Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“What are you trying to say?” I ask.
“I think it’s best if we quit texting each other and take a break. It’s just too hard being this close to you while wanting more.”
“So, you’re going to go out with him then.”
“Just to a Yankee’s game tomorrow as friends.”
“No man, including me, can ever be just friends with you. Haven’t the last few weeks proven that?” I place a finger under her chin, lifting it higher. “Can I do one thing before you walk out of my life for good?”
“What is it?” she breathes.
“May I kiss you?”
She closes her eyes and exhales, and my pulse races as I wait.
“Yes,” she whispers, opening her eyes.
Our lips touch, moving slowly and sweetly at first. Tentative. But as we continue, the passion we’ve suppressed turns into a raging blaze of need and desire. She places her hands beneath my shirt, touching me with a simple graze of her fingers. The initial feelings are too much, and I flinch as if burned. But nothing holds her back—or me.
I kiss over the curve of her throat, continuing to the swell of her breasts. Wanting more access, I push her over-the-shoulder dress down, exposing a lacy strapless bra. It’s virginal white, and I lose my mind. I reach into each cup, freeing her breasts, and take them into my mouth one by one. When my tongue flicks her nipple, she moans and weaves her hands through my hair, pulling the strands.
I back her up against the nearest wall, wrapping her legs around my waist. Her hot center meets my hard cock. The feel of her is torturous ecstasy. I take her hands in mine and raise them over her head, pinning her to the wall. Our gazes lock in that moment like a slap to the face.
“Barclay?” she asks, her voice cracking.
“I know, Tessa. I know.” I bury my face in the crook of her neck and breath her in. If I can’t consume her with my body, at least I can store away her scent.
After a minute, I release her hands and adjust her bra and dress, fixing the results of my out of control passion. When I step away from the wall, I lower her legs to the ground, and a distant chill cools the fire in my veins.
“I better go,” she says, eyes looking at anything but me.
After smoothing her blond hair and straightening her dress, she’s gone, likely heading back to the party and starry-eyed Mark. I slump against the pool table, arms spread wide on the edge and head hanging low.
I hear someone enter the room and immediately hope it’s her returning to me.
“Tessa?” I call out as I turn around, but it’s my mother standing just inside the door. She’s looking at me with sadness etched across her face. It’s an expression I’ve seen countless times over the years, especially when I’m hurting and need her help or comfort. This time, neither is possible.
“Oh, Barclay,” she says, walking toward me, taking me in her arms. “Tessa’s the young woman your sister told me about.”
She releases me from her arms and pulls back to look up into my eyes. It’s strange how blurry she appears at this moment.
“Yes, she’s the one.” There’s no use hiding anything from her. A mother always knows.
“Believe it or not, I understand all too well what you’re going through. As you know, your father and I fell madly in love when I came to work for him, but it was a different time in the corporate world. Today, the rules are less forgiving.”
“I fell for her before she was hired. Hell, I was the last one to know she had gotten the job, but the no-fraternization rules are clear. We can’t be together, and I’m the company’s leader. One mess up from me and everyone pays.”
“I have an idea.” I see the wheels turning in her smiling blue eyes. “Don’t give up just yet, son.”
40
Tessa
“I had a great time at the game tonight. Thanks,” I tell Mark. We’re standing together outside my apartment door. “I should’ve split the cost of the tickets with you, though.”
The fact that he lives across the hall makes this goodbye awkward. Actually, it makes all things awkward, because I only see him as a friend.
“It was my pleasure, really,” he says, looking from my eyes to my lips.
Oh no! Is he going to kiss me? Barclay was right about one thing: he likes me in the more-than-a-friend way. I’ve been picking up those vibes from him all night.
I pull my bag open and start digging around for my keys. Anything to distract him from kissing me.
“Here they are.” I hold my keys up in the air, conveniently filling the space between us and hoping he takes the hint.
But he doesn’t. He springs forward, his arm landing on my shoulder as his mouth connects with mine in a wet, sloppy kiss, reminiscent of licks from a happy puppy. I pull away and wipe my lips.