“Lena called and said you wanted to have us all over for brunch Sunday. I’m not sure I can make it. Is there something going on that I need to know about?”
“Dean, when my wife calls you, you’re supposed to say yes. You can be a dick and blow me off all you want, but this means a lot to her, so I expect you to be there,” Brice warned.
“Brice, you know I don’t do the family dinner thing. You should be able to explain to her that it’s not personal, just the way things are.” The way they’ve always been.
“You can explain that to her on Sunday. I’ll let Lena know you’re coming. Oh, rumor has it that you’re seeing someone. About time. Why don’t you bring this mystery woman with you?”
Dean looked at Tessa with a sideward glance. She was still holding the petal in her hand as she looked out the window. How simple it would be to pretend he wasn’t who he was and take her to Lena and Brice’s house. He knew Lena would love Tessa. Zoey already gave him an earful of her feelings toward her. “You’ll never find someone so sweet again,” Zoey had said. That was true. Tessa was unique. What none of them were thinking of is what was going to happen to Tessa when he left. Dean stayed away from Boston for a reason.
He was thankful Tessa couldn’t hear what Brice had said. The last thing he wanted was to give her any hope that there could be anything between them. Even though she protested, he could see in her eyes that she was attracted to him. He wasn’t going to feed into that any more than he needed to.
“You should know better than to listen to rumors, Brice. See you Sunday.”
As he slipped the phone back in his pocket, Tessa asked, “Everything okay?”
Not since I bumped into you. “Difference of opinions.”
Tessa said softly, “Seems to be a pattern with you.”
Dean arched a brow in surprise. “Excuse me?”
Tessa blushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
“I make no excuses for my actions. I am what you see. Don’t forget that.” It was a warning he hoped she took to heart.
She turned to him as though studying him. Then she turned away and looked back down to the daisy petal. The rest of the ride was in silence.
Dean was not a fancy restaurant guy. He preferred a place the locals liked to go to. Once again he chose a location off the beaten path. This was an Irish pub, and he hoped she liked it. With red hair and green eyes, it was a fifty-fifty chance she was Irish.
“Once again, your choice has surprised me.”
He didn’t want that to please him, but it did. The smile on her face as she inhaled the aroma said it all. Monday nights were not busy and it was getting late, so they were able to find a quiet table. The hostess gave them the menus and headed right off.
“Fond of Irish food?”
“Back home we have a lot of people of Irish decent so when we gather for potluck dinners at church, they bring some of the best food I have ever had. That is the great part of living is such a small town. You always know who can cook what the best and somehow get yourself invited to dinner. My mother is a wonderful person, but when it comes to cooking, well, she may be lacking a bit.”
Even the mention of the word mother still bothered Dean. He probably was the only one who hounded their father for answers as to where their mother was, who she was. Never would he answer. Six children and yet not one picture. Not even Brice had a memory of who she was, and he was ten years older than Dean. How was that? Why is it no one seemed to find any information about her? Not even Bennett, who is damn good at his job.
“Dean? Hello? Am I talking to myself?” Tessa’s voice broke through his bitter thoughts.
He forced a smile, which he never did. “I was just thinking how beautiful you look tonight.”
Dean watched Tessa relax as a warm glow came over her face before she spoke. “Thank you.”
The pure joy on her face was enough to wash away the pain from the past. It wouldn’t last forever, but he was relieved to let it go tonight.
“If we don’t order soon, I’m going to be tempted to skip dinner and have dessert.”
The timing of the waitress’s arrival made them both laugh. “Guess we’re eating dinner,” Tessa teased.
The rest of their time out was like two old friends laughing over private jokes that no one else would understand. Except they weren’t old friends. So why was he so damn comfortable with her? More than with his own family.
The ride home was much the same as the restaurant. When they arrived back at her apartment, he walked Tessa to her door as any gentleman would.
She stood with her back against the door, and he could see she had no intention of inviting him in. Wise woman.
“Thank you for a lovely time tonight. I can’t remember laughing so much in a long time.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. You’ve been working a lot lately, and I think we both needed a break,” Dean said.
She turned to open her door. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, pick her up, carry her to the bedroom, and make love to her all night. Instead, he turned and walked back down the hallway to the waiting limo. His body wanted her, but he wasn’t going to give in to a physical need. Not tonight. Not with Tessa. She deserves so much better than I can give her.
Chapter Ten
There was no way Tessa was going to be able to sleep. She tossed and turned and tried watching what she thought would be a boring program on television, but the boring program turned out to be more erotic than she could handle and didn’t help the fact she couldn’t stop thinking about Dean.
Why did he bring me daisies and throw them in the trash? Why make that effort and not follow through? He was such a complicated man. Was he playing with her feelings? First kissing her, then accusing her of spying, then kissing her again. Could Dean not decide if she was friend or foe?
Throwing the covers off, she got out of bed and pulled on a pair of cotton briefs, a well-worn pair of sweatpants, an oversized T-shirt, and slippers. She might not be as fashionable or sexy as she had been earlier, but she was more comfortable. Besides, she lived alone. No one was there to appreciate her attire one way or another.
Tessa started for the living room but wound up in the kitchen. Times like this required cookies or ice cream. She searched high and low and found not one sweet morsel hidden away. What a horrible time to have decided to only stock healthy food in her apartment.
The saying “timing is everything” really sucked because her timing had always been off. Even as a young girl, her parents had said, “You were close, but you just missed the window of opportunity.” Was that how her entire life was going to be?
Lexi was right. She dressed like an old lady . . . on purpose. Her intention was not to bring attention to herself, just to blend in. No matter how she dressed, or how she pretended to be, Dean still seemed to notice her. There were times his attention was not appreciated. Like when you think I am doing something unethical.
Any normal person would still be angry with him. A part of her was. But something in his eyes when he was quiet said he was not all hard-ass. There was something deep within him, a pain of some sort, that still tormented him. She had seen it when she spoke of her mother and also when she spoke of family. Maybe there had been a fallout between him and his family. If she knew what it was, maybe she could help him cope, heal.
He would never tell her; that she knew for sure. She sat tapping her fingers on the kitchen table. So how does one find out such things? Lexi. She is a wealth of knowledge, and I bet she knows a lot more than I think she does. Oh, we’re going to do lunch again tomorrow, Lexi.
Since she gave up on sleeping, she figured she might as well do something constructive. The house was already tidier than most people’s, so that was off the list. She had plenty of work to catch up on but hadn’t brought home the laptop. Too damn distracted at work after that kiss. I don’t know how you expected me to get anything done right.
Then she remembered what had been to
rturing her the entire time they were in the limo. Getting up from the table, she opened her apartment door and walked down the hall. She picked the daisies out of the trash. As she unwrapped them, the beauty hidden by the decorative paper that bound them was slowly coming to light. That is how she felt inside, hidden away.
Holding them close, she headed back to her apartment. My sunshine, because I’m really having a rainy day.
“What are you doing out here?”
Tessa spun around to find Dean standing only inches away. How? What? Why? Was she dreaming? That would explain a lot because her thoughts certainly hadn’t been rational.
Dean looked down to see what she was holding in her hands then back to meet her gaze. She could tell from his eyes that he had regretted throwing them in the trash. That touched her heart. That glimpse of tenderness pulled at her emotions.
“I live here, Dean. Maybe you should tell me what you’re doing here.”
“I came to see you.”
Well, that I can figure out myself. “In the middle of the night? Were you going to give me my flowers now?”
She had no idea why she was being sarcastic, but he had it coming to him. That and so much more. But I shouldn’t enjoy it as much as I am.
“No,” Dean answered.
The look in his eyes changed to pure raw hunger. She felt so self-conscious of how she looked. Why hadn’t he wanted her when she was dressed all hot and sexy for him earlier? Now she looked ready to go out for a jog and didn’t even have her sexy lace panties on anymore. Really, what is it with my timing?
Self-conscious or not, between watching that stupid movie and seeing the animalistic hunger in Dean’s eyes, Tessa could feel her own wetness; her nipples became hard aching buds yearning for his touch. If he kisses me now, I’m lost.
Dean had come back here for one purpose only: to see Tessa and hold her in his arms. It was nothing more than to satisfy a sexual need. But when he saw her standing there, holding the flowers to her like that, something changed.
She no longer was dressed to kill as she had been earlier, but for some reason, she looked more beautiful right now in her T-shirt and sweatpants. Stay in control, Dean. Run while you can. You see the way she’s looking at you. She wants you for more than you can give her.
Before he could turn away, he caught a glimpse of her hard nipples pressed against her shirt. The need within him shot to an entirely different level, one he wasn’t accustomed to and could not fight.
A low growl rumbled through him as he pulled her into his arms. Claiming her lips fiercely, Dean could feel her tremble with desire. Dean needed to touch her, feel her, taste her, and this was not the place for it to happen. Pulling away from her slightly, he said, “If we don’t go inside right now, your neighbors are going to get one hell of a show.”
Tessa looked around and grabbed his hand, leading him into her apartment. As soon as they were inside, Dean grabbed her again and kicked the door shut with his foot. He spun her around, grabbed her ass, and lifted her up into his arms so her legs wrapped around his waist. “Tessa, if you don’t stop me now, I won’t be able to stop.”
Tessa let the flowers in her hand drop to the floor as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her. That was the answer he hoped for.
Her back against the door, his lips claimed her with all his pent-up hunger. His cock was so hard he thought he would explode just tasting her lips. He needed to slow this down, give her a night she would never forget.
Grinding his hard body against her soft one, he could feel her body getting hotter. Moving one hand from her ass, he slipped it under her T-shirt to her bare breast. Fuck, I need to suck you.
Unable to take the torture any longer, Dean carried her to the couch. Only then did he let her feet slide to the floor. Without breaking his kiss, he slipped his hands into her sweatpants and slid them down. Then he did the same to her underwear.
Leaving her lips briefly, he lifted the T-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Her body was fucking perfect. “You’re beautiful, absolutely perfect.” His voice was husky with want.
Tessa was sexy as hell, yet her cheeks were now pink with embarrassment, and she turned her face away from him. He reached out and turned her to face him again.
“Look at me, Tessa.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “You have an amazing body, and I can’t help but want to touch every inch of you. Tell me you want me.”
Tess only nodded, but her eyes spoke volumes.
Quickly he pulled off his clothes, throwing them on top of her T-shirt but first pulling the gold foil packet out of his pocket and tossing it on the coffee table.
Tessa seemed shy so he didn’t want to move any faster than she could handle. However, there was nothing shy about how she was looking at him. Her eyes roamed over him as though he was an ice cream cone and she was licking every inch of him.
When her eyes stopped on his hard cock, it instantly danced teasingly. How he wished her lips were on him, sucking him, but not this time. If she did he would not be able to hold back, and no matter how sweet that would feel, he wanted to be deep inside her, ride her until she couldn’t remember her own name.
When she stepped forward to reach out and touch him, he brushed her hand away. His arousal was going to have to wait because he needed to taste her sweetness. “I want to taste you and make you tremble. But are you sure about this?”
He could tell she was nervous, yet Tessa took his hand and led him to join her on the couch. “You talk too much.”
He was enjoying this playful side of her. But what he had in mind was serious. Gently pushing her back onto the couch, he dropped to one knee and slowly his fingers traced her from her toes, up her leg, down the other one, then back up again. He was going to have her tonight, but first he was going to send her over the edge.
While his hands caressed her, he skillfully began kissing and nipping from her neck all the way down to her sweet center. The first nip to her sensitive nub caused a shudder throughout her body. Knowing how responsive she was to his touch only fueled his fire. He knew she was close to her release, but he wasn’t going there yet. His tongue circled her and then darted inside her. He inhaled her scent, as sweet as she tasted.
“Please Dean, I can’t . . .” She pulled at him but he ignored her.
“Yes, you can, baby. Let me take you there,” he said, gently blowing on her. Inserting a finger into her wet center, he felt her tighten around him, needing her release. Her moans echoed through the room. He wasn’t satisfied yet and continued to take her higher and higher until Tessa screamed out his name as an earth-shattering, lights-dancing orgasm rocked her body.
Dean sheathed himself while Tessa caught her breath. “I have wanted you so badly, baby, but I don’t want to hurt you.”
Tessa pleaded, “Dean, please, I need you inside me now.”
Although she was begging him, he knew he needed to hold back or he would take her hard and fast. He stroked her with the head of his cock. Dean took his time, entering her slowly at first, letting her adjust to his size, until she consumed all of him. She was so tight.
“Oh Dean, you feel so good.”
Good does not come close to how fucking good you feel wrapped around me. “Hold on, baby, it’s about to get mind-blowing.”
He began moving, thrusting in and out, deeper each time, his rhythm slowly increasing. The deeper he went, the more she arched to meet him. Her hands were running up and down his back, her nails urging him on.
“Give it to me, baby. I want to feel you come,” he said, riding her wildly. His breath was coming in gasps as well as hers. He could tell each time he entered her deeply, he was hitting her sweet spot, driving her wild.
He felt her nails dig into him just before she cried in ecstasy as her second orgasm shook her. Her body clenched tightly around him, causing his own release. “Fuck yeah,” he cried out as he exploded in her. His arms, holding him above her, trembled, not from lack of strength,
but from a release like he had never experienced before.
For the first time in his life he collapsed, totally spent. Every nerve in his body was alive. What the fuck did you do to me, Tessa?
He knew his weight was too much for her small frame. “Where’s your bedroom?”
She pointed to the door on the left. Getting up he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Laying her down, he headed for the bathroom to dispose of the condom before joining her.
Returning, he found her still smiling. “That good?”
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I never knew it could be like that.”
He pulled her into his arms, her head lying on his chest. “Me either.” Dean was equally shocked by what they just shared. Sex was something he had a lot of. He wasn’t going to pretend he hadn’t been with many women, but this was unlike anything he had experienced. It was amazing and scary as hell at the same time. One thing he knew for sure: he would never have enough of her.
Tessa played with the hairs on his chest as she spoke. “You’re just saying that because you think I need to hear it.”
Dean tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. “Not this time.” Then he kissed her tenderly. “What are you doing Sunday?”
“Nothing, why?”
“I have to go to brunch at my brother’s house. I’d like you to come.” Dean couldn’t believe he was actually saying those words. He tried to stop himself, yet they flowed out as though he had no control of his mouth. Now, what are you going to do?
She pulled herself up onto an elbow and stared at him for a moment. He had no clue what she was searching for. Maybe Tessa was going to say no, and he wouldn’t need to worry about it any longer.
“Will Zoey be there too?”
“Yes.”
Tessa laid her head back on his chest and said, “I would love to meet the rest of your family.”
You say that now because you don’t know what jerks we all are. “Great.”
Tessa slid her hand under the sheet and touched him. “Do you have any more condoms with you?”
Table For Two: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Two Page 10
