Chapter 18 #2
I waited while Tessa let herself inside.
Then I walked away, hopped in my truck, and drove home.
For some foolish reason, I thought it would feel like I barely had enough time to do what I needed to do before I had to leave to return to Tessa.
The entire day had flown by, so I suspected that wouldn’t have changed.
Unfortunately, it seemed it was only when I was with Tessa that time passed in a flash.
After finding ways to kill time at home, I finally left to return to Tessa’s place. I’d been so ready to see her that I hadn’t prepared myself the way I should have. I knew what to expect, and yet, I was still left stunned.
Tessa opened the door, and I stopped breathing.
The dusty pink dress against her flawless sun-kissed skin was perfection.
My eyes scanned her from top to toe and back again, lingering for a while on her legs.
The silk dress stopped around mid-thigh and molded to her hips and breasts like a second skin.
Heart pounding, I swallowed roughly. “Tessa…”
“Do you like it?” Her sweet smile and delicate features could’ve brought me to my knees.
“Cars have always been my favorite thing,” I revealed. “Until now. Over the last couple of weeks, I have a new favorite thing.”
“What is it?”
“This front door.” I watched the surprise leak onto her features. “More specifically, you opening this front door to me. I never know what I’m going to see when you do, but never once have I not been pleased.”
“I… I’ve opened this door in a nightie before, Ace.”
My lips curved into a slow smile. “Now you understand why I love seeing you open the door to me.”
I watched the pink creep over her skin before I stepped forward, closed the door behind me, and did what I’d wanted to do every time I stood on the other side of it over the last several weeks. Did precisely what I’d done when I’d gotten the opportunity this morning.
My arm went around her waist and hauled her body against mine. A hand went into her hair as her palms landed on my chest. Gripping a fistful of her hair, I angled her head and whispered, “You look stunning, Tessa.”
I didn’t wait for her to reply before capturing her mouth with mine.
As my tongue dipped inside her mouth, even the scent of her consumed me.
And though I’d done my best to remain a gentleman all day, I lost a bit of my control.
My hand at her waist glided along the smooth material of her dress and over the curve of her ass.
Tessa moaned, pressing her body closer to mine.
That was the moment I knew I had to stop.
If I didn’t, this was going to go places I wasn’t sure she was entirely ready for.
Begrudgingly, I tore my mouth from her lips and rested my forehead against hers. Tessa was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as quickly as my heart was pounding.
When I dared to look into her eyes, I could see the desire swirling in them. It was a relief to know she was just as affected by this as I was, that it wasn’t my arousal pressing against her lower belly that was the only evidence of want and need between us.
“We should go,” I urged her, my voice strained. “Please tell me you’re ready.”
“I just need one minute, and I will be.”
Releasing her, I waited by the door. If I followed behind her as she walked away from me, that gorgeous ass and those beautiful legs beckoning me, we’d never make it to dinner.
Our drive to the restaurant was mostly quiet. I couldn’t speak for Tessa, but my mind was still back at that front door. So, I used the silence to give myself the chance to calm things down in my head.
By the time we were seated at the restaurant, the sexual tension had eased enough for us to look at one another and not lose our minds.
Tessa looked up from her menu. “Is it okay if I—”
“Order all the appetizers you want, Princess.”
“How did you know?”
Chuckling, I said, “I’ve known you my whole life. Maybe I haven’t eaten every meal with you, but I’ve been there enough times to know what you like. And you don’t do dinner out anywhere without ordering more appetizers than any one reasonable person could need.”
“First of all,” Tessa said, narrowing her eyes on me. “Appetizers are meant for everyone at the table. I’m not ordering them just for myself.”
“And second of all?”
“Appetizers allow for variety. Who wants to have just one thing to choose from when you’re out having dinner that you didn’t need to cook?”
I arched a brow. “So, it’s safe to say you like a little spice in your life?”
Tessa licked her lips, and I thought that perhaps she knew precisely what she was doing to me. “You’re the one who’s known me my whole life. You tell me.”
“Alright, here are your drinks. Are you ready to order?”
I couldn’t decide if I was grateful for the intrusion or not. Despite her lack of experience, Tessa was certainly becoming bolder with her flirting and attempts at seduction.
“We’d like to order a couple of appetizers,” I said.
“Sure. What can I get for you?”
I turned my attention to Tessa. Her face lit up. “You’re going to share with me, right?”
I wasn’t fully convinced I’d have turned her down if she’d asked me to commit murder. “Yes, I’ll share with you.”
If it was possible, she smiled even brighter. “I’d like to order the creamy crab dip, the firecracker shrimp, and...” Her eyes darted to mine, and she nibbled on her lip. “And I think that’s it.”
“That’s not it.”
“It’s fine, Ace. Really.”
“What else do you want, Tessa?”
She shook her head, her eyes going to something on the menu.
“Princess, look at me.” Tessa tipped her chin up and brought her gaze to mine. “What do you want?”
“Crab cakes,” she murmured.
I looked at the server. “Add the crab cakes, too, please.”
“Of course. Did you want me to put those in and come back for your entrees, or are you ready to order those now as well?”
“Are you ready, Tessa?”
She nodded. “I’ll have the Caesar salad with the salmon and a side of fries.”
“Perfect. And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the ribeye with the lobster mashed potatoes and a house salad.”