Pulling into the driveway, I park up in my usual spot and head inside, opening the door and making my way inside. The faint sound of music comes from the kitchen along with the enticing smell of home cooking. Following my nose, I enter the room to find Tessa standing in front of the stove belting out the words to whatever song seems to be flowing out of her phone. Her ass sways from side to side in time with the beat as she picks up a spoon and uses it as a makeshift microphone as she slowly drops to the floor, her head falling back and then standing again, her fingers trailing up her body in a sensuous dance.
A strangled growl leaves my lips as I watch her move, the sound startling her as she spins toward me, chest heaving, the sight doing nothing for the straining boner in my suit trousers. She gives me one of those smiles that I love, sending me off to get changed as she finishes the dinner.
I do what I’m told, heading upstairs and taking a quick shower I decide to forgo my usual restrictive clothing and throw on a t-shirt and some sweats before heading back downstairs again.
Tessa is plating up our food as I walk in, unaware of my entry, wanting her attention, I compliment the smell of the food she’s dishing up, forcing her gaze to me and a growl of triumph rumbles within me when her lips part slightly, her gaze raking over my body as her breathing becomes heavier.
The knowledge that she’s as affected by me as I am by her does something to me and before I know it I’m pulling out her chair like we are on a date and getting a bottle of wine to share, my earlier anger long forgotten.
We eat together, the food is as amazing as yesterday and I’m a little sad when I wipe up the last of the sauce and swallow the last mouthful of the garlic bread that accompanied our meal.
I’m in a good mood, allowing myself, just once, to take the enjoyment of Tessa’s company. I know I should keep her at arm’s length, but Callan’s whispered words about taking her out on his father’s boat have swirled around my head all day and I just need to be around her, just for a few hours.
‘So what happened?’ she asks about my comment earlier regarding my bad day.
The memory of my beloved SUV having a damn flat which I couldn’t fix causing me to have to borrow my brother’s piece of crap truck comes back to me.
Explaining my annoyance, I’m surprised when laughter bubbles up the teenager’s throat, her eyes dancing with mirth as she shakes her head at me.
‘What?’ I grumble in confusion.
She smiles warmly, ‘just you’ she replies cryptically, and all my annoyance melts away again, as it always seems to do when she’s near.
Standing up, she picks up her plate before moving around the table to collect mine, about to carry them to the sink. I reach out instinctively, wrapping my fingers around her wrist, hearing the audible gasp that flies from her lips as electricity crackles between them.
‘I’ll take them, you cooked’ I murmur, reaching out with my other hand and taking the plate from hers before reluctantly releasing her wrist, standing up, and reaching out to pick up the other one.
She stands in front of me, inches from my body, her chest rising and falling as she stares at me, neither of us able to look away.
‘You should go up’ I finally say, a roughness to my voice, ‘I’m sure you have school work to do.’
Tessa nods, blinking away the haze that seems to have fallen over us before taking a step back.
‘Yeah, I do’ she agrees quietly, her gaze now focused on the floor between us. Nodding slightly, she sidesteps around me, heading for the door.
‘Tessa?’ I call out, waiting for her to turn toward me, her eyes wide, ‘thank you for dinner’ I say softly.
She gives me that small sweet smile, nodding once at me before turning toward the door and walking out, her light footsteps on the stairs before the door of her room quietly creaks open and then closes again.
Sucking in a deep breath, I shut my eyes for a second, allowing the lingering scent of Tessa’s perfume to envelop me before heading toward the sink to clear up.
Tessa’s POV
I stand in the kitchen, drumming my fingers on the worktop as I stare at the sandwich items in front of me. I’m making my lunch to take to college as buying form the canteen is getting expensive and I feel bad spending money on something I can make for free at home. I know Henry is loaded and he left me some money for expenses, but mum and I always counted our pennies and it’s hard to suddenly not worry about how much things cost.
Making myself some cheese and tomato sandwiches, I start to wonder what Caleb is having for lunch. I know he doesn’t eat breakfast, the only time he’s done so is when I made him some cereal.
Is he eating lunch? I know I saw him at the bistro, but was that a fluke? Maybe he doesn’t eat all day, the only meal he’s getting is when he gets home at night.
The thought of Caleb sitting behind his desk all day with no food makes my mind up for me and I quickly grab two more slices of brad and make a second set of sandwiches. I place them in a Tupperware box along with other bits from the fridge before sealing the top and tucking it into my bag along with my own.
Swinging the bag over my shoulder, I head out of the front door, setting the alarm and climbing into my car.
Making my way down the driveway, I exit and turn toward the town. I hum happily along to the radio as I make my way through the morning traffic, tapping my thumbs on the steering wheel. It takes twenty minutes for me to reach the office of Hawthorne security and I pull into one of the few visitor spots and jump out. Pushing through the door, I head up the stairs to Caleb’s floor and open the door.
Stepping inside, I see their receptionist on the phone, writing something down so I wait patiently for her to finish before approaching.
‘Hi, umm is Caleb here?’ I ask, smiling at the woman who seems surprised to see me, maybe this was a bad idea.
‘He’s busy right now, can I take a message?’ the woman asks, pulling her notepad closer and glancing up at me expectantly.
‘Oh, I suppose’ I agree, fiddling with the strap of my rucksack, really regretting my decision to bring the man lunch.
‘Tessa?’ comes Gage’s voice as my other stepbrother appears from his office, grinning widely, ‘what are you doing here?’
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.