Tessa's Temptation (5 page)

“You don’t have to leave.” He wanted her close but not near Tanner. He’d much rather have everyone leave them so he could be alone with her.

“It’s getting cooler out,” she said. “I’m going to get a sweater and see if May needs any help.” She turned, leaning down to kiss Tanner’s cheek. “It was fun talking to you.”

“I’ll call you.” Tanner smiled as she stood. “We can grab dinner sometime.”

“Sounds great,” Tessa said.

I don’t think so.

“See you around, Audra.” Tessa walked past her without making eye contact. “I’ll come back down later,” she gave Chase a quick peck on the cheek and whispered, “when it’s not so crowded out here.”

She swayed her slender hips, as she made her way toward the house. An image of the two of them in his bedroom flashed before him – her back to him, his hands threaded through her long, silky hair as he pounded into her hard and fast.

If she only knew the things she had unleashed within him tonight.

***

Chase sat under the gazebo, sipping his beer after everyone had gone home. The cleaning crew had begun putting his yard back together. He’d pulled off another successful company picnic. How he managed not to kill his intern was a miracle. It wasn’t Tanner’s fault. Chase was quite certain it was his little vixen’s charms that Tanner couldn’t resist. Tessa had played them both and she had won.

“Everyone gone?” Tessa appeared in the archway of the gazebo still wearing the pale pink sundress that barely covered anything and those sexy damn cowgirl boots. “It was an amazing bash.”

“I’m glad you thought so.” He took a long pull from his bottle, never taking his eyes away from hers. “You seemed to enjoy the strawberries.”

“Yeah.” She leaned against the post, her long hair blowing in the cool October breeze. “They were delicious.”

“Just so you know, I told Tanner you were off limits.”

“I heard.” She smiled. “I’m not surprised.”

“How did you hear?”

“He texted me and told me you threatened him. That wasn’t necessary. You’re a bully.”

I’m obsessed
.
“Why did you give him your number? You’re not interested in him.”

“I was being polite. Besides how do you know I’m not interested in him?” She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. “That’s awfully presumptuous of you.”

“Come here.” He set his beer down before standing up. The games were going to stop tonight.

“Now you’re bullying me? You used your authority to scare poor Tanner but it won’t work on me. He has to listen to you. I don’t.”

That’s where you’re wrong, cupcake.

“I’m not going to ask you again.” He curled his finger and beckoned her to come to him. “Don’t disappoint me.”

She hesitated for a moment, taking her time to make up her mind. Slowly tormenting him the way she always did. Was she defiant or afraid tonight? If she was smart she would turn and run in the opposite direction. Although he would probably chase her.

When she took the first step toward him he let out the breath he’d been holding. Once she was at arm’s length, he reached for her, pulling her against him. She gasped but quickly regained her composure.

“What’s gotten into you?” Her warm breath swept across his lips. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Your little act this afternoon.”

“Jealous much?” She smiled because she had him right where she wanted him.

“Is that what you wanted? To provoke me?
”
Such a menacing game
.
“Make me lose control?”

“Maybe.” Her sweet giggle followed but she’d been anything but sweet this afternoon. “It worked.” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she studied his mouth.

“Why would you do that?”

“I didn’t set out to do it.” She tilted her head. “Opportunity just presented itself.”

“It wasn’t very nice to use my intern for your plan,” he said. “Tanner is taken with you.”

“I could say the same about your attorney. She seems a bit mesmerized by you.”

“Did that make you jealous?”
Is that why you acted out?

“Should it?” She traced her finger along his lips. “Are you seeing her?”

“No.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, closing any space between them. “But we have a problem.” His lips practically touched hers, creating a charge of energy that coursed through him. Maybe it was the beer. He tried to shake it off.

“What’s that?” she asked as she boldly kissed the corner of his mouth, causing a commotion inside his pants. He couldn’t shake that off.

Focus... He had to focus. But how when she stared at him that way? All he wanted to do was consume every inch of her.

“I’m falling for you.” He tangled his fingers in her hair, the scent of her vanilla shampoo swirled between them. The combination of that mixed with the effect she had on him drove him wild with need.

“That’s not a problem.” She brushed her lips along his jaw. “I’ve already fallen for you.”

“What are we going to do about it?”

“I think you should kiss me.” She licked her lips. “I know you want to.”

“More than you know.” He lowered his mouth to hers, tenderly taking her face between his hands and slowly pressing his lips to hers. She parted her mouth allowing him access to her tongue. Tightening his grip on her hair, he kissed her long and deep. The more he took, the more she gave. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing into his mouth as she pushed her body into his.

“I could kiss you all night.” He pulled away despite the hunger building inside him. “We have to stop though.”

“You don’t mean that.” She ran her tongue along his bottom lip. “Kiss me again.”

“After your little stunt this evening, I drank way more than I ever have at a work function.” He stole a quick kiss. “You cloud my judgment and make me say and do things I normally wouldn’t.”

“So, you didn’t want to kiss me?”

“Hell yes, I wanted to kiss you.” He moved the back of his hand across her cheek. “I want to do so much more than kiss you.”

“You can
do
anything you want.” She swallowed hard, making him wonder how ready she was for what he wanted.

“You don’t have to dangle yourself in front of me, Tessa.” He continued to stroke her soft, ivory skin. “You don’t need to make me jealous. I see you all on my own. That’s why I’ve been keeping my distance.”

“There’s no distance between us now.” She initiated another kiss. This one deeper and longer than the first. Sliding his hands down her sides, he gripped her hips trying to control the urge to thrust his fully erect cock into her. The sounds of the caterers loading their trucks with party supplies pulled him from his arousal-induced state.

“We have to stop.” He looked over his shoulder. “We’re not alone.”

“We could go inside.”

“There’s staff inside too,” he reminded her as he guided her to sit next to him.

She opted for his lap, draping her arms over his shoulders.

“You’re driving me insane.”

“You like it.” She smiled. “I know I do.”

He liked it more than he should. He couldn’t stop looking at her thighs and the way her legs parted slightly, offering him what was between them. “I do like it but we need some moderation,” he said. “I’ve become quite taken with you and I don’t want to do anything to hurt you.”

“I’m a big girl, Chase. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I do worry about you.” He twisted his fingers around her long locks because he couldn’t resist touching her. “You’re impulsive and carefree. Those are great qualities, but they make me uneasy.” She would give herself to him with only the slightest suggestion. He could lose himself in her in a matter of minutes. Living in the same house, having total access to one another physically anytime they wanted could have explosive consequences. Self-restraint would be the only way for any of this to work.

“Impulsive can be good.” She leaned in to his face. “Like now.” She kissed him, wasting no time thrusting her tongue forward, seeking out his.

“Tessa.” He broke the kiss with a breathless voice. “That’s enough for tonight.” He needed to stop or he’d have her in his bed. As much as he desired her, he needed control. “You need to go inside. I have to settle up with the catering company.”

“I could wait for you in your room.”

“No.” He gently kissed her lips. “I have to meet with a client at a building site tomorrow morning. When I get home we’ll talk about whatever this is.”

“I know what it is.” She slipped off his lap. “I’ll let you think things over, but you’re not doing anything wrong. I’m legal.” She headed back toward the house without trying to persuade him any further.

Legal wasn’t the problem. It was the moral part that had him conflicted. His friend asked him to look after his daughter. To help and care for her. How could he take advantage of the situation?
And why did the daughter have to be so damn alluring?

He watched as she sauntered across the lawn and into the house. Now that he’d had her lips against his, he knew he would never be able to control his urges. She’d let loose a beast that he’d tried to keep buried whenever she was around her.

There was no turning back now.

Chapter Six

Chase tossed his keys on his desk as he waited for his laptop to load. He needed to email the specs to the builder before they could move forward. It had been a long, stressful day. It didn’t help that he was still nursing a headache from his over indulgence of alcohol the night before. This new client was busting his balls. And then there was the matter of the sexy woman he shared his home with. Tessa had been front and center in his thoughts all day.

He’d called her out on her rash behavior last night but he’d done the exact same thing. After witnessing her little stunt with Tanner, he’d become territorial and possessive. She provoked the impulses he swore he’d keep under control. As forward as she appeared to be, he still viewed her as an innocent. She wasn’t used to him or his lifestyle, and money and status could change people. He’d seen and done things she couldn’t possibly understand. The women he’d been with would do what he wanted and be what he wanted in the bedroom, but it was because they were after his money. Tessa was a different breed. She wasn’t after his money or his status. But he could imagine her voice moaning his name…

He hadn’t figured her out yet. Instinct screamed to stay away from her but everything about her called to him. She’d piqued his interest and his curiosity, and now that he’d had a taste, he craved more.

“Oh, you’re back.”

Her voice yanked him out of his depraved thoughts as he looked up to find her standing in the doorway of his office. Her hair was blown out all sleek and shiny and draped over her shoulders and down her back. About half of him wanted to grab it up in his hands and kiss her. Her flawless face wasn’t overdone, just her signature pink lip gloss and some light mascara that accented her already long eyelashes. She didn’t need anything else. Fresh, natural, and fucking hot as hell...

He was so taken with her face that he hadn’t noticed her tiny black shorts and gray tank top. How could he have missed that? There she was, tempting him again. This was why he couldn’t go with instinct. Not with her nipples straining against the thin cotton material practically screaming,
No bra!

“I just got in.” He cleared his throat – mostly certain he hadn’t moaned out loud – trying not to stare at her perfect breasts. “This client is…
”
Hard to concentrate on when you’re around
.
  “A little more demanding than I thought. Have you eaten?”

“Yes, some leftovers from the party. That’s what we’ll be having for the next week.” She moved into the room, stopping at the side of his desk.

“We can get something else for dinner if you’d like.” He busied himself logging into his computer. “I just need to work on a few things.”

“You said we could talk when you got home.”

“I know, sweetheart, but I have to get this information to the...” He stopped when she walked behind the desk and sat on the edge just in front of him, spreading her legs. “What are you doing?”

“I missed you.” She placed her hands on his chest, running them across his shirt. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.”

He closed his eyes when she moved her hands underneath the buttons and started unfastening them.

“The way you kissed me…” She smoothed her palms up his stomach and to his shoulders, his muscles tightening under her soft touch. “No one has ever wanted me that way before.”

“I find that hard to believe.” His whole body was in overdrive, but the most awakened parts were below his belt. “You’re a stunning woman. I’ve seen the way men look at you.”

“I don’t care about other men,” she whispered into his ear, eliciting a chill that traveled down his spine and landed straight in his balls. “You’re the only one that matters.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” He tilted her chin, staring into her eyes. “Don’t you know I’m weak? I’m just a man who can’t resist you.”

“You’re not
just
anything. And why are you trying to resist me?” She traced her fingertips down his chest. “Just give in already.”

“Giving in isn’t the problem.” Kissing her jaw, he stepped between her legs. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle me.”

“Why?” She leaned her head back, allowing him access to her throat. “Because I’m young and impressionable?”

“Something like that.” Lowering his lips, he kissed the tops of her breasts.

“I’m no babe in the woods.” She wrapped her legs around his waist, thrusting her hips into him.

“That I know.” He slipped his hand under her backside and pulled her to him, rubbing his erection against her. “I’m still not sure you can handle me.”

“Why don’t you let me try?” She lifted the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Her nipples hardened in his cool study. “You won’t be sorry.”

“Fuck.” Mesmerized by her naked breasts, he couldn’t move, or think or breathe. “You’re remarkable.”

“I’m yours.”

I’m going straight to hell..
.
Lowering her back on his desk, he dipped his head and circled his tongue over her aroused nipples. She sighed when he grazed his teeth along her breasts, alternating between her taunt buds. Her breathing picked up when he took her perfect round tits in his hands, pleasing her with his mouth and blowing warm air on her skin.

As he devoured her breasts, she moved her lower body fast against his cock. If she didn’t stop he was going to come in his pants. He couldn’t help himself. The rush of having her beneath him took over as he attacked her lips, thrusting his hips forward.

“That’s amazing,” she moaned between kisses as she tugged on his hair.

“I’m so fuckin’ hard for you right now.” He gathered her wrists in his hand and pinned them above her head. He succumbed to his raw need, rocking his lower body violently into hers. He reached for her ass and lifted her up, her hands still held captive above her. Watching her as she squeezed her eyes shut, her mouth slightly parted, she tensed beneath him.

“Chase.” Her cheeks were beautifully flushed from their interaction. Her nipples peaked and hardened as she cried out his name again. “Chase!”

He couldn’t stop staring at her as she came undone right there on his desk. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He leaned down, releasing her hands and covering her body with his as he kissed her jaw and lips.

“You’re gorgeous when you come,” he whispered against her lips.

“That’s never happened before.” She cupped the back of his neck in her hand and pressed her lips to his, claiming them as her own.

“What’s never happened before?”

“An orgasm.” She laughed as she tightened the hold on his waist with her legs. “I can’t wait to see what you can do for real.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you can make me come with my shorts on, just think what you can do once you’re inside me!” She reached for his belt buckle. “I think we need to find out.”

“No.” He grabbed her wrist to stop her. “How is it that you’ve never had an orgasm before?”

“Does it matter?”

She acted as if she was so experienced. He’d bought it too.

“I’ve only been with two guys – boys really. Most girls don’t have orgasms every time they have sex, especially not at my age. It takes an experienced man to make that happen.”

Shit!

“Why do you look so surprised?” she asked. “You should be happy you gave me my first.”

“We have to stop.” He shook his head as he came back to reality. “This can’t go any further.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m sorry.” He reached down and picked up her shirt. “Put this on.” He turned and gazed out the window while she put herself back together. What the hell had he been thinking? Why hadn’t he gone with his gut and kept his distance? Her audacious flirting had thrown him. He gave in to her seduction because she was alluring and relentless. He was supposed to have her best interest at heart.
Instead I almost took her on my desk like some kind of animal! What kind of man does that?

A sex obsessed one.

“Chase.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I thought you wanted us.”

“I did,” he whispered.
More than you could ever imagine.

“What changed?”

“I can’t be that selfish.” When he turned to face her, he was met with her bare chest. He fought the urge to just stare at her perfection. “Not where you’re concerned.”

“You’re not.” She placed her palm on his cheek. “You’re the most generous man I’ve ever met. You’ve given me everything.”

“I won’t take advantage of our situation, Tessa. No matter how convenient it may be. I didn’t move you in here to end up like we just did. That can’t happen.”

“Why?”

“It’s not what I want.” How could he do this without hurting her?

“I don’t believe that.”

“Please don’t make this harder than it has to be. I’m not the right guy for you. Please don’t mistake my generosity for something else.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Her blue eyes blazed with a fire he hadn’t seen in them before. “You wanted me just as much as I wanted you a few minutes ago! If I hadn’t opened my big mouth and told you I’d never come before, we’d be fucking right now – and probably really hard too.”

“Stop it.”

“No.” She placed her hands on her hips. “If you’re too stupid to see a good thing I’ll keep showing you until you get it through your thick skull!”

“I don’t want you to do that. It’s not going to happen. I made a mistake. I shouldn't have touched you.” His sexual appetite was huge. Way too big for her to handle. She may not have been the innocent he’d thought, but she wasn’t anything like the experienced women he was used to. The kind of women who would accommodate him in the bedroom and expect no emotional commitment. He’d practically ruined Audra and he didn’t intend to let that happen with Tessa. He learned his lesson when Audra had her melt down and had to leave.

“Don’t say that,” she said. “You wanted me. I felt it.”

“It doesn’t matter what I wanted. I was wrong. It won’t happen again.”

“Well if you don’t want me, there are plenty of guys who do!” She yanked her shirt down over her head. “You need to make up your fucking mind.” She pushed passed him and stormed across the room. “You might think I’m too young for you, but I’m old enough to know what I want. Who I want.”

“Tessa.”

She slammed the door behind her and he could hear her stomp all the way down the hall.

Fuck
!
This was too much. He was going to have to give in or cut her loose. There was no in between.