Page 98 of A Tempting Seduction

I practically sprinted to the bathroom.

I heard Ford chuckling as he moved toward the door. Through the crack in the bathroom door, I watched him check the peephole before opening it to Agent Martinez.

“Thanks,” Ford said, taking the large tray of food with the silver trays.

“No problem. Enjoy your meal.”

Ford secured the deadbolt and turned toward the bathroom. “Coast is clear.” Ford laid the tray on the little table.

Idiot, I didn’t have anything to cover up my underwear this time. I walked out. Ford held out his hand. “Come on, beautiful. Come eat with me.”

“Let me go get my sleep shirt first.”

“I’ll let you one if you really want one. I’ll always give you anything you want or need. But I’ve got to tell you, having a meal with you sitting across from me while you’re wearing black satin underwear is like a dream come true.”

I searched his eyes. “It is?”

“Swear to heaven. It is, Ruby. You’re everything to me, and you’re a knockout.”

I bit my lip, but I could see his truth in his eyes and it warmed me like nothing else ever had.

“Okay.”

“Wait a second.” Ford sprinted to the bathroom, then came back with a towel and set it over the chair so that I was protected from the cold Naugahyde. He held out his hand and guided me to the chair. I sat. His fingers trailed from my neck, down to my fingers. I trembled. He sat down, pulling his chair close to mine. “Let’s see what we have.” He took the covers off the dishes with a flourish and laughed. I joined in.

“I should have told you the steak was a mistake,” he sighed. “Room service food is always a crapshoot. Heck, they can even mess-up French fries.”

I stole one of his French fries that came with his club sandwich and swirled it in his ranch dressing. “They didn’t mess up. It tastes good. If you were a truly nice guy, you would switch plates with me.”

“I’m willing to say I love you. That I adore you. That you are turning me on like no one’s business as you sit there all sexy. But there’s no way I’m going to eat that chunk of charcoal on your plate.”

“You just lost serious boyfriend points.”

He sighed again. “I’ll have to cope. But I am willing to share.”

My stomach perked up. “Really?”

“Really.”

Before he had a chance to change his mind, I took half his sandwich and put it on my plate and scooped up half his fries.

“Hey, that was more than half,” he grumbled as he pointed to my stack of fries. I didn’t care as I swiped his container of ranch dressing.

“You can have my vegetables.” I pointed at the overcooked carrots and limp broccoli.

“I think I’ll pass.”

As we ate, I was very aware that Ford kept glancing at me between bites. His gaze would linger on my mouth when I took a sip of water, or travel down to where my lacy black bra was cradling my breasts. I even noticed that his eyes would darken with desire as he looked at my wide hips and thick thighs. Each look sent heat spiraling through me, making it difficult to concentrate on my food.

Ford was about halfway through his sandwich when he set down it down and looked me directly in the eye.

“Please tell me you're done with dinner,” he rasped. His voice carried an undertone that made my pulse quicken.

I set down what was left of my sandwich and looked at him. Really looked at him. The exhaustion was still there, but underneath it was something else. Something that made heat pool low in my belly.

“Yes,” I said simply.

Ford was up and around the table before I could blink. He knelt in front of me, his hands framing my face as his mouth captured mine. The kiss was hungry, desperate, full of two days' worth of fear and relief and need.