The Agreement: Book two in the Seattle Billionaires Series

by Nora Ford

My body fully opened to him as he pushed himself deeper inside me with a few powerful thrusts, sending me screaming over the edge. When we came together, I was calling out his name.

  Much later, we were still in bed, contented, sated and exhausted. My face snuggled into Aron’s chest as he was running his fingers through my hair. I took a deep breath and relaxed deeper into him. I felt so small and fragile in his arms. I closed my eyes and wished I could stay like this forever. Suddenly I realized what I was thinking. I panicked. This can’t be happening. I quickly pushed back the blanket and rolled out of bed.

  Aron’s eyes were on me as I moved to collect my clothes. “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll take the guest room,” I tried to sound as casual as possible. “Breakfast will be served at eight. Don’t be late,” I smiled coyly and rushed out of the room.

  Although I hated myself for the pain and confusion I saw in his eyes, I couldn’t react any differently. I was protecting my heart. Falling in love wasn’t on my agenda.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Aron

  I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. Tessa’s body was melding into mine. She was lying calm and peaceful in my arms, then without warning, she jumped off the bed, collecting her clothes.

  All of a sudden, she turned cold and distant. Our evening together was absolute bliss. I had fantasized Tessa in my bed a lot in the past but my fantasy didn’t live up to reality. We spent hours savoring each other’s bodies. She was passionate, open and responsive. I felt the connection between us; I was sure she felt it too.

  I knew when she came here tonight, the only thing she had in mind was the physical release, but what we experienced together wasn’t just sex. It was too much more. Tessa didn’t want feelings, promises or love declarations. She wasn’t looking for romance, I was aware of that. I didn’t have to accept it though. No. Tessa wasn’t going to push me out of her life so easily. What happened between us tonight was just the beginning.

  I was used to waking up alone, however, the sight of Tessa’s empty side of the bed made my heart ache. I wanted to wake up with her wrapped around me. I never craved a woman’s closeness as much as I coveted hers. After last night, I realized that it wouldn’t be possible to bury my feelings for her any longer. It was my turn to make her feel the same way. Despite what she said, Tessa reacted to me. Last night I claimed her body, now I’d work on her heart and soul.

  With that I rose ready to set a few things straight with Tessa. I got out of the bed, pulled on my pajama pants and went down to the kitchen.

  Mesmerized by the sight of her in nothing but my shirt, I stood in the kitchen doorway watching her. Bare feet, bare legs preparing breakfast. Hot! She was so sexy in my shirt, with nothing under it. Tessa sensed my presence. She lifted her head and glanced at me. “Morning, breakfast will be ready in a few.”

  I could hear her thinking, she didn’t know how to react around me this morning. I decided I’d help her. I wanted to remind her of what we had last night. I took a few steps toward her and kissed the side of her face along the hairline. Her eyes met mine. She tried to push me away, but my grip was relentless. In no time, the tension in her body relaxed, her shoulders sagged. She melted into my embrace. Her smell was all around me. Exotic fruits and seductive floral. I inhaled deeply, “I love the way you smell,” I said as I kissed my way down her neck.

  When I carried her, walked to the kitchen table and lowered her onto it, Tessa tried to protest. “Aron, breakfast…”

  “Can wait. This can’t though.” I guided her hand down my pants to let her feel how hard I was for her. I didn’t wait to unbutton the shirt she was wearing. I just ripped it open. Tessa’s eyes widened as my burning gaze roamed over her naked body. Before she could utter a word, my mouth was on hers. “You’re beautiful,” I murmured against her lips, “I love your curves.” Tessa panted as my hands moved up to cup her breasts. “Sexy and beautiful everywhere,” I said between kisses. She tightened her grip on the table edges as I spread her legs and thrust inside her. I suddenly felt the urge to be deep inside her, further than anyone before me. I needed to take her, mark her and make her mine. She went screaming over the edge as I pounded into her again and again. I bit down on her shoulder as she came taking me along with her.

  An hour later, Tessa was sitting in front of me toying with her eggs. A lot was left unsaid between us, and we both knew it. After a while, she was the first to speak. “I know, you’re upset,” she observed. Her gaze met and pierced mine. When I didn’t answer, she went on, “If you don’t want to be with me like this again, I’ll understand.”

  “What are you talking about? We both know this isn’t possible.”

  “Last night…last night and this morning. I…I never felt this way before.”

  “It wasn’t just sex, it was much more and you know it.”

  “I don’t want more. I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I can’t give you more than I gave you last night or this morning. If you want us to get intimate again, you have to settle for what I’m offering,” she paused. “I need my space, Aron. I’ve already broken more than one of my rules for you. Sleeping in the same bed is a hard limit for me.”

  With that, she turned and left me sitting there.

  ***

  I got a phone call this morning from one of the police officers working on Seth’s case. He wanted to inform me that Jacob was found dead in his apartment of an apparent drug overdose so they were closing the case. I was expecting something like that. Jacob had become a burden rather than an asset for his Underworld Allies. They must have decided to get rid of him. I should have been relieved. Jacob finally got what he deserved and he wouldn’t be a threat anymore, but I wasn’t. I was panicked by the news. I didn’t know how this was going to affect my relationship with Tessa.

  It has been eight weeks since the encounter with Tessa in my kitchen. Reluctantly I gave her the space she needed. Although she was still working odd hours, we spent every free minute she had together; mostly in bed. We couldn’t take our hands off each other, but I craved more. I wanted more than the sexual high.

  I knew that my feelings for her were getting deeper every day. I wanted her near. When she was near, I couldn’t get close enough. I’d never lacked the company of a woman before, but Tessa was different. She wasn’t a warm body on a cold night.

  It was frustrating because I still didn’t know how Tessa felt about this thing between us. Each time I tried to tell her how I feel, she distracted me with sex. Last night I was determined to put an end to this, however, my jaw dropped and my eyes widened as I entered my room and found her completely naked on my bed. All my plans for the evening were forgotten. I was sure Tessa had feelings for me too, I could see them every time I looked into her eyes but she wasn’t only refusing to acknowledge them; she was also fighting so hard against them.

  After the phone call this morning, I had to act quickly. I didn’t have much time. I knew that the right thing to do was to tell Tessa and let her choose how things would go between us. But I wasn’t going to do the right thing. I didn’t want to risk Tessa asking me to leave now there was no necessity for me living with her. No, I won’t tell her yet. It’s too soon.

  After I reached that decision, I called Jason and Mom to ask them not to say anything about Jacob’s death to Tessa. Jason didn’t mind; Mom didn’t want to lie. She told me she wouldn’t volunteer and tell her anything unless Tessa asked. I also called Adam and implored him not to tell Talia, which he strongly refused. He said he couldn’t hide this information from her. In the end, he suggested that I talk to Talia myself.

  An hour later I was sitting with a cup of coffee in Talia’s kitchen watching her preparing a homemade pizza for their Girls Night. Tessa and Liv were coming later, and the three of them would spend the night together. It was a tradition the three of them were trying to keep.

  Talia worked silently for a few minutes. “What’s a guy got t
o do to get invited to one of your Girls Nights?” I asked to break the silence as I watched her kneading the pizza dough.

  “Not being a guy would be a prerequisite,” she grinned.

  “So what do you do at these events?”

  “Eat, drink, watch a movie and talk about guys. I hope you’ve made sure that Tessa had plenty juicy stuff to talk about over dinner tonight?” She smirked and I almost choked on my coffee.

  “Jesus, Adam was right you tell each other everything,” I sighed.

  “Yeah, everything,” Talia gave me a piercing look.

  “Is that your way of telling me that you won’t help?”

  “You’re asking too much, you know that?”

  “I need a few more weeks, Talia. That’s all I am asking.”

  “Tessa won’t know anything from me, but I think you should tell her. She has a right to know. She won’t be happy if she finds out that you were keeping this from her.”

  “I will tell her, but it’s too soon. I need to be sure of her feelings for me first.”

  “Why don’t you tell her how you feel? It’s a much easier way,” Talia suggested.

  “Tessa isn’t ready to hear it yet,” I sighed.

  “Be patient and don’t let her push you away. You’re making her happy. I haven’t seen her this happy for years but this is the real problem: Tessa doesn’t want to be happy. She still feels guilty about the accident.”

  “That’s nonsense; the car had no brakes. She couldn’t have stopped it. It wasn’t her fault,” I was furious she felt that way.

  “I know that, but Tessa hasn’t forgiven herself. She didn’t only lose Seth in the accident, she lost her baby too. Losing a baby isn’t easy. I’m not sure what would I have done in her place.” Talia said and rested a hand on her baby bump.

  “She’s never spoken to me about the baby.”

  “She’s never spoken about it to anyone. It’s still a sore topic.”

  “I have to get going. Thanks, Talia, I owe you one.”

  “Make her happy, and you’ll owe me nothing,” Talia gave me a genuine smile.

  I should have driven straight to my house. The guys were coming over to me for a poker night, but after my conversation with Talia, I felt an urge to go and see Tessa. The guys could wait.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tessa

  What the hell is happening to me?

  Simple answer. Aron Hamilton. He was happening to me. After our first evening of sexual bliss, I spent every free minute I had with him. For the first time in three years, I didn't want to have sex with anyone else. That wasn't normal for me since Seth. I was used to being with a different man every time I wanted or needed sex. The who was never important because I always closed my eyes and imagined Seth when I came. With Aron this wasn't the case, I was with him with all my being. As much as I didn't want to admit, it was more than just sex.

  I couldn't deny that something had happened to me since our first time together. Aron was cracking my armor. What I experienced with him was beyond anything I'd ever felt with another man, including Seth and I loved him with all my heart and soul. That was why I felt like I was cheating on Seth. He's been dead for more than three years now. He wanted me to move on. This was part of his plan. I knew all this. Still, I couldn't stop feeling guilty.

  Aron wanted more. More! I never wanted more. More made people fall in love, and I most certainly didn't wish to go down that road again. When I woke up from the coma and found out that I lost both Seth and the baby, I promised myself that nothing would ever hurt me like their loss. Ever again. If I learned something from the pain, it was the fact that relationships were not for me. However, leaving Aron’s bed after sex was getting harder and harder each time.

  I was beginning to feel less and less in control of the whole situation. Tonight, we were having a break. The girls' night with my sisters was what I needed. I had to re-evaluate the situation with Aron before it was too late.

  I was going to Talia directly after my shift, so I decided to shower and change before I left the hospital. I took my time in the shower, letting the heat loosen up my muscles. When I surveyed my body, I couldn't help but smile as I saw the reminders of last night. Aron liked to mark me, bite marks covered my upper body.

  I realized that it was mid-August and I'd been wearing shoulder covering outfits for the past eight weeks. I knew Aron did this on purpose. He wanted me to think of him all the time. However, a marked skin was a small price to pay for the mind-blowing orgasms he was giving me almost every night. With a smile on my face, I dried off, and slipped into a button-down summer dress and underwear.

  When I walked out of the bathroom, I almost jumped. Aron was sitting on the bed in the doctors on-call room. "Aron, what are you doing here?"

  "Can't a man come and see his wife? Come here."

  "Aron," I warned.

  His finger pointed at me then down to the space on the bed next to him. "Come. Here. Now." My eyebrows rose, but he held firm. He reached for my hand. Gripping my wrist, he pulled me close enough that he could crush his lips to mine. I turned around in his arms. Aron grinned at my glower when I felt him creeping closer to me. My breathing hitched at the feel of his hand on my thigh. He slid it up under my dress, his fingertips caressing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh as his hand wandered higher. "Aron," I gasped, and pressed my palm against his chest. He tilted his head to bring our bodies closer and his hand even higher up my dress as he kissed my neck.

  I shivered as he scattered his kisses upward until his teeth were nibbling at my ear. "I'm going to miss you tonight," he whispered. Heat and shock held me against him as he played with me in the on-call room, where anyone could come in and find us like this. I forgot, almost forgot, where I was. I nearly forgot everything but Aron. His scent, that masculine, unforgettable hint of fragrance that was a bold mixture of musk and spice. It stirred me, tangled in my senses along with his hot kisses and touch.

  Although I was swamped by a staggering flood of need, I skimmed my fingers through his hair and pushed away.

  "No." He yanked me back.

  "Aron," I tried to sound convincing, "we can't."

  "Wanna bet?" In two steps he was at the door.

  "Wait. What are you doing?" I asked, and my eyes widened as I realized he was locking it. I saw a devilish grin in his eyes as he hastened back to bed. He'd completely outplayed me, and he knew it. He suppressed my protest with a ravenous kiss while his hands began to unbutton my dress. I moaned and trembled when he tugged the cups of my bra down and rubbed his palms over my nipples.

  "God. Aron, wait."

  "No." He jerked my dress up, then slid his palm between my legs. "I will have you here, but I want to watch you come first," Aron said as his fingers dipped beneath my lacey underwear. I jerked in surprise at the touch of his cool thumb on my clit. I panted and curled my fingers around his shirt. My whole body was on fire; my thighs were trembling as I pressed my hips into his touch. His lips brushed against mine, teasing me. "Then I'm going to make you come again, and again, taking you right here, on this bed, until I finish inside you." Senseless with want, I wrapped my hands behind his head and pulled him down for a real kiss as my climax grew nearer. His wild eyes captured mine and I came with a breathless moan against his lips, my lower body jerking against him. I moaned again when I heard him groan as he ripped off my lace panties.

  "Tell me you want this," Aron wanted to hear it, "Say, you want me to take you here and now."

  "God. Aron. Yes."

  He gripped my thighs, his fingers digging into my hips as he thrust into me. Hard and deep. Aron held me tightly, and his chest heaved against mine as I collapsed onto him with one final, breathless fall.

  Finally, I came back to myself. I stiffened. I'd just let Aron bring me to orgasm and have sex with me in a public place, no, in my workplace and I hadn't done anything to stop him. When he tipped my face up and cupped it in his hands, kissing me softly, I thought: What are you doing to me? So much
for distancing myself from him. Or making up my mind about what I want. I am such a mess.

  When I opened my eyes and stared into his, I saw affection and love in them. He didn't say anything though, he just smiled, and I smiled back. "Jesus, I can't believe I did this."

  "It's your fault. You're the one who’s not coming home tonight."

  "I learned my lesson; next time I'll plan the Girls Night when you're out of town."

  "Good thinking," he said buttoning my dress back up. "Your dress got a little wrinkled."

  "I think I've earned it."

  He bent down to pick up my torn panties from the floor and put them into his pocket. "I guess I earned these. They will bring me luck tonight."

  "Next time, I'll take your credit card when I buy underwear. This is the fourth set that you've ruined this week only," I said, and it was true, Aron was getting wild lately. If I forgot to pull my panties down, he'd simply tear them off me.