"What?"
"Look." She pointed across the pool. "They're really hitting it off."
Chase turned around to find Tessa practically sitting in Tanner's lap as he dipped a strawberry into a bowl of chocolate and fed it to her.
Oh, fuck no. "What the hell is he doing?" Chase took a deep breath because beating the shit out of Tanner wasn't an option. At least not in public.
"Making his move," Audra said. "Can you blame him? He's young and horny and she's hot and willing. Perfect match if you ask me. You sure you don't want to get that beer now?"
"No." He headed toward Tessa and Tanner. With each step he increased his stride. He couldn't get to her fast enough.
"What are you doing?" Audra followed him.
"Putting a stop to whatever that is."
"You can't do that." She reached for his arm but he pulled away.
"Watch me." He took the last few steps to them and looked pointedly at Tessa. "Having fun?"
"Chase." Tessa shot him a slow seductive smile. The kind that usually sent his libido into overdrive. Those soft, glistening lips made him lose all sense of reasoning. "I was wondering when you'd be back. You're missing all the fun."
"He was working," Audra said. "He does that a lot."
"That's why he's so successful." Tessa turned and smiled at Tanner. "You were right, Audra, Tanner took really good care of me."
"I see." Chase's voice came out on a growl as he gritted his teeth.
"Tess is so funny," Tanner said. "Her laugh is infectious."
It's Tessa, and her laugh belongs to me.
"You do a good job of making me laugh." She retrieved her napkin from her lap and wiped her mouth. "And feeding me. I'm stuffed. I told you I didn't need the strawberries." She looked up at Chase. "Tanner insisted I try them. They were delicious."
"Really?" Chase tried to control the urge to throttle his misguided intern.
"She's never had chocolate covered strawberries before." Tanner couldn't stop looking at her. "I made her try them."
"I'm quite certain she's fed herself before," Chase said. "I don't think you needed to do that."
"He was just being polite," Tessa said. "Sharing his strawberries."
"Is that all?" Chase stared Tanner down.
"How did the talk go with McCormick?" Tanner moved his chair slightly away from Tessa.
That's better.
"It went well," Audra said. "Chase had him sold on the deal before he could finish his first drink."
Chase couldn't stop staring at Tessa. It was as if they were the only two there. He no longer heard the din of his guests, the music, the movement around him, and she hadn't looked away from him since he'd interrupted her little flirting act with Tanner. What was she trying to do? Obviously she had no idea the rage she had let loose or else she wouldn't be playing such a dangerous game.
"Chase?" Audra interrupted his thoughts. "Why don't you tell Tanner about the deal?"
"There is no deal yet," he reminded her. How could he be expected to concentrate on anything other than the redheaded vixen who had not only invaded his home but his every waking thought?
"There will be on Monday morning," Audra assured him.
"I think I'll let you guys talk." Tessa slipped off the high stool, revealing her long, booted legs that had been hidden beneath the table.
"You don't have to leave." He wanted her close but not near Tanner. He'd much rather have everyone leave them so he could be alone with her.
"It's getting cooler out," she said. "I'm going to get a sweater and see if May needs any help." She turned, leaning down to kiss Tanner's cheek. "It was fun talking to you."
"I'll call you." Tanner smiled as she stood. "We can grab dinner sometime."
"Sounds great," Tessa said.
I don't think so.
"See you around, Audra." Tessa walked past her without making eye contact. "I'll come back down later," she gave Chase a quick peck on the cheek and whispered, "when it's not so crowded out here."
She swayed her slender hips, as she made her way toward the house. An image of the two of them in his bedroom flashed before him – her back to him, his hands threaded through her long, silky hair as he pounded into her hard and fast.
If she only knew the things she had unleashed within him tonight.
***
Chase sat under the gazebo, sipping his beer after everyone had gone home. The cleaning crew had begun putting his yard back together. He'd pulled off another successful company picnic. How he managed not to kill his intern was a miracle. It wasn't Tanner's fault. Chase was quite certain it was his little vixen's charms that Tanner couldn't resist. Tessa had played them both and she had won.
"Everyone gone?" Tessa appeared in the archway of the gazebo still wearing the pale pink sundress that barely covered anything and those sexy damn cowgirl boots. "It was an amazing bash."
"I'm glad you thought so." He took a long pull from his bottle, never taking his eyes away from hers. "You seemed to enjoy the strawberries."
"Yeah." She leaned against the post, her long hair blowing in the cool October breeze. "They were delicious."
"Just so you know, I told Tanner you were off limits."
"I heard." She smiled. "I'm not surprised."
"How did you hear?"
"He texted me and told me you threatened him. That wasn't necessary. You're a bully."
I'm obsessed. "Why did you give him your number? You're not interested in him."
"I was being polite. Besides how do you know I'm not interested in him?" She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. "That's awfully presumptuous of you."
"Come here." He set his beer down before standing up. The games were going to stop tonight.
"Now you're bullying me? You used your authority to scare poor Tanner but it won't work on me. He has to listen to you. I don't."
That's where you're wrong, cupcake.
"I'm not going to ask you again." He curled his finger and beckoned her to come to him. "Don't disappoint me."
She hesitated for a moment, taking her time to make up her mind. Slowly tormenting him the way she always did. Was she defiant or afraid tonight? If she was smart she would turn and run in the opposite direction. Although he would probably chase her.
When she took the first step toward him he let out the breath he'd been holding. Once she was at arm's length, he reached for her, pulling her against him. She gasped but quickly regained her composure.
"What's gotten into you?" Her warm breath swept across his lips. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Your little act this afternoon."
"Jealous much?" She smiled because she had him right where she wanted him.
"Is that what you wanted? To provoke me?"Such a menacing game. "Make me lose control?"
"Maybe." Her sweet giggle followed but she'd been anything but sweet this afternoon. "It worked." She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she studied his mouth.
"Why would you do that?"
"I didn't set out to do it." She tilted her head. "Opportunity just presented itself."
"It wasn't very nice to use my intern for your plan," he said. "Tanner is taken with you."
"I could say the same about your attorney. She seems a bit mesmerized by you."
"Did that make you jealous?" Is that why you acted out?
"Should it?" She traced her finger along his lips. "Are you seeing her?"
"No." He wrapped his arm around her waist, closing any space between them. "But we have a problem." His lips practically touched hers, creating a charge of energy that coursed through him. Maybe it was the beer. He tried to shake it off.
"What's that?" she asked as she boldly kissed the corner of his mouth, causing a commotion inside his pants. He couldn't shake that off.
Focus... He had to focus. But how when she stared at him that way? All he wanted to do was consume every inch of her.
"I'm falling for you." He tangled his fingers in her hair, the scent of her vanilla shampoo swirled between them. The combination of that mixed with the effect she had on him drove him wild with need.
"That's not a problem." She brushed her lips along his jaw. "I've already fallen for you."
"What are we going to do about it?"
"I think you should kiss me." She licked her lips. "I know you want to."