Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 19

19

F ord hung up the phone, a satisfied grin spread across his face. Finally, another one of his dreams was coming to fruition. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.

“Hey.” Tessa’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. She padded into the kitchen from the bedroom, barefoot and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Hey, yourself.” Ford glanced at Tessa, who looked a little worse for wear. “Tough night?”

“God. Yes,” she groaned. “But it was fun, and I really enjoyed being with the women.”

He took in her messy topknot and her sweet little boy shorts paired with an oversize top. She looked disheveled, but he decided Tessa looked adorable, no matter what. They’d been living together for several weeks and were feeling pretty comfortable with each other. She didn’t scream anymore or blush when she saw him in just a pair of lounge pants or his boxers.

“Is that fresh coffee?” she asked, drifting toward the counter.

“Why don’t you sit in the living room, and I’ll bring you a cup,” said Ford, stepping in front of her and gently steering her away from the counter. “You look like you’re going to fall over.”

“Thanks,” Tessa groaned. “I might have overdone the mimosas and dancing last night.”

Ford snorted. Might have?

Oh lordy, she definitely had, according to Will and Colt, who were keeping an eye on her and the other women last night.

Actually, asking whoever was available to watch out for Tessa was working out well, since he always volunteered when their women were in trouble. The guys stayed out of sight, so she and the other women never knew anyone was observing her. He wanted Tessa to feel as normal as possible and not be looking over her shoulder all the time.

He handed Tessa a cup of coffee. She took it, cradling it to her nose, and closed her eyes, inhaling the scent. “Hmmm.”

Ford froze for a minute and swallowed hard. Did Tessa know how sexy she was? His cock, straining to escape his pants, did. Did she know what she did to him? Soon he might get the chance to explore that with her but not yet. Not until she was safe. And most certainly not unless she wanted to.

He sat across from her with his own cup of coffee. “So,” he said, clearing his throat, hoping his voice sounded normal. “If you’re up to it, in a little while, I’d like to show you something in town.”

She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “A surprise?”

Ford took a sip of coffee to hide the grin that threatened to break free. He nodded. “Something like that.”

“Okay, I’m intrigued,” she said. “I’ll finish my coffee and get dressed. Are you going to give me a hint?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Nope.”

“Fine,” she said in mock exasperation. She got up and placed her cup in the dishwasher. “I’ll take a quick shower and get dressed.”

Ford smiled at her. Living together was easy. She was interesting, funny and liked his friends.

A half hour later, Tessa returned, looked refreshed and dressed in jeans and an off-shoulder top. She’d swept her hair into a ponytail.

He grabbed his keys from the table. “Ready?”

“You bet. I can’t wait to see this surprise.”

The short drive to town passed in a blur. He pulled up to a small brick building on the edge of town, close to the lake. His heart pounded in anticipation.

Would she like it? Would Tessa understand how important this was to him? It wasn’t just a business venture, it was a step toward something bigger. A place where he could put down roots and belong to something more than just his past.

He turned off the truck and looked at Tessa. “We’re here.”

“Okaaay.” She furrowed her brows and gave him a small smile. He hopped out and walked around to help her out of the truck. Her eyes were wide as she looked around the area. “This is a wonderful spot so close to the lake.”

“I hope so.”

Pulling a set of keys from his pocket, he opened the front door and held it open for her to walk inside.

Tessa stepped inside and took in the exposed wood beams, large-paned windows, and brick walls with a lake view. Ford’s heart was racing. He stood in the middle of the shop with the scent of freshly sanded wood lingering in the air. Would she like it? She did a 360. “This is amazing. What are you going to do here?”

“Well.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “This is a work in progress, but I’m opening an outdoor gear shop. Ryker is a woodworker and is building shelves and making hand-turned bowls from local wood. I have a guy who makes knives, really beautiful knives. And a couple of people who tie flies for fishing. I’ll stock high-end gear and offer guided fishing trips with experts.”

He laughed. “Isabelle is already concocting special soaps for the outdoor enthusiast.”

Tessa giggled. “Isabelle is a hoot.” She tilted her head, and then her eyes lit up with excitement. “This is your dream.”

He was amazed Tessa picked up on that dream. It was more than a dream. It was stability, setting down roots, healing.

“Yeah. I love working for the Brotherhood, but we don’t always have steady jobs. This will keep me busy when I’m here, and I’ll hire a couple of people to work here when I’m not around.”

“Oh, Ford,” she exclaimed. “This is so exciting. Can I help you with anything?”

“Well, I was hoping you could plan a grand opening.” He held his breath. Ford didn’t want to ask; he didn’t want Tessa to feel she had to do it.

She grinned and stepped closer, kissed him on the cheek. “I’d love to. Have you thought of a name yet?”

Ford paused. “I was thinking of ‘GearUp.’ It aligns with what I want to sell and fits with the shop’s purpose.”

Tessa clapped her hands and beamed. “It’s perfect. When are you opening?”

“Humph. In a month or so.” Ford thought that would be enough time to get all the gear in. His suppliers assured him that they would be ready. It was the perfect fit for him, as well. He loved to fish with his dad and learned how to tie flies and make lures when he was young. It was also about being safe in unknown areas and how to protect yourself from predators, things he learned in the military even though those predators were humans. It was called situational awareness.

“Oh.” Tessa sighed.

“Oh?” Ford felt his throat tighten, afraid that this moment was about to burst. He leaned against the workbench.

She wrinkled her nose. “I want to help, really I do. You have been so wonderful to me. But…”

But?

But what? Ford’s gut twisted as he watched Tessa hesitate. He couldn’t imagine what she was going to say, but she needed to get it out quickly before it drove him mad.

“I have two scenarios going,” she said finally, biting her lip. Her gaze darted around the shop. “One is, I’m sure you’re more than ready to get me out of your hair and be able to sleep in your bed. Emelia mentioned her apartment over the bakery is available. And two…” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Two, when everything with Damien has come to an end, I might move back to Atlanta. I haven’t decided, so I’m conflicted.”

“Why?”

“Atlanta … it’s where my family and some of my friends still are. It’s familiar.” She glanced at him. “But I love it here. I love the friends I’ve made, the new career I’ve set up for myself and … and other things.”

Ford’s chest tightened. He wondered what the other things were.

He knew at some point Tessa would move out, but move away? That thought hadn’t crossed his mind.

She couldn’t leave.

Didn’t she know they had the beginning of something good?

Although if he really thought about it, how would she? Her kiss on his cheek was the first kiss they shared, and they didn’t even share it. He never reciprocated. Besides, when he kissed her, she would know he kissed her.

“There’s no rush,” he said, keeping his voice calm. “There’s plenty of room in the cabin, and the sofa bed’s comfortable.”

Tessa gave him a small smile. “You must want to get on with your life. Have a girlfriend over? Just chillax in your own home without me in the way.”

“My life is just perfect right now,” he said gruffly. “Actually, I rather enjoy having you around.”

He pushed off the workbench and stepped closer to her, his heart pounding in his chest. “For the record, I don’t have a girlfriend, but if I did…” Oh damn, could he just put it out there? Hopefully, Tessa wouldn’t run screaming away from him.

“If I did”—he glanced at Tessa—“I would want it to be you.”

There! He said it.

Tessa looked stunned. Crap. His stomach plummeted. Fuck, he ruined it. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

She nodded. “I see.” Looking down at the floor, she sought either inspiration or words that would allow her to gently refuse him.

Silence.

Ford hoped the floor would swallow him up. Like right now! He acted too fast. What a fool.

But then Tessa’s lips curled into a small, hesitant smile, and she whispered, “I’d like that.”

Oh, be still my beating heart. Did she actually say she wanted to pursue a relationship with him?

“So … is that a yes?”

She nodded, her cheeks turning a sweet shade of pink. Ford’s heart soared.

Ford smiled. “If that’s the case, can I give you a proper kiss? Not a peck on the cheek but a full-blown dueling tongue kiss?”

Tessa laughed. “Oh, you sweet-talker, you!” She opened her arms, and Ford didn’t hesitate. He stepped in, pressing her to his chest.

His hands tilted her face upward. For a moment, he simply looked at her, memorizing every detail. The kiss started tenderly, his lips feathering hers. Tessa let out a soft moan, and Ford deepened it.

He felt her relax into him, her arms slipping around his neck. His tongue swept along her bottom lip and sought entrance. She opened her mouth, meeting his intensity with her own. Time seemed to fade until nothing existed but the two of them.

When they finally parted, Tessa’s cheeks were flushed. She smiled at him, a little shy. “I guess that qualifies as a proper kiss.”

Ford grinned. “That was just the beginning.”

Tessa laughed, and Ford knew that whatever came next, they’d face it together.