Stepping forward, I bit down on my bottom lip and then started to pull the zipper down. Bright red appeared behind the zipper, and I slowly pulled the dress out. Instead of staring at it, I tried it right on, not getting my hopes up until I knew if it would fit me or not.
I shucked off my leggings and T-shirt, then stepped into the dress and pulled it up. The halter neck pushed my boobs up, and thanks to breastfeeding Leo, they filled it out perfectly. I stared down at the side zipper and whispered, “You better do up.” I held my breath and slowly pulled it up, and it didn’t get stuck.
My eyes widened, and I darted my attention to the mirror to take a proper look at the dress. The red was bright, a complete contrast to my skin tone, but it worked. The halter neck was flattering, and so was the way it pulled me in at the waist. And the hips that I’d been moaning about looked way better than they ever had, giving me an hourglass shape. For the first time since I’d started showing when I was pregnant, I felt pretty.
“Well?” Mom’s voice sounded outside the bathroom door. “Does it fit?”
“Y-yeah,” I croaked out, not able to take my eyes off the dress. It was perfect. But I didn’t want to show Mom and Aria, not yet. I wanted to wait until my hair and makeup were done, so I undid the zipper and pulled it off gently, then placed it back into the clothes bag.
My nerves lowered now that I knew I had something to wear, and I finally had high hopes for the evening ahead. I opened up the bathroom door to a waiting Mom and Aria, who was holding Leo, and they both frowned.
“Do we not get to see?” Mom asked.
“Nope.” I walked past them and back into my bedroom. “You’ll have to wait.”
Aria rolled her eyes. “Your mommy is a drama queen.” I snorted, but she wasn’t wrong.
“Do you need help with your hair?” Mom asked as I sat down at my desk, which I’d used as a makeup station since I’d found my love for the stuff. I met her gaze in the mirror and slowly nodded. It had been years since my mom did my hair, but she always knew exactly how to tame it.
“I’m gonna head downstairs to Cade and share Leo with him for a while,” Aria announced. “He’ll get jealous if I hog him all to myself.”
“Are you sure you’re okay to have him overnight?” I asked, biting down on my bottom lip as Mom took a brush to my hair. “I can call you when the date is over and—”
“We’ll be fine,” Aria interrupted. “You’ve pumped all the milk he needs, and you’ve checked his bag several times.” She walked toward me and placed her hand on my shoulder. “We’re good. I promise.”
“Okay,” I whispered, my shoulders drooping. “His car seat is in the kitchen, and his bassinet is in the living room.”
“Got it.” Aria turned.
“And don’t forget to take his blanket. He likes to—”
“Belle,” Mom interjected, staring at me in the mirror. “They’ll be fine. And if they’re not, they can call Dad or me, and we can go over there.” She raised her brows. “Relax, sweetie. Relax.”
“It’s hard,” I croaked out. “I just—”
“I get it,” Mom said. “I was the same with you and Asher. But I promise you, you need your own time too. Dad and I have a date night at least once a month without fail. It’s why we work so well. Just enjoy the night because tomorrow, you’ll have a screaming baby wanting milk from you again.”
I shuffled on the chair and winced. Leo wasn’t the hardest to feed, but my nipples were starting to protest, and cracked nipples weren’t much fun.
“Okay.” I waved Aria off. “Go downstairs. I’ll be down in a while.”
She grinned at me, then cooed at Leo, and off she went, taking the half of Ford and me with her.
“Now.” Mom placed her hands on my head. “What are we doing with this unruly hair today?”
I chuckled. “Anything to keep it out of my face.”
“I’ve got the perfect idea.”
Chapter Thirty
FORD
I’d been on a handful of dates in my entire life, but I’d never been as nervous as I was as I pulled up outside Brody and Lola’s house. I’d been in and out of this house for over twenty years, and yet, for the first time, I was scared to walk up the driveway and knock on the door.
Swallowing, I stared at the cars outside. Brody and Lola’s were there, as well as Asher’s—and Cade’s to boot. They were all here, and I knew it was most likely solidarity and to warn me against hurting her. They didn’t realize that I’d never do that to her, or maybe they did but just wanted to push the point home. Either way, it wasn’t going to be a quick knock on the door, and then us leaving.
I took a deep breath and pushed out of my car, straightening the rolled-up sleeves on my button-down shirt. The dark-blue material matched with my black slacks, and I wasn’t sure if I’d gone overboard with the way I’d dressed. I’d told Belle where I’d booked us a table, and it was in the best restaurant in town, which had an unspoken dress code. She’d sent me a collection of shocked emojis when I’d messaged her this morning, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing. It was too late to change now, though.
The front door opened before I’d even gotten halfway up the drive, and a grinning Aria stood in the doorway. “Damn, Ford. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so smart.”
I ground my teeth together, but it wasn’t out of anger, just out of nerves. Tonight was the first night where I had a plan for my future. I’d always just gone along with things and lived day to day, trying to survive the streets and then the jobs I’d been undercover on. But now…
Now I had a real chance at a proper life with Belle, and I was shit scared I’d fuck it up.
“I aim to impress, Tyson,” I replied, trying to sound easy, but I was anything but.
She stepped back to allow me inside the house, and as soon as I walked into the living room, all conversation stopped dead.
“Well, shit,” Cade murmured. “I didn’t think you owned a shirt.”
“Har-har.” I shrugged off his words and moved over to him, intent on having a cuddle from Leo, but he was fast asleep in his arms. I knew better than to wake a sleeping baby, so I simply pressed a light kiss to the top of his head and pulled in a breath of his sweet baby smell.
“She’s nearly ready.” I turned to look at Lola as she bounced into the room with a huge grin on her face. “It feels like prom all over again.” I gritted my teeth at her words because Belle’s prom night was torture for me. I’d wanted to chop off the kid’s hands as he touched her, but I hadn’t known then what I know now.
We all waited with bated breath as her footsteps echoed down the stairs, and finally, she appeared, but I hadn’t expected what I saw. Her body was covered in the most beautiful dress, and the slit up the side showed her leg as she stepped into the living room. She wasn’t looking up, but as soon as she did, her gaze met mine. I could have told her there and then how I felt about her, but I had to keep my mouth closed. It wasn’t the right time, no matter how much my brain told me it was.
Her hair was braided and then pulled to the side with curls finishing it off, and a lone curled piece flowed over her face. Her lips were painted the same color as the dress, and I craved to touch them. To show her what she was doing to me. But I couldn’t because I was glued to the spot, stuck in a trance she’d caused.
“Hey,” she whispered, and my body jerked back at her soft voice. My pulse thrummed in my ears, and my skin went hot and cold.
“Hi,” I managed to croak out, not sure what else to say. I’d known Belle was beautiful, but right then, coupled with the knowledge of the way I felt, she was everything. She would always be everything.
She seemed to float across the living room toward Cade, and I realized I wasn’t the only one who was speechless. She’d knocked us all sideways, and I was the one who was taking her out. Would it be wrong to change the plan and keep her all to myself instead of sharing her in public?
She stroked her hand over Leo’s head and
placed a kiss to the tip of his nose, then turned to face me. “You ready to go?” she asked from next to me, and all I could manage was a nod. She led the way out of the house.
As soon as we were outside, I walked ahead of her and held open the passenger door. She smiled at me, once again showcasing her plump lips, and I had to hold in my groan. Tonight was not going to be easy.
I closed the door behind her and then got into the driver’s side, not paying any attention to everyone who was gathered around the front door, watching us leave. I gripped on to the steering wheel as tight as I could, trying to calm myself down on the way into town. Neither of us spoke, and I flicked my gaze over to her, spotting her hands clutched in her lap. I could feel the nerves rolling off her, but I wasn’t sure what to do because I was just as nervous. So instead of saying anything and messing up this date before it had already begun, I stayed silent, much like she did.
I needed to get ahold of myself—and quick—which was why, as I pulled up in front of the restaurant, I gave myself a pep talk. I was nervous, but so was she. We were in this together and—
Someone opened Belle’s door, pulling me out of my own thoughts. I could do this. I could be the man Belle needed me to be. So I pushed out of my side of the car, trying not to let my emotions show because I had wanted to open Belle’s door, but I’d been too slow. I’d allowed my thoughts get the better of me, and now some stranger had opened her door instead of me.
My legs pumped fast as I moved around the car toward Belle, where she was now waiting on the sidewalk for me. I pulled in a deep breath, my gaze flicking around us, not able to focus on any one thing, and then she placed her hand on my chest, quieting all the thoughts.
“Hey,” she said a second time. Her fingers curled into the material of my shirt, and she stepped closer, her body nearly touching mine. “I’m so nervous.”
My body sagged, and I wrapped my hand around hers, keeping it against my chest. “Me too.” I stared down at her, captivated by her twinkling blue eyes. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
“Me neither,” she whispered. She turned her head to stare at the restaurant I’d booked and bit down on her bottom lip. “Is it bad that I don’t want to go in there?” I frowned, not sure what she was trying to say. Did she not want to go in there with me? Or did she not like the restaurant? Had I made a bad choice?
“I…” I swallowed and swiped my tongue over my drying lips. “Where do you want to go, then?”
She dipped her head back and stared up at me, her beautiful face calling to me like nothing else ever had. “I’d have been happy with a burger and fries.” She smiled. “I don’t care where I am, as long as I’m with you, Ford.”
I cupped her face with the palm of my hand, feeling a buzz start under my skin at the connection to her. “Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll take you there.”
She blinked, her body moving closer to mine. “I know we’re all dressed up, but can we just get takeout and go back to your place? I just want to spend time with you, Ford, not everyone else.”
I understood what she was saying, so even though I’d planned this elaborate date, I couldn’t deny that the thought of having her all to myself was enticing. I kept her hand in mine as I moved them to my side and spun her around, throwing some money at the valet, who hadn’t parked my car yet, and then opened up the passenger door.
I should have known better than to book a fancy restaurant because that wasn’t what made Belle tick. She was happy in her pajamas with takeout and a movie on TV, and I was more than happy to be sitting by her side.
So I didn’t hesitate to drive her to the local burger joint and whizz through the drive-through, and as soon as we pulled up on my driveway, I was less nervous. And Belle’s answering grin as I took the paper bags full of food and cups of drink from her told me she was too.
Neither of us spoke as we walked into the house, but as soon as we did, Lottie ran at us, excited to see us, and Belle crouched down, using the wall to balance her. “I missed you,” she told Lottie, and Lottie’s answer was to nuzzle her neck. I may have been the one to adopt Lottie, but she would always be Belle’s dog.
Once we were in the living room, she sat in the middle of the sofa with her feet up on the coffee table. My nostrils flared at the way her dress hung down against the sofa, showcasing her legs to me, but she didn’t seem to be aware of it as I handed her the food. She opened the wrapper on her burger and took a huge bite.
Instead of sitting on the sofa with her, I opted for the armchair I’d bought last week, needing to keep my distance, if only for a little while. Lottie sat next to her, probably waiting for some scraps, but I knew Belle wouldn’t give her any. She’d made herself perfectly clear on what she thought about giving dogs human food. Maybe it was because of how much she’d seen while working in the animal shelter, and it made me wonder if she missed it.
What would she do now? She’d told me she finished her junior year, but she still had a year left until she could graduate. Would she go back? Did she even want to go back?
“You look like you’re thinking really hard over there, Ford.”
I whipped my head up and chewed on the last of my burger. We’d sat in silence as we’d eaten, and I noticed she’d finished her food too. “I…I was just thinking about the future.”
She tilted her head to the side, her eyes focused on me. “As in your future?”
I bawled up the paper package and dropped it into the paper bag, then moved to the edge of my seat. “No.” I clasped my hands together, not looking away from her for even a second. “I mean with us.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and she shuffled on the sofa and started to pull her legs off the coffee table. “Don’t move,” I told her, standing slowly. She halted her movements, her eyes darkening as I stepped closer to her. “Stay right there.”
I snapped my fingers at Lottie and commanded her to go in the kitchen. After a second of hesitation, she trotted out of the room and settled in her kitchen bed.
“Ford?” Belle whispered. “What are you doing?”
I stopped next to her, staring down at her, and wishing I could find the right words to tell her how I felt, but…I was stumped. I didn’t know where to begin, so instead of saying the words I’d been desperate to say all this time, I crouched down next to her legs and slowly placed my hand around her ankle.
“I’ve missed touching you,” I confessed, whispering my palm up her leg and stopping at her knee. “I’ve missed listening to you talk.” I swallowed at the way she was looking at me. “I missed you, Baby Belle.” Her mouth parted on a gasp as I drifted my palm higher. “I refuse to miss you again.”
“I…”
“Be with me, Belle.” I stopped my hand on her inner thigh, so close to the place I craved. “Say you’ll be with me.”
BELLE
I wasn’t sure how we’d gotten here. We’d meant to go to a restaurant for a date, but once we’d arrived, I didn’t want to sit in a room full of people, not when all I wanted was to be with Ford. It was meant to be a date, the traditional kind, but we’d thrown tradition out of the window from the moment we first kissed.
But now we were here, his skin touching mine, and his words feeding my soul.
“Say you’ll be with me.”
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind how to answer him, but instead of telling him with words, I slowly lowered my feet off the coffee table and shuffled to the edge of the sofa. Ford gripped my inner thigh, not wanting to let go, and I felt the same.
I’d wished for him to touch me, just one last time, when I was staying in Five Oaks, and now we were here, just the two of us with nothing standing in our way. “You don’t need to ask,” I murmured, placing my hand on the side of his face. “You’ve never had to ask. I’ve been yours longer than you ever knew.”
His hand tightened on my leg, but other than that, he didn’t move a muscle. Was he waiting for me to make the first move? I wasn’t sure, but I was hell-bent on showing him how much I m
eant the words I just said, so I darted forward and slammed my lips onto his.
He growled, the sound causing a fire to light within me, and a second later, I was in the air, his arms around my waist, and then we were moving. “This wasn’t how it was meant to go tonight, Baby Belle,” he ground out, holding me tight against him. I wrapped my legs around him, able to feel exactly how he felt. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, his gaze connecting with mine. “We were meant to do this right.”
I shook my head and gripped his face in my hands. “It doesn’t matter what way we do it, Ford. As long as it’s you and me, it’ll always be right.”
My words had his eyes flashing, and he boosted me higher against him, causing me to moan at the friction. Each step he took on the stairs was deliciously enticing, and I didn’t look away from his hazel eyes. Something snapped when we made it to the top of the stairs, and I frantically undid the buttons on his shirt. As soon as there was enough room for me to push my hand underneath the material, I did, loving the feel of his tensed chest muscles. “God, I missed the feel of you,” I moaned out.
He groaned in response as he entered his bedroom, and the echo of the door slamming ricocheted around the room. The room was dark, the only light coming from the full moon high up in the sky. But that was all we needed to be able to look at each other. He slowly lowered onto the edge of the bed with me on his lap, and I placed my legs on either side of him, feeling his erection in just the right spot. The air swirled, the atmosphere burning to impossible temperatures.
He held me tightly, but I shuffled back and then stood on shaky legs. He watched me intently, his gaze not moving off me as I stepped out of my heels and then unlatched the button at the back of my neck. I relished in the way his nostrils flared as the halter neck dropped and revealed my chest. I hadn’t been able to wear a bra with this dress, and my body was different to how it had been, but I wasn’t ashamed of it. My body had kept Leo safe for all those months. My body had carried the baby we made together. So as I undid the side zipper, I bit down on my bottom lip, waiting to see what his reaction would be.
Bonded Duet: Ford & Belle: Torn Bond & Tied Bond (Easton Family Duet Boxsets Book 3) Page 36