Chapter 33
33
T essa busied herself around the cabin. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. Her heart raced in anticipation. She kept glancing at her watch. In another hour, Ford would be home. She picked up the kitchen, not that there was anything to really pick up. Then she fluffed the pillows on the sofa, tidied the bathroom and finally stepped out to the back patio with a cup of coffee, the mug warm in her fingers as she took a slow sip.
Sunbeams filtered through the trees, casting golden shadows on the patio. Birds were singing. The air was crisp and clean. Tessa closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, agreeing with nature that all was well with the world.
The sound of tires crunching on gravel broke the silence. Her eyes snapped open, and she leaped up. Finally.
Her coffee sloshed over the rim of her mug. She placed the mug on the table and raced into the cabin before bolting out the front door, meeting him halfway as he stepped out of the truck. His broad shoulders and easy smile made her breath catch.
Without a second thought, she ran toward him and launched herself into his arms. The action knocked him slightly off balance, but he never let go. “I’ve missed you,” she said, her voice muffled against his neck. His familiar woodsy and musky scent filled her senses.
“Mmmm. I could come home to this welcome anytime,” he murmured. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow kiss.
She ran her fingers through his hair, kissed him like she’d missed him for a year. Without missing a beat, he carried her into the cabin and walked straight to the bedroom. He gently laid her on the bed and followed her down, his weight a warm comfort.
“I’ve been thinking about this ever since I left,” he said as he slid his hands down her side. “I’ve missed you so much, and I can’t wait to be in you.”
Tessa smiled and nodded. He quickly removed his clothes, took a condom out of his wallet, and placed it on the bed. She tried to get up, but he gently pushed her back. “Stay still. I’m excited, but this is like unwrapping a gift at Christmas. I’m going to take my time and then make sure you’re wet before I enjoy what’s mine.”
Oh my. Yes, please . Tessa mentally fanned herself. She needed this closeness. The thing she missed the most while he was gone was making love.
She watched Ford as he slowly removed her shoes and pants. He stared at her pussy and licked his lips, then shook his head. He motioned her to sit up and removed her top and bra before placing a sweet kiss on both breasts. Moving her panties aside, he inserted a finger into her pussy and groaned. “God, you’re so wet.”
Tessa bucked her hips. Ford was taking too long to enter her. She tried to reach for his cock, but he moved away. “Tessa, when I remove your panties, be prepared because I won’t be able to stop myself.”
“Tease,” she said. “All talk and no action.”
Ford smirked, rolled on the condom, and removed her panties before positioning himself over her. He pushed her thighs out and plunged in.
Ohhh. It felt so good. His cock filled her pussy, and it felt like he was pushing against her womb. She started bucking against him, which just encouraged him to thrust faster and faster. The sensation was too much, and she screamed his name as he groaned hers.
When she finally came down from her orgasm, Ford was still inside her. “Welcome home,” she said.
“You’re going to be the death of me, woman,” he said, smiling. “Best welcome home ever.”
“Well, I am an overachiever,” she quipped.
“That’s one of the things I love about you,” he replied. Ford pulled out of her. “Stay here while I dispose of this.”
Tessa moaned. “I couldn’t move if I wanted to.”
Getting up, Ford tossed the condom in the trash before returning to bed to cuddle with her. They lay there for a while until his stomach rumbling broke the silence.
“I can make sandwiches if you’re hungry.”
“I hate to move, but I’m starving,” Ford said as he stood. “I wanted to get back to you as soon as possible, so I left before breakfast was served.”
Tessa’s heart swelled at his words, but she groaned as she stood and stretched, every muscle in her body relaxed. “Why don’t you shower? I’ll have everything ready for you when you’re finished.”
“A shower in my own bathroom sounds good,” he said, disappearing into the bathroom and turning on the water.
Tessa dressed, her body still tingling, and headed into the kitchen. The night before, she made a sweet potato and pumpkin soup, which she set on the stove. From the fridge, she gathered the Italian cold cuts, cheese, pesto, and ciabatta rolls she bought from the deli.
As she cut the rolls and spread pesto on each half and mozzarella, her thoughts drifted to yesterday’s meeting.
There were still so many moving pieces she needed to address. Could she pull it off in such a short time? Simone had placed a lot of faith in her ability. Was it misplaced? A sliver of doubt crept into her mind, but she shook it off.
Concentrating on the sandwiches, she loaded them with salami, mortadella, pepperoni, and prosciutto. Then she slid them into the toaster oven to melt the cheese.
Ford came in dressed in jeans, barefoot and bare-chested. Tessa froze mid-action as she took in the sight of him with droplets of water glistening on his body and sighed. “You can’t do that to me,” she said. “You look too yummy.”
He smirked. “Good. Because after I eat, I fully intend to eat you.”
Her cheeks flushed. It was a good thing the toaster oven dinged, because Tessa knew her mouth was hanging open and she would have jumped his bones right then.
“Saved by the bell,” she quipped.
Ford chuckled as he got bowls and plates from the cupboard. “You’re going to need to build up your strength, sweetheart.”
They teased each other as they ate the soup and sandwiches. Tessa told him how the meeting with Simone and Mia went. He listened intently and asked some thoughtful questions and told her how proud she must feel and how proud he was of her.
His words warmed her heart. Then, after the soup was gone, after the sandwiches were consumed, and after placing the dishes in the dishwasher, Ford took her hand.
“Now,” he said, tugging her to the bedroom, “it’s time to keep my promise.
Tessa’s pulse quickened. This was how she wanted every homecoming to end.