Oh, I will... He left her room and slowly made his way to his. The frustration in his pants reminded him of the long night ahead. Why couldn't he leave this girl alone? It was time to take control of the situation. He was tired of dancing around the subject. He could no longer pretend he didn't want her, just for the sake of doing the right thing. Who was to say what the right thing was anyway? They were both adults and it was time they started acting like it. Tomorrow he would tell her exactly what he wanted. What he needed.
***
Chase brought his cup of coffee out to the enclosed patio to read the morning paper. Tessa had yet to emerge from her room. That wasn't unusual because she often slept late on Saturdays. But on this particular Saturday he was restless. He'd made a decision concerning the two of them and he wanted her to hear it. He was eager to know what she thought.
"Hi." She appeared on the patio with her mug of hot lemon tea. She wasn't a coffee drinker. May made sure to have fresh lemon and local honey for her every morning. She'd taken to spoiling Tessa.
His lifelong housekeeper wasn't the only one who wanted to spoil her. "Morning."
"I kind of crashed on you last night, didn't I?" She leaned against the wrought iron railing, sipping her drink. Her hot pink sweat pants were rolled at the waist, revealing a thin line of her stomach and her form-fitting, white tee left little to his imagination especially since she wasn't wearing a bra.
"I remember when I was in college," he said. "I always collapsed on Friday night. I think it was the stress of the week, and knowing I didn't have to get up for anything on Saturday always made me sleep better."
She looked out over the backyard. "It's so quiet here."
He came up beside her at the railing. "I wanted to talk about last night."
"What about it?" She turned to face at him, her auburn locks blowing in the light breeze that danced through the porch.
"Tessa, about that kiss … " He stared out at the property. "I'm sending all these mixed vibes. I'm never this indecisive." He was used to taking what he wanted and worrying about consequences later. With her, everything was different. She threw him off balance and made him think about his every move.
"Don't worry about it. We both know we're attracted to one another. It happened and it's not a big deal."
"It isn't?" When had she become so mature? Why wasn't she trying to convince him that they should be together?
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
"Not really but if you're okay with it..." The heat of her breath had lingered on his lips for hours after that kiss. Every time he closed his eyes he felt her sigh against his mouth. "I can't forget about it. I know I told you we couldn't be together but none of my reasons make sense anymore. The more time I spend with you the more I want you."
"Are you saying you want to be with me?"
The look of vulnerability in her eyes scared him. She put on a good act when it came to being tough but he knew the truth. There was a sweetness; an innocence about her. One that told him she was still a girl; still on the verge of becoming a woman – who needed to be loved, respected and desired. God help him, but he wanted to be the man to show her all of that, and give her the world. "I want to back away from you. I don't want to let you in." How much longer could he fight her? Fight these baser instincts?
"Then go." The certainty in her eyes gave him clarity. This was her last attempt where he was concerned.
"I can't, Tessa. Your pull is too strong." He lowered his mouth to hers, focusing on those forbidden lips. The devil did exist. She stood in front of him as the flirtatious redhead who now consumed his mind, body and soul. "I can't resist your temptation anymore."
"Then don't."
"I'm not sure I'm the right man for you."
"Why can't you let me decide for myself?" She let out a frustrated breath. "I've been making choices about my life for a long time. I don't need you to do what you think it best for me. That's not helping either one of us. All you're doing is making both of us miss out on something wonderful."
He admired her spirit. That vibrant spirit and uninhibited determination. "I know you're capable of making your own choices." He kissed a path from her mouth to her ear. "You're capable of so many things. I want to be the man who helps you realize all of your dreams." He swept his mouth along her jaw and back to her lips. "I can't fight this anymore. I won't."
"It's about time." She kissed him, sweeping her tongue inside his mouth. "We've been doing nothing but wasting time," she said when she finally stopped for a breath.
"No, we haven't." He took her face between his hands. "We have all the time in the world. We can take everything as slow as we need. I want you, Tessa, but after our explosive chemistry in the study, I think moderation is in order."
"Would you be this controlled with anyone other than me?"
"No." That was the truth. Patience was not a virtue in his world.
"Then why?"
"Because I care about you. I don't want to screw this up."
"Oh."
"Don't be so surprised. I've grown quite fond of you." He kissed her softly. "I want to do this right for a change."
"You don't need to be so careful with me."
"I do. Trust me." He stroked her soft cheek. "Why don't you get some breakfast while I shower?"
"I could shower with you … " She grinned provocatively. "That might be fun."
"Don't tempt me." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "When you're ready we'll go get those pumpkins, maybe visit your dad and then stop somewhere for a late lunch. How does that sound?"
"Like a date?" She trailed her finger down his chest to his waistband. "I'd love to."
"Perfect." He kissed her one more time before pulling away. At this rate they'd never leave the porch. "I'll see you in a bit."
"Are you sure?" She gripped his biceps, pulling him back to her. "We could stay here and just … get to know one another."
Good God, but she was a cheeky addiction! "I love your fearlessness but we'll stick with my plan." He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. "We'll leave in an hour."
"Fine," she huffed as she walked over to the porch swing. "I'll be ready."
He laughed as he made his way into the house, dropping his mug off in the sink before hurrying up the back staircase, taking two steps at a time. The faster he showered, the sooner they could be together. Tessa was right, he had been wasting time, but no more. Today was a new day, full of so many possibilities.
He stripped out of his pajama bottoms and t-shirt while he waited for the water to heat up in the large, master shower. Thoughts of her wet, soapy and naked with him in the stall did nothing for his persistent erection. He stepped into the shower and let the hot water flow over his tense muscles. The multiple shower heads drenched his skin as the heavy steam filled the room. He closed his eyes and let his mind disengage, but then the shower door opened.
Chapter Nine
Tess took off her clothes, tossed them in a pile in the corner of the bathroom, and stepped into the steamy shower. Through the steam she could make out Chase's muscular back and tight ass before he turned to face her. All or nothing.
"What are you doing?" His hungry gaze traveled down her now wet body.
"Joining you." She moved toward him, flattening her palms against his chest. "I didn't think you'd mind."
"Tessa." He shook his head before kissing her. "What am I going to do with you?"
Anything you want. "Stop trying to fight me." She nipped at his bottom lip when his erection grazed her center. "Let's just go with it."
He twisted his fingers in her hair, pulling her to his lips and kissing her hard. She gripped his shoulders for support when he lifted her and pressed her into the cool tiles opposite the shower door. When he thrust his hips forward she thought she might come from that action alone. She'd spent weeks thinking about what it would be like to feel him – all of him – inside her.
"Baby." His voice was low. "My plan was to take you out today. You know, maybe do things in the right order."
"Fuck order." She reached in between them, taking his cock in her hand. "I don't like to follow the rules."
"Fuck," he hissed as he tightened his hold on her. "I like it when you talk dirty." He ran the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips as he lowered her to her feet. "I thought we agreed to take this slow. How am I supposed to think when you have my dick in your hand?"