7. Lita

seven

lita

My face hurt from smiling so much.

Ford's arm wrapped around my shoulder, and I felt incredibly safe. When I leaned in closer, letting my head rest against his shoulder, I felt like the world went quiet. Like we were the only ones who existed. I shivered and felt his lips hover over the top of my head, almost like he wanted to kiss it but for whatever reason didn't. Instead, his words danced above my scalp.

"Are you cold?" I shook my head, unable to look away from the big, beautiful star-littered sky in front of me.

"I can't believe you brought me to a carnival," I whispered giddily. I'd said that about ten times already, but like each time I did, Ford simply pulled me in closer. Maybe that's why it was worth repeating? This time, I glanced up at him. "Thank you." I smiled, and I could have sworn he cursed under his breath.

"You gotta stop being so fucking sweet, baby." There was a delicious scratchiness to his voice that made me press my thighs together to find some sort of relief. It was embarrassing how wet I was when all we'd done was sit next to one another.

"Why?" I pressed my luck by asking, and even though he didn't laugh, I loved the lines that formed on the outside edges of his hazel eyes.

"Because I said so." He winked, and I giggled.

"So bossy," I teased. "Fine, Daddy, no more being sweet," I joked back, but my heart faltered at the way his stare went almost molten. Shit. Did I actually just call him Daddy? Out loud? Oh god. I quickly diverted my gaze to the sight in front of us.

The Ferris wheel jolted, driving us slowly to the peak of the ride.

"It's beautiful here." My voice shook as I changed the subject.

"What do you wanna do next?" he asked roughly. I chewed on my lip.

The entire night had been incredible.

The best day ever.

Best date ever!

Not only had Ford shown up on time with flowers in his hands for me, but he'd been early. And I didn't mind it. I loved it. The last time I had tried to go on a date, the guy texted me from the coffee shop we were supposed to meet up an hour after we had agreed on letting me know he wouldn't be showing up and to have a great day. Seeing Ford at my door, his long hair damp from a shower and slightly curling around his face, with flowers in his hands had made whatever small hesitation or nervousness I felt wither away .

I'd been so comfortable around him it surprised me. There was a familiarity to him. He felt like home. It was easy to just be myself around him. Even when I did nerdy things like snort or blush, I had this deep soul-searing feeling he didn't mind it. If anything, I thought he found me endearing, cute even.

Then, like a gentleman, he had not only walked me to the passenger's side door of his truck, but he had buckled me in. His hands had lingered at my waist for a moment longer than they needed to, but I didn't complain. My lips had tingled for him to kiss me. But true to his word, he hadn't.

Not yet, his words repeated in my mind as I cuddled into his side. Hope filled my veins. Not yet. Not yet meant it would happen, and I honestly didn't know how much longer I could wait.

I wanted Ford to kiss me.

For someone who had never felt overtly sexual, there was something about the man next to me that brought things inside of me I didn't know existed to life.

First, we had gone to a fifties-inspired diner. The staff was made up and dressed like they were part of that decade. It had been fun, and the conversation had flowed easily. After dinner of burgers and fries, we shared a chocolate milkshake. I thought that would be the end of our date, but I had been wrong.

So, so wrong.

He'd taken us to a carnival about a forty-minute drive out of LA by a mountain lake city. It was beautiful and so much fun. We walked around and played some of the games and got on some of the rides. The whole night had been incredible. And now we were up on the Ferris wheel looking out at the sky, sitting so close together our sides were pressed together.

And like some horndog, all I wanted was for him to kiss me.

"You're thinking pretty hard, angel." Angel. I knew the little nicknames would be bouncing in my dreams over and over.

"You okay?" His voice was deep and soothing. All I could do was nod while I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I like this," I said softly, and I felt his face nuzzle the top of my head. I could have sworn he took a deep breath, almost like he was sniffing my hair. I would think that was creepy if any other guy did it, but I found it charming from Ford.

"I like being here with you." I glanced up at him. I smiled when I noticed that even though the sight of the small town below us was beautiful and the stars were shining brightly up above, his eyes were fixed on me. "Tonight has been the best date."

"Hmm." His eyes dipped to my mouth and suddenly, the soft cool breeze wasn't enough. I started to sweat. I wanted him to kiss me more than anything.

"Ford?" I said his name in a breathy tone I didn't recognize.

"Hmm?" he murmured. His eyes were dilated and slightly hooded as he kept his gaze on my mouth .

"I know you said last night… well…"

"Baby…" he groaned as we swayed closer together. Like we were two magnets who couldn't ignore the way we were naturally drawn to one another. "I want you to get to know me better," he strained, but nonetheless, we were a hairsbreadth away from each other.

"I know you," I whispered just as his nose brushed against mine. His breath was warm and smelled sweet. "I like what I know, too, Ford."

"We need to wait, baby girl."

"Why?" I knew how whiney I sounded, but I didn't care. All I could see and think about was the strong man next to me.

"Lita—"

"Please?" I couldn't believe what I was doing. I'd never asked or begged a man for anything, but with Daddy, I meant Ford, it was different. I wasn't ashamed or shy to ask.

"Baby, I kiss you right now, you're sealing your fate." His tone sounded like a warning, but I didn't think it sounded so bad. "And you don't know who you're tying yourself to."

"I don't know, being tied up with you doesn't sound so bad." I shrugged, and when my mind processed what I'd said out loud, my face felt hot, but I wasn't taking it back. Not when the idea of Ford tying me up and teasing my body until I was a withering, squirming mess begging for daddy to have his way with me sounded phenomenal. My thighs pressed together tighter for relief I knew only Daddy would be able to give me .

"Lita," he warned again, and I smiled. I could tell by his tone I was wearing him down.

"Please?" I whispered softly. His nose flared and his jaw clenched. The muscles on his neck strained and flexed. He was losing control. Because of me. The thought was exhilarating. I wanted Daddy to turn unhinged. To kiss me and touch me until we were aching to breathe.

"Baby girl, there is only so much temptation a man can say no to before he breaks," he strained as his defined jaw clenched tightly.

"Please?" I repeated, each of us moving closer and closer. "What's so bad about one kiss?"

"Fuck, who knew you could be such a bad girl?" he growled.

Before I could process what he'd said, his lips were on mine. My eyes fluttered shut as I absorbed the feel and taste of his kiss. It was perfect. What started off sweet and slow quickly turned hot and heavy. Everything around us faded away as I melted into him. His hands felt like they were all over me, all at once, and I didn't want him to stop. Ever. They were in my hair, holding my face, stroking my back. I couldn't get enough. My lungs burned, but I couldn't seem to care. He tasted sweet, like the chocolate shake we shared, but also masculine and powerful.

And just like that, with one kiss, Ford had ruined me for any other men.

"Woo!"

"Get a room!"

"Look at that!" Catcalls sounded, and a deep throat cleared. Ford and I pulled away, ending the best, most perfect first kiss. I slowly opened my eyes, and they widened.

We were no longer at the top surrounded by the darkness of the sky. We were at the bottom of the ride, and everyone was staring and pointing.

"Come on, baby," Ford said roughly, extending his hand. I took it thinking I would follow the man anywhere.

And for the rest of the night, I did.

We played carnival games and shared a strawberry funnel cake. We laughed and held hands throughout the rest of the night. Ford even won me another stuffed animal at the ring toss. And his hands were never off me for long. His lips either. He kept kissing me, small and tender touches that made me yearn for more.

"Thanks for tonight," I whispered as we walked through the dark parking lot. It was late, and we still had a bit of a drive to get home, but I needed him to know.

"Baby—"

"No, Ford, I'm serious." I shook my head, needing him to know what the night meant to me. "This was the best night. And you…" My hand rose between us, and I touched my lips.

When our eyes connected under the moonlight, I could tell he knew exactly what I was thinking about. Our kiss. He'd kissed me, and I had been more than ready to jump him out in public on an old rickety carnival right. "Best. Night. Ever," I whispered even when my face felt flushed as I stared up at him.

"You're killing me here, baby. You're being too sweet," he rumbled. I lost his gaze while he looked around us. We were cloaked in the darkness, but there were too many people walking to their cars for us to do anything. "You have any idea how I wanna show you what that sweetness means to me?"

"I think Daddy likes it." I winked, and I could tell he liked the nickname.

"Lita," he warned, and I giggled. His hands held my face, and I all but melted into his touch. I loved his rough, calloused hands and how much bigger they were than mine. How one hand felt like it was bigger than my whole head. "Tonight was just the beginning." His eyes flashed with something, and I licked my lips.

It sounded like a promise, one I hoped he'd keep.

"I like that," I whispered. It was crazy. We sorta knew one another. We lived across the street, but the pull toward him was so much more than anything I had ever felt with anyone. I wasn't just falling for my older neighbor, but I think I was already in love. After just one date.

"I kissed you." he murmured, and I nodded. "I tried to warn you, but you didn't listen." He tsked. I liked the playful yet dominating tone he spoke to me with.

"Maybe," I found myself replying.

There was something about Ford that made me feel brave and bold. Courageous enough to be honest about how I felt when it came to him. To Daddy .

"I did, but I didn't see the problem with becoming yours," I answered honestly. His beautiful hazel eyes darkened, and something lurked in them. Something that called and drew me in further.

Something mysterious but hard to read.

"You have no idea what you did, angel. I'm like the big bad wolf," he rumbled. I couldn't help the giggle and excitement that bubbled through me.

"The big bad wolf wasn't so bad." My stare dropped to his lips as my dirty thoughts drifted down a dangerous road of wondering what it would feel like to be devoured by him.

"Hmm…." He breathed in deep and shook his head. Ford leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. "Gotta get you home," he murmured, and as great as the night was, I wasn't looking forward to ending it. Saying goodbye and watching him walk away wasn't going to happen.

I wanted him.

I got in, and he made sure I scooted into the middle seat of the truck's bench seat. When he got in, my hand found its way to his thigh, and I felt the muscle contract and flex.

"Lita." I heard the warning in his voice, and my head spun with different thoughts. Thoughts of how the big bad wolf had big eyes so he could see me better. How he could smell and eat me better. And when I looked up at him, I tried to look as innocent as I could.

"Yeah, Ford?" I whispered through dark lashes and felt his gaze drop to my mouth. But he didn't say anything.

He didn't move my hand away, and he sure as hell didn't scoot me down the bench seat. He simply leaned down and kissed my lips, so softly and sweetly it left me yearning for more. "Be a good girl for me," he requested. My hand squeezed his thigh.

"Anything you want, Daddy." I smiled innocently before looking away and moving my gaze forward and leaning my head on his shoulder.

He might be my very own big bad wolf in a way, but I didn't think Little Red Riding Hood was as innocent as everyone thought.

Or at least, I wasn't.