Page 67 of A Tempting Seduction

“What's wrong with my sweater?”

“Nothing. That's the problem.” Ford's voice had gone rough around the edges. “It's perfect. You're perfect.”

“I'm not perfect.”

“You are to me.”

Before I could protest further, Ford's mouth found mine. The kiss started gentle, almost tentative, but grew deeper as I melted against him. My hands fisted in his sweater as his tongue swept against mine. Goodness, he tasted so good, and no it wasn’t JRs tomato.

His hands tangled in my hair, loosening my braid until the strands fell around my shoulders in waves. I made a small sound of pleasure that seemed to drive him crazy, because suddenly his mouth was on my throat, finding that sensitive spot that made my toes curl.

“Ford,” I breathed, my head falling back to give him better access.

“I know.” His voice was muffled against my skin. “I know.”

I tugged him closer, needing more contact, more connection. Ford's hands skimmed down my sides, mapping the curves hidden beneath cashmere, learning the shape of me through soft wool.

When his mouth found mine again, the kiss was different. Deeper. More demanding. Ford's tongue swept against mine with deliberate intent, and I could taste the promise of everything he wanted to give me.

My hands slipped beneath his sweater, finding warm skin and hard muscle. Ford groaned against my mouth, the sound vibrating through my chest and settling low in my belly.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be cockblocked by my niece and nephew and still enjoy the heck out of it.”

I laughed.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” I whispered.

“What?”

“You don’t have to leave after Fiona picks up the kids.”

Ford groaned again and dropped his forehead onto mine. “Yes, I do. I’m going to want to follow her to Mom and Dad’s and help her get JR and Suzy tucked into bed.”

My heart practically burst out of my chest. Could the man get any more perfect?

“Oh, then in that case, we have to break up.”

His head lifted in a split second. “What?”

“Teasing,” I grinned. “How about this? After you get all of your chicks tucked safely away, you come back here?”

Ford’s brown eyes turned almost black. “Lady, I like the way you think.”

Chapter Fourteen

I wasn't surprised to see Dad waiting on the front porch when we pulled into the driveway. His silhouette was outlined against the warm glow from the living room windows, and I could see the steam rising from a coffee mug in his hands. After thirty-four years of being his son, I knew Dale Larson's protective instincts well enough to predict them.

He came out to greet us. I carried JR up the front steps, Fiona carrying little Suzy. As soon as we made up the stairs, Dad took Suzy from my sister’s arms. Both kids were dead to the world after their adventures at Ruby’s place. The evening had been perfect, better than I'd imagined when I'd volunteered to help with babysitting. Watching Ruby with the kids, seeing how naturally she'd fit into our chaotic family dynamic, had done something to my chest that I wasn't ready to examine too closely.

“Get them tucked in and I'll meet you on the porch,” Dad said quietly, his voice carrying that tone that meant we were going to have a conversation whether I wanted one or not.

Twenty minutes later, after JR and Suzy were tucked into their beds and Fiona had kissed them goodnight before disappearing into her own room, I found myself back on the front porch with my father. The late summer evening was warm and humid, typical for Tennessee in August, and I rolled up my sleeves as I settled into the wicker chair beside his.

“Good night?” Dad asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

“Yeah, it was.” I accepted the coffee he handed me, the mug still warm in my hands. “Ruby's great with the kids. JR. she and I built a fort out of couch cushions, blankets and every pillow she had in the house. Suzy learned how to say the word princess.”

“My granddaughter is smart.”