Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“It’s probably Ford,” Andrew laughs, motioning over at the man in question who is heading our way. I didn’t even look toward the lobby, which I should have. It stands to reason Ford was looking for me. In the short time I’ve known him, it’s clear that he can be very intense and possessive. Oddly enough, those traits seem to put me at ease, maybe because he doesn’t back them up with anger, but only gentleness.
“I guess it could be.”
“For what it’s worth, Ford’s a good guy. You can trust him. He’s a straight shooter. It’s kind of funny, actually. I’ve known him for a while. I’ve never seen him with a woman.”
“Grace isn’t just any woman,” Ford responds for me, coming up behind me, placing his hands possessively on my shoulders.
“You don’t have to tell me that. I’ve known that a long time. Tonight just cemented that fact. I’m going to go join Roman and Cowboy. You two have a good night. Grace, if you ever need anything, I hope you know that you just have to ask,” Andrew adds.
“If she needs anything, she has me,” Ford rumbles and for the first time since I met him, he sounds pissed.
“Fair enough,” Andrew responds, not bothering to hide his smile.
“You ready to go up to our room, sweetheart?” Ford asks me.
“If that offer includes the room service you promised, then absolutely.”
“Already ordered.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t tell you what I wanted.”
“Nope, but you’ll like what I got,” he quips, and I snort. Ford doesn’t lack having an ego. That much is for damn sure.
“Goodnight, you two.”
“See ya’ around, Vector.”
“Bye,” I murmur, letting Ford lead me upstairs, praying I never see Andrew again.
13
GRACE
“Are you going to tell me what that conversation was about?” Ford asks as we make it to our room.
“It doesn’t matter. Andrew and I share nothing but a past.”
“Well, I’d like to hear it—especially since I’m your future.”
“Ford—”
“I don’t want to fight about this with you, Grace,” he responds, turning to look at me. I look briefly at the door, wishing we were inside. His hand comes up and caresses my cheek. His thumb slides back and forth gently as he smiles down at me.
“I don’t fit into your world, Ford. If anything, seeing Andrew and Roman again tonight brought that home. You need a woman like Sloane. That’s not who I am. It’s never going to be. Honestly, I don’t want to be that. I like my life quiet. I want it revolving around my son, because he’s everything to me.”
“I don’t know the story between you and Vector—”
“It’s something I want to forget. Let’s just say he discovered I wasn’t worth his time and cut me out of his life easily.”
“Then, he’s a fucking idiot,” Ford growls.
“No, it’s me, Ford. My grandmother used to say I was born cursed.”
“She sounds like a bottle of piss with a red bow on it.”
My eyes widen in surprise as I look up at him. I wouldn’t have thought it possible to laugh, but I do it. “What the hell, Ford?” I giggle.
His dark eyes twinkle down at me. It feels like they’re sparkling with humor. It’s enough to make my knees weak—a familiar feeling around him.
“That’s what I want,” he practically purrs.
“Huh?”
“I’d wage a war to hear your laughter, Gracie,” he whispers.
I think this is only the second time that he’s used that version of my name. Others do it without thought. That’s just who I am. The fact that Ford uses it sparingly, and only when he’s being sweet to me, makes me catch my breath.
“Wars are bad,” I remind him jokingly.
“I don’t give a fuck.”
I swallow, trying to bring myself back to reality. “Everyone in my life has discovered what you need to, Ford.”
“And what is that?” he asks.
“That I’m not worth your time.”
“Grace—”
“I’m not lying. Everyone that has been important to me have all felt that way. Andrew is just one in a line of many.” I sound like I’m feeling sorry for myself, but I’m not. My own parents didn’t want me. My grandmother sure as hell didn’t. I thought I just lost out on the parent lottery. Andrew showed me the error in that line of thinking. Benny just kept pounding it home—literally. I really like Ford, more than I should. He’s not for me, though. Life gave me one good thing. That’s my son. He’s the only one that I can afford to expend my energy on. I forgot that momentarily. Seeing Andrew once more and how attentive he was with Sloane, and how Roman was with her, sealed it. All this time, I thought Andrew and I were in love. We discussed marriage. I gave him my virginity. I was a stupid woman with stars in her eyes. I was never a true part of his life. I was never loved. Those were just empty words.