Desire Part Three (The Desire Series Book 3) (3 page)

“Your drinks are on me,” Matt said.

“Where are you going?” Whit asked in surprise.

“I’ve waited long enough,” was all that Matt would say.

Whit took a sip of his drink as he watched his friend leave the bar. He smiled. Things were about to get interesting.

Tess couldn’t believe her eyes. She stood on her small balcony and stared down at the man she’d been thinking about for weeks. It was like her thoughts had conjured him up. He stood across the street gazing at her apartment building as if mesmerized. Was it possible that he had come to see her? It would have been easy enough for him to find her. How many Tess Zeplers of Zepler Oil were there in New York? Tess’s heart fluttered at the sight of him. She had dreamt of seeing him again; and what their reunion would be like. Maybe dreams could come true, after all he was here; almost anyway. Tess chafed her arms in the cool breeze of autumn. She was just about to go inside for a sweater when she spotted Matt. How long had he been standing there watching her building? Would he approach the building and buzz her apartment? Or would he turn and leave without contacting her? Tess had made up her mind to go back inside when suddenly he looked upward. His pale grey eyes connected with her cherry brown orbs. Even from their distance she could see the sparks twinkling in his piercing scrutiny. He ran across the street, dodging moving vehicles and ignoring their blaring horns. His overcoat billowed out behind him as he ran in the strong wind. He arrived at the door of her building and Tess quickly returned to her apartment to await her door buzzard. It sounded promptly. Tess took a deep breath then pressed the button.

“Yes?”
 

“Tess? Is that you?” he asked.
 

“Yes,” she answered.

“It’s Matt. May I come up?” he asked.

“Alright,” she replied.

Tess pressed the button to release the security door. She knew he would be knocking on her door in a matter of minutes. This is what she’s wanted to happen, so why was her heart racing? She needed to calm down and breathe. He was here but she didn’t know why. It could be a completely innocuous visit; he was in town so he decided to look her up. Nothing less, nothing more. It could very well lead to nothing. He knocked on the door. Tess slid her nervous hands over her hips then opened the door. Matt stood there bigger than life staring intently at her.

“Matt. Hello,” she greeted.

“Hello, Tess. May I come in?” he asked smoothly. He was glad his voice did not reflect his nerves. He had never felt nervous in his life until now.

“Yes. Of course,” she said.
 

Tess stepped aside to let him in. He moved into the room and looked around. It was a small but cozy room. He liked it. It was obvious that she wasn’t using her family money to live and he admired that. She was trying to make it on her own which was a reflection of her character. He had come from a poor family and left home with only ten dollars. There were plenty of nights when he begged for leftovers from the neighborhood restaurant and slept on a wooden bench in the train station. But he refused to return home with nothing. His mom deserved more than that and he’d been determined to give it to her. He still had the two dollar winning horse race ticket that had changed his life.
 

“This is nice. I like it,” he smiled.

“Thanks. So do I. It’s not grand but it suits me,” she grinned. “Please, sit. Can I get you anything? Coffee perhaps?”

He saw the twinkle in her eye and knew she was recalling the last time they’d had coffee together. He accepted the challenge. If she burned him so be it.

“Coffee would be great,” he chuckled.

“Okay,” she responded.

She went into the small kitchen to prepare the beverage. He followed her and sat at the small table for two beside the window.

“I was surprised to see you standing on the sidewalks of New York. What brings you here?” she inquired.

“You,” he said directly.

Tess almost spilled the coffee grinds she was putting into the coffee maker. She looked at him in shock.

“Me?”

“Yes. I wanted to see you,” he said. “You left a beguiling impression that I want to pursue.”

Tess wasn’t prepared for such stripped down honesty from him. She wasn’t sure how to respond to him. She returned to making the coffee and stalling for time. She set the coffee to perk but did not move. They were quiet for some moments; each lost in their own thoughts. Then he moved to stand behind her. He clasped her waist and turned her t face him. She looked up at him; confusion clouding her beautiful eyes. He gazed into her amber eyes and knew he could get lost in them. He anticipated the time when he could.

“I want to get to know you; in all ways, Tess. I came to New York specifically for that purpose. I won’t take no for an answer,” he said firmly.

“Wow! He’s arrogant,” she thought.

Irrationally Tess bristled. She wanted the same thing but it was the way he said it as if she had no say in the matter. Well she did.

“It’s far from a done deal. I’ve been fine without having you in my life, and will continue to be. You can go back to Aruba,” she snapped.

“Not without you,” he vowed.

His mouth swooped down upon hers. Tess was shocked, appalled and foolishly thrilled. It took all of two second for her to respond to his tongue pushing into her mouth. Her arms crept up and around his neck as she leaned into him. He tightened his embrace, molding her slender frame to him. Tess could feel his penis straining against the fabric of his pants. It wanted its freedom and God help her she to release it. Tess was sexually charged and she was having trouble holding back. Her criteria for needing to be emotionally connected with a man to sleep with him had flown out of the window. She wanted him regardless of lack of emotions. And he wanted her just as badly. He grinded against as he massaged her breasts. She wasn’t sure when he had unbuttoned her blouse but his hands on her black laced covered breast was sending tremors through her. His tongue began acting as his penis in her mouth and she could not stop her hand from sliding down his torso to cup his cock. He groaned in response.

“Tess! Don’t stop. Take me out,” he urged.

She unbuckled his belt and slid his zipper down. He pushed his pants over his hips and they dropped to the floor. She cupped his cock through his brief and slowly massaged him.

“Tess!” he cried.

Just as her fingers slid under the waistband of his briefs her phone rang. She stilled.

“No Tess. Ignore it,” Matt pleaded as he suckled her neck.

But the ringing didn’t stop and in all good conscious she couldn’t dismiss it. Phone calls usually meant jobs. She couldn’t afford to ignore it. She broke away from Matt and ran into the living room to answer her phone.

“Hello,” she answered breathlessly.

“Tess? What have you been doing? You sound out of breath,” Jaclyn asked.

“Oh, it’s you,” Tess bemoaned.

Jaclyn was her best friend and any other time she would have been glad to hear from her. But right now she was exhibiting
the
worst timing.

“Gee, thanks,” Jaclyn said irritably.
 

Tess sighed and tried to massage Jaclyn’s bruised ego.

“Of course I’m glad to hear from you. I was coming back from running and rushed into the house when I heard the phone ringing. I thought it might be a new assignment,” Tess lied. She asked God to forgive her white lie.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Tess. I wish I had a lead for you,” Jaclyn said apologetically.

“It’s alright. I’ll get a job soon. What’s up?” Tess asked.

“I’m calling to invite you to dinner tonight. I thought you could use a night out,” Jaclyn said warmly.

Leave it to Jaclyn to be looking out for her. She was so loving and caring. Actually, Jaclyn’s call came at the perfect time. Tess needed to put the brakes on her raging hormones. She couldn’t seem to think when she was near Matt. And thinking was precisely what she needed to do.

“That sounds great. I need a night out,” Tess smiled.

“Terrific. Meet me at Tall Boys at six-thirty,” Jaclyn instructed.

“Cool. I’ll see you then,” Tess said.

She placed the phone in its cradle and turned to see Matt leaning against the kitchen door jamb with his arms crossed.

“Out running?” he queried with raised eyebrows.

“Well, I wasn’t about to tell her what I was really doing,” Tess defended her lie.

He shrugged and pushed away from the wall to move toward her.

“Did I understand you to agree to go out tonight?” he asked softly.

“Yes. I’m having dinner with my friend,” Tess replied.

“A male friend?” he asked sharply.

“What if it is?” she returned.

Matt now stood directly in front of her. Tess looked at him closely. Was he jealous? How could he be? There was nothing between them. “
But he wanted there to be
,”
she said silently.

“Cancel the date.”
 

“What?” she questioned in outrage.

“Cancel the damn date. Tell ‘what’s his name’ the rendezvous is off,” he snapped.

He had assumed she was meeting a man and the assumption delighted her.

“I most certainly will not. I happened to like Jax’s company. I will not blow off the date because you blew into town,” she retorted. She used Jaclyn’s nickname deliberately.

He gripped her shoulders.

“Do it, Tess,” he ordered.

“No,” she stated stubbornly.

He lowered his head to kiss her intensely. She responded instantly; she couldn’t help it. Then reason penetrated the fogginess of passion and she snatched her mouth away. His kiss excited and angered her at the same time. Did he think he could control her with sex?

“Let me go,” she rasped. He released her. Tess moved away. “I think you should leave.”

“Tess, I over reacted. I’m sorry. Let me—

“Just go,” she muttered.

“My God! What have I done?” he thought.

“I’ll be back,” he stated.

“I don’t think that’s—

“I’ll be back,” he repeated inflexibly.

Tess watched him leave in frustration. He confused the hell out of her; yet she knew she still wanted him.
 

Tess walked briskly down the street with thoughts of Matt filling her mind. Her earlier encounter with him had been exciting and had she not received a phone call she probably would have ended up in bed with him. That would have been foolish and dangerous. She didn’t know anything about him. It would be insane to sleep with him under those circumstances.
 
She arrived at the corner and turned left into a row of restaurants, shops and entertainment. She loved where she lived. She was within walking distance to the pulse of the city. It was unreal how expensive it was to live in New York; even in her small apartment. But so far she was earning enough money to remain in this locale. She was glad that she had not allowed Matt to dictate her activities this evening. She needed to be with her friend tonight and hear a voice of reason. She knew she would tell Jax about Matt, she had to. She was her best friend who knew her inside out. Jax would need only two minutes to size up the situation. Tess entered the restaurant and told the hostess whom she was meeting. Before the hostess could escort her to the table, Tess saw Jax waving to get her attention.
 

“Never mind. I see her,” Tess said to the hostess.
 

Tess moved among the tables and finally reached Jax. Jax stood to hug her.

“What a great table. Who did you bribe to score this booth by the window?” Tess laughed.

“The head chef and I are good friends. He reserved the table for us when I told him I was coming,” Jax grinned.
 

“And just how good of friends are you?’ Tess asked slyly.

“Never you mind,” Jax smiled suggestively.

Tess giggled.

“I don’t need to know,” Tess chuckled as she wiggled out of her coat.

The waiter brought two glasses of Mimosa.

“Thank you,” Jax said to the waiter. “I ordered for you,” Jax said.

“Great. Thanks,” Tess smiled. She took a swallow. “Mmm, I needed this.”

Jax looked at her speculatively; curiosity reflected in her deep blue eyes.

“May I take your order?” the waiter asked.

“Will you give us a minute, please,” Jax said.

“Sure,” he said and walked away.

“Why the
need
for a Mimosa? And don’t tell me you’re thirsty. I know better. What’s going on?” Jax asked.

Tess sighed heavily and set her glass down.

“Something happened when I was on Aruba that I never told you about. Frankly, I was too embarrassed,” Tess said.

Jax’s eyes widened,

“What?” she queried.

Tess related the water fountain incident and the subsequent episode. Jax’s eyes were two full moons by the time she finished the tale.

“How could you not tell me about this? This is the stuff that romance novel are written about,” Jax exclaimed.

“Because I felt like a total idiot for falling in the fountain and I doubted that I would ever see him again. What was the point?” Tess asked.

“How about because I’m your best friend?” Jax demanded.

“Well, there is that,” Tess teased.

Jax threw her napkin at Tess in mock anger. Tess laughed as she gave it back to her.

“But something regarding that incident has happened. Have you seen this Matt again?” Jax asked shrewdly.

“Yes,” Tess whispered. “I saw him earlier today.”

“What!” Jax nearly yelled.

“Hush, Jax! You want to tell the entire restaurant?” Tess cautioned irritably.

“You saw him? Details,” Jax demanded.

Tess told of her encounter with Matt at her apartment; leaving out certain particulars.

“So, you have a suitor,” Jax said excitedly.

“He’s not a suitor. I barely know him,” Tess corrected.

“Well, he definitely wants to know you. He didn’t come all the way to New York for the weather,” Jax retorted. “What else happened?”

“What else? Nothing,” Tess hedged.

“Liar! I know you, Tess. If he kissed you those rampant hormones of yours took off. Did he kiss you?” Jax questioned as she tucked her long, dark blond hair behind her ear.