Page 25 of Stuffed

"Dangerous territory, asking me to think right now." But his eyes never leave my movements.

"I think you're scared."

"Of you?" He smirks, but there's something vulnerable underneath.

"Of this. Of wanting something real." I meet his gaze steadily. "Of admitting that maybe those walls you built aren't as solid as you thought."

"Tessa…" His voice holds a warning, but I press on.

"Tell me I'm wrong." I lean closer, close enough to catch the woodsy scent of his cologne. "Tell me you haven't thought about this—about us—every day since high school."

The look in his eyes makes heat pool low in my stomach. Instead of answering, he signals for the waiter.

Chapter 8

Zane

Watching Tessa eat pasta should not be this erotic. But every twirl of her fork, every delicate bite, every time she licks her lips—each action drives me insane.

"More wine?" Our waiter appears, and I nearly growl at the interruption.

"No." My voice comes out rough. "The check."

Tessa raises an eyebrow over her glass, making sure the waiter hears her loud and clear. "But we haven't had dessert."

The way she says it—all innocence except for the wicked gleam in her eyes—snaps my last thread of control.

“We're getting dessert somewhere else." I throw down my credit card without looking at the bill.

"Are we now?" She takes another deliberate bite, letting the fork slide slowly from her lips. "And where might that be?"

"You know exactly where." I lean forward, keeping my voice low.

"Taking me home so soon?" she teases, but I catch the breathiness in her voice that betrays her attempt at composure.

"If I don't get you out of here right now," I growl, watching with satisfaction as she shivers at my tone, "I'm going to do something that'll get us both banned from this restaurant.”

"Like what?" Her eyes sparkle with challenge as I help her from her chair. Always pushing, always testing my control.

I slide my hand to her lower back, pulling her close enough that my lips brush her ear. "Like bend you over this table and show you exactly what those little glasses of yours have been doing to me all night.”

I feel her knees weaken slightly against me. "That's… quite the visual," she manages.

"Just wait." I let my lips ghost across her ear, loving how she trembles against me. "I have so many more things I want to do to you."

Her sharp intake of breath is deeply satisfying.

I sign the check blindly, already sliding the card back into my wallet. I extend my hand out toward her. "Coming?"

"Not yet," she murmurs, and I nearly choke. She slowly slides past me with deliberate grace, brushing against my body. "But I have high hopes for the evening."

The drive to my penthouse is torture. She keeps crossing and uncrossing her legs, letting that dress ride up. Keeps adjusting those damn glasses. Keeps testing my limits.

I break at least three traffic laws getting us there.

"Nice place,"she says as we enter the elevator. I barely even give her time to glance around the lobby… She squeaks as I push her against the wall.

"Enough games." I brace my hands on either side of her head. "You've been driving me crazy all night."

---