Taming Tessa Read online

“Lighting the fire.” He knelt to turn on the electric flame and smiled at her. “It’s for show only. Atmosphere.”

  She grabbed the comforter and spread it out in front of the fireplace. Still shaking with the lingering feeling of desertion, she lay down to gaze at him.

  “I need you.”

  “Are you cold?” He lay down and covered her.

  “I won’t be when you light me up.”

  She wove her fingers deep in his hair, loving its cool crispness, glorying in the maleness of his body. He took her breath, playing with her clit until she was wet and grinding her hips against his hand.

  He groaned, his breathing labored while she circled the head of his cock in her fingers, working him until he was as slick as her. She sat up, pushing him onto his back.

  He tasted good, his tip large and a perfect fit for her mouth. The veins were engorged, his hot blood surging through them to make him hard as marble. She took in his entire length and sucked until he caught her face in his hands.

  “That’s so damn good, Tessa, but I want you to fuck me this time.” His dark gaze locked with hers, and she almost came as he pulled her on top of him.

  She moved up to straddle his hips, sliding forward to fit him into her wet pussy. The heat that blazed through her was unbearable, and she gripped him in a ferocious vise of passion-strengthened muscle. Her hips worked against his erection, furiously, while his cock strummed her clit with every motion. Fire built in her slit, ignited and burned out of control until she came in a shattering crimson inferno. His climax was powerful, delicious to watch while he gripped her shoulders and held her until he’d filled her with his juice.

  They lay together for long moments, the calm after the storm taking away the earlier fury. Tessa yawned and kissed his chest. Life was suddenly good and she was happy for the first time in a very long time.

  Chapter Six

  “Want to share my hot bath?” Tessa flipped the warm, soapy water at him. God, she was unbelievable between the sheets. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  He finished shaving and dropped the towel that had hung from his waist. “You’re too much, Tessa.”

  “Not for you.” She leaned forward and made room for him behind her. “I’ll wash your back if you’d like.”

  “Let’s just relax for a minute.” Jack thought over their all-night romp and had begun to regret being a horny fool.

  He’d compromised his client-attorney relationship with Drake in a way that had no explanation. He’d asked him to take care of his sister, not fuck her brains out. Not that he hadn’t gone to the moon with her. She was the most giving, sensual woman he’d ever slept with.

  But she was volatile, and he knew she’d break his nose if he pissed her off. And there was also Link Griffin. He had no idea where that was going. Jack knew he was a fool of the worst kind.

  “You’re quiet, Jack.” Her voice was calm, but her slender body stiffened against him. “What were you thinking?”

  “A lady never asks a man something like that.” He kissed her ear.

  “As you know, I’m no lady.” She turned to smile at him, and his gut wrenched in reaction to how beautiful she looked.

  “You’re perfect.” He pulled her back to lie against him, trying to relax. He listened to the far off rumble of some kind of machinery and closed his eyes. He hadn’t slept at all and it was catching up with him.

  She sat forward and pointed to the door. “I hear something.” He couldn’t believe how fast she got out of the tub and grabbed several towels. “Link has sent them after me.”

  “Tessa.” Damn if he could figure out why she was so scared of that punk. “I think it’s a snowplow come to rescue us.”

  Her eyes were round and filled with fright. “Are you sure?”

  “I hope the hell it is, so we can get something to eat.” He remembered how afraid she’d looked at Griffin’s apartment. “Let me worry about that bastard, okay?”

  She clung to him for a moment, but quickly regained her tough exterior. “Want to have sex before breakfast?”

  Jack saw no real desire in her eyes. It was obvious to him that she was trying to regain her “I don’t give a damn” attitude. He didn’t care to have sex with a woman trying to get even with some other guy.

  “How about sex after breakfast?” The sweet smile she gave him said she was already aroused by the idea. “Let’s get dressed and see what’s open.”

  She kissed him, her tongue twisting around his while she rubbed his cock. “I’m ravenous.”

  “Me too, baby.” Which was he hungrier for, eggs and bacon or her fine ass? The latter of course, but he had to have strength to give her what she wanted.

  He followed her up the stairs, wanting to grab her and have a roll on the floor. She’d really gotten into his blood, and now he’d be lucky to ever get her out.

  “I’ll be ready in a flash.” She patted his ass before disappearing into the room she was supposed to occupy.

  “I’ll be here.” Why was he here? Just to sleep with a woman that wouldn’t spit on him tomorrow.

  While he pulled on jeans and boots, he could hear Tessa running water, closing doors. It all sounded good to him. He’d just finished buttoning his shirt when she stood in the door, watching him.

  “I’m ready.” She was a knockout in a black sweater and slacks that hugged her lush curves. “Is our car here yet?”

  He had never known anyone so accustomed to being waited on. She didn’t mean just a car, but one of her fleet. “Do you feel like digging my car out of two feet of snow?” He grinned, not surprised by the question in her eyes. “If you’re wearing boots, we can walk to the café.”

  She looked down at her feet and held her coat out on her arm. “Will these do?”

  “Yeah, they’re boots all right.” He shook his head, knowing the butter soft, high heeled boots wouldn’t keep her feet warm. She looked so smug that he didn’t say what he really thought. “Sure, they’re perfect.”

  * * * *

  “Whose big idea was this?” Tessa sat on her rear, brushing at the snow on her face. “I’m not that hungry.”

  Jack gripped her hand to pull her out of the snow bank she’d stumbled into. “That happens when the plow comes through.”

  She would have been angry, but he looked so damn good in his big old parka and cowboy boots. “Okay. Let’s go.” He kissed her hard, his firm lips warm on hers.

  While they picked their way down the sidewalk, Tessa enjoyed the squeeze of his fingers on hers. She’d never had to walk anywhere and especially not in cold weather. Snowflakes drifted down again, and she didn’t mind at all. She’d always hated winter, but that had been in the past.

  She was with Jack now.

  Another block and they reached the café he spoke of. The Blue Bird Bakery and Café was delightfully warm and the aromas made her mouth water.

  He led her to the counter and took her coat to hang by the door. The rack was jammed with coats of the people who had gotten there earlier.

  He rubbed his hands together and sat on the stool next to her. He immediately looked the menu over, licking his lips in anticipation. That could have been her reaction to him.

  “Tessa, try the special.” He put the menu back and spoke to the man beside him.

  “Do you know everyone that comes in here?” She had noticed the pretty brunette waving at him and his smile at the woman.

  “Pretty much.” He gazed at her with a slow smile. “This is a small community of neighbors. That’s what neighbors do. Speak to each other.”

  She was embarrassed, but Tessa wasn’t buying that he only spoke to this woman. Jealousy was a new emotion to her. “If you say so, and I’ll have the special.”

  “Great.” He gave their order to the busy waitress and sipped his coffee.

  His cell played something western and she hid her smile. Her Wild-West man had to give in to modern annoyances too. He kissed her cheek and walked to the bakery display to talk.

  Curiosity wa
s eating her up about Jack’s personal life. At least he had one. His expression said he wasn’t pleased with what the other person was saying. Oh God, it couldn’t be Drake ruining things again.

  His mood had done an about-face by the time he sat beside her.

  “Has something happened?” She had to know or have a breakdown. “Was that Drake?”

  “No.” He waited for the waitress to place their meal in front of them and walk away. “Nothing for you to worry about. Eat your breakfast.”

  Okay, she had been nosy, and he didn’t like it. Just one more thing she’d learned about him.

  He didn’t eat like a man who was hungry. He looked preoccupied and kept glancing at the door. Now she was scared. “What’s going on? That phone call was about me, wasn’t it?”

  He handed her the small cream pitcher and pulled his expression into a smile. “Enjoy those eggs and ham. We may have to walk back here for lunch.”

  “I don’t care about breakfast or lunch.” The woman that had smiled at him earlier stared at her as if she were raping him. She scowled at her, silently telling her to mind her own business. “Link knows where I am.”

  He gripped her arm. “Calm down. We’re not leaving until you eat something, okay?”

  Fear closed her throat, and she choked on a bite of eggs. She waved off his hand that slapped her on the back several times. Okay, she could do this. She’d been in tougher spots. One, two, three, swallow the toast. The coffee washed it down and she looked at him, freezing the fear in her chest.

  “I’m finished.” She grabbed her coat and headed for the door. “I’ll wait outside.”

  “No.” He tossed several bills on the counter and motioned her to the bakery display case.

  She couldn’t believe he was buying sweets when she was facing Link’s wrath. She stood beside him and smiled at the counter girl with stiff lips, finally able to choose what she wanted from the display. “I don’t like those things with jelly in them. I like cream horns.”

  “What is a cream horn?” He looked in the case and pointed to the long johns. “No jelly, okay?”

  “Whatever the hell you want.” She shrugged on her coat and peered out the fogged up windows.

  He picked up his parka and took the sack that the clerk placed on the counter. “Are you okay?” He followed her out the door. “Come on. Let’s take the shortcut.”

  His shortcut was a landmine of drifts and ice that had him half carrying her back to the house. He didn’t say much, just scared her to death with his constant surveillance of anything that moved in the silent streets.

  She was breathless when he finally opened his door and ushered her inside.

  “Stop lying to me.” She flung her coat to the floor and held his arm. “I’m not stupid, so stop treating me that way.”

  “You’re going to have to settle down.” He laid his coat on a chair. “By the time Dresslehouse gets here, I want you speaking coherently and without that rage in your voice.”

  “I knew it.” Her voice squeaked and her hands shook. “They are arresting me for breaking Link’s nose.”

  He pulled her close and smoothed her hair. “No, this is a lot more serious.”

  “What else could there be?” She began to tremble uncontrollably.

  “He’s dead.”

  Chapter Seven

  How long would they have to wait on that son of a bitch Dresslehouse? Tessa drank the last of the scotch and stared out the window, looking small and defenseless, hugging herself as if to ward off evil.

  It was late and the sun was setting. Hiding his nervousness from her was impossible. She jumped at every sound and watched him for his reaction. He didn’t blame her for being worried.

  They were in a situation that was as serious as a heart attack.

  He pulled the cord on the plantation blinds, and they clattered to the floor. Tessa screamed and jumped as if the roof had fallen in on them. For her sake, he had to get his shit together. She was scared enough without him stumbling around like a wild boar.

  He smiled at her and pushed the blinds aside to look out the window for the tenth time. Heavy snow had begun to fall again and Jack was sweating.

  Had something been found that meant they could be taken into custody? It couldn’t be. They hadn’t left the house in twenty-four hours.

  “You have to believe this won’t touch you.” Jack kissed her cheek, taking the empty glass from her hand. Worry seeped up his spine when the doorbell chimed softly. Her eyes filled with fear. “That will be Dresselhouse.”

  “Don’t leave me alone with them, please.” She grabbed his hand, worry etching her forehead. “What if they arrest me?”

  “You haven’t done anything. You have nothing to worry about.” Jack didn’t want her harassed or taken to the stinking jail downtown. “They’ll leave soon.”

  He opened the door, facing Dresslehouse and his partner. He had never gotten used to the man’s height and weightlifter’s build.

  “Can we come in, Savage?”

  Did he have a choice? Not really. “Sure. Come on in.”

  Tessa stood by the fireplace, eyeing the two newcomers with hard suspicion. He took her arm and guided her to the kitchen.

  “Might as well have coffee while we talk.”

  The two detectives followed him, sitting down at the table to take out their notebooks and pens. They smiled at Tessa when she sat down as close to the door as possible.

  “Okay, gentlemen, let’s get started.” Jack wasn’t as composed as he sounded. He chose a chair next to Tessa and sipped the warmed-up coffee that tasted like mud.

  “Ms. Duval, where were you last night?” Dresselhouse gazed at her with no emotion showing.

  “I was here.” She chose the best answer she could have.

  “All night?”

  “Yes.” She lost her composure. “How did he die…I mean, was he in an accident?”

  Jack spoke up, wanting her to say as little as possible. “We came straight here after I talked to you.”

  Taking a slow look around the kitchen, the second detective made notes and twirled his pen at Jack. “You have a weapon, Savage?”

  “I do, all registered and clean.”

  “Where is it?”

  “In the desk.”

  “Get it, please.” Jack went to his desk and pulled the pistol from its holster. He handed it to Dresselhouse and observed the detective as he sniffed the barrel and flipped the chamber open. “You ought to clean this thing sometime.” He put the gun back in the drawer. “Don’t look so worried. Griffin was killed with a forty-five.”

  “I wasn’t worried, just waiting for you guys to leave.” Jack hid the deep breath he sucked in, relieved they weren’t going to lineup.

  Tessa had tears in her eyes and slumped in her chair. She jumped when Dresselhouse spoke directly to her. “You know who his enemies were? Would one of your friends take him out?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Of course I don’t know. He wasn’t in that type of crowd.” She looked like a scared rabbit. “None of my friends have guns.”

  “That’s good.” He nodded. “Did you know he was gay?”

  “He was bisexual, not gay.”

  Jack bit his tongue. “If you guys have all you need, I think Tessa needs to relax.”

  “Just need to get a line on the hours after you left Griffin’s apartment.” The quiet detective poised his pen over the notebook.

  “I picked up Tessa at Griffin’s place at five-thirty, called you before we left.” Jack kept it simple. Fewer words meant fewer mess ups. “I dropped her off at her place at six. Because she seemed scared of what Griffin might do, I went back to her home and brought her here. That was around six-thirty.”

  “And you were here all night? Didn’t go out?” Dresselhouse obviously needed convincing.

  “Did you notice the blizzard that came through here last night?”

  “Right.” After glancing at Tessa, Dresselhouse rose and headed for the door. “I don’t ha
ve to remind you to stick around town, do I counselor?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Jack cursed himself for not sticking with his original plans to go home. But that was hindsight. He was responsible for Tessa now, and she needed him.

  He closed the door and locked it after the detectives left.

  “I want to go home.” Tessa stood and tried to go up the stairs.

  “Why?” Jack followed her, wanting to reassure her that there was no reason to run. “You can stay here as long as you want.”

  She gazed at him like she had in the past, cool and distant. “Go ahead and ask.”

  “What are you talking about?” He scraped his hand over his face. Why couldn’t she be straight with him?

  “Griffin and I never had sex.” She hesitated, as if she didn’t want to reveal any more about her life. “I was in love once, last year. He was an artist I met in college. He didn’t suit Drake’s standards, and after paying my friend a lot of money, he left.”

  “You didn’t lose much then.” Jack corrected the callous statement. “You surely realize he wasn’t as deeply involved as you were.”

  “Yes, I know that now.” She went to the window and then turned to face him. “Link and I used each other for appearances. If I wanted to party, he’d go with me, and I did the same for him.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  “It’s none of my business.” He wasn’t about to tell her how glad he was that relationship had been nothing. “But I would like to know why you let him beat around on you.”

  She huffed softly. “I did my share of hurting him. I’d gotten fed up with his increased drinking binges and drugs. I told him that yesterday when he hit me and I retaliated.”

  “Do you still want to go home?” He didn’t want her to leave, not yet. “Wait until morning, okay?”

  She nodded and put her arms around his neck. “I hoped you’d say that.”

  He should have shoved her into a cab that first day and slammed the door behind the queen of trouble, but how could he do that to the woman that melted his heart with her slightest glance? He hoped she wanted to stay with him, not because she was afraid, but because she wanted him.