’t hesitate. Well, he had hesitated, but only because he was looking out for his buddy. But now—he knew what he wanted and was taking it. He fisted my hair and drew me closer as his mouth dominated mine. It was intoxicating and it made me want more.
A lot more.
Ford evidently felt the same way, because he slid his other hand inside the open neckline of my shirt. When he palmed my breast, I moaned against him. His big hand felt so good—maybe even more so because I knew what he could do with it. I’d never met a man who knew how to use his body in so many different ways. Now it was very tempting to find out what his body could do with mine.
His thumb grazed over my nipple and even through the bra, it felt amazing. Suddenly, it wasn’t enough, him touching me. I wanted to touch him. I balanced myself with one hand supporting me on the console, and with the other, I glided my fingers over his flat stomach. His hips rose up briefly, in reaction to my touch—or perhaps to encourage my hand to explore lower, which it did.
The bulge in his jeans was impressive, and my arousal increased when he groaned. The gearshift was definitely in the way as he kissed me and toyed with my breasts. And as I kissed him back and cupped his rock-hard cock through his pants.
Then we both heard it—a clatter and a muffled curse. I automatically jumped back, and a second later, I was glad I had because Tanner appeared at Ford’s window.
“Some idiot left beer cans right in the middle of the lot,” he grumbled. “I almost tripped.”
Ford nodded, his breathing harder than normal, but Tanner didn’t appear to notice as he continued on. “Aiden’s going to stay for a while—they’ve got a poker game going. Can I hitch a ride home with you two?”
“Of course,” Ford said and I nodded.
“Thanks.”
He disappeared, and I realized he was coming around to my side. I exchanged a quick glance with Ford as I straightened my blouse, but I couldn’t read his expression. Well, beyond disappointed.