Play a Game With Me

by Cadence Vonn

  He looped his arm under her knee, lifted her leg, and sank to the hilt with a cry of pleasure. Tess whimpered. She soared toward her climax and dug her nails into his back. She couldn’t get enough. He ravaged her, his hunger as intense as hers. His muscles tightened then flexed as he drove into her. She tensed. Her breathing became ragged, and he moved faster.

  “Now, babe.”

  Grinding his groin against her clit, he sent her spiraling into a rapturous orgasm, her muscles sucked all the energy from him and with one last thrust they finished with a kiss that silenced their screams.

  Tess’s panting matched Max. She didn’t care if the carpet had scratched her back, being in his arms drove away any pain. He nuzzled her neck and placed kisses down her shoulder.

  “I love you and can’t seem to get enough of your body. I don’t want to let you go, but we better get cleaned up and join the others.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before he got up and walked into the bathroom. A few minutes later he emerged, and Tess giggled.

  “I like you without pants,” she whispered.

  “I like you naked with just the heart around your neck.”

  “It’s beautiful, Max. I’ll take very good care of it.” She stood and took hold of his hand, and rested it over her own heart. “This is yours. Someday, I hope you claim it. Otherwise, it will wither and die.”

  “Soon. For now, let my heart protect yours.” He fingered the ruby jewel then patted her on her rump so she would get washed and dressed. She came out of the bathroom, and Max held his finger to his lips and pointed toward the door. The knob rattled, and Tess covered her mouth to stifle an involuntary gasp. Thank God, Max had locked the door. He pointed to her dress and panties on the bed where he’d laid them. She shimmied into her clothes without a sound and listened for Christopher’s secret knock.

  “Aunt Millicent, can I help you find something?” Christopher said out in the hallway.

  “Have you seen Maximilian? He seems to have disappeared, and I thought I might find him upstairs.”

  “I doubt he’ll be in my bedroom. Have you looked on the third floor? There’s a cool lounge upstairs along with an extra bathroom. Maybe he slipped up there to get away from the heat. I thought I heard him grumble about his stomach being upset.”

  “Really? I’ll check up there. Your door is locked.” She raised her eyebrow at him.

  “Tess is napping. The heat gave her a bad headache, and I came to check on her.”

  Tess timed the moment to open the bedroom door and act surprised to find Millicent and Chris on the other side. “Hi, Chris. I’m feeling better.” She leaned toward him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

  Millicent craned her head to see over Tess’s shoulder into the dark, cool room. Tess followed her glare. “Is there something wrong, Mrs. Westfield?”

  “No. Excuse me.” She turned on her heel and stomped to the stairs, and ascended to the next floor.

  “Max, hurry,” Christopher whispered when his cousin peeked out of the bathroom. He pointed for Maximilian to head to the back stairs and when he disappeared, he said, “This spy shit is hard. You owe me big time. I’ll collect in New York. Are you feeling better?”

  “Much, thank you.” Tess hugged his arm, and they headed down the stairs to mingle. A few minutes later Millicent came down the back stairs and looked around. She huffed when Maximilian walked up to her and said, “Mother, Christopher told me you were looking for me. Is there a problem?”

  “I’m heading home, so you’ll have to take Holly home.” Maximilian looked around for the blonde and saw her talking to a group of young men at the other end of the room.

  “I’ll see she gets home. I’m sure one of those gentlemen will be willing to escort her.” Maximilian jutted his chin in the direction of the group.

  “Damn.” Millicent spat.

  He never heard his mother curse in public. She puffed up her chest and walked across the room to the group.

  “Holly, dear, I’m leaving.” Her indignant voice filled the area.

  “Mrs. Westfield, I’ll see Holly gets home safe. I go past her apartment on my way home.” One of the young men spoke up.

  Chris, Tess, and Max observed the exchange. “Oops, wrong thing to say,” Max joked.

  Millicent glared at the young man but spoke to Holly. “I think it would be better if you leave with me now, so I know you got home safely.” She brooked no argument. Holly shrugged at the guy and followed the older woman out of the house.

  “I think Holly is beginning to dislike your mother. Did I really see her glare at the woman’s back?” Chris whispered.

  Maximilian nodded, but said, “She still left. In the end, I’m still richer than the fellow who offered to drive her home. I wonder if they’re sleeping together.”

  Tess and Chris scoffed.

  “You two don’t believe she’s celibate? I have my sources, and she’s certainly making good use of her free time. There’s even a man at her college who has made it very clear she has agreed to marry him.”

  Tess wanted to ask Max if it bothered him. But she kept quiet, not wanting to upset the fragile sense of contentment. “Chris, do you mind taking me home? I need to finish packing for New York.”

  “Sure. I’ve had enough. How about you, Maximilian? Do you need a ride home?”

  “No, I drove.” He looked down at Tess. “You’re going to New York? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I forgot. I promised Julian I’d help with his new play. He called to remind me last night, and I didn’t think to mention it this afternoon. We were a tad busy with other things.” She arched her eyebrow at him.

  “I’ll let you two talk for a minute while I go and say goodbye to my mother.” Christopher walked away, and Max stepped closer to the wall so they could speak in private.

  “I wasn’t keeping it from you, but when we can’t even call each other, it’s hard to communicate.” Tess put her head down and fidgeted with her clutch.

  “Can I see you in New York?”

  “Do we dare?”

  “I’ll arrange a few business meetings in the city, and we can meet afterward. My mother won’t even know I’m gone.”

  “This coming from the man who is being followed to and from his office. I leave tomorrow and will be there for a week or two. Call me, and we can plan to meet if you feel it’s safe for you.” Tess rubbed her fingers over the heart. “I miss you, Max. I enjoyed today.” She turned and walked to Chris, and they left without looking back.

  “Chris, do you want to get drunk with me?” Tess looked over at her friend when he started to laugh.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk. Funny how men drive us both to drink. Maybe you should get a good night’s sleep and head to New York tomorrow. I’m looking forward to joining you as soon as I can get away.”

  “Fine. I’d be asleep before I got drunk anyway. I’ll call when I’m settled in the apartment and give you the address.”

  He dropped her off at her apartment door and waved as he pulled away. She stood watching his car disappear and noticed a man in a black sedan taking a picture of her. God, the wicked woman was having her followed, as well.

  Chapter Eleven

  A trip to New York didn’t diminish her need for Max. Now she would think about him until he called when he arrived in the city. Damn. Feeling so helpless was the last thing she needed.

  She gathered her things and left the apartment. Work might help her stay focused and not moon over Max. Julian would keep her busy. She looked around for the camera guy from last night but didn’t see anyone suspicious. Once at the train station, she forgot all about the spy and focused on drawing some ideas on her iPad.

  Her mother’s apartment hadn’t changed. The cool, off-white furniture graced the dark hardwood floors. The cleaning crew had everything polished and in order. They even stocked a few essentials in the refrigerator. She would have to thank Mrs. Lewis and her workers before she left.

  Tess’s phone rang and th
e combination of numbers that appeared meant trouble. The last thing she wanted to do at the moment was to talk to her father. It always led to an argument over her job or lack of a husband. She let out a frustrated sigh and answered the call.

  “Hello, Father. How are you?”

  “Teresa, It’s nice to hear your voice. I thought maybe you wouldn’t answer.”

  Not wanting a confrontation, she bit her tongue. The sooner this phone call was over the sooner she could go back to taking her mind off of Max.

  “I’ll arrive in New York this week and hoped you could find some time in your busy schedule to come down to the city and visit. I’ll be staying at the Regency Hotel. I can get you a room if you like?”

  She flopped back on the couch and put her arm over her eyes. The cruel universe seemed even more perverted in its torment. “Father, I’m in New York. I have a commitment to do work for Julian, but I’m sure I can find time to see you.”

  “Wonderful. Where will you be staying?”

  “I’m in Soho at Mother’s apartment. Call when you’re free, and we can arrange to meet.”

  “You make it sound like a business meeting. Can’t a father want to see his daughter for an enjoyable dinner?”

  “Are you coming alone?” Her heart sank when he hesitated.

  “Adrien Gormond will be with me. He’s the new director of our Paris office, and I’m bringing him along so he can meet the members of our board who reside in New York.”

  “Maybe some evening when he’s occupied with board members, we might have dinner together?” She crossed her fingers.

  “I want you to meet Adrien as well. This will be a short visit. I think you’ll like Adrien, and I’d like your opinion of him.”

  “Fine.” Arguing was futile. “I’ll look forward to seeing you.”

  “Good night, Teresa. I’ll call when I arrive.”

  “Good night.” Tess clicked off her phone and let it drop against the cushion of the couch. The hole she’d dug to escape her past life closed around her. Tess Medici and Teresa Staffordshire were on a collision course—fate righting the order of the world.

  The moment of hope for a life with Max started to slip away. Even if she told him about her wealth, her father wouldn’t approve of Maximilian Westfield. Nor would Max understand her not telling him in the first place.

  She took a hot shower and crawled into bed without eating dinner. Tomorrow she would lose herself in work and hope something would change her father’s plans so he couldn’t come to New York this week.

  The irony wasn’t lost on her the next morning when she showed up at Julian’s studio and found out they were finishing costumes for a contemporary version of Romeo and Juliet.

  “You would make a beautiful Juliet.” He held up one of the velvet costumes in front of her.

  “I’m too old, and I lost my virginity years ago. Although my father would like to think I’m still a virgin.”

  “How is the old man? Still trying to find you a husband?”

  Tess snorted and nodded. “He’s coming to New York this week and dragging along his new Paris director under the pretext of meeting his board members. But I’m sure he sees it as an opportunity to introduce us.”

  “Keep an open mind. You can’t hate every man your father knows. Maybe you’ll get lucky one of these days, and he’ll surprise you with an acceptable one.”

  “This advice coming from a guy who doesn’t believe there’s anyone out there for him.”

  “I’m older than you and have met my share of guys. I’m waiting for the right one.”

  “I’ve already met the right one, but there are complications.”

  “Tell me about it while we work.”

  “I think I’ll keep it all to myself for the moment. I don’t want to jinx the fragile illusion that it’s going to be okay.” Tess adjusted the side seams of the dress she needed to make smaller. Max occupied her mind as she stitched the material. Would he be able to escape Boston in secret and come to New York to see her? Maybe he’d have good news about breaking the contract he signed to appease his mother.

  She and Julian worked in companionable silence until lunch. Tess’s phone rang as they wrapped up the morning and left through the stage door to grab a sandwich.

  “Hi, Chris. What’s up?”

  “I decided to leave early, and I’m on the express into New York. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “You’re too funny. I don’t mind at all. When will you arrive?”

  “Midafternoon. Where will you be?”

  “I’m at the theatre with Julian. I’ll text you the address when we hang up. I’m glad you’re on your way. You might be able to help me out of a situation with my father. I’ll explain tonight over a bottle of wine. Can’t wait to see you.”

  “See you soon.”

  Tess hung up and with a few fast thumb movements texted the address to Chris.

  “Well, Julian, you may not have to wait much longer. I predict you’ll love Christopher.” At their favorite deli, the aroma of sauerkraut permeated the cramped restaurant. Julian ordered two Ruebens while she snagged a table outside under an umbrella.

  Chris arrived in the middle of the afternoon, and Tess knew the moment the two men shook hands that the magnetic connection between them was off the charts. Neither could stop grinning. They looked like two boys opening Christmas presents and discovering what they wished for hid inside.

  “Chris,” Tess said, trying to get her friend’s attention. “Why don’t we head over to the apartment so you can unpack and we’ll order Chinese take-out?”

  “Sure. Julian can come along, right? I’d love to hear him talk about the theatre district and all the new plays.”

  “I don’t see why not. Unless, of course, he has other plans.” Tess and Chris both gave Julian a look of anticipation.

  “I’ll make a call and cancel my plans. I’d love to get to know Christopher better.” He pulled out his phone, spoke with someone on the other end and told that person he wouldn’t be around tonight. Julian helped Christopher carry one of his suitcases as Tess followed the two men out of the workroom and down to a waiting cab.

  “Tess, why don’t we get Thai food?” Julian said after they deposited Chris’s bags in his bedroom. “There’s a great little restaurant right around the corner from here. Christopher and I can take a walk to pick up the food while you set the table.”

  “Sounds fine to me. How about you, Chris?”

  “I’ll give it a whirl. I don’t try different things on my own. Julian, you’ll have to order for me. I have no idea what to get from a Thai restaurant.”

  “We’ll sit at the bar in the restaurant and study the menu. That way I can explain the different entrees, and you can decide what sounds good. Then we can get to know each other over a glass of Riesling while we wait for it to be cooked. Do you want to come along, Tess?”

  She understood his narrowed gaze and smirked. “I think I’ll relax and check my emails. You both know what I like to eat.”

  “I have a wonderful idea.” Christopher pulled out his phone. “Why don’t you press Maximilian’s number on my phone and give him a call. He’ll be surprised to hear from you. He wanted me to tell you he misses you and hopes to see you in New York.” He handed her the phone. “No one will be able to trace the call to you, and you can have a nice long conversation.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea, but why don’t you dial? If he doesn’t answer, you can leave a message for him to call if he wants to talk to a close friend. I wouldn’t be able to leave a message.”

  “Good idea.” He hit the button for Maximilian, and the call went directly to voice mail. Chris shrugged, and a moment later he said, “Hey, Maximilian I’m with a mutual friend of ours. Call if you want to say hi.” He pressed the button to end the message and handed the phone to Tess. “Here you go. We’ll give you plenty of time to talk to Max. See you later.”

  Julian placed his hand on Christopher’s neck and guided him out of the apartm
ent. They laughed about having two glasses of wine so she and Max would have time for phone sex.

  She huffed at their backs, but deep down she hoped Max would at least call so she could hear his voice.

  Ten minutes later Christopher’s phone rang and Max’s name appeared on the screen.

  “Hi.” Tess’s voice sounded hesitant and wistful to her ears.

  “Oh, love, it is so good to hear your voice. I miss you. Are you okay in New York?”

  “I miss you, too. Chris arrived this afternoon, and it’s fun having someone else in this strange apartment. He and Julian went to get dinner, and he thought of the idea to call you. Are you at work?”

  “Yes. I just got off a conference call with the San Francisco office. Things seem to be working out with the Asian suppliers so I can focus on other things, like thinking about you. You haven’t met someone new in New York I need to worry about?”

  “Max, I’m not in the market to find anyone new. I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I’ll be in New York first thing Saturday morning. We can spend the weekend together and then I’ll take the train back to Boston on Monday morning. How does that sound?”

  “Lovely.”

  “Christopher won’t mind?”

  “No, I think he’s made other plans for the weekend.” Tess figured by then he and Julian would be inseparable.

  “Good. Tell me what you’re wearing at the moment.”

  “I’m standing in my bedroom with my blouse unbuttoned and my slacks around my ankles. You caught me in the middle of changing into shorts and a T-shirt.”

  “I wish I was there so I could caress your smooth skin. What color panties do you have on?”

  “The red thong you bought me for the cabin.” Tess heard a groan and then a bit of shuffling on the other end. What are you doing?”

  “Locking my office door. I don’t want anyone walking in on what I’m about to do.”

  “And what would that be?” She smiled at the phone. “I doubt Maximilian would do anything inappropriate in his office.” She chuckled as she wrestled out of her blouse and pushed down her thong.