"Hmm," the actress replied in a noncommittal tone. "I doubt Jensen's crazy brother cares about trees. You should have seen the way he attacked him."
"Adam attacked Jensen?" Tesha's eyes rounded. "Why?"
Vanessa shrugged, "I don't know. They rolled around the floor beating each other until one of our crew broke them up. It was crazy-stupid." She strolled away and began talking to one of the men.
Soon after everyone left to do whatever they did, Tesha remained apprehensive, why had Adam and Jensen fought? Was Adam hurt? She shoved her hands down into the soapy water and huffed. The last thing she needed to do was worry about what Adam did or didn't do. He'd obviously moved on and here she was still mooning over the man.
"I'm going into town to check on things at the shop," Cassie told her as she took her apron off and hung it on a hook inside the pantry door. "I've got the list of groceries to pick up in town, text or call me if you think of something we need." Cassie came to stand closer. "Hey. Are you all right? You're scowling."
"I'm fine." Tesha smiled. "Just figuring out which chore to do next. Ms. Debbie and Carol should be here soon to straighten up the bedrooms, and other than cleaning up here, I pretty much have a free day."
Cassie smiled broadly. "I plan to come back with special cupcakes and go with you next door to deliver them. Maybe catch another glimpse of that yummy Jensen." Her enthusiasm was contagious and Tesha chuckled. "Deal."
The house was quiet for a few minutes. She knew it wouldn't last. The movie crew came and went constantly. They were paying her quite well for the weeks they'd be there. It ensured a great nest egg for when she opened to the public. They'd even offered her extra for the possibility of shooting a scene in the garden. Tesha went to her office. She'd yet to sign the final contract to give to the movie executives as they kept changing and adding things. Not a big problem since each time they offered more money, but she'd feel better with at least one signed copy.
She looked to the corner of her office at Kylie's bed and pouted. She missed the little bundle of fur. But for the time being, Mrs. Miller had taken her to keep her out of the way. "Four weeks, Tesh, and then life will return to normal," she told herself out loud.
Normal. What exactly was that? Her website was going up that week. Cleve had it prepped and ready and was just waiting for her to give the go ahead. Once that was done, she'd begin taking reservations. So far with the current guests, everything was going almost perfectly.
The only glitch was the bathroom situation upstairs. She'd not planned for men and women to share a bathroom unless they were a couple, and one of the pampered actors announced his intention to move out. He changed his tune upon realizing the only other accommodations were a motel in town or the trailer on the property.
Several RVs were parked across the street on Mr. Moore's land, to his delight of course. He'd already invited her to several parties for the cast and crew. The evening before, she saw the camera crew and other movie workers on the wraparound porch, seeming quite at home.
She felt his presence before seeing him. Her skin prickled and her idiot heart skipped a beat. "Tesha?"
Adam was just outside the door. It took her a minute to compose herself enough to reply. "I'm in here."
Do not act stupid. Don't let him see how he affects you. "Stop it," Tesha grumbled at her stupid butterfly filled stomach.
He walked to the doorway and stopped, his eyes locking with hers. "Hi."
There was something in that one little word that spoke volumes. Adam rarely spoke much before, not with words anyway. She'd learned he said more with facial expressions and his eyes than words. Right now they told her he needed a friend. The last thing she wanted was another ex-lover as a friend. Especially not the man who turned her entire body into a mess of goo and shivers so she remained sitting. "Hi."
He took a deep breath as if it took a lot to talk. "My house is a mess."
She'd wondered why he'd agreed to the movie. It didn't seem like something a loner like him would do. "There certainly have been a lot of changes in two days. So many people all over the place. And they cut the trees on the other side."
He nodded. "They took down my dog pen." His shoulders slumped and Tesha couldn't hold back anymore. She stood and went to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist. Her heart went out to him when he exhaled and his arms surrounded her, his head resting on top of hers.
They stood like that for a long time, his strong heartbeat thudding under her ear, the solid body against hers.
"Why did you agree to the movie?" Tesha did not move away. She was so mad at him for dating, wanted an explanation all the while knowing she had no right to ask, especially since she'd done the same. Gone on a dinner date with James Malloy.
"I didn't. Jensen did what Jensen always does. He means well, thinks he's doing me a favor by showcasing the house and throwing money at me."
It was heartwarming to see how in spite of how angry he must be at his brother, Adam still justified Jensen's actions. Obviously the strong tie of being family meant he'd forgive the actor. "You have furniture now." Tesha pushed away reluctantly and smiled up at him. "That's something."
He didn't reply, his eyes locked on her lips.
Tesha swallowed. He was going to kiss her and she needed to stop it. Move away. She didn't move an inch.
His lips were familiar, erotic, and delicious covering hers. His tongue prodded for entrance and she opened her mouth allowing him full access. His large body shielded her from the outside world and for a moment, the cocoon of them together erased all the stress of the day.
When his hands slid down her back and cupped her bottom to pull her against him, Tesha moaned at the wonderful friction of the bulge beneath his jeans and her light cotton dress. He deepened the kiss conveying hunger and need. God she wanted him.
"Whoa," Jensen's voice permeated through the fog of desire. Tesha jumped back and Adam growled.
"Sorry to interrupt." By Jensen's broad smile, he was not in the least sorry. His rounded eyes looked from her to Adam. "I didn't know you two were that cozy."
"Shut up." Adam moved behind Tesha and put his hands on her shoulders. She figured he needed a few minutes for his arousal to deflate, but unfortunately that placed her flushed face, crinkled dress and mused hair front and center.
Jensen's gaze traveled over her until Adam grunted, "What do you want?"
"Came to talk to you. Saw your truck out front," Jensen replied and took a bite of an apple he'd been holding. "Actually," he looked to Tesha's desk. "I also wanted to see you. Can I look at the contract?"
He strolled past them and glanced down at the papers she'd been holding earlier.
Tesha moved away from Adam suddenly feeling awkward. She was not happy with him and the sooner her treacherous body got with the program, the better. Once Jensen left, she'd explain to Adam they would be friends only. No sex, no making out in doorways. He'd understand the difference between chemistry and a relationship. She didn't want the no strings attached arrangement with him anymore. It wouldn't work now that her feelings for him had changed.
Adam sat and scowled at his brother. She noticed a light bruise on his temple and joined him in the glare at Jensen party.
The actor's entire disposition changed, in that moment she saw the less playful carefree facade fall. Jensen looked at his brother accessing the scowl and then looked worried. "How are you today? Were you all right last night when you went home?"
Ah yes, the PTSD.
Adam nodded. "The only dream I had was of stomping your pea brain into the ground."
Jensen grinned and Adam rolled his eyes. "What do you want to talk about?"
"First this," Jensen said while scribbling on the contract and with flourish placing an 'X' where Tesha should sign. "I fixed the numbers."
Tesha moved closer and glanced at the paper. He'd doubled some of the figures and adjusted others. "Are you sure?"
"Yep," Jensen replied. "Trust me, they were offering a pittance co
mpared to the other sites. They figured you wouldn't know better. Besides, you've got them by the balls. The location is set."
Tesha took the pen and signed it. "I'll go and drop this off. Give you two privacy to talk."
"We need to talk too." Adam told her, the scowl still firmly in place, but his eyes softened when meeting hers. "Please."
"Okay. Sure, later. Right now, I have to get things ready for the afternoon meal."
Chapter Twenty-One
Adam was torn between relief his brother had interrupted his attempt to seduce Tesha and making a stupid mistake and wanting to pound the brat into a pulp for ruining the wonderful moment. He didn't want Tesha to be just a sex-only arrangement. He wanted more. At the same time, he wasn't sure how she felt about him. Sure she responded to his touch, but that didn't mean she accepted him fully.
Doctor Mitchell told him it would take time before Adam could presume to be well enough to be in a relationship with someone. Needed more time in order for the doctor to be assured Adam could be trusted to live at close quarters and not possibly hurt the person.
If he ever injured Tesha, he would not forgive himself. The damn tug of war between what he should do: walk away and let her move on, or do what he wanted—make her his.
"I'm sorry." Jensen interrupted his musings. "Mom called me yesterday and tore me a new asshole about all this." He motioned to the door in the direction of Adam's house. "I should have thought about what effect all of this could have on your recovery."
"Fuck my recovery, Jensen, what about my house, the property. That's what pisses me off."
"Yeah, well, you'll be surprised how much nicer it will look once it's done."
"I have a fucking restaurant for a backyard." Adam held back ensuring not to scream in case Tesha was within earshot.
"It's more like a bistro. With that fancy outdoor grill, you and Tesha can have some awesome parties." Jensen wiggled his brows. "I bet she agrees with me."
"Tesha and I are just..."
"Yeah right, just friends...I have those kind of friends, too." Jensen chuckled and bit into his apple. "She's hot."
"Don't look at her." Adam's voice as low and hoarse as he leaned forward. "I mean it, Jensen, don't even look at her."
"Oh shit." Jensen let out a whistle. "It's that serious?"
"Drop it." Adam stood. He needed to go to the house and get clothes. Then he'd look for Tesha and talk to her. About what, he wasn't sure yet.
He stepped outside Tesha's office door and came to an abrupt stop. Vanessa Morgan stood beside the kitchen counter. She placed the glass she had in her hand on the counter and her lips curved up at seeing him. Behind her, Tesha was busy doing something. She'd not noticed he'd walked out of the office.
He looked to the doorway needing to escape what could possibly ruin any chance with Tesha. He and Vanessa had met before, at a party when he'd visited Jensen in Hollywood not too long after returning from Afghanistan. They'd had a one night, or make that a two-night stand which had become ingrained in his mind for a long time. The woman was a lusty lover who took no prisoners. In those two nights, she'd taught him things he'd not even known existed.
"Hey, lover," she crooned.
Shit.
Tesha's head popped up and she looked to him and then to Vanessa. The actress stepped toward him, an air of expectancy about her. "What an unexpected turn of events. Just when I thought I'd die of boredom. Here you are."
Adam's throat went dry, he didn't dare look at Tesha who watched them, not moving.
Just as Vanessa closed in, Jensen stepped between them and took the actress by the shoulders. "Stop teasing my brother. You know how conservative he is. Hell, he was a virgin until his late twenties." Jensen tugged the confused Vanessa towards the French doors. "We thought he was going to be a priest until finally dad hired a hooker to take care of popping that cherry," Jensen continued.
"What?" Vanessa tried in vain to turn back to Adam. "I didn't need to know that, did I?"
They went outside and Jensen slammed the door firmly behind them.
"That was a lame attempt to keep me from figuring out you and her had something once." Tesha had her fists on her hips and gave him a droll look. "It's none of my business what you did or do. As a matter of fact. I needed a moment to tell you we need to cool things. I don't think it's a good idea..." she stopped talking when he walked around the kitchen counter and stood close to her. Definitely invading her personal space. She blinked. "We don't have any kind of commitment so it doesn't matter who you date."
"Is this because you're dating Malloy?"
"Who? Oh, James."
"Yes, oh James. He told me you and him are keeping in touch." Adam hated how he couldn't keep the jealous anger from his voice. "You got my dog." He looked around the room for the first time noticing he'd not seen the puppy. "Where's my dog?"
"She's mine now, he said I could have her. Never once have you even asked about her or came for her. You just assumed everything would remain the same. That Kylie would be right here waiting. That all you had to do was show up one day and she'd be yours without you having to explain anything or do more than crook your finger."
She wasn't talking about the dog anymore. Guilt at the truth in her words made him take a step backward. "I'm sorry, you're right."
A tear trailed down her cheek and she brushed it away with a quick swipe. "I'm really busy, Adam. I have to fix lunch for the movie crew."
"I thought the people behind my house did that."
"They do dinner. I am responsible for breakfast and lunch for fifteen people." She picked up the knife and began chopping carrots. "Please go." Her sniff made his chest constrict.
"I want more between us." He stepped closer.
The door opened and two men walked in. One neared the counter and settled into a barstool. "I need coffee. Strong black."
Tesha poured him a cup. "I signed the new copy of the contract. Let me get it," she told one of the men and moved around Adam to rush into her office.
The man looked at him. "I hear you're doing some stunts."
Adam groaned and left.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tesha couldn't believe how fast the days flew by since they'd taken on the catering work for the movie production. She'd barely had time to get a shower and collapse into bed before it was time to get back up and straight to preparation for the breakfast meal.
She'd not seen Adam and although she didn't ask, Jensen volunteered that Adam was back to working with their older brother at Ford Enterprises. Although it had intrigued her, she'd not asked what Tristan was like. The handsome man seemed rather intimidating and aloof.
Mrs. Miller and her energetic duo of Debbie and Carol burst into the room with trays of empty glasses. "Everyone loved the sweet tea," Mrs. Miller announced and placed the tray carefully on the counter. Carol almost dropped her pitcher when she saw Liam Neeson was here."
"I swear I almost fainted," Ms. Carol agreed. "My stars, I've never seen so many famous people."
Tesha laughed when the woman sat and fanned her heated face. "I don't know that I'll get used to it."
The women had shown up the day before offering to help when news more movie stars had arrived, and a grateful Tesha hired them on the spot to serve the afternoon meal. The Hollywood types were demanding and driving her and Cassie crazy with constant demands. Thankfully, she'd learned to say no pretty quick. Cassie was still working on it.
Tesha began premixing the ingredients for the ham and cheese biscuits for the next morning. The dough would sit in the refrigerator overnight. Although she planned to only serve them a couple times a week, the execs had amended the contract, giving her even more money, to serve them daily. Tesha smiled when the trio of women ran to the windows and peered towards the trailers parked across the way. "Is that Bruce Willis?" Mrs. Miller exclaimed.
Tesha peered over their shoulders. "No, that's a cameraman."
"Well, he certainly could double for Bruce Willis," Mrs. Mille
r insisted. She turned and went back to the kitchen. "Let's clean up, ladies. I suggest we then take a long break on the front porch and drink some of the delicious sweet tea before heading home."
"It's a wonderful idea." The other two immediately agreed and before long, were ensconced in the rockers on the porch, tall glasses in hand.
Tesha's cell phone rang. She was waiting on a call from Cassie so without looking at the display she hit the answer button.
"Tesha?" It was Adam and of course her ridiculous stomach immediately flipped and flopped.
"Hello, Adam. I'm pretty busy..."
He cleared his throat. "I know. I tried to catch you before I left, but was told you'd gone into town. I went to town, but didn't see you there."
"I went to Nashville." She wondered what the purpose of his call was. At least this time before leaving, he'd tried to say goodbye.
"We need to talk." The last thing she wanted right now was a conversation with Adam. The distraction of the conflicting emotions when it came to him confused her too much.
"Now?"
"No, I'm coming there tomorrow. Can I stay at your house?"
In her room? Was that his real question? "I don't have any spare beds." She swallowed in spite of the fact he couldn't see her.
"Does that mean no?" It sounded as if he teased her.
Tesha chuckled. "It means there are no extra beds. I have a couch."
There was a moment of silence. "I'll kick Jensen out of my room, he can sleep on the floor or in the trailer or come here to Nashville. He said they weren't shooting tomorrow."
She'd planned a day home alone, since the actress and other guests had announced they were spending the weekend in Nashville. Now, she wondered how relaxing it would be, knowing Adam would be coming. Especially since they'd not discussed his date with the blonde.
That night, she lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Kylie slept next to her, the puppy was ecstatic when she'd plopped her on the bed, next to her. Sure it was a bad habit to start, but it could be a good obstacle to keep Adam out. She picked up the cell phone and considered texting him. Maybe if she sent a message telling him they would only remain friendly neighbors and nothing more, he wouldn't come expecting an easy tryst.
Even Heroes Cry, Fords of Nashville, Book 1 Page 14
