“Fair enough. Give me an hour.”
“Thank you.”
I caught up on work while I waited for Ashton to finish. It also gave Tess some time to study. Once I got there we would be far too busy for books.
Exactly an hour later, I left the bar to head over to Ashton’s to pick up dinner, then back to Tess’s apartment. If I’d have thought about it, I would have sent her back to my place. More room. Then again, with the mood she was in, she probably wouldn’t have gone there anyway.
By the time I reached La Tratoria, Ashton was already out front waiting for me, a box in his hand.
“Could you learn to get your head out of your ass at some point? I’m not going to help you keep digging yourself out. Remember she’s not a client.”
“I know she’s not a client, which is exactly why I want to help her.”
“Yeah, but you’re only thinking about what you want—not what she wants. Keep that in mind and you’ll be much better off than you are right now.”
“I’m working on it.” I sighed.
Ashton laughed. “You’re actually doing a better job of keeping your temper than I thought you would. You’ll figure it out. Now go, before it gets cold and good luck.”
“Thanks, I might need it.”
I pulled out of the lot and went straight to Tess’s place. When I reached the door I could hear music. I knocked once, then twice. When she didn’t answer the third time, I decided to let myself in.
She sat on the couch, barefoot, nose immersed in a book larger than some of the accounting ledgers at the dealership. I didn’t want to startle her so I called out, “Hey, gorgeous, still mad?”
She glanced up and the corners of her mouth twitched. “A little. But I think I can get over it for your brother’s cooking. That smells delicious. What is it?”
“So I’m only forgiven for bringing something Ashton made for dinner?” I teased, enjoying the return of the lighthearted banter.
“Maybe.” She shrugged but there was laughter in her eyes.
“Well, we better get you fed then.”
Tess cleared away the books while I unpacked everything Ashton had put into the box. Not only had he made dinner, but dessert as well, even throwing in a bottle of Tess’s favorite wine. Man, I owed my brother big time.
I brought the food out to the living room and set it on the table. There were things that needed to be said before we ate. She sat down next to me and reached for the plates.
“Tess?” I took her hand and brought her attention to me.
She looked up, her eyes soft and tired.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I had no idea why you were so adamant about doing it on your own, but I can respect your reasoning. What your parents did is inexcusable and to be honest, they’ll be lucky if they never meet me.” A shiver ran through her body and for one moment, I worried I went too far, but her soft smile was enough to alleviate my concerns. “Please believe me when I tell you, you deserve so much more than what you’ve been given. And if you’ll let me, I’ll give you anything you want.”
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine in a chaste kiss. “Thank you. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. I—”
I covered her lips with my finger. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m here to make it up to you.” I nodded toward the food on the table. “It’s time to feed you and find a way to help you relax.”
“I like the sound of that.”
We ate our meal talking about anything besides money and her parents. I was quite happy to avoid the conversation, for now.
Tess took the empty plates to the kitchen and came back to lie across the couch, her feet propped on my lap. She looked tired, weary. This was the Tess I was trying to help; the one who pushed herself too far. If she wasn’t careful, I’d move her shit into my house while she was a work and completely ignore Ashton’s advice.
I wrapped my hands around one of her feet, pressing deep into her arch with my thumbs.
“Yes, right there.”
She leaned her head against the back of the couch while I massaged first one foot, then the other. Tess’s eyes fluttered shut. She looked relaxed and at peace, and sexy as fuck. The woman drove me crazy at times, but after months of being with her, I couldn’t imagine going back to a different woman every night. With Tess, I’d become everything my family swore I would.
Suddenly her legs went heavy in my arms and I looked up to see the steady rise and fall of her chest. As peaceful as she looked, I couldn’t let her sleep here. She was running herself into the ground.
“Come on, babe, time to get up and shower before bed.”