Tessa's Temptation (2 page)

“Tessa can stay with me for as long as she needs to,” Chase said. “It would be my pleasure.”

Ahh, fuck!

***

Once Chase got up from the bench and headed toward the porch, Tess plopped down on the fluffy white comforter. Everything was crisp and clean in his house. The pillows were soft. The oversized towels absorbed the water unlike the ratty beach towels she and her dad used at their old place. Her bathroom was triple the size of the one in their apartment. The closet was bigger than her old bedroom. Not that she had anything much to put in there, but it was cool to walk into the rich cedar smell of the space. He had an adorable housekeeper named Miss May who catered to her every whim. Not that Tess asked her for anything, but she was a sweet and thoughtful lady. Tess had gotten used to their afternoon talks.

She’d been in his home for a month. Some nights she lay awake trying to figure out how she ended up there. Maybe she was too tired to fight that night at the hospital. Or too hungry to focus. She’d been defeated, losing her job and their apartment in less than a few hours. It could have been a combination of all those things. Perhaps the only reason she’d agreed to live with a stranger was the look of desperation and worry in her father’s eyes. Hearing him say he had failed her had broken her heart. If living with Chase would help her dad concentrate on getting better, she would do it.

Being here wasn’t that bad.

Chapter Two

Chase came in through the kitchen and paused to pour himself a cup of steaming coffee that he’d programmed to finish about the time he got back from his run. Over the past month, his morning runs had gotten longer. The pot used to be just finished dripping and gurgling when he got back; but jogging along the stream helped calm him. His nights had been restless ever since his new house guest had come to stay with him. It wasn’t that she was an intrusion. He’d been living alone for so long that her company was pleasant. He’d gotten used to her moving around upstairs while he worked late into the night. It was when he tried to find sleep that her presence was a nuisance. She stayed out of his way but when they did cross paths he was always left with a disconcerted longing. One that was dangerous.

He avoided her as much as possible. At first he hadn’t realized that was what he was doing, going into the office earlier and staying past dinner. When he came home at night he’d often take his plate into the study and work well into the evening. He’d quietly walk past her door always tempted to look in, but he didn’t dare.

The stunning beauty had consumed his every thought since he’d met her that night at the hospital. Her long red hair, crystal blue eyes and full pink lips had invaded his mind and now he couldn’t get her out of his head.

“Hey
.” Tessa strolled into the kitchen wearing nothing but a tight white tank and very short red cotton shorts.

Her sleeping attire was part of the reason his nights were so restless. She was barely twenty and flawless. He hadn’t realized she would parade around the house like that.

“Did you have a good run?”

“Yes, it was very peaceful.” He held her gaze because if he looked down he’d focus on her breasts and those pert nipples that insisted on poking through her shirt. He tried hard to be respectful of Pat. He owed the man a great deal and the last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of his daughter.
Why did she have to be so fucking hot?

“I like to run. Maybe I could come with you one day.”

Hell no! I’m running to get away from you
!
“I get up really early. I’m sure you’d rather sleep.” He didn’t want to be rude but being this close to her triggered all sorts of inappropriate thoughts.

“Tomorrow I have to get up early anyway,” she said as she poured herself a glass of juice. “School starts and I have an early class.”

“That’s right.” Where had the time gone? He sat down on a stool at the counter. “Do you have everything you need? I didn’t realize it was here already.” He’d given her the keys to the Mustang in his garage because there were no bus stops in the gated community where he lived.

“I’m cool,” she said. “Since I didn’t have to pay rent last month I used the money to get what I needed. I’m going to start looking for a job too.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said. “I spoke to your dad and he tells me you’re a really good student. You’re getting financial aid and a partial scholarship. You make the dean’s list every semester.”

“Was he bragging?” She chose a banana from the fruit bowl and began peeling it. “He does that sometimes.”

Seriously, of all the fruit in that damn bowl, did she have to pick a banana to eat in front of him
?
“He’s very proud of you.” He sipped his coffee, trying not to concentrate on her lips as she brought the tip of the fruit to her mouth. He wondered if she did these things on purpose. “In any case, you’ve been taking on too much. You were working and trying to make rent while you took care of him. He’d like for you to focus on school now. And I agree.”

“I’m going back tomorrow. I’m officially a junior.”

She
took little bites of her banana, wrapping her lips around it each time. “I can probably find work on campus. You’ve already given me so much.”

He cleared his throat and set his shaking coffee cup on the counter. “I’d like for you to concentrate on school. I’ll cover your expenses. I’m having a credit card issued in your name and we’ll switch over your cell phone to my account. Anything you need you just use the card.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I can.” Her dad had told him about the past few years. They’d been rough on Tessa. Her mother left when she was ten and rarely reached out to her daughter. Things hadn’t been easy for this girl and he had so much. He wanted to help her. “You can sit with your dad in the afternoons if you don’t have to work. He’d like the company.”

“I would like to be there with him. I like to talk to the nurses and his physical therapists. It’s easier when I’m there. He doesn’t always remember everything they’re saying about his progress.”

“Then it’s settled. You worry about your schoolwork and keeping your dad company
, and I’ll take care of the rest.” He already had his attorney looking into alternatives for Pat’s care. His doctors weren’t optimistic about him regaining full use of his legs anytime soon. Chase wanted him in a better facility. Preferably someplace in the city with state-of-the art technology and top notch doctors. He didn’t think Pat was getting the attention he needed.

“Thank you,” she said. “Maybe one of these days you’ll tell me what my dad did for you that makes you want to be so nice to me.”

“You’re easy to be nice to, Tessa, and I’m glad I can help you, and your dad.” He added as he stood up. “I need to get ready for work.” He glanced at his cell phone. “I’m going to be late.”

“Aren’t you the boss?”

“Yeah, I suppose I am.”

He’d started his architecture firm four years earlier. He’d come from money and when his trust fund kicked in he’d invested wisely. When he got the opportunity to purchase some undeveloped land in a prominent up and coming suburb just outside of Boston he’d jumped on it. Now his high-end houses were wanted all over the country. He designed for celebrities, politicians, athletes
, and influential people all over the world.

“I saw some of the books of houses you designed – in the family room. They’re impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Did you build this one?”

“About two years ago.”

“It’s amazing but why would one guy need all this space?”

“Go big or go home.” He shrugged. “I spend most of my time designing these immense houses. I see all the luxuries. I guess I just got carried away.”

“You did a great job. I love the colors.” She leaned down on the counter, giving him a full shot of her cleavage. “It’s a big house but it has a cozy vibe.”

“That’s what I was going for.” He dragged his attention back to her face. “Your dad tells me you like to draw. Are you good?”

“I’ve taken a few classes and my professors say I’m good but I’m sure I can’t do anything like you do. I like to play with colors. Paints and prints and texture. I could hang out in a home improvement store for hours. Maybe someday I’ll have my own home to decorate.” She laughed and he liked the way it sounded. “I figured real estate was the way to go. If I get a degree for that, then I could buy and sell all kinds of houses.”

“I didn’t know you were interested in designing.”

“I’m full of surprises.” Her smile dazzled him.

“I’ll bet you are.” He took his mug and headed for the back staircase. “I need to hit the shower. May will be here to prepare dinner for the next few days. If there’s anything special you’d like just let her know. I’ll be late tonight. If I don’t see you in the morning, good luck on your first day.”

“You won’t make it home for dinner?” She looked disappointed.

“I’m sorry.” He glanced at the time again and, much as he wanted to stay and talk with her, he had to get a move on. “I’m really busy at work. I have three new clients who are absolutely torturing me. I have to go.”

“Have a good day.”

“You too.” He waved before escaping up the stairs. When he got to the top he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. In just a few weeks’ time he’d become so taken with this stunning young woman who shared his home. No matter how much he wanted her, he couldn’t act on that impulse. Not only was there a twelve year age difference but she was vulnerable and needed more attention than he had time to give. He reminded himself he was simply repaying a debt to an old friend. As long as he didn’t lose sight of that fact he’d be okay.

Who am I kidding
?
He wanted the forbidden fruit. Hell, he wanted the whole garden.

Chapter Three

A week into school and Tess was already overwhelmed. As if adjusting to her new professors and course load wasn’t enough, she visited her dad five afternoons a week, usually getting home after seven. She ate alone because Chase was a workaholic and then it was homework, homework, homework. Her dad and Chase were right when they insisted on not getting a job this semester. Living with Chase had taken the financial burden off her but not the emotional one. Her dad’s progress was slow. She hadn’t seen much improvement in weeks.

“I’m getting ready to go, sweetie,” May said as she pulled on her sweater. “Do you need anything?”

“I’m good.” She held up a fresh baked cookie May had made that afternoon. “These are awesome.”

“They’re Chase’s favorite. I could teach you how to make them if you want.”

“Really?” Tess bit into the cookie. “I’ve never baked anything before.”

“Oh honey, just wait until the holidays. I’ll keep you real busy in that kitchen.”

“I’m going to hold you to it.” Her mother left when she was young, but even before that they hadn’t spent much time together that she could recall. They definitely never baked together. It was pleasant having May in the house. She always asked her how her day went and even packed her lunch every morning before she left for school.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” May said. “I’ll bring those homemade croutons you like and make you a salad for lunch.”

“You rock, Miss May.”

“That’s a good thing?” she asked as she headed for the foyer.

“A real good thing.”

Tess plopped down on the sofa and opened her new laptop. Thanks to Chase she could chat with classmates and do her homework and research much faster than she could with her old dinosaur. Her last two had been bought used.

She loved the little red convertible that he was letting her use. She’d read about people like him – rich, successful and good looking, but she never thought she’d meet one. Who knew her dad would know someone like Chase. Last month she was starving and on the verge of eviction and this month she was living the life of a princess.
Crazy!

Just as she was about to start her assignment, Chase came in through the attached garage. She listened to his footsteps on the hardwood floor. Usually she was upstairs when he got home and the sounds of his presence in the house stirred the wanting deep within her.  Tonight she wanted a change of atmosphere. A chance to see him when he came home. She heard him place his keys on the foyer table.

“Hi,” she said before he could make his way to the kitchen.

“Hey.” When he turned in her direction, she noticed he’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his perfectly starched dress shirt. “I didn’t expect you to be down here still.”

“I wanted something different tonight.” She sat up and put the laptop on the coffee table. “You’re home earlier than usual.”

“I left work a bit earlier to run an errand.” He came into the family room. “I’m glad you’re up.”

“You are?” When she crossed her legs, she noticed his glance lingering on them a bit longer than necessary. “How come?”

His gaze traveled back to her eyes. “I went to a brand new recovery center down in the city and arranged to have your dad moved there early next week. They have much better technology and as far as I’m concerned the staff is better equipped for his therapy. I don’t think he’s making any progress where he is.”

“I checked all of those top notch hospitals downtown. His insurance won’t cover any of those places. We just can’t afford it.” She tried to stay calm but if Chase set this in motion, it could end up costing a fortune and her dad might lose his bed in the place he was in. “Didn’t they tell you that?”

“Sweetheart.” He sat down next to her, taking her hand in his. Shocked, she looked down at their joined hands. “Money isn’t an issue.” He tilted her chin so she had to meet his stare. “I didn’t tell you any of this to worry you.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You’re lying.” His voice was softer. “I can see the panic in your eyes. It’s the same as the day your dad asked me to take you in. You didn’t want to come here, but it all worked out, didn’t it?”

“You’ve been so good to us.” Every morning when she woke up, she expected the past month to be a dream. It wasn’t until she looked out of the bedroom window and found him sitting by the stream did her uncertainty settle down. It was her reality check. And she liked watching him when he didn’t know she was there. “It doesn’t make any sense why you would do any of this for us. We’re practically strangers.”

“I’d like to think I’m no longer a stranger to you.” He moved his hand to gently touch her chin all the way to her cheek, eliciting a shiver from her. “You’ve been here a few weeks now.”

“I still don’t know anything about you,” she admitted. “You’re hardly here.”

“My work keeps me really busy.” He dropped his gaze to her lips. “If there is anything you need, May will get it for you.”

May can’t give me what I need
.
“She’s great.” Since she had his attention, she took the opportunity to dart her tongue out and run it across her top lip. “But she’s not you.”

“Tessa.” He let go of her and created a bit of space between them. “Is there something else you need? If May can’t provide it, I certainly will. You can have whatever you want.”

I want you
.
“You’ve been wonderful.” She looked down at her lap. “Thank you.”

“What is it?” He pressed her. “You still don’t look happy.”

“It’s just that, well, I know you’re busy…” She bit her lip as her eyes traveled up his strong chest and chiseled jaw to meet his lust filled eyes. “I was wondering if maybe you could have dinner with me once and a while.”

“Oh?”

“This house is so big and it gets lonely. My father and I used to eat together several times a week. When he wasn’t working. I guess I just miss the company. It would give us time to get to know one another.” Eating alone every night was boring. She got the feeling he was avoiding her. Staying late at the office so he didn’t have to see her. No one worked that many hours. “You work late almost every night and on the weekends you go golfing or meet with clients. I just thought if you ever had some free time, you might like to spend it in your house.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was giving you some space to get used to living with me. I guess I went overboard. Tomorrow’s Friday. How about I bring home a pizza and we have dinner together?”

Perfect
.
“If you’re not too busy.”

“I look forward to it.” He stood. “I need to call your father’s case worker and start the process to get him moved. I want him ready to go once the new facility gives us the green light.”

“Did you talk to my dad about this?”

“Yes, he was a bit stubborn at first, but he knows this is the right thing for him. I want to see him walk again and this is a step in the right direction.”

“Thank you.” She took a calming breath before any tears could escape from her eyes.

“Tessa,” he said. “It’s okay to show me your emotions when it comes to your dad. I know you’re strong. Your dad has told me so much about you and how you’ve taken care of him through the years. Now it’s time to let me take care of you.”

“That’s hard for me.” She shook her head because she wanted to rely on him. The burden really had become too much. Having him take control was a blessing. “I don’t expect you to get it.”

“I do get it.” He nodded. “That’s why I want to help you. Let go of all the stress and let me figure it out.”

You do get it
.
“Maybe I don’t get you,” she said. “Where I come from people don’t just hand you a credit card, move you into a mansion, give you a convertible, and say they’re going to take care of you.”
Not without a price.
“What’s your motivation?”

“You.” He smiled before walking out of the room and down the hall to his study.

Me?
She grinned as she picked up her laptop. That was all the motivation she needed.

***

Beer, pizza, wings, and the company of a gorgeous woman. Chase couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent such a relaxing Friday night. “Have another slice.” He pushed the box toward her.

“No way.” She patted her tummy and snickered. He liked the way it sounded. “I can’t eat anything else.” She finished her glass of water before she started clearing the table.

“Leave it,” he said. “I’ll get it later.”

“I don’t mind cleaning up. I sort of feel bad when May cleans up after me. She’s very efficient.”

“She loves it.” He smiled. “She likes having you here. She says you’re much neater than me.”

“Has she been with you long?”

“My whole life.”

“Really?”

“She worked for my family and when I built this place, my mother sent her with me.” He was grateful to have his childhood housekeeper working for him. “She looks after me. I’d be lost without her.”

“She adores you.” Tessa rested her feet on the chair and wrapped her arms around her legs giving him a nice view of her ass cheeks that insisted on peeking out of the bottoms of her shorts. “She’s always going on about what a good man you are. Now I get what she meant when she says you turned out just fine. She’s known you forever.”

“Yeah, she was around when I went through my rebellious stage.” Chase sipped his beer. “She wasn’t too pleased with me back then.”

“Is that when you ended up with my dad?”

He didn’t recall that time in his life often. It was painful because his father had just died and he’d given his mother so much trouble. He was an only child. Spoiled, privileged and out of control.

“What did my father do for you that you think you owe him so much?”

“If not for your dad setting me straight, I would have really screwed my life up. He worked me hard those summers at the cabin. Kept me away from some bad influences.”

“He knew your mom?”

“They went to school together but lost touch after she married my dad.” He remembered the year Pat came to work for his family. He did odd jobs around the estate. “Shortly after my father died, my mother hired your dad to work on our property. He maintained the landscaping and did some other odds and ends for her.”

“My dad could always find work.”

“He’s a good man. I remember him always telling me how important it is to provide for family.”

“How did you end up coming to stay at the cabin?”

“I was hanging with the wrong crowd. I was really out of control. By the time that summer started, I’d already been kicked out of two prep schools.”

“Rich people problems.” She rolled her eyes.

“I guess, but I experimented with drugs and alcohol too. My mom was going through so much and your dad offered to have me spend that first summer with your family. You were a baby. Every time I see a little girl with red hair I think of you.”

“That’s sweet, but I don’t remember you.”

“You were young but I did spend three summers with your family. He encouraged me to pursue architecture. I would sketch at night while we sat by the fire. You and your mom would hang out with us for a bit before she took you to get a bath and put you to bed.”

“We continued to go there every summer until I was twelve then we had to sell.”
Disappointment settled in her eyes. “I loved that place.”

“The property was incredible. That’s prime real estate today. I wonder who owns it?”

“The bank took it from my dad, so whoever got it probably made out really well.” She played with the napkin in front of her plate. “Some of my best childhood memories were spent there. I wish I could go back.”

“I’m sorry.” He reached across the table and took her hand, feeling the need to comfort her. “That must have been hard on you.”

“It was just one more thing to add to my shitty childhood.” She laughed, but it was different from her infectious giggle. “So you wouldn’t have all of this,” she looked around, “if not for my old man?”

“Well, I might have had all of this, but my life wouldn’t have turned out this good. Some of the friends I hung out with back then didn’t do as well as I did. Three of them were pretty bad. One went to jail, another is snorting his trust fund
, and I lost track of the other one. Your dad got my ass in gear and made sure I didn’t give my mom any more trouble. I went off to college after that last summer I spent at the cabin.”

“Did you lose touch with my dad? I don’t ever remember you coming around.”

“We kept in touch for a while. I studied abroad for a few semesters. Then I moved to San Diego for a couple of years. I worked for a firm there before coming back to Massachusetts and starting my own company. I’ve been so busy the past few years that I lost touch with him. A friend of my mom’s mentioned his accident to me because he remembered I stayed with your dad.”

“I’m glad you reached out to him, but I’m still embarrassed he asked you to take me in. That was totally unexpected.”