Tessa's Temptation(20)

She got up and stood by the window with him just as Audra stepped out of the car. "She's going with you?" Tessa asked.

"She's my attorney, sweetheart." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "She usually travels with me."

"You didn't mention that."

"I'm sorry." He wasn't used to answering to anyone so he hadn't thought  to mention Audra. Come to think of it, Audra hadn't even crossed his  mind in two days. "She accompanies me on most trips especially ones  where I may purchase land. In case I need her to look over contracts and  things like that."

"It makes sense." She smiled. "You better go. I don't want you to miss your flight."

"I'll be back before you know it." He kissed her tenderly, taking his  time as he moved his mouth against hers. The chimes of the doorbell  ended their connection far too soon. "I have to go." He pressed his  forehead to hers, never regretting a business trip more than he did this  one. "Keep the bed warm for me."

"Be safe." She straightened his tie as the chimes echoed through the house again. "Your attorney is a bit impatient."

"Goodbye, sweetheart."

"Bye." She stepped back, giving him a full view of her long, creamy  legs. She'd fallen asleep the night before in his t-shirt and a pair of  the skimpiest panties he'd ever seen. He took in her beauty one last  time and then he headed for the foyer. Over the past few days she'd  given him enough to daydream about for weeks.

He picked up his overnight bag and briefcase and greeted Audra on the porch.

"There you are," she said. "I was starting to think you forgot what time the flight was."

"I'm here." He strode to the car, hoping she wasn't going to be a pain  on this trip. They hadn't spoken since he'd expressed how he felt about  the drunken text messages.

"You're never late." She followed him down the steps and to the car. "What's up?"

"I'm not late today either." He checked his watch. Right on time. "You're actually here a few minutes early."

"You're usually pacing the hall waiting for me."

The driver took Chase's bags from him and then opened the door for them.  Just as Audra was about to slide in she looked up at the house and  froze where she stood.

"Oh, My, God."

"What?" Chase followed her gaze to see what the problem was. This won't  end well. He waved up at the window as Tessa watched the two of them.  She smiled down and then moved out of sight.

"She's in your bedroom!" Audra glared at Chase. "You're sleeping with her!"

"Don't cause a scene." He nudged her into the back of the car because  the driver was waiting for them. And he didn't need everyone in on his  sex life.                       
       
           



       

"You said you weren't interested in her," she reminded him. "She's too  young for you. What are you thinking? Wait don't answer that. You're  obviously not thinking with your brain."

"Don't start." He wasn't in the mood to have this conversation.

"You need someone to talk some sense into you," she said. "You're  sleeping with the girl you promised to take care of. What would her  father think?"

"This is a topic I don't wish to discuss with you." He took a deep  breath because he had to be delicate with her. "Especially given our  history."

"What? That you slept with me too?"

"Exactly." He didn't want to go down this road with her. They'd tried a  relationship and it didn't work. He thought he could help her out by  keeping her on as his attorney and things had gone fine, until Tessa  came into his life.

"I don't want to see you make a mistake you'll regret."

Like I do with you? "I appreciate your concern but it's unwarranted. You  don't know anything about Tessa. I'd like to keep our personal lives  separate from now on."

"So you are sleeping with her? That's why you didn't answer my texts the other night?"

"I didn't answer them because they were inappropriate." He didn't want  to get into this with her. "My personal life isn't your concern."

"Oh." She gazed out the window. "Whatever you want. Now we're not supposed to be friends?"

"That's not what I meant." He sighed. "I just don't feel comfortable talking about Tessa with you. It will just get messy."

"Whatever." She pulled out her phone and began texting. "I'm here as  your attorney today. I can be as professional as you'd like. Mr.  Carlisle."

"Audra … " If she wasn't such a damn good attorney...

"Chase, forget I said anything. If screwing her makes you feel good then  go for it." She continued to text. "You're a big boy. You'll figure it  out."

In the three minutes he'd been in her company he already felt a migraine  coming on. He rubbed his temples, trying to ignore her. All they had to  do was get through the next day and a half. How hard could that be?





Chapter Twelve



Tess answered the door, expecting it to be the pizza delivery guy, but  instead Tanner stood on the porch. That was a surprise. She hadn't seen  him since the picnic. He'd taken Chase's direction well and stayed away  from her. What was he doing here?

"Hey," she said as she stepped out onto the porch to greet him. "Long time no see."

"Yeah." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his perfectly pressed  khakis. "I knew Chase was out of town so I stopped by to check on you."

"Did he ask you to do that?" Chase had called and texted her several  times throughout the day to see how her day was, tell her he missed her  and finally to ask if she'd gotten in from school yet. "He was worried  about leaving me here alone but I told him I'm cool."

"Um, no. He doesn't know I'm here." He shook his head. "He probably wouldn't like me being here."

"He's a little over protective."

"A little?"

"Yeah, I guess a lot." She laughed. "So, why are you here?"

"I have to drive by the neighborhood to get home. When Chase called in  earlier he mentioned you being out here alone, and I could tell he was  uneasy about it, so I thought I'd check in and see if you needed  anything."

"Thanks." She plopped down on the porch swing. "I was going to hang out  on campus but plans fell through so I decided to come home, write my  paper and order a pizza. I thought you were the delivery guy."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"You didn't disappoint me." Tess liked Tanner. Not in any way she  shouldn't. He was attractive and had a sweet personality, but she was  only interested in one man.

"How's school going?"

"It keeps me busy but I like it."

"Chase says you're interested in real estate." He relaxed a little and propped his elbows on the railing.

"I like to design things  –  not like you and Chase of course. I mean I'm more into the finishing touches."

"My aunt is an interior designer. I'll put you in touch with her if you want. She's local."

"That would be awesome." She'd never met a real interior designer before. "You want to eat with me?"                       
       
           



       

"I don't know." He chewed on his bottom lip. "I probably should get going."

"I'll make sure Chase doesn't rip you a new one, if that's what you're  worried about. He said I could have friends over and you're my friend."

"I am?"

"Well, we could be friends, can't we?" She waited for his response, but  he seemed reluctant. "You came out here to check on me. That was above  and beyond. We could have pizza together, for Pete's sake."

"I guess."

"You know I'm with Chase, right?" She didn't want to send any more mixed  signals. She had used Tanner the night of the picnic to get Chase's  attention but she was pretty sure Tanner knew what she was doing. "I  want to throw that out there so we don't have any miscommunication."

"I figured." He nodded. "He talks about you all the time."

"Does he?" She smiled when she thought about Chase talking about her.  All this time he tried to play it cool, but he was just as hooked as she  was. "All good?"

"He's not a gossip or anything. I can just tell he really likes you.  Chase is usually all business, but you bring out a different side in  him."

"That's sweet of you to say."

"Anyone can see it."

"We're never really together in public though," she said. "Who would care?"

"I could think of one or two people."

"Like?" Tess thought this was an odd conversation to have. She wondered  if any of Chase's colleagues cared that he was seeing her.