15. Tessa
Chapter 15
Tessa
W ith a tired sigh, I walked up the garden path to my aunt’s house.
My brain was still whirring, thinking about basement mishaps and sabotaged railings.
Nasty pranks. That’s what it had to be.
The scent of flowers hit me. My aunt had a green thumb, and the patch of colorful blooms and rambling foliage always made me think of fairytales and elves hiding under bushes. Even now, at the end of summer when things were starting to drop their flowers and leaves, it still felt like magic.
We hadn’t had a house like this when she’d first taken me in. We’d lived in a small condo in the center of town. My parents’ house had been too big, and Aunt Emily hadn’t been able to afford the mortgage. Instead, she’d sold that house and bought a condo, then done everything she could to make it a home. I’d loved it. The room she’d decorated in pink and purple for me.
It wasn’t until she’d met Max, when I was thirteen, that things had changed. They’d fallen in love and gotten married. We’d moved to this house and before I’d known it, Emily was pregnant. I’d worried at first that having her own babies would mean she didn’t love me as much.
I smiled. It hadn’t happened. I’d ended up with an uncle I adored, and four cousins who occasionally drove me crazy, but whom I loved ridiculously.
It had been horribly unfair when Max had been killed in a construction accident three years ago. The kids had grieved so hard, had so much trouble understanding. It wasn’t something I’d ever wished for them to go through. My own experience hadn’t made me any better at helping them through their grief. I’d just loved them as hard as I could.
Things had been better this last year, although I knew Aunt Emily was lonely. She missed Max, and I knew from experience that would never go away.
At the door, I heard laughter and Haley squealing. That usually meant Caleb was pressing her buttons. I opened the door without knocking and the smell of roasting chicken hit me. They were the smells and sounds of home, and they soothed my rattled nerves.
“Hey, there’s my girl.” Emily turned from the stove and smiled. She was still gorgeous and the most beautiful person inside and out. Her blonde hair was the same shade as Haley’s and the few wrinkles she had, she told us, were thanks to her two oldest boys. They were her badges of courage. She was my mom’s sister, and she’d been blonde, too, but I’d inherited my dark hair from my dad.
“Hi.” I went over and just leaned into her. She smelled like lemons.
“Long day?”
“Yes.” With a groan, I sat on one of the stools at the wide, white island. Uncle Max had put it in when my cousins had all gotten bigger. It had become the heart of the home, and host to meals, impromptu lectures, homework, tantrums, tears, and laughter. “The big boss is here. Ambrose Langston.”
“Wow.” Emily stirred whatever was cooking on the stove. “Is he as delicious as he looks in all the pictures?”
“Yes. He looks like a Greek god come to life, slightly annoyed that he has to interact with people that can’t keep up with him.” I nabbed a piece of lettuce out of the salad bowl in front of me. The spicy zing of vinegar hit my taste buds.
“Well, he does run a large corporation,” Emily said. “I assume he’s used to people rushing to do whatever he needs.”
“But he’s not quite as bad as I’d imagined.”
“Oh?”
“We spent several hours together. He demanded a full tour of the hotel. He’s taking stock of what needs to be upgraded.” I was not planning to tell Emily just how well I knew the man.
“Well, that sounds promising.”
“He’s also considering whether or not to tear the place down.”
“Oh no.” Emily’s face filled with concern. “I’m sure you’ll convince him otherwise.”
I made a humming sound and felt the pressure build. So many people and their jobs depended on me. “I’ve been to a couple of Langston Hotels. They’re classy and glitzy, but that wouldn’t suit Windward. I’ve showed him all the best spots in the hotel, tried to explain the charm, what it means to people.”
Emily came over and stroked a hand over my hair. “My smart girl. All you need to do is what you do best.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it sounds like you told him all the good things about the Windward Resort, but you need to show him. Give him the experience so he feels it.”
Oh . I chewed on my lip, my brain firing. “Have I ever told you that you’re amazing?”
Emily smiled. “I don’t think you can ever tell me that too many times.”
I hugged her. “Well, you are. That’s a brilliant idea. Ro won’t know what hit him.”
“Ro?”
“Yes, that’s his name.”
My aunt studied me. “You like him.”
“What? Um… like I said, he isn’t quite as bad as I’d expected.”
My aunt made that humming noise that always annoyed me. Like she could read my mind and knew every naughty thing I’d done with Ro Langston.
“Aunt Em?—”
“Mom!” Caleb raced into the kitchen like a whirlwind. “Haley took my Pokémon cards. She messed them all up.”
Haley sauntered in, looking eight years old going on eighteen. “He called me a bad name. I’m not allowing that.” She crossed her arms.
Emily sighed. “Haley, give your brother his cards back. Caleb, don’t call your sister names. Both of you be nice, if you have a problem, discuss it.”
Haley slapped the cards on the counter with an aggrieved sigh. Then she spotted me. “Tessa!”
The next minute my arms were full of sweet little girl. “Hi.”
“Are you staying for dinner?”
I glanced at my aunt over Haley’s head.
“Stay,” Emily said. “There’s always plenty, and I feel like we never see enough of you lately.”
A cozy evening with the family was just what I needed.
An evening of not worrying about silly pranks at the hotel. Or a hot, annoying boss I couldn’t stop thinking about.
“I’ll stay.”
* * *
Oh God, he was wearing jeans.
Standing outside the hotel, near the bike tracks, I watched Ro walk toward me. The bright morning sun gleamed off him. He wore the denim well. The jeans hugged his long legs, and he wore a dark-blue polo shirt that was snug enough to cling to his lean chest and muscled biceps.
Life was so unfair.
“Tessa?” he asked in a quizzical tone.
I shook my head to clear it. “You’re wearing jeans.”
He arched a brow. “Someone reminded me that I couldn’t wear my suit this morning.”
“Right.” I was wearing a pair of stylish black pants and a camel-colored top in deference to our hike today. “And you’ve left your phone behind?”
He held up his empty hands. “As ordered.” He cocked his head. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere without my phone.”
“It’s good for your health.”
“How often are you without your phone?”
I wrinkled my nose.
His lips quirked. “I thought so.”
“Well, I don’t have it today, so let’s go.”
He fell into step beside me, shortening his longer strides to match mine. We walked past the bike track. There were already lots of people taking bikes off the rack, and others putting them back. I spotted Sierra and waved.
When Ro continued toward the hiking trails, Sierra rolled her eyes at me and pressed a palm to her chest like she was going to faint.
I scowled at her and shooed her off.
“We have a variety of trails. The one leading up to the cabin is fairly easy and not too steep. We wanted to make sure it was accessible for people of all different ages and abilities.” We headed into the trees, and the green, piney scent hit me. I breathed deeply. I loved that smell. “We have an ATV trail that we use to take anyone up who can’t manage the hike. Along with food and linens. We use a snowmobile in winter.”
As Ro moved up the path, his stride lengthened. I saw him breathe deeply, tension leaking out of him.
I smiled. My aunt was a genius.
We continued on in silence. It was the perfect weather for a hike. The sun felt warm, but not too hot. At least the dappled shade from the trees meant I wouldn’t get sunburned.
“I’m guessing you don’t get to do this much?” I asked.
He gave a dry laugh. “Try never.”
Yes, life got busy, and Ro’s seemed busier than most. I hadn’t done any hiking this summer, either.
We followed a bend in the path and the trees thinned out. “There it is.”
The cabin came into view. It was all rough-hewn logs, with a sturdy, stone chimney.
“It’s really nice. I can see why it’s booked frequently.” He looked around. “Is there the possibility to build more?”
My heart dropped. “It wouldn’t be so special if you had neighbors right next to you.”
His gaze narrowed. “I guess not.”
As we approached the cabin, we turned and had the perfect view of the valley. Windward was nestled in between the hills, and we had a great view of the resort. Warmth hit my chest. It looked picture-perfect. “Like it?”
“You know anyone would like this view.” He set his hands on his lean hips and studied the valley.
We walked toward the cabin. I’d already checked in with my staff to make sure they’d followed my instructions.
On the small porch was a wooden table and two chairs. The table was loaded with food. All the plates were covered with silver, domed lids.
“What’s this?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Brunch. Chef made eggs Florentine with smoked salmon, plus there is a selection of today’s freshly baked pastries.”
His amber gaze focused on me. “Eggs Florentine is my favorite. How could you know that?”
I gave him a smug look. “I have my ways, Mr. Langston. They make me very good at my job.”
He watched me with an intense look. “I’m starting to see that.”
“Come on, I’ll show you the cabin, then we can eat.” I pushed open the door.
Inside, the cabin was decorated in a modern, rustic style. There was a cozy living area off to the side. The overstuffed couch and armchair begged you to curl up and linger. But the large, four-poster bed dominated the space. It was made of warm wood and had white, gauzy hangings.
I tried not to think about being near Ro with a romantic, fairytale bed just feet away.
He pushed open a door and studied the bathroom. Riverstone accented the large walk-in shower, and a claw-foot tub sat under the window. It was very romantic.
Back in the living area, he passed the armchair and comfy couch that were in front of the fireplace, trailing his fingers over the fabric.
“It’s really nice, Tessa.”
I smiled. “Are you hungry?”
“I am now.”
We settled on the porch, and I pulled the lids off the dishes.
He sat back in his chair. “There’s a great view of the resort from here.”
“Yes. And the main part of Windward there.” I pointed.
“Where do you live?”
“East Windward. That’s where the locals make their homes.” I pointed. “It’s a little less glitzy.”
“You can escape the tourists when needed.”
“Yes.” I lifted a glass of juice and sipped. Then I lifted my fork and took a bite of perfectly cooked eggs. The lemony butter tang of the sauce hit my taste buds.
Ro ate his eggs and spinach, and relaxed even more.
“This is what I like to give our guests. The sensation of leaving their busy lives behind. Relaxing. Taking it slower. Taking everything in.”
His gaze leveled on me.
I plowed on. “The hotel was designed to fit Windward. Our guests love it. As you’ve mentioned, there are things that can be upgraded and improved, but if you knock it down and build something modern and glitzy…” I shook my head and reached a hand across the table. “You’ll be ruining this . This special something.”
His big hand closed over mine and I had to control my jolt. Sensations zipped through me.
“I think it would be a shame to knock it down,” he murmured.
I smiled, relief bursting inside me. “I knew you’d see the charm of the place.”
His lips quirked. “My hotel manager kind of beat me over the head with it.”
“With something this important, you can’t be subtle.”
He squeezed my hand then sat back in his chair, looking out at the view again.
Dammit, I missed the touch of his hand. No, Tessa. No touching.
“Do you come up here much?” he asked.
“No, it’s been a while. I forgot how lovely it is.” I closed my eyes and smiled. “You should see it in the winter. It’s magical.”
“So what do you do when you’re not busy working your magic at the resort?”
“To be fair, my work doesn’t leave me much free time. Between work, friends and family, my plate is full. I do try to ski in the winter. You?”
“Same. Between work, traveling for work, and…cleaning up my father’s messes, there’s not much time left.”
“You can describe it shorter if you say workaholic.”
He huffed. “It sounds like you are, as well.”
I shook my head. “No, like I said, I spend time with my family and friends. I share meals with my aunt and cousins. I spend time with my girlfriends. We try new cocktail recipes with varying results. But I do love my work.”
“I do, too. Being a hotelier is in my blood. And running a hotel is in yours. We have something in common.”
I laughed. “I never thought I’d have something in common with a billionaire.”
“How many billionaires do you know?”
“Ah, one. Including you.”
“So you shouldn’t generalize.”
“I guess not.” I rested my elbows on the table. “What do you love about your work?”
He didn’t hesitate. “The variation. The hotel buildings are different, in different cities, different countries, different locales. One day I can visit one perched on a wide river, and the next, one nestled in the mountains. Everywhere you go there are different people who work there and who visit. I also love the challenge of making it all work.”
I blinked. A lot of those things were why I liked my job.
“Most of all, I like proving that I’m nothing like my father.” He shook his head and reached for a thermos resting on the table. “I hope this is filled with coffee.”
“Of course.”
He poured a cup. “For you?”
“The smaller thermos is for me.”
He opened it and sniffed, then frowned.
“Chai tea. I like my morning coffee, but if I drink it all day, I’m too wired.”
He poured a cup and handed it to me.
After taking a sip, I cleared my throat. “Caden’s looking into the railing?”
Ro nodded, his face turning serious. “He’s scouring CCTV footage, but mostly I’ve heard a lot of complaining about poor angles and not enough cameras.”
“I agree the security system could be improved. Enzo’s been onto me about it for a while.”
Ro set his mug down. “I will find the person responsible for these pranks. It seems innocent enough, but you could have been seriously hurt.”
“I wasn’t. Thanks to you.”
“The next time, we might not be so lucky.” He grabbed my hand again. “I will ensure your safety, Tessa. And the safety of your staff and the guests.”
“And you.”
His brows creased.
“You’re the target, Ro. I mean, nothing like this has happened before.”
His face hardened. “Caden had mentioned there’d been some hate mail since the acquisition.”
I gasped.
“It’s normal. It happens. Whoever’s responsible for the pranks, they clearly don’t care who gets hurt. I’m not going to let it continue.”
I suppressed a shiver. The steel in his voice told me that he was very used to getting his own way. Something occurred to me. “Several days ago, before the Mountain Masquerade, someone slashed the Langston Hotels banner we had in the lobby.”
He frowned. “You think it could be related?”
“Maybe?”
“I’ll let Caden know.”
I really hated the idea that someone had their sights set on Ro. Then I realized that he was stroking my hand. His fingers moved up, rubbing over my pulse point. My pulse was already going haywire from being this close to him.
Those amber eyes flicked up, and they looked warm. “Your pulse is racing.”
I sucked in a breath. “Is it?”
He shifted closer, his legs bumping against mine.
“Ro, we were ignoring this,” I murmured. “Putting it behind us.”
“It doesn’t seem to be working.”
My pulse tripped. “This…doesn’t work for either of us. You’re the boss, I’m the manager of your hotel, it…”
“I know all of that, but I still feel this crazy tug.” His fingers circled around my palm and I shivered. “I know you feel it, too.”
I shook my head.
“Surely you aren’t lying to me, Ms. Ashford. You promised not to.”
“This is crazy. You’re…you. I’m me. You’re my boss.”
“Boss’ boss’ boss’ boss. Do you feel coerced?” Something flickered across his face. “I’d never force?—”
I gripped his hand. “I don’t feel coerced, Ro. God, we just both know this is a bad idea.”
He leaned closer, his gaze on my lips. “Does it feel bad?”
His scent wrapped around me. Tantalizing and pure temptation. I remembered everything he’d done to me on that stolen night at the masquerade. My fingers curled around his. “No. It feels too good.”
He groaned. “I know. I smell that green apple scent of yours and I go hard. I wonder if it’s your perfume, or shampoo.”
I swallowed. “It’s my moisturizer.”
He groaned. “Every time I see you…everything seems a little brighter, a little better.”
My chest filled with warmth. “ Ro …”
We both moved. I cupped his stubbled cheeks, and his arm swept around me.
Our mouths touched and then…I lost my mind. I opened my mouth and kissed him.
The taste of him slammed into me. It was hot spice tangled with need. With a low groan, he pulled me closer, his tongue stroking mine.
Before I knew it, I was in his lap. I straddled him, my knees either side of his hips. I slid my hands into his hair. More . I needed more. As we kissed, everything felt magnified: every stroke, every caress, the hard press of his body. Electricity zapped through me and I felt it everywhere. From my lips to my toes.
His hands skated down my back, cupped my ass. Yes . I undulated against him. I wanted him to touch me everywhere. I wanted those hands on my bare skin, I wanted to tear his clothes off and touch that chest. I wanted him inside me again. Desperately.
Something fell off the table and clattered to the ground.
I jerked and yanked my mouth from his.
We both stared at each other.
“What do you want, Tessa?”
I licked my lips. I wasn’t fooling myself. Ignoring him, ignoring this attraction, wasn’t working.
I wanted him.
So much I ached.
“It’s your call,” he murmured.
I’d always been the good girl. I hadn’t wanted to add to Emily’s burden, so I’d done everything I could to get good grades, follow the rules, never step out of line. I was always solving everyone’s problems.
Why not take care of myself for once? Take something I wanted.
Ro wouldn’t be here forever. I ignored the little sting that gave me. We could enjoy whatever this was between us, then both walk away satisfied. He didn’t stay in one place very long. Didn’t get attached.
And I had more than enough responsibilities and commitments.
“You,” I murmured. “I want you.”
He growled and kissed me again. His mouth was hot against my lips, then trailed down my jaw, igniting shivery sensations everywhere. “All I’ve been thinking about is tasting you again.”
He rose and lifted me into his arms. I grabbed his shoulders, then before I could process, he was carrying me inside. He shouldered through the door to the cabin and slammed it shut behind us.
The next thing I knew, I was lying on that romantic bed. I looked up at him, and the stark desire on his face, and my heart kicked in my chest.
Then his hands were tugging at my pants. He unclipped my radio and tossed it on the rug. Then he tore open the button and zipper, yanked my pants down my legs, followed by my panties. Air locked in my lungs, need twisting in my belly. He shoved my legs apart.
Oh, God . I could barely breathe, I was so turned on.
He pressed one knee to the bed. His hot gaze raked over me. It was like a touch, and I fought the urge to squirm.
Leaning over me, he pressed my hands above my head, pinning them to the covers.
“Don’t move these, Ms. Ashford.” His voice was low, hot. “Look at you.” He moved down my body, fingers shoving my top up to uncover my lace-covered breasts. One hand squeezed my left breast, and I moaned. Then his warm breath puffed over my stomach.
His lips moved over my skin and my body arched.
“So beautiful,” he murmured.
Then his head was between my thighs.
I cried out. He licked me, the heat of his lips and tongue making me jerk. I twisted on the bed covers. “ Ro .”
“Keep those hands where I put them,” he growled.
My hands twisted in the covers.
“So sweet. Just like I remember. The sweetest honey.” His hands slid under my ass, squeezing.
I rocked up into his devastating mouth. He sucked on my clit, then shifted to light, teasing licks. I moaned, whimpered, and stared blindly at the gauzy hangings above. Then I felt his fingers between my legs; they slid deep. I arched.
“ Ro .” I was so close to coming.
“ Fuck .” He sucked me harder, his fingers fucking me. “I’ve wanted so much to hear you say my name while we were doing this.” He lapped at me. “My biggest regret the night of the masquerade was that I didn’t know your name.” He closed his mouth on my clit and need battered me. “Come, Tessa.”
My climax hit in a wild rush—hot, almost painful. I sobbed out his name and everything went white as the pleasure washed over me.
When I could function again, I was lying wrecked on the bed. My limbs felt heavy, my belly warm. He looked down at me and looked very smug.
I smiled lazily.
He skimmed a hand up my thigh, rubbing teasing circles on my skin.
Mmm, I should probably care that I was practically naked and splayed out for him while he was still fully clothed. But the way my belly clenched, I decided it was just hot.
Plus, it gave me all kinds of ideas of what I wanted to do next. Starting with taking his clothes off.
That’s when I heard the squawk of the radio. Someone was calling my name.
Jolting, I sat up. “Shit.” I scrambled to the edge of the bed.
“Tessa, are you there?” a voice said over the radio.
Naked, I snatched it up. “I’m here, Archie.”
“We had problems with a food order and some things didn’t arrive. Chef Harvey is losing his mind.”
I sighed. Our chef wasn’t temperamental often, but when he did throw a tantrum, they were spectacular. I was the only one who could talk him down. “I’ll be there shortly.” I glanced at Ro.
“Duty calls.” He straightened.
My gaze arrowed straight to his erection. I couldn’t look away. He had a very large bulge in the front of his jeans. One I very much wanted to explore.
A finger curled under my jaw and tipped my face up. “You need to stop looking at me like that.”
“I wasn’t ready to cut this short.”
“I didn’t have a condom anyway.”
I blushed. “Um, I have some in my emergency kit.”
He smiled. “Of course you do. Watching you come was pleasure enough for me.”
I blushed even harder.
“I love this pale skin of yours.” He brushed the backs of his fingers over my cheek.
“Ro—”
“Don’t overanalyze, Tessa. This isn’t going away, and we’ll deal with it.” He smiled. “And we’ll have a very enjoyable time while we do that. This has nothing to do with our work. Neither of us is making any promises or having unrealistic expectations. And this has no impact on the hotel or your job. Understood?”
He was using his bossy tone again. Funny that I sort of liked it now. “Understood.”
“We’d better get back so you can talk your chef off the ledge.”