Tessa tensed, and her mind raced with what to say. Should she make up a designer or tell the truth? Thankfully Jordan returned to her side and squeezed her a couple of inches closer.
“Mom, the place looks great.”
Mrs. Davis shifted her gaze to Jordan, and it was like she was another person. The forehead creases were gone and her eyes were actually sparkling.
“Thank you, Jordan.”
“We’d better move along, so you can greet your other guests.”
Tessa felt her body unlock the farther they walked into the ballroom. Jordan nodded and returned a few greetings as they wandered past other couples and paused to get a refill on their champagne. As soon as they stopped at a table by the dance floor, it was like they were honey for bees. People started drifting toward them, all anxious to talk with Jordan, usually about the Bears season.
With so many people wanting to shake his hand, Tessa gradually became separated from him and she found herself on the outside of an ever-growing crowd. She stood watching him, admiring how at ease and charismatic Jordan was. His audience couldn’t get enough of him.
The men were loud and effusive, and they seemed eager to be his friend. The women who managed to get close to Jordan peppered him with lingering touches and invitations in their eyes. Tessa gritted her teeth at their blatant behavior, but he handled it like a pro, patiently talking basketball with the guys while maneuvering his body away from the hands of the women.
For the first time that evening, Tessa didn’t feel tense. Comfortable was too strong of a word, but it was nice to have a few minutes to herself without anyone looking at her. Until Mrs. Davis stepped beside her and matter-of-factly decreed, “This is why you are not for him.”
Tessa’s muscles locked back up as she turned her head to see her gesturing toward Jordan’s circle of admirers.
“He needs a strong woman willing to stand by his side, not a wallflower.”
With those damning words, she left and made her way to Jordan’s side. With tears shimmering in her eyes, Tessa watched as she stepped into the crowd. Within moments she led Jordan away. Tessa’s heart sank, and her confidence collapsed as she saw the relief on his face. With her head bent, she forced herself to take measured steps and not run into the bathroom before the tears lingering in her eyes fell.
Tessa secured herself in a stall and sat down. With shaking hands, she pulled toilet paper into her hands and wiped away the falling tears. Somehow, she’d managed to convince herself she could step up and be what Jordan needed, but she was wrong. What Mrs. Davis said had torn her apart, but it was true.
Jordan needed someone used to the spotlight to support and help him. The very last thing Tessa wanted to be was in the spotlight. How could their relationship work if she was always shrinking away from it while he was always stepping toward it?
Ignoring the voice in her head screaming at her to deny the truth, Tessa knew she wasn’t for Jordan long term. But she was determined to suck up every last college moment together.
She desperately wanted to go home. The harsh truths kept hammering at her ineptitude, and she held herself together by a thread. If she left now it would embarrass Jordan, and she refused to do that, at least not worse than she already had.
Tessa pulled her resolve together and pushed out of the bathroom stall. She put wet paper towels over her eyes and reapplied some lipstick before going back out into her personal hell. As soon as she reentered the ballroom, she spotted Jordan.
He saw her and excused himself from the couple he was speaking to. Tessa took a shaky breath and started walking toward him. Cupping her elbow, Jordan led her to a secluded corner.
The creases of concern lining his face and his steady gaze roaming her face made tears prick her eyes. Tessa looked over his shoulder to blink them away.
“Are you okay?” Jordan asked, worry lacing his voice.
She reminded herself that this night was about a charity his family was supporting, not about her.
“I’m fine. Sorry I left you without warning.”
Jordan’s face didn’t clear, and his eyes probed every inch of hers. Tessa held her breath and tried to hide the turbulent emotions churning inside her. Jordan knew this wasn’t easy for her and had searched her out to make sure she was okay. He cared for her. The knowledge went a long way in restoring her equilibrium.
Gradually his face did clear, and he softly declared, “You don’t need to be sorry. I’m the one that should apologize. I know you’re nervous, and I let us be separated.”
A genuine smile appeared on Tessa’s face, and she chuckled. “I don’t think you had a choice. Your fans love you, and I love that you are always so gracious to them. I’m a big girl. Don’t worry about me.”
“I do have star-like qualities, considering how handsome I am,” Jordan preened.
He held out his arm, and Tessa looped hers through it. As they made their way to their assigned table, Jordan stopped and introduced her to different couples. Most of the women made small talk with her, easing her nerves. A few dismissed her and tried to gain Jordan’s attention. He simply drew Tessa closer and eased them away.
Once they were at their table, they spent the remainder of the evening there. People stopped over to talk to Jordan, but never for long periods. Once dinner was served, the table conversation flowed around Tessa. She didn’t speak much, but she didn’t feel left out. Jordan kept touching her, and as always his touch distracted her from the real world.
When the lights dimmed, Tessa was in her element. The conversations stopped, and it was all about watching the entertainment. The dancing was amazing. Tessa longed to get on the dance floor, even though she’d never had a dance lesson.
When they had handed out the trophies, Jordan asked if she was ready to go. She looked around. Most of the guests were still at tables talking. Some people had gotten up and wandered to other tables. It didn’t look like the party was ending.
Tessa turned to Jordan. “Sure, but if you want to stay, we can.”
He stood up and pulled her chair out. “No, I want to go. I’ve made my mom happy, and I have a game tomorrow.”
As they walked to the limo, Tessa leaned against Jordan. “Thank you for taking me.”
He squeezed her waist. “That was the first time I actually enjoyed one of Mom’s benefits. She always does an amazing job planning and executing, but you made the evening.”
The mention of Mrs. Davis dented her bubble, but Tessa pushed it to the back of her mind. She was going to live in the here and now. And right now, Tessa was enjoying the peaceful ride back to Jordan’s.
She had told her mom she was staying at Jordan’s house. What she had neglected to mention was that Jordan lived in the pool house. Tessa still felt a twinge of guilt. She knew her mom had assumed she would be staying in a separate room, not a different house.
When they pulled up, Tessa reluctantly lifted her head from Jordan’s shoulder and scooted across the seat to exit the limo. After he thanked the driver and gave him a tip, they wandered hand-in-hand up to the door. Neither one spoke as Jordan opened the door and led her down to his bedroom.
As soon as he shut the bedroom door, Jordan caught and held Tessa’s eyes. They were both standing in the middle of the room. Without ceremony, he took off his jacket, cufflinks, cummerbund, and bowtie. When he started unbuttoning his shirt, Tessa’s breath hitched. With her eyes glued to him, she raised her hand to unzip her gown.
Jordan stopped her. “No. I’ve been wanting to take that dress off since I first saw you in it.”
He dropped his shirt, and Tessa’s heart galloped. The way he prowled toward her and the possessiveness in his eyes were things she never thought she would see on a guy’s face directed at her.
Jordan Davis was magnificent, both inside and out. She focused on his sculpted chest as he came near her. As soon as he was close enough, Tessa raised her hands and splayed them on his chest. She closed her eyes as she engrained the warmth, the ridges, and the hamm
ering of his heart into her memory.
Jordan stepped back, and Tessa slid her eyes open to follow his movements. She felt his heat at her back and held her breath. When Jordan cupped the back of her neck, a burst of desire ran down her spine and straight to her core. As soon as he started lowering her zipper, the anticipation grew like before a slow-gathering storm.
Jordan peeled away her gown, caressing and kissing each exposed part of her back as he revealed them. He turned Tessa around until they were facing each other and dropped to his knees to remove her shoes and ease her out of her panties. Standing up, he swung a naked Tessa into a cradle hold and then lowered her onto the bed.
He ate up every part of her with his eyes. “You are beautiful.”
Jordan’s raspy voice sent shivers through her body. For the first time, Tessa did not feel self-conscious in front of him. She actually felt beautiful. He unceremoniously dropped his pants, rolled on a condom, and lowered himself on top of her.
Tessa put her arms under Jordan’s arms and then wrapped them around his shoulders to pull him closer. She put her feet on the bed and adjusted her body so he was right where she wanted him.
Jordan lowered his head and took her lips for a leisurely yet scorching kiss. Tessa opened her lips and followed his lead. She dropped her guard and shut down her mind.
Tessa watched as the tip of Jordan’s cock entered her, and then he looked down at her. With a determined, quiet intensity, Jordan declared, “Someday I’m going to claim you bareback, and then you’ll know that you’ll always be mine.”
He slammed into her, and Tessa’s eyes rolled into the back of her head. Jordan didn’t let up. It was a consistent, hard rhythm that soon had her out of her mind.
When she screamed out her release, he still didn’t let up. “That’s it, Tessa, scream my name. I’m going to make you come so hard that you’ll never forget it.”
Jordan let go as Tessa relaxed her body. She studied the concentrated pleasure crossing his face, basking in it as she tried to memorize it. She had done that to him. Jordan went slack, and closed his eyes as he collapsed onto her with his sweat-soaked skin.
Tessa had just bound herself a little more to Jordan. Each time she was with him she lost a small piece of herself. It was scary because this relationship would be short lived, and Tessa wasn’t sure how she would put herself back together when it was all done.
Jordan lifted onto his forearms, thankfully distracting her from her oppressive thoughts. It was like a balm to her soul when he coaxed the hair away from her face and forehead.
“I already want you again. I want to claim you again and again until I’m embedded in you.”
The words I love you were burning in Tessa, but she couldn’t let them out. Instead, she lifted her head to enjoy the familiar static of electricity that swept through her when their lips met. “I feel the same way.”
Jordan studied her and then relaxed when he seemed to have found what he was looking for. He gave her one more lingering kiss before rolling off and pulling her to his side.
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Chapter 26
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During the next few weeks things went back to normal. Tessa scraped together as much time as she could to see Jordan, which seemed to be less and less. The more the season progressed, the more she saw his name in the news. He was having a record-setting season, and his NBA career was written in stone barring an injury.
Tessa was still student teaching and tutoring, but Jordan was even busier than before. He had to keep up with going to class, doing homework, working out, watching film, practicing, giving interviews, and navigating his way through the maze of rules to get into the NBA.
The recent decision to allow college players to have agents was exciting news, but it was difficult trying to understand when it would be effective and how extensively the agent could be involved. Jordan became increasingly frustrated, and Tessa felt useless. She knew nothing about the process and tried to be supportive, but she wasn’t sure she was always successful.
Jordan was on his way to pick her up. They were going to spend the night together. Well, what was left of the night. It was seven p.m. on Tuesday. Tessa felt like a little girl hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as she pressed her nose against the glass.
Every time a truck went by that might be Jordan’s, her stomach leapt in excitement. She would brace to run to the apartment door, but when it wasn’t Jordan she would deflate.
“What do you think, Jessica? Are we going to have to tie Tessa down to keep her from bouncing out the window?” Lindy’s mom teased.
Her mom considered Tessa and then said in mock seriousness, “I don’t think it would help, Sophia. Tessa has too much energy to be contained.”
Peeling her eyes from the window, she said, “I know I’m ridiculous, but I can’t remember the last time I got to see him for longer than an hour. After tonight, Jordan is traveling for the holidays or has basketball commitments.”
“I know, honey.” Her mom worried her lip and continued. “I love that you found someone, but are you sure you’re not getting too serious?”
Of course she was getting too serious, but she had also promised herself to live in the moment.
Tessa rolled her eyes and tried to shrug off her mom’s concerns. “Mom, we hardly see each other.”
“Time doesn’t decide matters of the heart, Tessa.”
She turned her head to meet the seriousness of her mom’s gaze and dropped her carefree façade. “I know.”
Mother and daughter stared at each other, silently saying a million things. Tears came to her mom’s eyes, and she whispered from across the room, “I love you.”
Tessa’s heart filled. Her mom supporting her even with her doubts meant so much to her. She mouthed I love you before turning back to the window. Jordan was stepping out of his truck parked at the curb.
Tessa sprang over to the moms declaring, “I gotta go!” She gave them each a quick kiss on the cheek and grabbed her overstuffed purse/overnight bag as she hurried out of the apartment.
She jogged down to the apartment entrance and threw open the door before jumping into Jordan’s arms. With her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, Tessa relished the smell of his spicy cologne and the thrill of having his body pressed against hers.
Jordan humphed at the sudden weight he was supporting, but his laugh was a balm to her heart. She missed him. Daily calls, even FaceTime calls, were not the same as having his arms around her.
“I missed you,” Tessa declared into his neck.
Jordan wrapped his arms tighter around her. “I missed you too, sweetheart. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
He spun her around and started carrying her to his truck. Tessa closed her eyes and hung on, still not ready to let him go. When she felt her back against his truck, she opened her eyes, expecting to be set down. Instead, she found herself caught in the intensity radiating from Jordan.
She cupped his neck and ran her thumb over his stubble. “What’s wrong?”
Jordan closed his eyes and inhaled, placing his forehead against hers. Tessa sensed his discontent, but she wasn’t sure how to help. Finally, he opened his eyes and stared at her.
“It’s been crazy.”
Jordan captured her lips in a scorching kiss. Her body buzzed, and she eagerly returned the kiss. He eased up and withdrew his lips. Tessa drew in several deep breaths and noted that Jordan’s chest was rapidly rising and falling.
He put her down and opened the passenger door, telling her roughly, “Get in before I can’t control myself any longer.”
With a silly grin on her face Tessa complied and then enjoyed watching a fit Jordan stride over to the driver’s seat. Her gaze went directly to his lap once he had settled in. Despite his jeans, Tessa could see the bulge, and she licked her lips as she pictured herself bending down and putting her lips around it.
“Tessa.” His husky voice forced her to drag her gaze up to his.
She knew the desire heating his gaze mirrored hers.
They stared at each other for a couple of heartbeats. Jordan groaned before leaning over and bringing his mouth back to hers. Just as Tessa was losing herself in the kiss, he pulled away and shook his head.
“No.”
The disappointment stabbed her in the gut. “No?”
Jordan returned his hands to the steering wheel and shot her a reprimanding look. “No, not right now. Later.”
“Why later?”
“I’m taking you to dinner,” Jordan said fiercely.
Tessa didn’t understand why he seemed so determined to take her to dinner. “Okay, but it’s okay if we just go to the pool house.”
That’s usually what they did, and she preferred it. They didn’t have much time together, so when they did it was nice to be alone.
Jordan started the truck and pulled out. “I know, but you deserve to be taken out. I don’t want you to think you’re just my side piece. I want people to know you’re mine.”
Tessa’s heart leapt at his sweet words. “I don’t think that, Jordan. We don’t get a lot of time together, so I like spending it alone.”
All she got was a grunt. “We’re going to dinner.”
Tessa sat contently in her seat and watched the scenery go by until they pulled up under the canopy of a restaurant. When a valet strode toward them, she sat up and grabbed Jordan’s arm.
“Wait. We can’t go in there!”
With the valet outside of his door, Jordan paused with his hand on the door handle. “Why not?”
“Look at me!” Tessa screeched, gesturing to her shorts and sweater.
“You look great.”
She rolled her eyes. “Jordan, this is obviously a fancy restaurant, and I don’t look fancy.”
Jordan let his eyes roam over her and said in a low tone, “You look amazing, Tessa. Trust me.”
When he said it like that, Tessa couldn’t argue. But she still wasn’t convinced. “Fine,” she huffed and got out.
Breaking Tessa: A College Sport Romance Page 18