Her sleeping attire was part of the reason his nights were so restless. She was barely twenty and flawless. He hadn't realized she would parade around the house like that.
"Did you have a good run?"
"Yes, it was very peaceful." He held her gaze because if he looked down he'd focus on her breasts and those pert nipples that insisted on poking through her shirt. He tried hard to be respectful of Pat. He owed the man a great deal and the last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of his daughter. Why did she have to be so fucking hot?
"I like to run. Maybe I could come with you one day."
Hell no! I'm running to get away from you! "I get up really early. I'm sure you'd rather sleep." He didn't want to be rude but being this close to her triggered all sorts of inappropriate thoughts.
"Tomorrow I have to get up early anyway," she said as she poured herself a glass of juice. "School starts and I have an early class."
"That's right." Where had the time gone? He sat down on a stool at the counter. "Do you have everything you need? I didn't realize it was here already." He'd given her the keys to the Mustang in his garage because there were no bus stops in the gated community where he lived.
"I'm cool," she said. "Since I didn't have to pay rent last month I used the money to get what I needed. I'm going to start looking for a job too."
"You don't have to do that," he said. "I spoke to your dad and he tells me you're a really good student. You're getting financial aid and a partial scholarship. You make the dean's list every semester."
"Was he bragging?" She chose a banana from the fruit bowl and began peeling it. "He does that sometimes."
Seriously, of all the fruit in that damn bowl, did she have to pick a banana to eat in front of him? "He's very proud of you." He sipped his coffee, trying not to concentrate on her lips as she brought the tip of the fruit to her mouth. He wondered if she did these things on purpose. "In any case, you've been taking on too much. You were working and trying to make rent while you took care of him. He'd like for you to focus on school now. And I agree."
"I'm going back tomorrow. I'm officially a junior."
She took little bites of her banana, wrapping her lips around it each time. "I can probably find work on campus. You've already given me so much."
He cleared his throat and set his shaking coffee cup on the counter. "I'd like for you to concentrate on school. I'll cover your expenses. I'm having a credit card issued in your name and we'll switch over your cell phone to my account. Anything you need you just use the card."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I can." Her dad had told him about the past few years. They'd been rough on Tessa. Her mother left when she was ten and rarely reached out to her daughter. Things hadn't been easy for this girl and he had so much. He wanted to help her. "You can sit with your dad in the afternoons if you don't have to work. He'd like the company."
"I would like to be there with him. I like to talk to the nurses and his physical therapists. It's easier when I'm there. He doesn't always remember everything they're saying about his progress."
"Then it's settled. You worry about your schoolwork and keeping your dad company, and I'll take care of the rest." He already had his attorney looking into alternatives for Pat's care. His doctors weren't optimistic about him regaining full use of his legs anytime soon. Chase wanted him in a better facility. Preferably someplace in the city with state-of-the art technology and top notch doctors. He didn't think Pat was getting the attention he needed.
"Thank you," she said. "Maybe one of these days you'll tell me what my dad did for you that makes you want to be so nice to me."
"You're easy to be nice to, Tessa, and I'm glad I can help you, and your dad." He added as he stood up. "I need to get ready for work." He glanced at his cell phone. "I'm going to be late."
"Aren't you the boss?"
"Yeah, I suppose I am."
He'd started his architecture firm four years earlier. He'd come from money and when his trust fund kicked in he'd invested wisely. When he got the opportunity to purchase some undeveloped land in a prominent up and coming suburb just outside of Boston he'd jumped on it. Now his high-end houses were wanted all over the country. He designed for celebrities, politicians, athletes, and influential people all over the world.
"I saw some of the books of houses you designed – in the family room. They're impressive."
"Thank you."
"Did you build this one?"
"About two years ago."
"It's amazing but why would one guy need all this space?"
"Go big or go home." He shrugged. "I spend most of my time designing these immense houses. I see all the luxuries. I guess I just got carried away."
"You did a great job. I love the colors." She leaned down on the counter, giving him a full shot of her cleavage. "It's a big house but it has a cozy vibe."
"That's what I was going for." He dragged his attention back to her face. "Your dad tells me you like to draw. Are you good?"
"I've taken a few classes and my professors say I'm good but I'm sure I can't do anything like you do. I like to play with colors. Paints and prints and texture. I could hang out in a home improvement store for hours. Maybe someday I'll have my own home to decorate." She laughed and he liked the way it sounded. "I figured real estate was the way to go. If I get a degree for that, then I could buy and sell all kinds of houses."
"I didn't know you were interested in designing."
"I'm full of surprises." Her smile dazzled him.
"I'll bet you are." He took his mug and headed for the back staircase. "I need to hit the shower. May will be here to prepare dinner for the next few days. If there's anything special you'd like just let her know. I'll be late tonight. If I don't see you in the morning, good luck on your first day."
"You won't make it home for dinner?" She looked disappointed.
"I'm sorry." He glanced at the time again and, much as he wanted to stay and talk with her, he had to get a move on. "I'm really busy at work. I have three new clients who are absolutely torturing me. I have to go."
"Have a good day."
"You too." He waved before escaping up the stairs. When he got to the top he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. In just a few weeks' time he'd become so taken with this stunning young woman who shared his home. No matter how much he wanted her, he couldn't act on that impulse. Not only was there a twelve year age difference but she was vulnerable and needed more attention than he had time to give. He reminded himself he was simply repaying a debt to an old friend. As long as he didn't lose sight of that fact he'd be okay.
Who am I kidding? He wanted the forbidden fruit. Hell, he wanted the whole garden.
Chapter Three
A week into school and Tess was already overwhelmed. As if adjusting to her new professors and course load wasn't enough, she visited her dad five afternoons a week, usually getting home after seven. She ate alone because Chase was a workaholic and then it was homework, homework, homework. Her dad and Chase were right when they insisted on not getting a job this semester. Living with Chase had taken the financial burden off her but not the emotional one. Her dad's progress was slow. She hadn't seen much improvement in weeks.
"I'm getting ready to go, sweetie," May said as she pulled on her sweater. "Do you need anything?"
"I'm good." She held up a fresh baked cookie May had made that afternoon. "These are awesome."
"They're Chase's favorite. I could teach you how to make them if you want."
"Really?" Tess bit into the cookie. "I've never baked anything before."
"Oh honey, just wait until the holidays. I'll keep you real busy in that kitchen."
"I'm going to hold you to it." Her mother left when she was young, but even before that they hadn't spent much time together that she could recall. They definitely never baked together. It was pleasant having May in the house. She always asked her how her day went and even packed her lunch every morning before she left for school.
"I'll see you in the morning," May said. "I'll bring those homemade croutons you like and make you a salad for lunch."