Tessa's Temptation(31)

"Your kitchen?" He snickered and Tess admired how boyish and carefree he looked. "The last time I checked I owned this house."

"You might own the house, but I own the kitchen." She put her hands on her hips. "And don't you forget it."

"She's tough." Tess laughed because she knew Chase would never challenge her. "You better get out of here and let me bake."

"Fine." He walked to the window, squinting out in the distance. "It's a  gorgeous day. I think I'll head over to the driving range and hit a few  golf balls."

"That's a good idea." May set a large bowl in the automatic mixer. "Leave us alone."

"Would you like to go to dinner tonight?" he asked, ignoring May.

"Yes." Tess kissed his cheek.

"Where would you like to go?"

"Surprise me." He always picked the best places to eat. "You're good at that."

The doorbell echoed through the house.

"Expecting someone?" May asked as she switched off the mixer.

"I don't think so," he answered. "Want me to get it?"

"No, you stay here and get her out of your system." May pointed at Tess. "When I come back you better be out of here."

"Yes, ma'am."

The doorbell chimed again.

"I'm coming!" May fussed as she made her way to the foyer.

"Well, now that she's out of my hair." Chase traced his finger across  Tess's lips. "Give me something to get through the afternoon. Tonight  we'll spend hours in bed doing all sorts of creative things to one  another."

"Can we skip dinner?" Hell, could I skip the whole baking lesson?

"You'll need nourishment for what I have planned." His gaze swept over her body. "Hours."

She had to squeeze her thighs together when she felt dampness flood her  panties. How could she be expected to wait until after dinner for him to  fill her?

"Remember that charity event I told you about that night I found you in my bed?" he asked.

"The one the weekend before Thanksgiving?" He hadn't mentioned it since but he had promised to take her.                       
       
           



       

"Yeah, that one. A few people from my office are going. I hope you still want to join me."

"That's next weekend."

He nodded.

"But I..." She paced the kitchen when she realized the preparation that  must go into attending such an elaborate affair. "What would I wear?"

"It's being taken care of." He took her hand. "My mother knows this  fabulous designer who does all of her dresses when she's here. I set up  an appointment for you to pick something out Monday afternoon."

"You did?"

"I remember you saying you wanted to go to a ball. You'll need a dress, Cinderella."

"Cinderella?"

"Well, I guess you're more of an Ariel, aren't you?" He tugged on her red locks.

"I want to be something more kick-ass." She giggled. "Like a super hero."

"Catwoman?" He shrugged. "She's pretty hot."

"Yeah, like her."

"Whatever you want." He smirked. "I figured a new dress was in order.  Gina, the designer, will help you with anything you need. You can make  an appointment at the salon to have you hair and nails done and whatever  else you want."

"Will we dance?"

"Of course." He spun her around. "Do you like to dance?" He took hold of  one of her hands and slid his other hand around her waist.

"I've never done it before."

"Another first all for me." He pulled her to his chest and twirled her  around the kitchen. "You're light on your feet." He whirled her around  but each time he brought her back to him he stared into her eyes.  "You're a natural."

"I think it's my partner."

"Perhaps." He continued to move across the hardwood floor, occasionally  spinning her and then he dipped her. "You're beautiful." He held her  there for a few seconds, his strong hand supporting her back. He would  never let her fall.

Looking up into his intense blue eyes, she knew. She loved him with  everything she had. Her breath caught in her throat and her cheeks went  flush with the realization. Loving him was easy. She'd thought about her  feelings for him many nights as she drifted to sleep in his warm  embrace. The idea of being his consumed her when they were apart and  gave her a sense of belonging when they were together. The passion in  his eyes when he made love to her always left her wanting, craving...  Now she knew what that ache was. That longing. She inhaled deeply as he  brought her back to a standing position.

"Are you okay?" He stroked her cheek. "You look overheated."

"Yes, I..." She needed to tell him before she lost her nerve. She had  been so caught up in the moment that she couldn't stop herself. "It's  just that I-"

"Chase," May interrupted them. "Tess has a guest."

"I do?" Tess looked in the direction of the entryway curious who would come and visit her.

"Who is it?" Chase let go of Tess and steered her toward May.

A tall woman, with auburn hair and pale skin stepped out from behind May and smiled. "Hey, baby girl."

"Mom?"





Chapter Eighteen



What was she doing here? Tess hadn't seen her in years. Her mother  managed to keep in touch just enough to keep her hoping, but Tess hadn't  heard from her in months. She thought of all the unanswered calls when  her father had been injured and she had no one else to turn to. Her legs  tensed and her stomach churned when her mother entered the kitchen.  Chase placed his hand on the small of Tess's back, reminding her he was  there. He was always there when she needed him. Unlike others.

"Tess, sweetie." Her mother pulled her into an awkward hug. "I've been so worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Tess wiggled out of her mom's hold, stepping back  until she bumped into Chase's chest. "You haven't returned any of my  calls."

"I'm sorry." Her mother looked up at Chase. "You've changed since the  last time I saw you but you're still as handsome as I remember."

"Hello, Mrs. Burke." Chase extended his hand for her to shake. "Tessa has told me much about you."

None of it very good.

"It's not Mrs. Burke anymore. It's Mrs. Alesi. I remarried, but please,  call me Nina." She smiled as she ogled him, taking her time to study his  perfect body. "I was shocked to find out Tess was staying here with  you. I had no idea that my ex-husband had stayed in touch with you over  the years. You were so young when you stayed with us those summers."                       
       
           



       

"How did you find out where I was?" Tess asked. "I've been here for months and haven't heard anything from you."

"I called your house but the number had been disconnected. I didn't have  a recent cell for you, so I started tracking down your dad's relatives  and they told me about his accident." She glanced over at May who had  been standing in the doorway of the kitchen glaring at her ever since  she had arrived.

Tess had filled May in about her feelings of abandonment, and May had  spoken her mind when it came to how she felt about a woman who would  leave her daughter behind. She said people had issues and problems and  if things didn't work out between a man and a woman, that was one thing,  and there was nothing wrong with her mother leaving Tess with her dad.  She put her foot down at Tess's mother not having much contact with her  daughter over the years. To May, that was inexcusable.

"Pat's sister helped me find him. I found out you were here, staying with Chase, while he recovered."

"Where have you been?" Not that it really mattered to Tess, but since  her mom was there she wanted some answers. "After the accident I called  you. I left messages."

"Things have been a bit rough this past year." Her mother looked at  Chase. "I appreciate you looking after Tess but I'm here now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tess asked. "I haven't seen you in  years. What makes you think you can come in here and act like my mother  now?"

"May," Chase intervened. "Could you please put on some tea? Tessa, Nina, let's go into the living room."

May nodded as she filled the kettle and put it on. "I'll have it ready in a few minutes."

Tess shrugged and walked past May and followed Chase into the other  room. The kindly older woman shot her a sincere glance, then went back  to making the tea.

"Please have a seat." Chase motioned toward the chair across from the  sofa. "I'm sure you didn't come here to upset Tessa, so why don't you  tell us what your intentions are?" He guided Tess to sit on the loveseat  with him. "I'm curious why you're here too."