Page 35 of Tempting Tessa

His grin was pure alpha male.

He produced a condom from his discarded pants. “Found them at your place. I don’t want to think about who’s been in your bed, but I’m glad for the stash.”

“I never felt anything for them,” she admitted.Not like I do you.

He returned, the heat in his gaze as he surveyed her from the tips of her toes to her mouth, smoldering. Her knees, still open and exposing her most vulnerable area, started to close, but he pinned them down, kissed her deeply, and entered her in one swift stroke.

Her swollen folds resisted, and she cried into his mouth. His lips and tongue teased her as he settled and held still, giving her a moment to adjust to his size.

Her muscles unclenched, and desire spread through her again. She adjusted her hips, taking him even deeper.

“God, Tessa,” he moaned, scoring her neck with his teeth.

She shivered. “Make it good,” she ordered.

He chuckled. “I might need to practice a lot in order to perfect my skills.”

“We’ll see.”

She expected hard, fast thrusts, but he kept her pinned in place as he took his time with her. Their bodies moved together in a sensual rhythm, skin glistening in the dim light of the room. His eyes locked on hers, conveying a raw desire and understanding that made her feel vulnerable in other ways.

As they built to a fresh climax, her skin grew hot and slick again. Every touch ignited sparks of pleasure coiling at the base of her spine. She cried out as the release barreled through her, clasping his broad shoulders as she spun out into nothingness.

Two more strokes, her nails scoring his back, and he followed her over into the abyss.

When they came up from those depths, gasping and spent, he wrapped her in his arms, their bodies entwined. Their breathing ragged, they stared into each other's eyes, both acutely aware that nothing would ever be the same between them again.

But as Tessa drifted off to sleep in Tommy's arms, the ghosts of their pasts lingered in the shadows, their malevolent presence a constant reminder that their respite was only temporary. The game they were playing was far from over, and the stakes had just become immeasurably higher.

Fourteen

The first thing Tommy noticed when he woke in the all-white bedroom wasn’t the room, but the warmth pressed against his side.

Tessa.

Her head rested on his shoulder, her breath soft and steady against his chest. For a moment, the mission that had felt like a horror show felt distant, almost like it belonged to someone else.

He tightened his arm around her instinctively, his hand brushing the underside of her breast. He trailed his lips over her shoulder. She’d left the bandage off her wound, and he could see it was healing.

Last night, they’d both needed an anchor, a tether to steady them after the realization that Jessie wasn’t dead. Worse, she might be an active participant in something treasonous.

He refused to believe that his sister was anything but the morally upstanding person he’d relied on his whole life. There had to be more to it, and he knew it was going to be ugly, but he held onto that anchor even more now. The anchor that gave him hope that she had a good reason for what she’d done.

He couldn’t imagine what that would be. Couldn’t accept that she’d been alive all this time and misled them into believing she was dead. He wasn’t sure there was anything that could excuse that.

Tessa stirred, burrowing closer as if reluctant to wake and face the day. He brushed his mouth over her temple. “You’re hogging the covers,” he murmured. The blanket was squarely over both of them, but teasing her awake came naturally.

Her lashes fluttered open. She squinted at him, her voice groggy but sarcastic. “That’s because you failed to keep me warm in this drafty old place.”

Sarcasm was good. “Is that so?” He kissed her cheek, jawline, and ear, earning an annoyed huff from her. He pulled back the blanket and began trailing light fingertips over her bare chest, stomach, and hip. Her annoyance turned to squirming, and she slapped at his hand, laughing and pulling away.

He grabbed her and drew her under him, kissing her thoroughly. Of course, that led to more things, and soon they were entangled in each other and the sheets, finding a quick morning release.

Still breathing hard, she jumped when a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

“Breakfast is served in the dining room,” came the maid’s voice. Tommy had learned her name was Moda. His driver at the airport was Randall. “Or would you prefer it in here, m’Lady?”

Tommy nibbled at her ear as she replied, giving a little squeal. “Dining room. We’ll be there shortly.”

---