Elena's sobs quieted against Ford's chest, his arms stayed firmly around her, grounding her.
For a moment, neither moved.
She finally tilted her head up to meet his eyes, her lashes wet, cheeks flushed.
Ford stared down at her, his hand unconsciously brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
The touch was feather-light, but it made Elena shiver , not from cold, but from something deeper, warmer, scarier.
"I just wanted to protect you," he said, his voice husky.
"I never asked you to," she whispered back, though the way she leaned into his touch betrayed her words.
Their faces were so close now, breaths mingling. Ford could feel it , the pull between them, the gravity.
He should step back. He should let her go.
But neither moved.
Elena's gaze dropped to his lips, then darted away in embarrassment.
Ford noticed , how could he not? and for one wild, reckless heartbeat, he thought about closing the distance.
