Chapter 12
Liam
I wasn’t the type to linger over moments, playing them over in my mind. It just wasn’t who I was. But I couldn’t forget my evening with Tess. If kissing her felt that way, how would exploring her in bed be? I wanted to keep her with me the whole night.
Spending time with her had been intoxicating. She actually listened to me when I spoke about Grandpa and that tough period of our lives. No one usually asked, and I wasn’t used to talking about it, but it felt so easy with Tess.
I sent her and Skye the revised contract that night after the show, but I hadn’t heard from them since.
Granted, I sent it Thursday evening and today was Monday, but I was getting impatient.
I didn’t want to be the one reaching out, though.
I knew when to push, and I knew when to wait.
I wanted the contract to be signed. Then I’d have free rein to pursue Tess.
“You getting old or something? You’re running slow today,” David said.
We met at seven o’clock three times a week, running before we started the day. We had showers at the brownstone and kept fresh clothes there so we could still be at work at a decent hour.
“No, just have a lot on my mind.”
“That hasn’t stopped you from beating my ass before.”
We always raced the last mile. I wasn’t going to let David beat me. He’d never stop bragging about it.
My lungs were struggling with the chilly air. Damn, it was cold for the end of September. If this weather trend continued, I’d only be able to keep up the running routine throughout October and November.
I pushed my thighs to move faster, then even faster on the pavement. I only looked back once I reached the front door of the brownstone. David was right behind me. My whole body was burning, but even that effort didn’t drown out thoughts of Tess.
“Only five seconds faster,” he said through loud panting. “I’ll catch up to you one day.”
I punched his shoulder. “No you won’t. Let’s get to work.”
David went to the shower first, and I headed to my office to retrieve the fresh clothes.
When I passed Dexter, he said, “You got a few calls while you were running.”
I always left the phone inside when I went on a run, and the intern’s first task was to check for any missed calls.
“I’ll look at them later.”
“But there is?—”
I didn’t hear the rest of the sentence, because I closed the door to my office. Tess was inside it. That was probably what Dexter was trying to say.
“Tess, what a surprise.”
I was drenched in sweat, and my shirt was clinging to me. Tess didn’t seem to mind as she slowly looked me up and down. I cocked a brow. She blushed.
Since she was so openly checking me out, I saw no reason to hold back. She was wearing a black dress, the same coat from the fashion show, and stilettos. All I wanted was to strip her of everything…except those red shoes.
“Sorry to barge in here like this, but your intern said you didn’t have any appointments this morning.”
“What can I do for you?”
She put her bag on the desk, taking a stack of papers out of it and placing them next to my laptop. “Skye and I signed the contract.”
“This is great news. Fantastic. But you didn’t have to bring them in person.”
“I know. I wanted to. I’m just so excited.” She clasped her hands together, smiling from ear to ear. “So, what are the next steps? When do we get the ball rolling? When can we show you the space we’re thinking about leasing? And start working on the new online shop?”
I smiled, reaching for the gym bag in the corner. Taking out a towel, I put it on my shoulders. “You don’t do anything in half measures, do you? First, you roasted my ass, but now that you’ve signed, you’re all in?”
Her smile dimmed a bit. “Yes, well, I am kind of known for doing everything…enthusiastically.”
She sounded a bit uncertain. Dropping the gym bag to the floor, I walked closer to her. “I like that a lot about you, Tess. Just as I like everything else. I’ll sign this morning, along with Becca and David. Then we can have a general meeting.”
“So, should I come back later with Skye? When you…have more clothes on?”
I smirked. “You have a problem with my outfit?”
“Yes. Your abs are on display. You know how distracting that is? All I can think about is touching them. Licking them.”
Fuck, is she trying to kill me? I was going to get a hard-on if she continued. Something told me that not only was Tess all on board with the contract, but she’d also made up her mind about us. And she was letting me know in her usual overexcited way.
I stepped even closer. “Tess…you can’t say those things to me right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not going to have you on my desk while I’m sweaty from a run.”
Her eyes widened before she narrowed them. “I see. So you like flirting, but only on your terms?”
“Yes.”
“See, that doesn’t work for me.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You don’t know how to handle me right now, do you?”
“No,” I admitted with a laugh.
She lifted her hand, touching my chest. I clasped her wrist and then the other.
Her eyes widened as I held her arms to one side and covered her mouth with mine.
She tasted like maple syrup and coffee, and I wanted to taste her all over.
I explored her mouth until I felt her squirm, then heard her moan.
I held her hands firmly, kissing her on my terms. I also didn’t want her touching me like I knew she wanted, because I had a raging hard-on already.
She parted her thighs, accommodating me.
I groaned in her mouth, letting go of her hands.
I needed to explore more than her mouth.
And I desperately needed her to do the same with me.
I pulled back only long enough to say, “Touch me. Tess, fuck. Touch me,” before kissing her again.
She slipped her hand between us, touching my erection. I nearly exploded at the contact. She teased me, rubbing two fingers up and down. I pressed her ass against the edge of the desk.
This was torture. Pure torture. Kissing her felt so good, but touching her waist and thighs was not nearly as satisfying.
She had too many clothes on. I moved my hand lower from her belly, applying pressure as I went farther down.
I touched her clit over her clothes, and her knees buckled.
She whimpered, tugging at my drenched shirt with her free hand.
Then she slipped her hand under it, tracing the lines of my abs with her fingers, just as she’d promised.
I was determined not to let her mouth anywhere on my body, because there would be no holding back then.
It wouldn’t take much to make her come. She was even more on edge than I was. But I didn’t want the first orgasm I gave her to be like this—quick, while she was still clothed.
I wanted it very dirty and very hard, but not here in the office.
I moved my hands back up her body. I was learning every curve even over her clothes, and I couldn’t wait to explore them again when she was naked.
She protested, taking her own hand away as well…
but then she rolled her hips, grinding against my erection, and I nearly toppled over her.
“Tess, babe.”
She brought her hand to the waistband of my shorts, but I stopped her, looking her straight in the eyes.
“Not here.” My voice was rough, like I hadn’t used it in a while.
I wanted to do things the proper way with her, and a quickie at the office definitely wasn’t the way to start things.
She deserved better. We were both acting on instinct right now, but I wanted to romance her a little first. I’d never even done that before, but I was certain she’d like it.
She was special to me in a way no one had been before.
I pulled away, taking a step back so I wouldn’t completely lose my head. “Tonight, I want us to celebrate signing the deal. Just you and me.”
She nodded, eyes slightly hooded. I felt victorious. The ink was dry on the papers, and nothing was going to stop me from making Tess mine.