Tessa's Temptation(25)

"Well, let me know if you want me to contact Seth and see if he needs my assistance."

"That won't be necessary but thank you." He didn't need or want Audra's  help in this deal. If all went according to plan, he hoped this would be  Tessa's Christmas present. Something he could share with her in the  future.

"Whatever you want." Audra tightened her lips in disapproval. "Why is Allison renting cars?"

"You don't miss much, do you?"

"I heard you talking before I came in. I didn't think it was a personal  conversation. If it was you should have closed the door."

"Tessa's car is in the shop. She needs a rental for a few days."

"Oh, I hope she didn't get into an accident or anything."

Audra sounded less than sincere. "No, just vandalism by some idiot."  Chase studied Audra's expression. "It's nothing that can't be fixed."

"That's terrible. People have nothing better to do these days." She rose  from the chair. "I have some contracts to go over. I'll put them on  your desk before I leave."

"Thanks." He couldn't accuse her. He had no proof. Keying a car wasn't  exactly her style but she hadn't been the same lately. He'd have to keep  an eye on her.

"Good luck on that property," she said as she left his office.

Once she was gone, Chase pulled the envelope back out of his desk and  reviewed the papers. It was a solid deal. Almost a steal. He'd be a fool  not to purchase the property. This was an opportunity for Tessa to get  back a piece of her childhood that she remembered as a happy time. She'd  said the cabin was a place filled with good memories. It was also where  they had met, even if the two of them were very young and couldn't  possibly know their paths would cross fifteen years later.

He picked up the phone and dialed Seth. There was no way he could pass up this opportunity.



***



Chase switched on the gas fireplace in the bedroom while Tess tossed  some pillows down on the floor. They'd spent the day hiking the property  and had a quiet picnic down by the stream. Once the sun set, the  temperature dropped. They both wanted to spend a lazy Saturday night  cuddled in front of the fire. She liked the idea of an intimate evening  in their bedroom.

He grabbed a fluffy throw from the edge of the bed. May had announced  the nights were getting cooler and left an extra one out for them.  Sitting on the floor, he leaned against the chair and spread his legs so  she could sit between them. Cuddle time!

She dropped down in front of him and situated herself between his thighs  with her back to his chest. He draped the blanket over her to keep her  warm. He was so attentive when it came to her.

"You don't have enough clothes on." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him.

"Are you seriously complaining?" She had on flannel pants and a tank  top. It wasn't as if her pajamas stayed on very long once they crawled  into bed anyway. "We're by the fire. I'm not going to freeze to death."

"I can turn up the heat if you get chilly."

"I know you can." She leaned her head back against his shoulder. "It's one of your best qualities."

"Always my little temptress, aren't you?" He kissed the top of her head. "Your hair smells good. New shampoo?"

"May gave it to me. She said her daughter uses it all the time."

"She can't wait for you to meet her family. She's really looking forward to having us on Thanksgiving."

"You eat with them every year?" May had invited them to spend  Thanksgiving with her family. For years it had been just Tessa and her  dad. Sometimes they ate with her aunt's family but they hadn't in the  past two years. She was looking forward to a big dinner with a lot of  people like on all of those television shows she watched every year. The  only thing missing would be her dad.

"Every other year. I like being with them when my mother is in France. I  could eat with relatives and I have friends who always offer, but May  is family. I grew up with her kids so it just seems right to spend the  holiday with them. I'm glad you're coming with me this year."                       
       
           



       

"Me too." She sighed. The holiday season had never been very easy for  her. Her mother rarely even called. Sometimes she and her dad would go  to a diner because it was less of a hassle than all the work of cooking  such a big dinner for just the two of them.

"You sound down." He held her tighter. "What's wrong?"

"I just feel bad I won't be with my dad. I've never spent a holiday without him."

"I know, sweetheart. I don't think his doctors will release him before December. I've asked."

"You have?" She turned to look at him.

"I thought maybe he could come with us but I don't think it's going to  happen." He touched her cheek. "I even offered to hire a personal nurse  for the hours he'd be with us."

"You did that?"

"I'll do anything to make you smile, but I'm sorry I couldn't make that  happen. They have him on a strict wellness plan and they don't want any  break from his schedule."

"It's not your fault. He's making so much progress at the new place."  Her dad loved his room. He'd put up a couple of pictures from the  internet and it was downright cheery; and the staff took such good care  of him. "They even have him starting to use a walker a little each day.  The last place didn't think that would even happen."

"When I saw how little progress he had made from the time of the  accident to when I visited him that first time, I knew he was in the  wrong place. Now he'll be home in time for Christmas. I'll make that  work no matter what."

"Yeah." She nodded but a sense of dread had been looming inside her ever  since she learned of her dad's pending discharge date. "Except we don't  have a home."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true." She looked down at her hands. Their future living  arrangements had been on her mind for a few days. "My dad asked you to  take me in while he recovered."

"Sweetheart, just because your dad is getting released in December  doesn't mean he's recovered. He still has many months of physical  therapy ahead of him."

"I know." Ever since the doctors told her they were working to discharge  him she'd been stressed. Taking care of him would become her full time  job once he was no longer there.

"What's wrong?" He took her hand in his. "I thought you'd be happy he'd be home for Christmas."

"Where are we going to go?" As thrilled as she was for her dad's  recovery, she felt like her life with Chase would come crashing down.  "When he gets out everything will change."

"Are you seriously asking me that question? Where do you think he's going to go?"

"I don't know, but I'll have to take care of him."

"He'll come and stay here with us." He ran his fingers through her hair. "We have plenty of room."

"You want my dad to move in here?" That seemed a little too close for  comfort, especially with all the sex she and Chase had. Having her  father in the same house while she was in bed with Chase creeped her  out.

"When I designed this house I included an in-law suite  –  what used to be  called servants' quarters. I always thought it was such a charming  set-up, so I added the space off the kitchen." He continued to move his  hand through her hair, calming her. "It has a bedroom, living room,  small kitchen and a full bath. It's perfect for your dad. There's even a  separate entrance around the side of the house."

"I knew there was an area back there but I didn't know what it was used  for." She'd been in his home since August and she still hadn't explored  the entire house. "May said you store things there. I thought it was  like a storage room."

"I haven't really done anything with it. I included it in the design  because it added value to the house, especially in this neighborhood.  I'm glad I did because now we can have your dad close to you but we  won't feel like he's too close." He winked. "If you know what I mean."

"You really would do anything for him, wouldn't you?"

"Not just him, sweetheart." He guided her mouth to his. "I'd do anything for you. As long as you're smiling it's all good."

"You're too good to be true." She pressed her lips to his. "Thank you.  I've been worrying about what would happen once he was released."

"You never have to worry about anything ever again. I'm going to take  care of you from now on. I meant it when I said you were mine. Not just  in bed." He kissed her, slipping his tongue inside her mouth, taking his  time to explore her. "I'm never going to let you hurt again. It's time  to let go of the past. You're not alone anymore."