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)
Still, I managed to get through the game and I’m still standing. Ford is trying to convince me to stay the night. I’ve already spoken with Asher and he’s happy. They’re keeping him tonight—not that Ford knew that in advance. Honestly, I’d rather go straight home, but I’m drained and emotionally exhausted. I also know that going home to an empty house won’t be healthy for me right now. So, I know I’m going to agree—despite only being ninety minutes from my house. I’m praying that I sleep and get an early enough start that Andrew and Sloane will be nowhere around tomorrow. Then I’ll go home and break it off with Ford.
I wish things could be different, because I really like Ford. I love spending time with him. Tonight, he held my hand, pulled out my seat and made sure I had something to drink. The man was completely attentive, plus his eyes never wandered—not once. There were women looking at him, too. One kept trying to rub against him at the table while Sloane was rolling the dice. All he did was scoot closer to me, while kissing me on the cheek and putting his arm around me. I’ve never had that. I find I want more—even if it is one night.
“If we stay, I’m going to need a separate bedroom,” I tell him. I may secretly want more, but it’s never going to happen.
“How about we go over and see if we can book a two-bedroom suite, then I’ll order room service, and we can talk over dinner?” he suggests.
I frown. “Ford, that sounds really expensive and I—”
“You do not worry about money. I am not exactly poor, but with the five g’s that I won thanks to Vector’s old lady at the craps table, we’ll let them pay for the room and the meal. What do you say?”
I sigh. I don’t want to leave. I can be honest and admit that. I enjoy being around him. Plus, I’d like to talk more with him—even knowing I’m going to break things off when we return back to real life. “If you’re sure,” I cautiously agree.
“I’m more than positive,” he says with a big smile. He doesn’t want tonight to end, either. Something about that warms me from the inside out. He puts his hand against my lower back, leading me to the lobby. Before we get there, I hear my name.
“Grace!”
My body stiffens when I hear Andrew. Ford looks down at me with questions in his eyes. It’s the same look that I saw in the elevator earlier. He hasn’t asked how I know Andrew, but I know it’s coming. I turn around slowly and face the man who disappeared from my life when I needed him, but now keeps showing up all the time.
“Andrew,” I respond, forcing a polite mask on my face. It doesn’t escape my attention that Ford’s hand slides from my back to my hip, then his fingers spread over my stomach as his hold on me tightens. There’s something about that move. It seems possessive and I feel a thrill move through me.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?
“Hey, Grace. Hey, Ford.”
“Vector. Where’s your old lady?”
“Sloane? She was beat. She worked and then we drove down here. I think her lucky streak in the casino wore her out.”
“She definitely did good,” Ford responds. “We better go. Grace and I were just about to get settled and order some room service for the night.”
Andrew looks from Ford to me. He scratches behind his ear, his face scrunching up as if he’s trying to figure something out. Then he just sighs. “Grace, I know you don’t owe me a damn thing, but I was wondering if the two of us could talk privately for a minute.”
“Andrew, what was between us was years ago. I don’t really think there’s anything left for us to say.”
“Please?”
“Vector, I don’t think Grace—”
I put my hand against Ford’s chest. He’s moved so that he’s putting part of his body between me and Andrew. It feels like he’s trying to protect me, and that’s just another thing that makes me really like him. Maybe what I’m feeling about him is different because he’s different. Could there really be a man in my life who wouldn’t look to hurt me the first chance he got?
“It’s okay, I’ll talk to him,” I whisper.
“You sure, sweetheart?” he asks. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think he’s worried about me. That warmth I feel whenever Ford does something sweet fills me again.
I nod. “Go get us that room. I’ll just be over there by the coffee lounge.”
Ford studies my face. I don’t know what he’s searching for, but he shocks the heck out of me when he leans down and places a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll come get you in a bit.”