The Agreement: Book two in the Seattle Billionaires Series

by Nora Ford

  Tonight, I had plans for her. Since we rarely go out, I decided to cook dinner for her. Tessa still worked herself to death, another thing I wish I could change. I wanted her to consider Mom's offer and work with her. Unlike her job at the hospital, working at my mom's practice would give her time for herself, but this was a decision she had to make alone.

  I wasn't a great cook, but I knew my way around the kitchen. I scrubbed a couple of potatoes, pierced them with the fork, and rubbed them in olive oil, salt, and pepper then placed them in the oven. After I dressed the salad, set the table and opened the wine, I looked around and was satisfied with myself.

  I was turning on music when I heard the front door close, and Tessa walked in. She seemed tired, the way she always looked after a long shift at the hospital. "Hi," she smiled weakly, "you're home early."

  I shook my head. "You're home late," Tessa opened her mouth to say something, but my lips covered hers. My kiss was fiery and passionate. When she pulled away to catch her breath, my lips went straight to her neck. She shuddered as I rolled my tongue around a particularly tender spot on her clavicle.

  "Hungry?" I whispered, and my nose nuzzled just behind her ear.

  Tessa craned her neck giving me plenty of access to her sensitive skin. "Yes, famished. Did you eat?" She closed her eyes when my teeth nipped at her collarbone.

  "No, I waited for you," I said as my palm covered her neck. "Oh, God…mmm." She moaned as my fingers dug into the tight flesh, massaging the day's knots away, "We can order something."

  "You go take a shower, and dinner will be ready in a few."

  "You cooked?" She opened her eyes and looked at me.

  "It's just a couple of steaks, not a big deal."

  Tessa's shoulders slumped, and a small grin graced her lips. "That's sweet."

  "That's me. I'm Mr. Sweet," I was being sarcastic, but it worked. Her smile widened.

  "Okay, Mr. Sweet. What can I do to help?"

  "Everything is ready. I am just going to put the steaks on."

  "Thanks. I'll be right back, give you a hand."

  "Take your time. I have everything under control."

  True to her word, Tessa was done in ten. She came back dressed in a sexy summer dress that bared her shoulders and a lot of leg and back. She wore her hair down and smoked her eyes. The sight of her took my breath away.

  I took her hand and led her to the dining area. Tessa gasped when she looked at the table that was set for two. I knew Tessa didn't use the dining room anymore although it had everything you need for a perfect romantic dinner. Linen napkins, beautiful china, and crystal wine glasses - I used them all to create a charming atmosphere.

  "Oh, Aron, this is lovely," she turned to face me. Looking up into my eyes, she smiled and tipped her lips to mine. "Thank you."

  I accepted her lips for a brief kiss, but when she started to pull away, I held her close and moved my head to the side. Her kiss turned quickly from a thank-you to something more. She moaned as I roamed my hands down her back. I nibbled at her lip as my hand reached for her breast. "I'm a terrible person," I said between kisses.

  Tessa looked up at me, confused. "Why do you say that?"

  "We haven't eaten yet, and I'm already creeping all over you."

  Tessa laughed and moved with me to the living room. Our bedrooms weren't close enough. "Are you telling me, you only had dinner in mind when you set all this?" Tessa's hands were tugging my shirt up and off, then tossed it away.

  "Well, the original plan was dinner then sex," I said as I found the short zipper that started halfway down her back.

  Tessa licked her way across my collarbone and down to my bare chest, saying cheekily, "We can have sex, eat, then have sex again." She nibbled a path to my other side, "That's a better plan."

  Before we sank together onto the nearest couch, I yanked her dress down and kicked free of my pants. When I unclasped her bra, tossed it away, and my lips started to claim her nipples, Tessa writhed with pleasure. I kissed her fully on the mouth as I pressed inside her. My fingers tangled with her hair and held on tightly as her body responded to mine with renewed passion and need. We moved together until she unwound and shattered. I followed her a few seconds later, I held her close as I moaned my release into her ear. As our breath slowed and the heat from our bodies drifted into the air, Tessa pulled herself away from my arms. She smiled when her stomach growled, "I'm starving."

  ***

  It was very late when, finally, Tessa went to her room. We ate, drank and talked, then we took the rest of the wine to my room, where we made love. It wasn't just another round of hot sex; it was slow and tender. I took what she offered and gave her what I had. I was sure Tessa felt it too. I saw it in her eyes; it wasn't lust or desire this time. Her eyes were full of affection and love. I just had to wait until her mind and heart agree with each other.

  I only had three hours sleep when I heard Tessa's phone ringing in her room. She answered after the third ring. "Take her to the hospital, and I'll be right there," I heard her saying. She must have been talking to Adam. It seemed that Talia had gone into labor. I glanced at the clock and saw it wasn't five yet. I quickly got up, put on clothes and waited for Tessa at the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tessa

  It was five in the morning when the buzz of my phone woke me. Aron had spent the entire night screwing my brains out. I was so exhausted that I'd fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow but I jumped out of bed the moment I saw the caller ID. It was Adam. He was calling to tell me that Talia had gone into labor. In less than five minutes I was ready to go.

  I was surprised when I saw Aron waiting for me by the door. "Aron?! Why are you up so early?" I asked.

  "I heard your phone. I figured it must be Talia. Come, I'll drive you."

  I didn't argue; I was too nervous to drive myself anyway. I’d assisted and delivered a lot of babies over the past few years, but this time the mother was my sister, and the babies were going to be my nephews.

  When we reached the hospital, Aron squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile. "She's going to be fine. She's in good hands."

  I nodded and went straight to check on Talia. She was lying in bed. Adam was standing by her side feeling helpless as the contractions continued to wear her down. I remembered Timo's delivery. I was the one who was comforting her. Timo's biological father didn't want anything to do with the baby. He didn't bother to show up.

  Talia looked up at me; the pain clear on her face. "The babies don't want to come out," She said in a weak voice.

  "Everything looks fine, but it could take a few more hours. You're not dilating fast enough," I said as I checked her charts.

  "God, a few more hours of this."

  "It's normal. Remember how long it took Timo to come out finally," I said and gave her a reassuring smile.

  "Timo. God, I scared him this morning. How is he doing?" Talia asked and let out a strangled cry as the monitor at her bedside spiked. Adam instantly took her outstretched hand and told her, "breathe, baby. I got you."

  Talia blew out a forceful breath and dropped back against the bed. When the pain faded a little, she looked up at Adam and asked him to go and check on Timo. He dropped her hand to go, but I stopped him. "No, you stay. I'll go and check on him and see how Mom is doing."

  Adam gave me a thankful nod and held Talia's hand again. Her eyes lit as he leaned down to kiss her. When I saw they were having an intimate moment, I quietly left the room.

  Once I stepped in the waiting room, Timo rushed at me, "Is mom going to be okay?"

  I gave him a tight hug and said as I ran my fingers through his hair, "Mom is going to be fine, baby. She sent me here to tell you so."

  "But she was screaming this morning. If I knew she would cry, I wouldn't have asked her for a brother," he said, and his eyes were full of tears.

  "All moms cry as the babies come out. What do you think she did when you didn't want to come out? She even bit my hand," I said
and managed to force a smile out of him.

  With Timo calmed down, I looked around at mom, dad, and Liv. Richard, Adam's father was also there. They all looked concerned. I told them that Talia was fine, but it was going to take few more hours. I was relieved when Richard offered to take Timo for the day. A hospital waiting room wasn't the place for a seven-year-old kid.

  I was on my way out as Aron entered the room with coffee and snacks for everyone. I took my cup. "Oh, thanks. I thought you'd already left."

  "I'll wait with the others. How is Talia doing?" Aron asked, and I was touched at the genuine concern in his voice.

  "She's doing fine but she hasn't dilated yet. I left her with Adam and came to check on Timo," I told him as he walked with me down the corridor. When we reached Talia's room, I looked up at him and said "You don't have to wait for me. Liv can drive me home."

  "I'll wait," he said decisively. For one brief moment, we stared at each other. The heat in his eyes made me shiver. I leaned toward him and planted a small kiss on his lips. I turned to leave, feeling Aron's eyes still on me as I entered Talia's room.

  A few hours later Talia had finally dilated. She was screaming every five seconds, and Adam kept reminding her to breathe. He shrieked as a gush of water came out of her body.

  I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's time," I said, "Tal, I'm going to need you to push."

  Forty minutes later, the head finally showed. After another three long pushes, the first baby's head exited Talia's body, and I was able to pull it out.

  Twenty minutes later, I cut the cord on the second baby. I tried to hold back my tears as I held the crying baby in my hands and put it on Talia's chest.

  By the time Talia left the recovery room, I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained. I didn't know that holding Talia's babies would remind me of my own loss.

  I'd wanted children with Seth. We wanted at least three, that's why I stopped taking the pill as soon as we decided to get married. I was so happy when I found out that I was pregnant. My colleagues thought I was crazy because I hadn't finished my residency but I didn't care. The desire to become a mother was greater than anything else. Now it was another thing I buried into the never-to-be coffer of unfulfilled dreams.

  Mom seemed to sense how I was feeling; she squeezed my hand and gave me a sympathetic smile. Sympathy was the last thing I wanted at that moment, so I decided to leave.

  Before I left, I gave Talia a quick kiss on the cheek and turned to Aron.

  "Please take me home."

  I didn't have to say it twice. Aron jumped to his feet, quickly said his goodbyes to everyone and led me out of the room.

  We drove in silence, but I felt Aron glancing at me every couple of minutes. I was grateful that he didn't try to make me talk.

  Once we reached my apartment, I went straight to my room. I didn't close the door behind me as I usually did. I wanted Aron to follow me. However, I didn't tell him to, instead, I went to the bathroom and took a long shower. The hot water loosened up my muscles, but it didn't relieve the ache in my heart and soul.

  Fifteen minutes later, I came out of the bathroom with nothing but a white towel wrapped around my body. Aron was waiting for me. "Do you want to talk?" He asked.

  "No," I definitely didn't want to talk.

  "Can I get you anything?" He asked desperately. I could feel he was frustrated, he wanted to help me but didn't know how.

  "Aron…I…I want something," I bit my lips. "I want you to take me. I want it hard." To emphasize my request, I unwrapped the towel and let it fall to the floor. I stood there fully naked.

  Aron stared at me, his eyes were piercing. "You want me to take you hard? No restrains?"

  I nodded, my pulse racing. It felt wrong and twisted, but I needed it that way. I didn't want to think. All I wanted was to feel something other than the ache that filled my heart. Aron hesitated for a second, he inhaled sharply as he approached me, and I could feel the dam of his control cracking. His mouth descended on mine, his lips and tongue were savage, almost vicious. His kiss devoured me, stole my breath and soul.

  After a while, he pulled back only to free himself from his clothes. He pulled his shirt over his head with a single motion, revealing the strong muscles underneath. His pants were next, and I caught a quick glimpse of his erection before he climbed on top of me, his powerful hands grabbed my wrists and pinned them next to my shoulders.

  Aron's eyes locked on mine as he pushed my thighs apart with his knees and slowly penetrated me. My heart raced with anticipation, I waited for him to take me roughly, but he didn't. It was both arousing and frustrating. There was no pain as my body stretched to accept him, only pleasurable fullness, but tonight I craved the roughness. Some sick part of me wanted to experience the pain. "Harder," I said and wrapped my legs around his hips, pulling him all the way into me.

  Aron didn't make me ask again. He pushed back in me with a hard thrust that set all my nerves on fire.

  I cried out into his mouth, wrapping my legs tighter around his firm ass as he began to take me without restraint. It was hard, rough and possessive, but I revelled in it, my body loved the savage assault. It was what I wanted now, what I needed. I would have bruises tomorrow, but for the moment, all I could feel was the massive tension gathering inside me. Each wild thrust wound me tighter and tighter until I felt like I was going to shatter… and then I did, an explosion of pleasure shot up through my body as I fell apart in Aron's arms, entirely flooded by the dark bliss. A few seconds later, Aron came with a ragged cry as he pounded himself deeper into me.

  When Aron rolled off me, I couldn't stop the tears from falling down my cheeks. He looked at me horrified, "Did I hurt you?"

  I shook my head and smiled sheepishly. "No, it was perfect. I don't know why I’m crying."

  Aron tensed and stared at me, his eyes illuminated with concern, "Do you want to talk now?"

  I turned around to face him and buried my face in the crook of his neck; my shoulders were shaking with quiet sobs. "Hold me, just hold me, Aron," I whispered, and he did.

  I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but after a while, my breathing started to even out, and I was about to sleep. When I felt Aron moving to go to his room, I grabbed his hand to stop him. "Please, stay," I said as I closed my eyes and drifted off into a deep dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Aron

  After Tessa fell asleep, I lay awake for a while. It was the first time I had seen her that vulnerable. Although she didn't talk, she shared her weakness with me. I was sure that meant something. No, it meant a lot. Tessa had asked me to stay. She needed my closeness. Maybe she didn't want to acknowledge it yet, but her feelings for me were growing.

  Tonight was an excellent opportunity to tell her about Jacob. If I weren't a selfish bastard, I would have told her that the man who killed her baby was dead. I was a selfish bastard, though. I knew I should tell her and let her decide, how things between us would go but I wasn't ready to take the risk. Tessa needed me now more than ever; she was just starting to let me in. No, I wasn't going to miss this chance.

  All those years I knew I felt something for her I knew she was special, but I didn't realize how deep my feelings were. Only tonight everything was clear, I loved Tessa. I loved everything about her. Her humor, her independence, and her weakness. If I was honest with myself, it scared me. I never loved a woman like this before. I couldn't picture myself without her by my side. My previous liaisons were nothing more than enjoyable heartless release. They all ended before they started.

  Maybe Tessa and I didn't have a conventional start, but I was determined that our story would have a happy ending. I smiled when Tessa turned in her sleep, her face snuggled into my chest. Running my fingers through the strands of her hair calmed and soothed me. By the time my eyes drifted close, I had a plan.

  The next morning, I got up early and made few phone calls. First, I called my pilot and told him that I need the jet ready. The second call
was to my mom. I asked her to cover Tessa this week at the hospital. Finally, I spoke with my assistant to inform her that I wasn't coming to the office the whole week. After I made sure that everything was under control, I went back to Tessa.

  She was still sleeping when I entered the bedroom. I approached the bed and carefully pulled the blanket off her, without waking her. Tessa lay on her stomach, head on her arms. She muttered something but didn't open her eyes. She looked incredibly sexy, lying there naked. I ignored my rock-hard erection and picked up the bottle of warm massage oil I brought from the bathroom. I poured the liquid into my palm and began rubbing her feet. As soon as I touched her sole, her toes curl, and a sleepy moan escaped her lips. I liked it when she made those sounds. It made me even harder, but I resisted the urge to climb on the bed and bury myself in her tight, delicious body.