“You promise you’ll have me back in time?”
“Yes.”
As I lock up my studio, I study the profile of his handsome face. “Let me guess…you won’t tell me where we’re going, will you?”
“Nope.”
“Not a gambling shindig, I’m guessing.”
“Not enough time.” He wiggles his brows. “Unless you want to blow off lover boy to be my date?”
I laugh. “Not a chance.”
“Didn’t think so. A guy can hope though, right?”
Ford’s penchant for flirting is as commonplace to me now as the monthly exchange. It’s a constant part of my life, at least until I leave his house in a few days. I can’t deny that I’ve warmed up to his dirty-minded humor and harmless innuendos.
Some days, I dare to call him a friend.
He takes my arm, and we navigate the halls before he ushers me into the frigid November air. The sky is dark and gray as night sets in, and Ford’s driver waits in the drizzle next to the same limo we took to the party.
“I’ve only got two hours.”
“I know.” He holds up a blindfold. “Surprise first. You’ll see Sebastian soon enough.”
As he fastens the soft fabric around my head, hindering my eyesight, excited curiosity flutters in my belly.
“Take my hand.” His voice is soft and deep, his grip firm as he leads me across the wet pavement to the waiting vehicle. Soon, we’re in the backseat, and he keeps my hand in his as the driver takes us to Ford’s secret destination.
“You won’t even give me a hint?”
“My lips are sealed, baby girl.”
I’m not sure how much time passes, but eventually we slow, my body leaning into his as the vehicle turns and heads into what feels like a downgrade. Ford exhales, and something about that sad sigh pulls at my heartstrings.
“Can you do something for me before I take off the blindfold?”
“Depends on what it is.”
He turns my head toward the sound of his voice, thumb a light caress across my lips. “Kiss me.”
My heart skips a beat, and instead of answering, I lift my chin. The next moments slip past in suspended uncertainty. A subtle yearning to taste him threatens to send me into the land of guilt and regret, but I fight it.
It’s just a kiss—as innocent and pure as the unlikely friendship budding between us.
In the next instant, his lips press against mine, soft and warm and insistent as he darts his tongue into my mouth. Swallowing a small whimper, I welcome his exploration, unable to do anything but surrender.
Because his head-spinning kiss…it feels so final.
He pulls away before I expect him to. “Thank you for giving me one of the best months of my life.” His voice is thick, breaths hitting my lips too fast. “If I believed in the institution of marriage, I’d want it to be with you.”
I open my mouth and search for the words to convey my confusion over this entire interlude, but he removes the blindfold before I can respond. Blinking his face into focus, I notice the affection in his hazel eyes first, and the meaning behind that stare claims the small piece of my heart I hadn’t realized was vacant until now. My attention shifts, our surroundings slowly penetrating my awareness.
The crash of waves on the nearby beach.
The narrow tree-lined drive.
The storybook house with the familiar gabled roof.