"You're not going to break up with me are you?" Finally he began to pull his pants up. "I thought you said you were going to fight me on it."
Tesha slid to the edge of the bed and sat. God how could she keep contradicting herself? One minute she told him it was over and the next she was in bed with him. They were both constantly confused and saying one thing and doing the opposite of what they should be doing.
"If you are not going to fight alongside me, then it won't work. One person can't do it alone for a relationship to work." It was time she set things straight, put it on the line. Time to buck up.
If he didn't like what she said, he could walk out because he wasn't the man she thought he was.
Tesha turned to him and held his face in her palms looking into his eyes. "I believe in you, Adam. You are strong, intelligent, and resilient. You didn't survive the war just to come home and give up. You made it because in spite of everything, all you saw and lost, you have a purpose. It's time for you to fulfill it. Every set back is just that, a stumbling block. If anything, you should know those are to be kicked in the ass. If we are going to be in this together, I need to know that no matter what, you will keep trying. I lost David to that damn war. I don't want to lose another man I love just as much to it. Don't give that damn situation any more power over you. Over us."
He kissed her, not a passionate kiss, but a sweet kiss. It was nice to see his face soften and the corners of his lips curve up for an instant. He was such a somber man usually.
"Tell me what you're thinking," Tesha asked.
Adam cleared his throat. "When I was an officer, I was a good one. It was up to me to be the soldier responsible for keeping my unit together during the worst of times. I managed to keep myself on task while everything around us was going to hell."
He shifted and looked at his hands. "You know, I always kept a steady eye out for my men. I knew when one was about to lose it, when they were too weak mentally for certain missions. I could tell when their heads were not in it. In those instances, I had to talk them up, to get them to the place they needed to be in order to survive. It never occurred to me that one day, I would be the one that needed help."
"I love you, Adam. Tell me you'll fight for us." Tesha waited, her heart pounding as she recognized uncertainty in his expression. His eyes downcast Adam exhaled.
"I will do my best."
"Not good enough."
He straightened and looked into her eyes. This time he did smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Yes, ma'am. I will fight and we will win. With you by my side, I can't see how I can lose."
"That's my man." Tesha let out a yelp when he tackled her back to the mattress and covered her body with his.
He was so breathtakingly handsome. His playful side melted her heart.
While he held her arms over her head, Adam nipped at her lips. "I'm spending the night here and tonight we'll make love properly." He kissed her, his lips demanding and hot. Her body instantly reacted.
"I can't wait."
"Tell me again."
"What?" Tesha smiled at him.
"That you love me."
"I love you."
"Good."
That evening Tesha took care to ensure everything was perfect. Although excited at the prospect of spending the evening with Adam, she was also cautiously optimistic about how well things would go once they settled into a relationship. There were many things to learn about him, many questions about his life and his expectations of her.
Of course that was the way with every couple. Tesha reminded herself. Little by little they would discover each other and tonight was the first of many evenings they'd share.
The candles flickered casting romantic shadows over the table as they ate beef tips in wine sauce and nibbled on young green beans from the Farmers Market. Neither ate a lot. For some reason Tesha was nervous and excited at the same time in knowing they'd end the evening by making love. The few times they'd had sex it was not planned, but spontaneous. This was different. She wondered if Adam was nervous as well.
Tesha drank from her glass of wine. "Mrs. Miller said you promised to be at the Fourth of July celebration."
Adam nodded. "Yep, I will be there. I may even wear something nice, like a suit." His lips curved. "Maybe you'll find me irresistible in a suit."
Her belly did a quick allie-oop. "I find you irresistible in most anything."
His eyes darkened. "The feeling is mutual." He stood and pushed his chair back. "As good as dinner was, I can't wait to taste dessert."
"Its cupcakes," Tesha said her voice fading when his meaning became clear as his gaze raked down her body. She was dessert.
The only light in the bedroom came from the kitchen. The shadowy room was set perfectly for lovers. The bed with its off-white linens topped by a fluffed up comforter, invited them to lie upon it.
Tesha allowed Adam to undress her. His lips pressed to her shoulder as he slipped her spaghetti strap down and then did the same to the other side. The first button was followed by the next and then he licked his way across the tops of her breasts. The combination of the actions and his hot breath was more erotic than any daydream she'd had.
"Take your dress off." The command was soft, yet strong. Adam took a step away from her and watched.
Her fingers trembled as she released the final two buttons. The dress slipped to her hips leaving her exposed, nude from the waist up. She shimmied out of it and let it puddle at her feet. In nothing but her thong and strappy sandals, she stepped free of the clothes.
When she bent to remove the shoes, Adam stopped her. "No, don't. Lie on the bed and watch me."
That was an order she was definitely in favor of. Her eyes devoured the tall beautiful man who pulled his t-shirt over his head exposing his well-formed chest. He locked gazes with her and then looked down to his jeans. Without words he guided her to where he wanted her to look. His hands were steady as he unzipped his pants and pulled them down, briefs and all. He stood proud, his thick erection jutting up toward his flat stomach.
"I'm yours, Tesha. Will always be."
For the first time since meeting him, Tesha realized how much it cost Adam to open himself. To trust another human to be there for him, to not abandon him. And she would do her best to be that person.
Tesha lifted her hand and beckoned him. "Come to bed. Show me with that delicious body how much you are mine."
Their bodies collided with an intensity that made her shudder. Adam's hands held her face and his mouth took hers. She reached around his waist and slid her hands down his taut bottom cupping the firmness and pulled him closer, rubbing herself against his hardness.
He made some guttural happy sounds and Tesha nibbled at his neck and shoulder while sliding her hand down to his upper thighs and caressing his muscles.
Adam rolled them over and pulled her to straddle him. Without needing encouragement, she wrapped her fingers around his penis and slid her hand up and down. He closed his eyes and threw his head back onto the pillow. He trusted her. Although his eyes opened when she lifted to guide him to enter her and watched for those few seconds. When he closed his eyes again, she knew he'd let his guard down and allowed her free access to him.
Tesha lowered slowly to let her body adjust to his girth. Both let out a soft moan at being fully joined. She rested her palms on his chest and began to rock her hips, sliding him in an out in a steady motion.
Adam's hands covered her breasts. His thumbs toyed with her nipples. She let her head fall back at the many wonderful sensations filling her. When she began to lose control, Adam took her hips and held her still. "Not yet."
He lifted her gently and off of him. "Get on your hands and knees, Tesha."
The way he took control was so erotic she almost came at the husky words. She complied and he guided her to the edge of the bed. Adam stood behind her, lifted her bottom and drove back into her. She looked over her shoulder and met his heated gaze. His eyes flickered to her bottom. "You ha
ve an amazing ass."
Before she could answer, he thrust fully into her and she cried out. "Oh God!"
From slow and steady to hard and pounding, Adam moved according to what her body demanded from him. Tesha was on the verge of losing control. "Harder, please!" she cried out. "I'm so close."
Without losing his rhythm, Adam held her hips with one hand and reached around her with the other and flicked her clitoris. She shuddered and burst into pieces, her face digging into the bedding.
Although lost in the abyss of passionate haze, Tesha felt Adam stiffen then cry out while he pounded into her a few more times then shuddered. He withdrew after a few moments and pulled her onto the bed. Their bodies were slick with sweat, they lay legs and arms entangled.
There was nothing better than waking up with her lover. Tesha snuggled into Adams hard body, her head on his shoulder, the next morning. She draped her arm around his waist and listened to the steady heartbeat.
He slept soundly. She wasn't sure what time they'd finally fallen asleep. Her lips curved at picturing how they'd lay entwined around each other fighting sleep and talking about everything and nothing. He'd shared his thoughts about the upcoming celebration and had even made her laugh when telling her about his walk-on part in the movie where he died within seconds. Attacked by a dragon man monster of some sort.
She kissed his chest and slipped from the bed. It was time to start breakfast. As tempting as it was to remain in bed with her handsome boyfriend, her duties called. Besides Cassie would arrive any minute.
A few minutes later, showered and dressed, she glanced once more at the slumbering man and after a deep sigh headed to the kitchen.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"When do the folks get here?” Jensen grumbled and played with the home fries on his plate.
Adam and his brother had gone into town to have lunch because Jensen insisted he was sick of being on-site for so many days in a row. Now at the town's small diner, Adam wondered why his brother remained in a sour mood.
"Mom said they'd be here early tomorrow morning. They are excited about the cookout with Liam. It was cool of you to set it up."
Jensen shrugged, picked up a fry and studied it. "The fries are good here." He dunked it into a puddle of ketchup and ate it. Then stared out the window.
Adam let out a breath. "What's bugging you?"
His brother's hazel eyes flickered to him and then back out the window. "I was told by a certain someone I'm a sucky actor."
"Are you?"
Jensen's eyes rounded and his eyebrows rose. "No. I happen to think I'm pretty fuckin' good."
"Then who cares what someone says." Adam plucked a fry from his brother's plate and ate it.
"Hey, get your own."
"I already ate all mine."
Jensen moved his plate closer. "What do you think?"
"I think you're selfish," Adam eyed the fries. "And I think you're a great actor. Everyone is entitled to think whatever he or she wants. Jensen, you know that. Not everyone's going to like you."
"I know." This was a side of his brother seldom seen. Jensen was the cocky self-assured guy who rarely let anything get to him. Something else was up.
"Why did they say it? Who said you're a bad actor?"
"The cupcake chick."
"Cassie Tucker? She's really sweet. I don't see her saying something like that. Could it be that you called her "cupcake chick" to her face?"
Jensen let out a breath. "I was in the middle of apologizing for saying I didn't feel someone could be serious about making a living baking cupcakes when she said, ‘I think you are a terrible actor and don’t know how you manage to be successful.’" He frowned down at his plate and pushed it to Adam. "I'm not selfish."
"No, you're not. You give Caden cars and you offered to buy the folks a new house. You've always given to charity and don't skimp when it comes to gifts for any of us. But you have to admit, things have come easy for you, dude. And it was not cool to say those things to Cassie."
"I had to fight to get the acting roles just like everyone else." Jensen became defensive, his nostrils flared and lips formed in a straight line. "I work hard."
Adam held his hands up. "Yes, I agree you work hard. But it took you a portion of the time it takes most people to make it. That pretty face opens doors for you. Shit, you even told me your very first role was a coveted one. Everyone loves you. I think Lady Luck takes care of you."
"Cassie Tucker obviously doesn't love me."
It was hard not to laugh at the almost pout. "She's probably angry because you insulted her livelihood, whether on purpose or not."
Adam wondered why it mattered so much to Jensen. Could it be his rich and famous brother had finally met the one woman who didn't fall at his feet?
The waitress came up and refilled their glasses with fresh Coke. She smiled timidly at Jensen. "Can I get a picture with you before you leave? My husband and kids will be excited to see it."
It was interesting to watch Jensen transform into his public persona. He gifted the waitress with his famous wide smile. "Of course I will, it would be my pleasure."
After Jensen took several pictures with the waitress and others at the restaurant and leaving a fifty-dollar tip, they left.
Jensen assessed him and cocked an eyebrow. "It's nice to see you so relaxed. So...normal. Things must be good with Tesha."
A smile curved Adam's lips. "Yeah, things are great."
His brother came closer and they did a one-arm hug. "Good."
They stood next to Jensen’s bike. He straddled his motorcycle and put his helmet on. "I'm going for a long ride. See ya later."
Adam watched his brother ride off. Their mother hated the motorcycle, but Jensen was a good rider. It was one of the things he did to find time alone. On a bike, he was away from the lights, cameras, and cell phones. And right now, Jensen needed to get away from Cassie Tucker too.
Adam looked down the center of the town toward where he lived. Smalltown, USA, this was what he'd fought for overseas, what his friend died for. And what David Washington, Tesha's husband had given up his life and wife for.
The red, white, and blue banners hung from street lights, bunting was fastened to the awnings of the small town's storefronts and men worked on assembling a stage of sorts in front of the library.
Interesting that he didn't feel like the hero everyone insisted he was. A survivor, yes, but a man who wanted a normal life was more who he was.
* * *
That weekend, the entire town crowded the streets. Adam stood beside the mayor, holding Tesha's hand. She flexed her fingers and he realized he was squeezing it for dear life. "It's okay. You'll do great," she whispered in his ear.
Across from the small elevated stage where they stood, he could see most of the production team was there as well as Jensen, Vanessa Morgan, his parents, and brother Caden. Tristan could not get away from work.
The small high school band played an off tune rendition of the Army song followed by a singer who strummed a guitar and sang admirably well Proud to be an American. The mayor asked for silence and he spoke into the microphone.
"It’s not every day one meets a hero. It's not common for one to walk amongst us on a daily basis. Fortunately, one came home here to Lovely, for which we are thankful. Each man and woman who's served this country is a hero in their own right. But there are heroes and then there are men like Adam Ford. A man who not only put his life on the line for his country, but went the extra mile and faced certain death to save the life of six men. Today it is our honor to acknowledge this American hero with a small token of this town's appreciation."
The mayor waved his arm and a banner was removed from the side of the library. "We have named our new library the Adam Mark Ford Library." The tall thin man then looked to Adam. "And this is also for you, it will be mounted on the wall in the foyer." He motioned for a covering to be removed from a large framed painting on an easel. It depicted a helicopter which he piloted, hovering
over three men who saluted it. The three who'd died that day in Afghanistan were in the helicopter saluting back. Adam's throat closed and he felt his legs threaten to give out.
Tesha leaned against him and sniffed. "What a beautiful painting. You are such a brave man, Adam."
Her words sunk in and gave him the strength to step up to the podium and speak the few words he'd memorized. He thanked the mayor and the town for the honor. Past the crowd he looked to the sky and swore he felt Vince smiling at him. His breathing hitched, but thankfully, Tesha took his hand again and immediately he relaxed. "I am honored and thank you. The real heroes were those who gave their lives for this country. I am proud to have served alongside them."
"I wouldn't go in there." That evening his father was outside in Tesha's garden with a putter and a bucket of balls. "The women are plotting something."
Adam peered through the glass. His mother, Tesha, and Cassie sat around a table with glasses of wine. Mrs. Miller stood by the counter and waved her arms while talking. The women erupted into peals of laughter.
"Yep, looks pretty scary." He eyed his dad and pointed to the larger area outside the garden. "You want to practice out there where you can actually hit the ball farther?"
Roman Ford shook his head. "Nope, I'm supposed to corral you, Caden, and Jensen. I think we're going to have dinner in a few. If they're going to be drunk and disorderly, I don't think we should join them until we have to."
Adam looked to the sky; the sun would be setting in an hour. It was obvious what they planned. To get him inside where he'd not be exposed to the sounds of fireworks. Unfortunately he'd just seen the movie crew with a golf cart full of all kinds of sparklers and other things. They planned a full on display in his backyard.
"Dad. I think I need to leave for a few hours. If I drive west for about an hour, there is nothing out there but open road. I'll camp out overnight, it should be quiet."
Even Heroes Cry, Fords of Nashville, Book 1 Page 18
