"Mom bought me one," Kyland said and bit into a cupcake. "She said she feels bad that she didn't come to my graduation. She's acting different lately."
"So she knows you joined the Air Force then?" Cassie felt jealous that Kyland may have shared something with their mom first. Of course he probably should have, but that didn't affect her irrational proprietary feelings when it came to her brother.
Kyland grinned. "Nope, had to tell you first and let you break the news. I'm sure she'll call me afterwards."
"I love you, Kyland."
Her brother leaned over and hugged her. "Thanks for everything, Sis. I love you too. Hey, is Jensen Ford still around? These guys don't believe me when I told them you're friends."
Oh boy.
That night, the three boys ate pizza and watched college football, arguing over who'd win the game. Cassie sipped tea and looked down at the display on her phone. Jensen had asked to come over and she'd put him off, telling him about Kyland and his friends. Although the boys really wanted to meet the movie star, she wasn't ready to deal with that situation at the moment. To explain it to Kyland was something she was not prepared for. She wasn't sure what they were going to do yet. Jensen planned to remain in Lovely for four more weeks. That was barely enough time to get to know each other. Then he was flying to Australia for his next movie.
She eyeballed an unopened bottle of wine, but decided against it. Hopefully, she'd get plenty of sleep tonight and get up early to fix Kyland and his friends a good farewell breakfast.
"Ding." On the display was another text from Jensen. Tomorrow night. We'll talk. I'll be over.
Maybe she'd not sleep. Her heart demanded that she say yes and give in to the wild adventure with Jensen Ford. Her brain had yet to get on board. Visions of returning to Tennessee alone and even more broken than the last time kept creeping in.
The next day, Cassie leaned on the counter at the shop, thankful for a small respite in customers. The shop was quiet after she turned off the radio when every love song irritated her more than the last. She let out a huff and pushed call on her cell phone. "Hello?" Her mother sounded relaxed. "Cassie?"
"Hey Mom. I called to tell you about Kyland."
"Did something happen?" Her mother's voice pitched, astounding Cassie, since her mom had yet to check on Kyland.
"He's fine. Joined the Air Force."
"Oh my goodness. I called him several times, he never said anything."
"You called?"
Her mother hesitated. "Yes, I missed him."
They talked for a few minutes and she was pleasantly surprised. Usually her mother rushed her off the phone. Today it was as if they reconnected. "Cassie?" Her mother paused. "Thank you for taking care of your brother. I haven't been there for him. Too busy trying to make things work with this man."
"Are you okay?" She wondered if yet another thing was about to jump onto her already overfilled mind.
"I'm great. Getting divorced." Her mother chuckled. "It’s so different this time. I'm so happy. Relaxed and making good changes. Maybe I can come there and help you with the cupcake shop. I love the idea of it. And it's so adorable. Time for me to take care of me..."
They talked for another few minutes then her mother asked. "I saw the video. I sent you a text. Should have called to see if you were okay, but that was the same week I kicked Hank out."
"I'm glad you didn't call me. I am so embarrassed." She felt her cheeks heat.
"Oh, you shouldn't be, honey. That man is so darn cute. Looks like he's into you too. I hope things work out. That interview he did was so sweet."
"Interview?"
"Yes, on the Ellen show. Didn't you see it?" Her mother gushed. "Let me know if you and Jensen Ford are going to give it a go, so I can start bragging."
They hung up and Cassie rushed to her small office and wiggled the mouse to wake up her computer. She went directly to YouTube and typed, “Jensen Ford interview on Ellen.”
She stared at the still shot once the video ended, only moving when the bell over the door sounded.
The evening was perfect, the light breeze coming through her open patio door freshened the house. Her hand trembled slightly when she lit a candle and placed it on her small dining room table. She pushed her hair behind an ear and looked at the clock once again. Seven thirty. Jensen was already half an hour late. If he didn't show up, she wouldn't be surprised. After all, what else did she expect? For a movie star like him to actually want to date her? What he'd said on the Ellen show, although sweet, may have all been an act.
"I can see your wheels turning." Jensen stood at the patio door. He smiled at her.
Cassie blinked at him. "Why did you come in through the back?"
"When I rode up the side road I saw you out here." He walked in and went directly to her. Immediately she went into his embrace, needing the assurance he really was there. Jensen chuckled. "I missed you, too."
Whatever cologne he wore was intoxicating and Cassie buried her face into his neck. "You smell so good."
"Good to know." He held her tight. "I was afraid you'd call and cancel. Then when my agent called and I couldn't get him off the damned phone, I was hoping you wouldn't be too mad to open the door."
He took her mouth then and walked her backward to the bedroom. At once both tore at each other's clothing, not able to stop. Shirts, pants, shoes and everything else were done away with in record time.
The roughness of his hands on her skin made each caress feel like fire on her already sensitive skin. She arched into his touch while running her own over his body, enjoying the hills and valleys of each muscular inch. When he rose over her and looked down at her, she could see love in his gaze. He smiled down at her and then took her nipple between his lips. Cassie could barely breathe; she was drowning in him and didn't care.
He trailed his tongue down between her breasts and she closed her eyes while running her fingers through his hair. "Oh, Jensen."
"Mmmm?" He'd reached the apex between her legs and he pushed her legs apart. "You're perfect, Cassie." The heat of his mouth taking her sex in made her cry out. Each nip and flick of his tongue took her higher until she began to shake. Jensen was relentless, didn't slow until she came with force.
While she still quaked from the release, he settled between her legs and took himself in hand and guided to her entrance.
"Condom." Cassie held his hips to keep him from moving further.
"Got it covered." Jensen took her hand and brought it to touch him. His hardness was indeed sheathed.
When he thrust into her, once again she became lost in the sensations. Not wanting to miss anything, she watched Jensen moving over her. He was perfect, his eyes closed, lips parted as he made love to her. With each movement he took them higher. Finally Cassie could not stop herself from wrapping her legs around his hips and urging him to move faster, take her harder.
Her hand slid down his slick back and she cupped his butt, bringing him deeper.
"I want you so much. Don't want tonight to end." His husky voice in her ear as sensual as his movements. "Damn, you feel so good." Jensen's breathing hitched.
"Ahhhh!" Cassie let go, no longer able to keep up with him. The climax hit her hard and all control was lost. In the whirlwind of sensations, she heard Jensen's deep moan as he, too came.
"That was amazing." She opened her eyes and looked to Jensen, who lay on his back, breathing hard.
He grinned. "I think three times is a record for me."
Cassie pulled the blankets up over them. "I need to get some sleep. Need to be at the shop in the morning." Once covered she snuggled closer to him and lay her head on his chest. "You okay?"
His arms surrounded her and he pressed a kiss to her temple. "We haven't talked yet. I'm hungry."
It was two o'clock in the morning and they sat cross-legged on the bed eating grilled cheese sandwiches and tortilla chips. Cassie reached for her glass of water and drank deeply. "This has to be the best grilled cheese I've ever had."
The mood changed when Jensen let out a breath. "You're not going to marry me, are you?" At his forlorn expression she couldn't help touching his face.
"What makes you think that?"
He shrugged and picked at his sandwich. "Whenever I start this conversation we end up making love."
Cassie tried not to laugh. "We end up making love because you're so damn sexy."
Once again he sighed. "Whatever."
"Look..." She put her plate on the nightstand and went closer to him. "Jensen."
He straightened, seemed to be fortifying himself for her to turn him down. Of course, he'd read her right. To keep from talking, she'd been putting it off. How could she marry him? The idea terrified her.
"I am scared to death of marrying you. I'm sorry, but I am."
"I understand." He pushed his plate away. "Don't blame you."
"But." She moved closer and kissed his lips. "I'm even more frightened of being apart from you. So..." she gulped in air to her lungs that felt as if collapsing. "Let's do it. Let's elope. I don't want time to change my mind."
"Awesome." His face split into a grin and he threw her onto the bed and fell over her. "Yeah!"
"We're not doing it again." Cassie laughed. "We need sleep."
He kissed her and reached for the lamp. In minutes the room was dark.
Cassie sighed. "Sleep is overrated."
Chapter Nineteen
"You got married?" Miriam Ford cried out.
Cassie braced herself for the Ford family's reaction to the news. Right after leaving the courthouse, they'd gone directly to Nashville.
The entire way she'd picked at her nails until they were a bloody mangled mess.
Jensen on the other hand was calm and chatty. From what they'd do for the next three weeks, to traveling to Australia, he wanted to discuss every detail. So much so that Cassie had finally given in and pulled up her phone calendar so they could get specific dates. When they'd turned into the Ford's driveway, she'd almost hyperventilated from nerves.
It was only his steady hand on the small of her back that kept her from bolting into the woods behind the property and hiding.
"Oh my goodness!" Jensen's mother hugged her and kissed both cheeks. "This is wonderful."
Even after Jensen's father pulled her into a bear hug, Cassie could barely form a cohesive thought.
Tesha rushed to her and jumped up and down. "I knew it!" she screamed and did a little dance. "I knew it. I knew it."
"What do you mean?" Cassie was actually shocked that her friend had not said anything to her about her suspicions.
"That Jensen was in love with you and you with him. The chemistry between you two was off the charts." Tesha wiped a tear away. "I'm so happy."
Jensen's mother laughed. "Caden told me Jensen was in love and we suspected it was you. I had been praying he didn't fall for one of those Hollywood types, but someone like you. One of us regular people."
"I'm going to cry now." Tears were already spilling and Cassie sniffed. Jensen placed his arm around her and pulled her close.
They all moved to the living room and Tesha insisted they tell her what happened after she left. Leaving out all the sex was hard, but they managed to give the PG rated version. Roman Ford poured champagne for the five of them.
"What's going on?" Tristan, Jensen's eldest brother, walked into the room. It was the first time Cassie had seen him in many days. His dark blue eyes took her in, but he didn't smile. Instead he looked to his mother. "Celebrating?"
"Oh honey, you won't believe what Jensen did." Miriam seemed not to notice her son's austerity. "Jensen married Cassie. They eloped today."
It was endearing to see Tristan go to Jensen and the brothers hug. "Good for you. I love you," Tristan told Jensen, who smiled at his brother.
"Back at ya, bro."
A sixth glass was poured and given to Tristan. They toasted. And once again Cassie had to wipe away tears. "I'm not usually a crier. I promise," she told no one in particular.
"Can we not cook today?" Jensen asked his mom. "How about we order Chinese?"
"Good idea." His mother looked to Cassie. "When the boys were young, we were celebrating they'd all gotten good grades one day. I made a big deal out of making a special dinner and I got distracted and it all burned up. So we ended up ordering Chinese. It's sort of a family tradition now. When something special happens we order Chinese."
"Perfect," Cassie replied, laughing. "I love it."
The family moved to sit around the kitchen table just as Adam helped Caden in.
They were filled in and once again, hugs were exchanged. Caden was assisted to sit, although he argued the whole time.
"We're sisters now," Tesha whispered to Cassie. "And part of this wonderful family."
Cassie nodded looking at Jensen, who winked at her from where he stood amongst his brothers. "I'm home. I'm finally, truly, home."
The doorbell rang.
"Food's here." Tristan went to get the door while Jensen and Adam began pulling out plates and silverware. Their mother directed them to get glasses refilled from the table.
She gave Cassie a sheepish smile. "I've got them trained for you two. Don't let them get away with not helping around the house."
Both she and Tesha leaned back in their chairs. "Yes, ma'am."
Epilogue
Adam, Tristan and Jensen made a stunning picture at the front of the chapel.
Cassie made her way up the aisle behind Nahla, who wore a beautiful pink dress. Her dress was chocolate brown. The scent of flowers wafted through the air along with the harp music.
She stood next to Nahla and faced the back of the church. Tesha was a vision in a white mermaid dress. With a long veil that hung to the floor from the back of her hair and holding bunch of white and pink roses, she was stunning.
The bride's eyes were locked with her soon-to-be husband's. When Cassie stole a glance toward Adam, her breath caught. A single tear trailed down his face and he smiled broadly, deep dimples showing.
Her own breath caught and she looked to Jensen, who watched her. He mouthed, "I love you." And she swallowed and blinked to keep from turning into a blubbering mess.
The reception was magical. It was outdoors in a beautiful botanical garden. Lights were strung throughout, giving the impression of twinkling stars. Between watching the bride and groom dance in their own world and Nahla coaxing her father to dance with her, Cassie was having the time of her life.
Her mother looked pretty, her blonde hair up in a French twist. She was moving to Lovely, to take over Sweet Indulgence, and was quite excited at the prospect. Cassie was cautiously optimistic, but hopeful, at her mother's new start.
She leaned into her husband's embrace when he pulled her into the dance floor. "Our first dance," Cassie beamed up at him as they swayed to Adele's Love Song.
"It's a good one too. Perfect for us." He looked into her eyes and repeated a line from the song. "You make me whole again."
Just as she was about to tell him it was a corny line, he dipped her and she let out a peal of laughter.
The End.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello Dear Reader. Writing is my dream come true. There is nothing I love more than bringing my characters and stories to life and sharing them with you.
I live in a small town in Georgia with my husband and two unruly Chihuahuas.
I had fun writing Jensen's story after the more serious nature of his brother Adam's. If you enjoyed The Last Hero, please recommend it to your friends and family. I would sincerely appreciate a review.
I love hearing from my readers and am always excited when you join my newsletter to keep abreast of new releases and other things happening in my world.
Website: http://www.HildieMcQueen.com
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Keep Calm and Read On!!
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Max Collins isn't sure what's worse. Being shot point blank in the crotch with a paint gun or accepting a drink with the cat-napper. If only the woman wasn't so cute, he'd be able to keep from planning a way to get to know her better.
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The Last Hero: Fords of Nashville, Book 2 Page 13
