Tessa's Temptation (16 page)

“Are you okay?” He stroked her cheek. “You look overheated.”

“Yes, I...” She needed to tell him before she lost her nerve. She had been so caught up in the moment that she couldn’t stop herself. “It’s just that I—”

“Chase,” May interrupted them. “Tess has a guest.”

“I do?” Tess looked in the direction of the entryway curious who would come and visit her.

“Who is it?” Chase let go of Tess and steered her toward May.

A tall woman, with auburn hair and pale skin stepped out from behind May and smiled. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Mom?”

Chapter Eighteen

What was she doing here? Tess hadn’t seen her in years. Her mother managed to keep in touch just enough to keep her hoping, but Tess hadn’t heard from her in months. She thought of all the unanswered calls when her father had been injured and she had no one else to turn to. Her legs tensed and her stomach churned when her mother entered the kitchen. Chase placed his hand on the small of Tess’s back, reminding her he was there. He was always there when she needed him. Unlike others.

“Tess, sweetie.” Her mother pulled her into an awkward hug. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

“Worried about me?” Tess wiggled out of her mom’s hold, stepping back until she bumped into Chase’s chest. “You haven’t returned any of my calls.”

“I’m sorry.” Her mother looked up at Chase. “You’ve changed since the last time I saw you but you’re still as handsome as I remember.”

“Hello, Mrs. Burke.” Chase extended his hand for her to shake. “Tessa has told me much about you.”

None of it very good.

“It’s not Mrs. Burke anymore. It’s Mrs. Alesi. I remarried, but please, call me Nina.” She smiled as she ogled him, taking her time to study his perfect body. “I was shocked to find out Tess was staying here with you. I had no idea that my ex-husband had stayed in touch with you over the years. You were so young when you stayed with us those summers.”

“How did you find out where I was?” Tess asked. “I’ve been here for months and haven’t heard anything from you.”

“I called your house but the number had been disconnected. I didn’t have a recent cell for you, so I started tracking down your dad’s relatives and they told me about his accident.” She glanced over at May who had been standing in the doorway of the kitchen glaring at her ever since she had arrived.

Tess had filled May in about her feelings of abandonment, and May had spoken her mind when it came to how she felt about a woman who would leave her daughter behind. She said people had issues and problems and if things didn’t work out between a man and a woman, that was one thing, and there was nothing wrong with her mother leaving Tess with her dad. She put her foot down at Tess’s mother not having much contact with her daughter over the years. To May, that was inexcusable.

“Pat’s sister helped me find him. I found out you were here, staying with Chase, while he recovered.”

“Where have you been?” Not that it really mattered to Tess, but since her mom was there she wanted some answers. “After the accident I called you. I left messages.”

“Things have been a bit rough this past year.” Her mother looked at Chase. “I appreciate you looking after Tess but I’m here now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tess asked. “I haven’t seen you in years. What makes you think you can come in here and act like my mother now?”

“May,” Chase intervened. “Could you please put on some tea? Tessa, Nina, let’s go into the living room.”

May nodded as she filled the kettle and put it on. “I’ll have it ready in a few minutes.”

Tess shrugged and walked past May and followed Chase into the other room. The kindly older woman shot her a sincere glance, then went back to making the tea.

“Please have a seat.” Chase motioned toward the chair across from the sofa. “I’m sure you didn’t come here to upset Tessa, so why don’t you tell us what your intentions are?” He guided Tess to sit on the loveseat with him. “I’m curious why you’re here too.”

“I didn’t come here to upset my daughter.” She smiled at Tess. “When I found out Pat was injured I came straight here. I feel terrible that I didn’t know sooner.”

“Dad told you I was here?” Tess didn’t understand why her father wouldn’t have warned her that her mother was on her way. “When did you go see him?”

“I didn’t,” her mother admitted. “I called the facility but he wouldn’t speak with me. There was a contact number the facility gave me. One that you authorized in case of emergency.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Tess looked to Chase for an explanation. “Shouldn’t I be the contact?”

“When I moved your father, I put my attorney’s name on the contact information. Did you speak with Audra Sinclair?”

“I believe so,” her mother said. “Such a sweet woman and so concerned for you, Tess. She sent me here immediately.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.” Tess’s unease was growing the longer her mother was there. “What do you want?”

“I told you in the kitchen,” she said. “I’m going to take you back to Philadelphia with me. I already told Rocco you’ll be coming to live with us. He’s thrilled.”

“Rocco?” Chase asked.

“That’s my husband,” she said. “Tess’s stepdad.”

“I met him once.” Tess recalled the balding, middle-aged man with bad teeth and dirty fingernails. “Why would you think I’d go live with you?”

“You need me.”

Is she serious
?
Tess almost rolled her eyes.

“Don’t you remember I always promised you I’d come for you when I could?” her mother continued. “I’m not exactly in a position to support you or anything, but you could get a job and we’ll go from there.”

“When I was
twelve
you promised you’d come back. That was about two years after you left. I stopped waiting for you years ago.” It wasn’t as if she wanted to leave her dad, but she had always wished for some kind of relationship with her mother.

“I know I wasn’t around much when you were growing up,” her mom said.

“Try not at all.”

Chase moved closer to her. His presence should have calmed her, but she harbored years of anger for the woman sitting across from her. She’d always tried to reach out to her mother. She forgave her more times than she could count for the missed birthdays and holidays. She’d even accepted her sorry excuse for not attending her graduation. But when her mother didn’t return her phone calls about her father’s accident, Tess found she was plain out of forgiveness.

“After I left your dad, it took me years to get on my feet. It was one thing after another. I’m still in some financial trouble.” She glanced around the large room. “Not that you would understand, Chase, but not everyone lives this way.”

“I realize that.” Chase took Tess’s hand and rested it in his lap, rubbing her wrist with his thumb. “I’m sure Tessa appreciates your offer but she’s fine here with me. She won’t be going to Philadelphia.”

“I see.” Her mother straightened her back. “Are you two together?”

“That’s none of your business.” Tess didn’t want her mother involved in her life.

“I’m just curious why he would answer for you.” She focused on their joined hands. “Am I missing something?”

“You missed a whole lot of things,” Tess said. “I am with Chase and I won’t be leaving with you.”

“Well, it figures that your father would find a way to survive.” She shook her head. “That man always manages to land on his feet even if he has to sell his daughter.”

“What?” Tess tried to get up, but Chase squeezed her hand, holding her in place. “How dare you? You have no idea what’s going on here. How could you?”

“Baby girl, don’t you think I’ve seen it all? I know what a man like Chase Carlisle wants from a girl like you.” She shifted her focus to Chase. “No offense, but my daughter is young, beautiful and enticing. As appealing as she is, she’s not the type of woman a man like you stays interested in for long. I remember your family and where you come from. Tess doesn’t belong in your world. Her father shouldn’t have allowed her to come and live here.”

“I can’t believe this,” Tess raised her voice. “I haven’t seen you in years and the first thing you do is insult the man who has done nothing but treat me with respect? He helped Dad when no one else would. If not for Chase, I’d be sleeping on the street.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.” Her mother crossed her legs. “The one thing your father is good at is keeping a roof over your head.”

“He can’t even walk without assistance. Did you know that?” Tess asked. “Before Chase got him better care, he wasn’t making any progress at all. We were going to be evicted. That’s why I called you. I needed help, but you were nowhere to be found.”

Calling her mom to borrow money had been a long shot and the last thing she wanted to do, but she’d been desperate when she realized there was no other way to come up with that last month’s rent. Tess stopped holding out hope for her mother the day Chase moved her into his home.

“I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls,” she said. “I didn’t realize your father was that bad. I figured he was all better when I didn’t hear from you again. You were on my mind. I just… had a lot to deal with. I’m on the verge of being evicted myself. Rocco has been unemployed for months. That’s why I’m hoping you’ll come back with me. If you got a job you could help pay the rent like you did with your dad all these years.”

“Dad and I survived together.” Tess couldn’t believe the audacity of this woman. “That’s how it still is and nothing would make me leave him.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’re struggling anymore.” She
looked around the opulent living room.

The bile rose in Tess’s throat when she realized what her mother was getting at.

“Your father found a meal ticket for you both. Sweetie, you have to understand this won’t last. I’m only trying to help you. Your dad does desperate things. He gave you to a man who will grow tired of you, and when he does you’ll be back on the streets. Then what will you do?”

“I’ve heard quite enough, Nina,” Chase spoke, his voice peppered with irritation. “Pat didn’t do anything haphazard where Tessa is concerned. He asked me to care for his daughter because he loves her and he wanted to make things right for her. Think whatever you’d like about me and my intensions, but I won’t have you insulting or hurting Tessa any further.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” her mother responded. “I care about my daughter too. What kind of mother would I be if I let her stay here knowing that her body is the only thing you’ll ever want from her?”

“Are you out of your mind?’ Tess shouted. “You don’t know anything about me or who I’ve become. You know far less about the man Chase is. I’m not exactly sure why you’ve come here, but if it was to mend fences with me, you’re too late. I don’t need you! I never have!”

“That’s not true or you wouldn’t have called me when your dad got hurt.”

“It was poor judgment on my part but now I know,” Tess said. “I’m sorry you’re experiencing some financial trouble but I can’t help you.”

“Maybe you can’t but...” Her mother turned to stare at Chase. “Do you truly care for my daughter?”

“Oh, God, no!” Tess took a deep breath, fearing she would lose the battle with the nausea in her stomach. “Don’t you dare.”

“It’s okay, Tessa,” Chase said as he stood. “To answer your question, yes, I care for your daughter more than I ever thought I could. I had no business wanting a woman like her. You’re right, we do come from two different worlds. Tessa and I have been through the reasons it could never work out between us, but luckily for me, your daughter is strong-willed and very determined. I would do anything for her including paying you to leave her alone.”

“No,” Tess said. “That’s not what I want.”

“Of course you don’t,” her mother said. “She doesn’t want me out of her life and for you to suggest that proves just how little you know about my daughter. Tess, sweetie, why don’t you go get your things while I work this out with Chase?”

“He’s right.” Tess got up and took Chase’s hand. “I do want you out of my life if you’re looking for some kind of pay out. I don’t want him to give you any money. Why should he?” Her mother didn’t deserve anything from Chase. She couldn’t just show up here looking for a handout. “If you want a relationship with me, that needs to come separate from anything you think you could gain here. Did you come for me or did you come for money?”

“I came for you.” Her mother stared into Tess’s eyes and for a brief moment, that same old hope surged. Maybe things could work out between them. Maybe not right away but Tess was willing to try. “But, I do need money.”

Or not
.
That sense of elation drained from her body faster than it had come, replaced by an overwhelming dread. “I don’t have any money to give you. I’m sorry. I don’t even have a job right now. I’m focusing on school.”

“You can do that because Chase is supporting you. Think about how scared you were when you thought you were going to be evicted. You know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck and wonder where your next meal is coming from. I’m in trouble, sweetie.”

Tess wiped the tears from her eyes because she knew exactly what her mother was talking about. She’d lived her whole life below the poverty line. No matter how hard her father worked, they always came up short. For the first time in her life she didn’t have to worry about money or food or how they would pay to keep the lights on. Children weren’t supposed to worry about those things. Her dad always did the best he could do, but even as a child Tess had been perceptive and knew when they were struggling to pay the bills.

“I’m sorry.” Tess took a deep breath, trying to stay strong. “I can’t help you.”

“I can,” Chase said without missing a beat.