She had never been this close to him before. The sudden warmth of his embrace took her by surprise. His arms were strong, his body firm yet comforting. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against her own.
A subtle yet distinct scent of his cologne filled her nose—clean, rich, and undeniably him. Unexpectedly, it calmed her nerves, easing the tension that had been gripping her moments before.
His hands rested gently on her back, holding her securely.
Elena froze.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she debated whether to return the hug. She felt shy, unsure of how to react. The idea of wrapping her arms around him felt almost too intimate.
For a few moments, she hesitated.
Then, slowly, she lifted one hand and placed it lightly around his waist.
Ford noticed instantly.
"Why only one hand?" he whispered near her ear, his voice low and teasing. "Use both."
A shiver ran down Elena's spine at the sound of his voice so close to her ear.
