16. Tessa
16
TESSA
T he savory aroma of garlic and herbs fills the kitchen as Ronan moves around, expertly slicing vegetables and stirring a simmering pot of sauce. I sit on the counter across from him, sipping a glass of wine that he poured for me, my bare feet swinging as I watch him work. There’s something fascinating about the way he commands even the simplest tasks, like cooking dinner. He’s so… competent. It’s annoyingly attractive.
“You know,” I say with a smirk, “for a broody mafia guy, you’re surprisingly domestic. And yet you probably still have a gun hidden on your body somewhere.”
He glances up at me, one brow arching as he wipes his hands on a towel. “Domestic, huh?”
I grin, taking another sip. “Yeah. It’s cute.”
His lips twitch, and I can tell he’s trying not to smile. “I’m not cute.”
“Uh-huh. You are. You’re totally cute. In fact, I think I’m going to text my friends and tell them how cute you are.”
“Little girl, you’re being quite sassy tonight. You better watch it. And don’t you dare text your friends and call me cute.”
“Oh, really?” I tease, picking up my phone.
He turns fully toward me, his dark eyes narrowing in that way that sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m starting to think you want me to turn your ass red.”
Heat spreads over my cheeks and down my chest. I don’t know why I’m being so sassy, but it’s actually pretty fun, and part of me wants to see what he’ll do. If he’ll actually act on his threats. “You’re all talk, Daddy.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve poked the bear too much. His expression shifts, his jaw tightening just enough to make my heart skip a beat. Before I can process what’s happening, he’s across the kitchen, grabbing my wrist and pulling me off the counter.
“Ronan!” I yelp, laughing as he spins me around and presses me forward, my hands landing on the cool granite of the island. “What are you doing?”
“My name is Daddy, and I’m teaching you a lesson,” he says, low and steady like this is the most natural thing in the world. “This is what happens when naughty Little girls get too mouthy for their own good.”
“Wait—” My protest is cut off by the sound of his palm connecting with my backside, a sharp but playful slap that sends a jolt of heat rushing through me right to my clit.
“Too late for waiting, brat. You get to see what it’s like to have a hot, stinging ass.” He delivers another smack over my leggings.
“Daddy!” I twist slightly to look at him, trying to fight a smile as I do. He presses me down with a hand on my lower back.
“What was that?” he asks, his voice taking on a teasing edge. “Were you about to say something sassy again?”
I bite my lip, my mind racing. “Maybe.”
The next smack is harder, making me gasp and squirm against his hold. My heart is pounding, and my breaths come faster as I realize how much this is affecting me. I try to tell myself it’s just playful, but when his hand stills on my back and he leans down, his breath warm against my ear, I know there’s more to it.
“You’re squirming,” he murmurs, his tone dark and knowing. “Is that because you’re sorry or because you like this?”
“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammer.
He hums, his hand sliding to the waistband of my leggings. “Let’s see, then.”
Before I can protest, he tugs my leggings down, exposing my black lace panties. I let out a small, mortified squeak, my face burning as the cool air hits my skin.
“Interesting,” he says, brushing his fingers over the crotch of the fabric. “Your panties are damp, baby girl. Care to explain why?”
I squeeze my eyes shut, biting my lip to keep from making a sound. The mix of embarrassment and arousal is overwhelming, and I can’t think straight with his hand so close, his voice so calm and commanding.
“Nothing to say now?” he asks as his thumb runs along the edge of the lace. “You seemed to have plenty to say earlier.”
“I—” My voice falters when his hand returns to my backside, delivering another firm round of smacks that sting much more than they did when my leggings were covering me.
“You’re going to behave now, aren’t you?”
I nod, words failing me completely.
“Good girl.” His hand lingers for a moment before he pulls my leggings back into place.
Then he adds salt to the wound and steps up behind me, his hard cock pressing against my needy core. He wraps his hand around my waist and flexes his hips, grinding against the perfect spot that has me seeing stars. I push back, looking for more friction, but as soon as I do, he chuckles and moves away.
“Naughty girls don’t get pleasure. I guess you better think about that next time.”
Well, shoot. That totally sucks.
I t’s been three days since Ronan and I decided to have a real relationship. In that time, I’ve slept beside him every night, yet we haven’t done anything other than kiss. It’s driving me to drink.
Which is why I’m in Cali’s spacious living room after our girls’ lunch, with a full glass of wine, the air filled with laughter and chatter. Paige, Cali, Scarlet, Chloe, Paisley, Katie, and Anastasia are all sprawled across the couches and floor, each with their own glass in hand and a sparkle in their eyes that says we’re all well on our way to being drunk.
“I’m just saying,” Cali starts, her voice full of mischief, “Declan may be the boss in the mafia, but in the bedroom, I call the shots.”
Scarlet snorts, nearly spilling her wine. “Yeah, right. I’ve seen the way you look at him. He raises one eyebrow and you’re ready to do whatever he says.”
“Excuse me!” Cali protests, though her grin betrays her. “I allow it. Big difference.”
The group erupts into laughter, and I take a sip of my wine, smiling as I watch them. It’s easy to feel at ease with these women. They’re wild, confident, and absolutely ridiculous in the best way.
“So, Tessa,” Paisley says, turning her attention to me. “What about you and Ronan? How’s that… arrangement going? What kind of kinky fuckery are you guys doing in bed?”
The room quiets just slightly, all eyes turning to me. My cheeks heat under their gazes.
“It’s… good,” I reply, fidgeting with the stem of my glass.
“Good?” Cali asks. “Have you two… you know?” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively, leaving no doubt about what she means.
I choke on my wine, coughing as Scarlet thumps me on the back. “I, uh…” My voice trails off, and I glance down, wishing I could disappear into the couch. “I—I’ve never done that. With anyone.”
The room goes silent for a moment, and then, all at once, they start talking over each other.
“You’re a virgin?!” Scarlet practically yells.
“That’s so sweet!” Cali says, clasping her hands together. “I was a virgin when I got with Declan, too. The man goes feral over the fact that he’s the only man I’ve been with.”
“Oh, honey, you’ve got to fix that,” Katie tells me, shaking her head.
“Ronan is probably dying,” Paige adds, laughing. “Hold out a bit longer. Bring him to his knees.”
“Guys!” I hold up my hands to stop the chaos. “I know, okay? I want to. I just don’t know how to… you know, bring it up. Or what to do. We’ve had moments of… excitement, but he always pulls away. He knows I’m a virgin, and he’s holding back or something.”
“Well, first of all,” Scarlet says, leaning in like she’s about to share state secrets, “you’ve got to seduce him.”
“Seduce him how?” I ask, already regretting the question.
Scarlet grins. “Wear something sexy. Like lace. Or nothing at all. Men love that.”
“Or just show up naked,” Chloe suggests, giggling. “That always works.”
“Latex. Kieran loves it when I wear latex dresses,” Paisley chimes in.
“Ew, that’s my brother. Can we not talk about your sex life with Kieran, please?” Chloe asks.
“Cook him dinner and then casually spill wine on yourself, so he has to help you clean up,” Cali says.
The room dissolves into laughter, everyone doubling over as wine sloshes in our glasses. I don’t know if I’ll be taking their advice, but I’ve got to try something because I’m about ready to break the rule about touching myself without permission. I know Ronan wants me; I just don’t know why he’s holding back.
When we finally get control of ourselves, Cali turns on the enormous TV. “Who wants to watch Beauty and the Beast?”
Hours later, we’re all lying around the room, tipsy and giggling uncontrollably, while another movie plays that none of us are really paying attention to. Paige is passed out on the couch, Cali and Scarlet are arguing about who can drink more, and I’m stretched out on the floor, staring at the ceiling and wondering how I’m going to seduce Ronan.
I’m fighting to keep my eyes open, laughing at something Katie said that I can’t even make sense of when the men walk in—Declan, Killian, Bash, Kieran, Grady, Patrick, and Ronan. They stop in their tracks, taking in the scene of their drunk, giggling women.
“What the hell happened here?” Declan asks, sounding a mix of amusement and exasperation.
“Girls’ day!” Cali announces, raising her glass.
Ronan’s gaze locks on me, and I feel a fresh wave of heat flood my cheeks. He crosses the room in a few strides and crouches beside me. “Tessa, baby,” he says, his voice low yet amused, “are you drunk?”
“Maybe,” I mumble, holding my index finger and thumb close together for him to see. “Just a little.”
He chuckles, scooping me up effortlessly. “Let’s get you home, baby girl.”
As he carries me out, I hear Paisley call after me, “Don’t forget! Latex!”
I groan, burying my face in Ronan’s chest as he laughs. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing.” I gently tap my index finger on the tip of his nose, earning me a stern glare. “You’re cute, you know?”
“Do you really want to start calling me cute again, naughty girl?”
Whoops. Probably shouldn’t do that.
My smile turns into a wide grin as I giggle and bury my face against his chest. “Sorry, Daddy.”
When we get home, he takes me right upstairs and tucks me into bed, brushing a kiss on my forehead.
“Sleep, baby. I’ll be downstairs when you wake up.”
W hen I wake a few hours later, the weight of everything—the laughter, the teasing, the ridiculous advice—hits me.
I want him. I want this .
With my heart pounding, I slide out of bed, smoothing my hands over my hair as I make my way into the bathroom. I need to brush my teeth and freshen up before I face him.
When I finally make my way downstairs, he’s sitting on the couch, a book in hand and those fuck-me glasses on. As if he senses me, he looks up the moment I appear.
“Feeling better?” he asks, his gaze soft.
“Ronan,” I say, my body trembling. “I want to talk.”
He sets the book aside, leaning forward. “About what, baby girl?”
“I want to have sex… with you. Please.”
His eyes darken, and I see the shift in him immediately. “Come here, Little one.”
And just like that, I know I’ve made the right choice.