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

Chapter 51

It’d been an intense couple of weeks of therapy, self-defense, and shooting, and Tessa was beginning to feel hopeful that her life was on the right track again.

Except for one thing.

She needed Ford.

They’d been sharing the same bed since she left the hospital, but he hadn’t touched her.

She had been lost in her own mind, confused and wrestling with fear.

But now … things were different. She was feeling better, stronger, and more certain of what she needed. What she wanted.

And she wanted him. Needed to feel that connection again.

So tonight, she was going to rectify that.

Ford stood by the table, picking up the dinner dishes. “How about dessert, Tessa? Emelia brought over that bourbon maple cream pie you love.”

He looked so hopeful that it would please her. He was always pleasing her. But tonight, she didn’t want pie. She wanted him. Tessa wiped her mouth with her napkin and let her eyes roam over him. God, he was handsome. So strong, virile. Her mouth watered. She could only hope he wanted her.

“Well,” she drawled and sighed. “I’d like dessert. But I was thinking of something else.”

Ford paused, frowning. “Whatever it is, I’ll get it.”

“Oh sweetie,” she said, licking her lips, watching as Ford followed her tongue and swallowed. “There’s nothing to get. I want you.”

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. She fought the urge to giggle. He recovered quickly, his brows furrowed in concern. “Tessa, I’m trying to give you space, time to heal.”

She rose from the table, stepped toward him, took the dishes from his hands and set them on the table. “I did. And I’m grateful for that. But Ford, I need you. I need to feel you inside me, and I need your lips on mine. I need to feel that connection again.”

His eyes softened as he searched her face. “Are you sure?”

“Surer than I’ve ever been,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss.

Their lips met in a kiss that was slow and tender. It quickly deepened as weeks of longing melted away. Tessa relaxed in his embrace, but in a sudden movement, his lips released hers and in one fell swoop, he slung her over his shoulders and carried her into the bedroom.

“Ford!” She laughed, gently pounding on his back.

“Hush, woman,” he replied, gently swatting her behind. “I need to concentrate. I have a lot of catching up to do.”

When they reached the bed, he lowered her down.

“I’ve missed you,” she murmured.

Ford cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. “Tessa, I’ve missed you too.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “You’re my everything.” His eyes looked at her with all the love she felt in her heart.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, silvery glow over the bedroom. Tessa lay nestled in Ford’s muscular arms, wrapped securely around her, her head on his chest while his fingers absently traced patterns on her bare shoulder and touched the rose quartz necklace around her neck. She’d thought she lost it when she was kidnapped, but Ford had found it.

It was quiet.

But it was a quiet filled with love and contentment. However, Tessa’s mind was racing.

Tonight was perfect. They had reconnected, but more than that, he showed her the depth of his love and reminded her of who she was: strong, worthy and loved.

She shifted slightly, tracing her fingers on his soft chest hair. “Can’t sleep?” Ford murmured, his voice low and sexy.

“Not really,” she replied. “Just … thinking.”

He opened his eyes to look at her. “About what?”

Tessa hesitated before pushing herself up onto her elbow. “You,” she whispered. “Us. I don’t want to waste another minute without knowing we’ll have this forever.”

Ford cocked his head, his hand stilling on her back. “What are you saying?”

Tessa bit her lip, her heart racing. “I’m saying … asking … will you marry me?”

Ford blinked, clearly off guard. Tessa’s heart sank. Too soon? Or maybe he didn’t want to marry her at all.

Then his lips curved into a slow, disbelieving smile. He sat up and reached over into the drawer of the bedside table.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Something I’ve wanted to do for weeks,” he said, pulling out a small box. He opened it to reveal a delicate gold ring with a pink quartz stone surrounded by small diamonds. The pink gem sparkled in the moonlight.

“I bought this for you before everything happened. I had the jeweler incorporate the diamonds from my mother’s ring. But then you needed time to heal, to find yourself again. I didn’t want to rush you.”

Tears welled in Tessa’s eyes as he took her hand. “Tessa, you are everything to me. You’re my heart, my strength, my future. I never expected you to beat me to it.” His gaze softened. “Tessa, love of my life, will you marry me, have my children, let me comfort and protect you?”

Tessa smiled. “Yes to all of that.”

He slid the ring onto her finger. “It’s rose quartz like the necklace I gave you. It’s the stone of healing and love.”

“It’s beautiful. And the fact that you incorporated your mother’s ring makes it even more special.” Tessa stared at the ring that represented his love. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, but they were tears of joy, of hope, and of a future together.