Naughty by Nature (16 page)

When he finally
released her she stared up at him, panting, seeming unable to move.

“Now,” he
whispered, “we’re even.”  Then he took the keys from her hand, clicked to open,
then went to get the door for her. 

She blinked –
twice – then as if waking from a dream she walked toward him and slid into the
driver’s seat.  He handed the keys to her and went around to slide in the other
side.  Those few seconds were apparently enough to get her blood pressure back
to normal because the shell-shocked look was gone and she was smiling at him. 

“You surprised
me,” she said as she watched him buckle his seat belt.  “Who would have known
that old Mr. Grumpy would play a crazy prank like that?”

“Who are you
calling Mr. Grumpy?” he growled.  “But don’t blame me.  You’re the one who
turned me into a kid again.  A big goofy kid who plays really stupid pranks. 
My team back at the office would never believe it.  They don’t think I have a
humorous bone in my body.”

“But you know
what?” she said softly.  “I like this side of you.”

Like.  Wow.  She’d
actually said she liked him.  Or at least the goofy side of him.  It was a
start.  Maybe he should ride this wave.  He wasn’t known for being spontaneous
but why not start now?

He folded his arms
across his chest.  “Just to show you I’m not an old grump  and that I can be
fun and free spirited I’m going to make a suggestion.  In fact, I would even
say it’s a brilliant idea.”

“So modest,” she
murmured but her eager look said she was very interested.

“It’s Friday and
you don’t have to be back at school till Monday morning-”

“Not even then,”
she said, cutting in.  “Spring break starts on Monday.”

“Even better,” he
said.  “There’s going to be a spring festival in Peterborough this weekend. 
There was a flyer in the restaurant.  What say we stay the weekend and head
back to Burlington on Sunday?”

Tessa’s eyes lit
up.  “That’s great…” but then her voice trailed off.  “Oh, I just remembered. 
We didn’t come prepared to spend the weekend.  We don’t have any extra
clothes.”

“Leave that to
me.”  Wolf glanced at his watch.  “What time do the malls close in this place?”

“It’s Friday so I
assume around six o’clock, just like in Burlington.”

“We’ve got two
hours,” he said.  “Find the nearest mall on your GPS and let’s get going.”

“Sounds like a
plan to me,” she said, her face brightening again.

And it was a plan
– a plan to seduce Tessa into liking him even more.  Better yet, if things went
his way, she might even start falling for him.

Tessa had thought
he was a grump but before he was done she would know he was anything but.

CHAPTER ELEVEN     

A road trip, a
wonderful meal, then shopping.  Now she was getting ready to go out on the town
with a man who was growing on her with each moment that she spent with him.  Could
the day get any better?  Tessa wrapped herself in the fluffy white hotel
bathrobe and slipped her feet into the disposable slippers then padded over to
the bed where she laid out the sexy dress she’d chosen at the mall.  It was a
bust-hugging number with narrowed waist and a skirt that flared just below the
hips.  It was the perfect dress for dancing.

Not that she’d be
able to do much dancing in the three-inch heels she’d bought.  Or, more
accurately, that Wolf had bought her.  She could barely walk in the blessed
things.  But they looked hot, elongating her legs to runway model proportions –
and that made it all worth it.

She was to meet
Wolf in the hotel lobby in thirty minutes and time flew by pretty fast when you
were trying to make yourself pretty, so Tessa knew she had to get moving.  She
slipped into the dress then sat in front of the mirror where she put all of her
knowledge of make-up artistry to the test.  Tonight she wanted to make an
impression, one that Wolf Spencer would never forget.  Then, hair piled high
with soft tendrils tickling her cheeks, Tessa picked up her purse, blew herself
a kiss in the mirror and went through the door.  She loved the way she looked
and there was no doubt in her mind that Wolf would, too.

But when she got
to the hotel lobby everything fell away and she had no thought of herself
anymore.  All she saw was Wolf, so strikingly handsome in black slacks and
black silk shirt with a long black coat thrown over it, his dark hair looking
longer than she remembered, curling deliciously at his nape.  His face,
normally so moody and distant, was focused on her as she walked toward him, his
intense blue eyes never once wavering from her.

As she approached,
his eyes slid from her face to the bodice that emphasized the curve of her
bosom down to the sway of her hips and the length of her legs.  And as he
watched she saw him swallow.  Oh yes, she’d made an impact.  And she could not
have been more pleased.  She was glad she’d left her coat wide open so he’d had
a great view of what she had to offer.

Wolf stepped
forward to meet her.  “Breathtaking,” he said as his eyes went back to her
face.

One word.  But
that word sent tingles of pleasure tripping up her spine.

As he looked down
at her, still towering over her in spite of her high heels, he gave her a slow,
almost seductive smile then he took her hand and brought it to his lips.  His
deep blue eyes still on her, he kissed it softly.  “At your service,
mademoiselle,” came his soft whisper. 

Now it was her
turn to swallow.

He tucked her hand
in the crook of his arm just like he’d done before then turned toward the
exit.  “I’ve been asking around,” he said, “and I have the perfect place. 
There’s an entertainment complex along the same stretch with those restaurants
we passed.  We’ll grab a bite and then go dancing.  You look ready to hit the
dance floor.”

“How’d you know?” 
She smiled up at him.  “I love dancing and I haven’t done it in a while so I
can hardly wait.”

He cocked an
eyebrow but only smiled back. 

Thank goodness he
hadn’t tackled her on the ‘haven’t done it in a while’ bit.  Okay, so she
hadn’t been out for some time but he didn’t have to know about that.

As they walked out
into the night she saw the valet step forward and hand Wolf the key to a black
Mercedes Benz that gleamed under the light of the lamp.  She gave him a
questioning glance.  “I thought we’d be taking my car.”

“That’s your
baby,” he said as he helped her in.  “I know how protective you are of her. 
I’ll be your chauffeur for tonight in this car.”

Tessa didn’t
mind.  Every once in a while she liked being pampered and protected.

And she was not
disappointed.

After a delicious
meal and drinks at the Brew Pub & Restaurant - where Wolf showered her with
so much attention she began to feel spoiled – they hit the road again and went
dancing at The Junction, and Tessa couldn’t remember when she’d had such a good
time.  It was there on the dance floor that Tessa learned how much fun Wolf
really was.  And, she realized, she would have to add dancing to his list of talents.

And then, when the
DJ slowed the music down and Wolf drew her into his arms she began to marvel at
his skills as a master of seduction. The way he danced, moving his body to the
sensual rhythm, resting a large hand on her hip and molding her body to his as
they swayed, told her this man knew exactly what he was doing.  He was way
ahead of her in this game they were playing.

His hand settled
in the small of her back, making her excruciatingly aware of him.  His palm
radiated warmth, sending flames shooting out to heat her already sensitive
skin.  And then, to the pulsing of the music, he moved his hand, stroking
gently, his touch teasing then tantalizing.

Tessa dipped her
head forward and almost groaned.  Did he know what he was doing to her?  Just
his nearness, his touch, his breath tickling her cheek, had her wanting him
like she’d wanted no other man before.

She pressed her
palms against his lean hips then stifled a moan as he brushed his lips against
her ear.  Her nipples drew into tight buds and she wished those lips of his
would glide down and cover her tortured-

"You okay?”

Tessa jerked then
blinked.  “Excuse me?”

“You sounded like
you were moaning,” Wolf whispered into her ear.  “Just checking that you’re
okay.”

“I’m…fine.”  Tessa
drew in a shaky breath then let it out slowly.  Dear God, was she that
obvious?  Could Wolf see the effect he was having on her?

After that, she
made sure that no matter how seductive the song, she left at least an inch of
space between herself and Wolf.  And even then, even when their bodies weren’t
touching, she could feel the sizzle of electricity between them.  Lord have
mercy.

“Uhm, I…think I
need some air.  Let's go, please.”  Tessa knew she was grabbing at straws but
she needed to break the tension.

“Ready to go?” Wolf
gave her a sardonic grin.  “Already?  It’s not even a school night.”  But even
as he said the words he was taking her elbow and directing them through the
bobbing crowd and toward the exit.

When they got to
the car she sank down into the seat in relief.

He glanced over at
her as he started the engine.  “Tired?”

She sighed.  “A
little.”  Pity he didn’t know that she was wide awake and very much alert but
scared to death at her body’s magnetic reaction to him.

He glanced at the
clock on the dashboard.  “Just eighteen minutes shy of midnight.  Time to tuck
you in bed, little one.”

She didn’t know
why, but that image sent a fresh wave of shivers racing up her spine.

Within ten minutes
they were back at the hotel and Wolf was throwing the car key to the valet who
was grinning from ear to ear, obviously pleased with the generous tip he'd
received.  In the lobby Tessa turned to Wolf, suddenly depressed that her
wonderful night was coming to an end, but instead of bidding her goodnight he
took her arm again.

“Let me walk you
to your door,” he said as he turned her toward the elevator.

Thank you.  A few
more seconds with Wolf.  Maybe even a minute or two before they would have to
part for the night.  She would take every moment she could get.

But then, when
they got to her door and turned to face each other, she felt her heart tighten
and her breath grow shallow.  Her body was speaking, making its position very
clear – no matter what the rational mind was thinking, her body did not want
this night to end.  Not now, not yet.

“Goodnight,
Tessa,” Wolf said then leaned forward and gave her a sweet peck on the
forehead.  But when he made to pull back, her hand came up to touch his arm.

“Why don’t
you…come in for a minute?  I’m not that tired.  We can…talk for a while.”  She
drew in a slightly shaky breath and stared up at him.  She’d done it.  She’d
invited him into her hotel suite.  Now what would he think?  She searched his
eyes but his expression was unreadable.

He cocked his
head, looking like he was going to ask a question, but then he nodded and his
lips curled in a smile.  “Thank you,” he said softly.  “I will.”

She released her breath
and gave him a tremulous smile then turned and slipped her keycard into the
door. 
Brave girl, Tessa.  It’s your night and you’re in control
.  

Pleased with
herself and feeling more confident, Tessa pushed the door open and held it wide
so Wolf could enter.

“Make yourself
comfortable,” she said, waving her hand to the sofa then she picked up the TV
remote control and handed it to him.  “I’ll be right back.”

She escaped into
the bedroom where she took a couple of quick breaths then checked herself in
the mirror.  Everything still in place.  Great.

But there was one
thing she had to get rid of.  She looked down at her stylish shoes.  Her feet
were killing her.  With a groan she slid them out of their torture chamber then
sighed when her soles settled onto the plush carpet.  Sweet relief.  Right now
she was more than willing to sacrifice height for comfort.

Now it was time to
head back to the tiny living room.  She’d invited him in to talk.  What the
heck were they going to talk about?  Too late to back out now.  He was already
in and she’d better start talking.

Tessa strolled out
of the bedroom looking far more relaxed than she felt.  To her relief, Wolf
looked quite comfortable lounging in the sofa, his long legs stretched out in
front of him.  He had the remote in his hand and he was flipping channels.  As
she approached he glanced away from the TV screen and smiled.

“Hope you don’t
mind,” he said, “but I took the liberty of ordering up a bottle of champagne. 
They should be here any minute now.”

Mind?  She could
have kissed him.  That was exactly what she needed to calm her jangling
nerves.  Any form of alcohol would do.  “No, that’s fine,” she said, trying to
project a nonchalant air.  “I could do with a glass of the bubbly.”  It would
also serve another purpose.  When she ran out of things to say she could always
mask it with a sip of champagne.