Taming Tessa Page 3

  She hadn’t meant to piss him off, but she always seemed to rub him the wrong way. “Okay.”

  He sat down and began to eat, glancing at her from time to time. “What?”

  “I like it.” That wasn’t a lie, and she smiled, chewing the slightly dry bread. “I’ll clean up after we eat.”

  “I have a dishwasher.” He poured two cups of coffee from the carafe he’d set on the table, sipping his, and shoving the creamer across the table. “I hope you don’t take sugar.”

  She didn’t ask why. He was a man alone and probably didn’t eat at home often.

  “No, this is great like it is.” Tessa ate quickly, finishing her soup like a starving kid. “May I have a refill?”

  She held her bowl out to him.

  “Got plenty and you can help yourself.”

  While she refilled her bowl, she tried to make conversation. “What do you do with your spare time, Jack?”

  He got up and set his bowl in the sink. “You don’t have to make small talk.” His dark gaze made a quick survey of her before he spoke again. “Finish your meal. I’m going to see what the forecast is.”

  Just how hot did he find her?

  His coolness was wearing thin and he’d find out between now and morning she wasn’t to be ignored. He’d go down in flames.

  Finishing the soup wasn’t hard. It was delicious. After polishing off a second sandwich, she sought out the man she’d soon call her own.

  She found him in the living room, deeply absorbed in something on his laptop.

  He looked so comfortable, she wanted to mess with his bear trap mind. She barely earned a glance from him upon her entrance.

  “What are you doing?” She smirked, hoping to get a response from him. “Writing to Mommy?”

  “Since there’s nothing going on here, I’m finishing up some things I should have gotten to earlier.” He grimaced, apparently losing his concentration. “It’s called work.”

  He was insulting her, not subtly, but mean and angrily.

  “There’s nothing going on here because you’re a jerk.” Tessa wanted to throw a chair at him for all his hateful comments. “Let’s get this clear between us. I wouldn’t fuck a man like you. You probably don’t know how to do anything but grunt.”

  Her tirade ended and he stared at her with a grin. “Well damn, Tessa.” He closed the laptop. “Is that what you’re accustomed to?”

  “This isn’t about me.” She glared at him. “You seem to think I want in your pants. That’s a laugh. I don’t like horseshit on my sheets.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He turned the sound up on the TV. “I told you no strings and I meant it.”

  She couldn’t stop. Tessa hated the condescending tone of his voice. She’d heard it all her life.

  “Thank you so much, Jack.” She glanced out triple windows that overlooked a small yard. It was dark and she was stung by the loneliness creeping around her. “See to it you stay in your own room and don’t accidently wander into mine.”

  She stomped off to take the stairs two at a time, afraid he’d have a nasty comeback for her warning.

  God, she hadn’t meant any of it. She couldn’t stop the tug of war being waged inside her. The more he resisted, the hotter her blood flamed for him.

  Stripping in his bathroom was unbelievably erotic and her nipples peaked as she caught her image in the vanity mirror. She stepped into the tub and let it fill to her chin, sniffing the soap she’d taken from the plain white dish on the tub rim. She’d never wanted to lick soap before, but this smelled like him.

  Turning the bar over in her palms, the aroma burst around her like a storm of desire, the bubbles sliding down her arms to her breasts. Rubbing the soap over her body was arousing and fired the need for sex in every part of her body.

  Desire throbbed between her legs and she slid the soap down to press it to her pussy, drawing it up and down against her clit. Hard and slick, just the way he would be.

  Damn it! She wasn’t going to get herself off before he came upstairs. Waiting would only heighten the enjoyment of hearing him beg.

  Chapter Four

  Jack tried to forget Tessa, didn’t want to think about her being upstairs, doing only Lord knew what.

  He watched the weather, the sole story in town. Snow all night, snow all day tomorrow, and maybe a break the next day.

  That meant he’d be holed up with a tiger for several days and she wasn’t easy to live with. What on earth had possessed him, sent him running to bring her home like a kid after a stray puppy?

  He’d known from day one she had her hooks into him. There simply hadn’t been a time he could let it be known how hard he was for her, what with all her traveling and playboy escorts.

  She’d sent out little signals that she was interested, giving him her best come hither smiles and on occasion, rubbing against him if the chance came about. But he wouldn’t be second man on the totem pole. Only once had they had a few minutes alone, at a fancy cocktail party Drake had invited him to.

  The crowd was noisy and getting loaded. He’d turned down enough hash to make a mint if he took it to the streets. All around him were red-faced sloppy men and skinny, high women. The scene was straight out of his college days.

  He was getting ready to leave when out of the blue, Tessa was walking toward him. Alone, she’d been flirtatious and hot enough to melt his hair. One second away from him asking her for a date, her well oiled, model-looking date came to collect her.

  That had been months ago. He’d learned a lot about her in that time, things he didn’t want to know. She liked to party, sometimes drank too much, and ran with a well-heeled, anything goes crowd. She wouldn’t give him the time of day and he didn’t ask.

  He yawned, tired of sitting downstairs and feeling too intimidated to go to his bedroom.

  Hell with that, he was going to bed.

  At the top of the stairs, he noticed that her door was open and the lights blazed.

  He didn’t care what she did as long as she was quiet about it. Maybe he should tell her goodnight, see if she needed anything.

  Sucker. You haven’t thought of anything but getting in bed with her. Ask for that.

  He went to his room but left the door open in case she needed him. Jack couldn’t believe his growing concern for Tessa. She’d rip his balls off just for laughs if the mood hit her.

  After a quick shower, he dried in a hurry, glad to be home and out of the storm. He was accustomed to having the house to himself and walked around with no concern about being naked.

  He reached for the switch on the bedside lamp, but her voice stopped him.

  “I like the lights on.”

  He didn’t grab his stuff or try to cover up. She had invaded his privacy. When he turned around, he saw Tessa wearing the thinnest champagne-colored gown he’d ever seen.

  He didn’t care if she saw his dick slap his belly. That’s what she intended. “Tessa, I thought I made myself clear.”

  She was within reach but didn’t touch him, releasing the laces that were crisscrossed over her full breasts. “You said no strings attached. I’m making sure.”

  He’d made that crazy statement, hadn’t he?

  “You’re doing a good job, Tessa.” He stood where he was, hands on his hips. “Damn good.”

  Hot blood thundered through his body, making him aware of her, not just that she was there, but the perfume in her hair, the pulse in her temple. He could feel the soft heat from her smooth skin, the slight tremble in her slender body.

  She smiled the way he’d dreamed about, the kind that said she was wet for him.

  Her fingers plucked the laces free, not reaching for the gown as it fell to the floor.

  Jack forgot his naked body was laid bare for her to approve or disapprove. He didn’t care if she just wanted sex. That’s all he wanted. Lots of it.

  She moved toward him with a teasing smile. “I’ve wanted this for a very long time, Jack.”

  He pulled her in
to his arms, wanting her with a hunger he’d pushed away for far too long. She sighed with a softness he’d never thought she possessed.

  “You’re so damn hot, Tessa.” He lost all control of his tongue and cock while she plastered her slender body to him. “Are you wild cat or kitten tonight?”

  For a fraction of a second, her tawny eyes narrowed. “If I don’t come four times, I’m all tiger.”

  “Promises, promises.” He picked her up and laid her on his bed. “Only four times?” He dropped onto the bed to gaze at her before pulling her arm around his neck.

  She laughed her ball-squeezing laugh and touched his cock. “I’ll be easy on you this time.”

  He was rock hard and her fingers on him shoved him toward climax. “I have a present for you, baby.”

  If he didn’t pleasure her first, he wouldn’t last through one stroke. She knew what he intended and relaxed her legs. Damn, he’d always imagined she’d have a sweet pussy, but his greed wouldn’t let him admire the cake before he bent to taste it.

  * * * *

  His tongue barely touched her clit after he opened her wet folds to lick them slowly, driving her crazy with the occasional touch to her aching bud.

  She tried to pull his face to her pussy, but he held her hand and went on with his torture. “I want it all…right now.”

  “You only get four chances, honey.” He sat up and pulled her legs over his shoulders. He was smiling at her and she wanted to claw his hard-muscled belly. Sweet heaven, what was he doing to her?

  He stroked her folds with his tongue, nipping her clit occasionally, each little nibble sending fire through her body.

  Her heart skipped several beats while his long fingers stroked her into a fever pitch of need to be fucked. He didn’t listen to her, went on with his maddening tease. She bucked her hips to take in his fingers, clenching around him to keep the delicious fire close.

  She was so close to coming, yet he knew how to hold her off, burying his face between her legs to suck her pussy lips into his mouth. He pulled her clit between his teeth and bit, gently but enough to make her scream as the hot sizzles of fuck-me shot up her backbone.

  She tried to sit up, reaching for his dick, but he took her hand and squeezed her fingers. “Are you ready for number one?”

  “Yes, damn you.” She was more than ready, wrapping her arms around his neck when he lay down to cover her trembling body. “Make me come, Jack.”

  His cock throbbed in her hand and she fantasized about the feel of it inside her. Large and hot, ridged with full veins and a slick head she wanted to taste.

  His scent hypnotized her, drove her to the brink of sexual desire. Her lips swelled with the blood of passion, yielded to his closing over hers. His kiss was deep and searching, rough, sweet, and promising. She wanted him, wanted him inside her slick pussy and around her with his hard body.

  The tip of his cock brushed her clit and she gasped, pulling down on his hips. Pleasure coursed through her, delicious quivers spiraling from her pussy to her mouth making her laugh with ecstasy.

  He was solid, his olive body honed to perfection and he pumped like a well-oiled machine, driving deeper and harder, taking her out of reality. She rose up in flames, riding a wild wind and clinging to him to stay on earth.

  “Jack…Jack…I’m coming...Jack!”

  She dug her nails into the hard flesh of his ass while he thrust into her. The desire to never let him finish consumed her so much that her legs hugged his waist, his energy pulling her up to his belly.

  This was what she wanted, being in bed with the man she couldn’t win and could never forget.

  No, remember he doesn’t want you, he’s only having sex with you.

  God, she wanted him to desire her, but more than that, she wanted him to fall in love with her.

  Chapter Five

  “Something wrong, Tessa?” He slowed for a heartbeat to look into her eyes. “I can wait if you’re not ready for number two.” His voice was sexy, low, and gruff. “Tell me what you want, baby.”

  “I want to taste you.” She’d never offered that to any man, but she wanted to have his full length in her mouth, to give him the kind of extreme pleasure he’d given her.

  He rolled to his back, pulling her onto his belly. “Next time, gorgeous. Tonight is your party. At your mercy, Madame.”

  She liked the way he fisted her hair to draw her face close to his. “Your mouth is perfect.” Kissing him made her gleefully happy, the firmness of his lips exciting and perfect. “It’s too bad you waited so long to show me how delicious they are.”

  He stroked her back, and covered her mouth with his in a soft, searching kiss. “You’re wrong, Tessa.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He shifted his position and rolled her onto her back. “You made me wait and enjoyed every second of it.”

  She knew what he meant. No need being honest just yet. “I think Jack needs to fuck me again.” She inhaled deeply, wanting to cry with joy as he drove into her again.

  This time, he didn’t slow down or ask what she wanted, simply drove her into the second climax for the evening. When he came, he held her tight and cushioned her ass with his hands.

  She still throbbed when he pulled from her and held her in his arms. “What’s that smile for?” she asked.

  He curled a strand of her hair around his finger, still smiling. “I’ve never seen you all fresh-fucked looking.”

  “Like it?” She was concerned that he found her unappealing now.

  “Love it.” He got out of bed to look out the window. “Want a drink?”

  What should she say? He’d probably been told about her DUI and was testing her. “No thanks. You go ahead.”

  “I’ll go get us a drink.” He turned to smile at her and grabbed a blanket off the chair. “I don’t like drinking alone.”

  While he was gone, Tessa freshened up in his bathroom. She was using his brush when he returned. “Hope you don’t mind. I looked like a witch.”

  “Come back to bed and we’ll mess it up again.” He held two brandy snifters, waiting for her to join him. “I knew I was saving this for a special person.”

  There was no reason to refuse his hospitality. After all, they’d just had the best sex she’d ever experienced. “I’m glad to know I’m special to you, Jack.”

  She padded across the floor to crawl into the bed, still warm from their body heat. He joined her, propping her up against the pillows. She took the glass he held out and sipped the brandy. The brandy tasted excellent, just like him.

  He swallowed a mouthful and leaned back, apparently content to have her in his bed. Several minutes passed before he spoke.

  “You should be with your family.”

  He was speaking about his own desire to be where his family was, she thought. “Why on earth would I do that?” She tipped her glass to drain the contents.

  He took the glass and eyed her with a hint of irritation. “What’s with you and Drake? I know he’s wondering where you are.”

  “That’s a laugh.” She sat up and glared at him. “What’s it to you?”

  “He’s your family, Tessa.”

  “You want to hear about my family?” Here it came, questions and preaching from the one man she wanted no lecturing from. “My parents were old when I was born, completely in love with Drake and ignoring me. I had the misfortune of being a girl.”

  He took her hand. “All kids feel a little neglected if there are several.” He probed deeper, and she suddenly remembered he was an attorney. “I’m sure they loved you. And Drake is hard to ignore.”

  “Yes, he is.” She turned her head, not liking the conversation, but she couldn’t stop. “They died when I was fifteen, within six months of each other.”

  His arm went about her waist. “I’m sorry. Want to talk about something else?”

  “Sure.” She drew the comforter up around them. “I went to college. Did Drake ever tell you that?”

  Interest gleam
ed in his eyes and he leaned closer to gaze at her. “So, what did you study?”

  “Art.” She laughed at the idea that she’d really thought she was an artist. “I lasted two years.”

  “So, you’re a college girl.” He grinned, and she hoped he wasn’t being condescending.

  “No, I just spent time there. My brother gave the school a ton of money not to fail me.” She was tired of the subject. “I simply dropped out.”

  The hug he gave her was like a warm lifeline.

  Stop it, Tessa. He probably thinks you’re a dumbass failure. And you are.

  “Let’s go downstairs and light my phony fireplace.” He got up, pulling on a pair of gray sweatpants. “Here, put on my shirt.”

  “You don’t want to look at my naked ass anymore?” She smiled, fastening the middle button.

  “Not at all, I just know we’ll wind up screwing on the stairs if you run around naked.” He pulled her into his arms and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “I have a great couch.”

  His playful side came out as he led her downstairs to the living room. He picked her up and carried her to the bay window.

  “What are you thinking, Jack?” She was curious about everything he thought or did.

  “I was wondering if you’d like to build a snowman.” He brushed her lips with his. “Maybe tomorrow.”

  He laid her on the comfortable couch, pressing her into the pillows. “Yes, maybe tomorrow.” She loved his hands on her breasts and between her legs, flooded with desire as his weight held her willing prisoner.

  She gave herself over completely to him, memorizing the strong contours of his back and the shape and texture of his lips. Flash fire whipped over her body while his tongue teased her nipples. She wanted more, holding back a scream while he drove her crazy.

  Panic hit when he stood and ran up the stairs. “Jack!”

  He reappeared, carrying the comforter from his bed. “That’s what I like—an eager woman.”

  She wanted to yell at him, maybe hit him for leaving her at such a special moment. “What are you doing?”