Wild Love (Rose Hill, #1)(38)

“That’s very mature of you.” Cora nods like she’s impressed, and I clear my throat to cover a laugh.

“Thank you,” I say simply. “And you know, if I move back, you don’t have to worry. Ford was adamant about coming with me to pick you up today, so he knows what to do. You’re in good hands.”

Cora snorts and hides behind her hands as she bursts into a fit of girlish giggles. “That’s not why he went with you.”

My face scrunches in confusion. “What do you mean? Of course it is.”

“No.” Cora grins, mischief dancing in her eyes. “It’s because I told him about all the other perv dads eyeing you up.”

I scoff. “Ford doesn’t care about that.”

“Don’t re-create yourself as someone oblivious, Rosie. It doesn’t suit you.” She pats me on the leg like I’m dumb, hops off the couch, and gives me a quick and borderline awkward hug. “Thanks for tonight. I had fun. Even with all the pink.”

Then she’s off to bed.

And I’m left spiraling, just like I have been for the past twenty-four hours.





I wake to the feel of calloused fingers gently pushing my hair behind my ear. A corduroy pillow, both velvety and ribbed, rubs against my cheek. The smell of fried chicken, beer, and sandalwood swirls in my nostrils.

When I pry my eyes open, I’m faced with Ford looking rugged and heart-stopping as he sits on the coffee table watching me. Broad shoulders straining against his brown leather jacket, strong thighs filling out a pair of faded blue jeans. Even his stupid, expensive leather boots are still on his feet.

Like he saw me lying here when he walked in and came straight for me.

I broke every speed limit to get to you.

“Hey,” I murmur as I sit up. “Sorry. I fell asleep once Cora went to bed. Not before—I swear I was responsible.”

He smiles softly and reaches forward as if to stroke my hair again, but he quickly withdraws and props his elbows on his knees. “I know you were.”

“How was bowling?” I ask, pulling in a deep breath, trying to wake myself up.

The grin he hits me with is almost blinding, especially since he usually keeps it hidden behind a scowl.

“Are you drunk?”

“No.” He rakes a hand through his hair with a raspy chuckle. “I just… I had fun. It was stupid, but also… relaxing? Social?”

I’m suddenly aware of how dim the light is, how quiet the house is, and how close we are.

I’m suddenly self-conscious as hell.

“Right on.” I wince. That sounded dumb. “Well, I, uh, yeah. I’m happy to do a girls’ night with Cora on the days you have bowling.”

With a hushed laugh, I unfold my body and stand. The couch and the table are so close I find myself standing between his knees. His green eyes glow like he’s drinking me in for the first time, his stubble just the right length to lend him a slightly unpolished look.

“What’s so funny?”

“You. Bowling.” I drag my front teeth over my bottom lip. His eyes trace the motion and my skin itches. “You can crash here if that’s easier. You could just… sleep over on those nights.”

When I glance down, his fingers are clamped onto his thighs, bracketing where I stand between them.

I’m struck by the whiteness of his knuckles. The clear tension in his body. I wonder what he’d do to me with those hands if he just let go.

Next time you ask me that, make sure you are.

I clear my throat and think of West. I think of Ryan. I think of what a mess I am right now and resolve that no one needs my current personal life added to their plate.

Then I step around his knee.

“Oh, nah. I’ll get outta your hair. I just want to check on Cora before I go.”

“Rosie, wait.” Before I can step out from between his legs his hands let go. They go from gripping that table to holding me in place. One big, strong palm on the outside of each thigh.

All the air freezes in my lungs, but the skin beneath my leggings sizzles with throbbing heat.

I can’t look away from it.

His hands.

My legs.

It makes me want to step closer. But instead, I just focus on forcing myself to keep breathing and watch. He does the same. When I peek at him, he appears entranced. Motionless.

Seconds pass, but neither of us moves. My heart beats so hard it aches.

And then he finally sucks in a ragged breath and turns his eyes up to me. They’re wild, and green, and brimming with heat. “Thank you. For all your help.”

I offer him a simple, speechless nod. I feel his fingertips pulse on my legs, and that spurs me to step away from him. His hands lose contact, and I fight the urge to move back into them.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper with a soft tremor to my voice. His head doesn’t turn to follow my motion, but he nods all the same.

With a deep breath, I dash upstairs, deciding not to overthink what was a simple thank you. We’ve touched before. It’s nothing new. And I can’t go there right now anyway.

I wince as the floorboards creak beneath me letting out a sigh of relief when I poke my head into Cora’s room. With her black sheets and bright red lava lamp, it really feels like Dracula’s lair in here.

But I pull my hair down and drop the neon-pink scrunchie on her bedside table all the same before taking a moment to watch her. She looks downright sweet when she’s sleeping.