Page 11 of Cherished Lands
I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the cushions. Memories of our last encounter—before the postoffice or Natalie's office—flooded my mind. Her fiery eyes, the flush of anger on her cheeks, the way her chest heaved as she shouted at me across the property line.
Damn it, Elliot. Stop thinking about her chest.
Groaning, I hauled myself off the couch and climbed the ladder-like staircase to my sleeping loft. The space was tight, but there was something comforting about the snug fit, like being wrapped in a cocoon.
I stripped down to my boxers, tossing my clothes into the small hamper in the corner of the room. As I slid under the covers, my mind drifted back to Tessa.
How the hell am I supposed to work with her without killing her? Or kissing her?
The thought caught me off guard. I rolled onto my stomach, burying my face in the pillow.No. Absolutely not. She's the enemy. She's infuriating. She's... fuck, she's sexy as hell.
I punched the pillow in frustration, trying to banish the image of Tessa's smile from my mind. But it was useless.
Wide awake, I lay there and wondered what Tessa was thinking right then. Was she as conflicted about this partnership as I was? Did she lie awake at night, picturing my face?
The longer I pictured hers, the more blood pumped straight to my cock. If anyone asked, I'd deny 'til I was blue in the face that I'd ever fantasized about Tessa before. But it'd be a damned lie.
I'd gotten off to her so many times it was borderline unhealthy. Usually after one of our run-ins. The verbal sparring turned me on. She was one of the few people who could go toe-to-toe with me in a battle of wills.
I ran a rough palm over my hard dick, willing the ache away. But it only spurred me on further. I imagined Tessa taking over, her small hand stroking me through the fabric of my boxers, pushingmethe way I craved to pushher.
Would she let me?
Would she let me fuck her hard and rough?
Wrap my hand around her delicate throat and squeeze just enough to make her see stars?
Would she let me tie her up and take her ass?
Fuck, but I wanted to find out. I wanted to shove my cock down her throat and make her gag. Watch tears leak from her eyes and smear mascara down her pretty face.
I wasn't sure how it happened, but at some point, my hand had wrapped around my dick, and I was fucking my fist as I pictured Tessa on her knees, taking me like a goddamn queen.
And just as I'd done way too many times before, I came with her name on my lips.
The next afternoon,I paced the short distance between the window and the desk in Natalie's office, my nerves wound tighter than a spring. Jasper lounged in one of the chairs, flipping through a farming magazine with feigned nonchalance.
"Would you sit down?" Natalie snapped. "You're making me dizzy."
I glowered at her and dropped into the chair next to Jasper. He glanced up with a smirk. "Nervous, big bro?"
"Fuck off," I muttered.
The door opened, and I sprang to my feet. Tessa Belmonte strode in, all long legs and confidence. My mouth went dry.
Christ, she's beautiful.
She looked at me. Her brow furrowed with something like confusion before she schooled her expression into cool professionalism. "Elliot. I didn't expect to see you here."
I swallowed and tried to remember how to form words. "My family's business. My idea. My project to see through. That a problem?"
She arched an eyebrow. "No. I just figured your dad would be at the helm."
"He's busy."Playing online euchre.
"Of course. Should we get started?"
The next hour was a bewildering onslaught of numbers, projections, and thinly veiled barbs. Tessa was sharp, her business acumen impressive. I found myself reluctantly admiring her as she dissected our proposal, asking pointed questions and offering suggestions.
