by Marie Tuhart
Damon’s fingers trailing over her arm made her shiver. “Easy, my darling.” His heat was between her legs now. Calling out to her. She tried to shift her hips, but couldn’t move. Damn him.
His chuckle reached her ears. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you are satisfied.”
Tessa tried to slow her breathing down, but it was difficult. Her body had other ideas. Her skin felt tight, as if every nerve was exposed.
“Lift your ass like you did before, sweetheart.”
Concentrating, she did as he asked. Something cool and flat slipped beneath her. What was he up to?
“I didn’t want to repeat myself with my toys. This is a brand new one I finished developing early this week.” He deepened his tone enough to keep her relaxed and on the edge of bliss. “You see,” he continued as his fingers parted her pussy lips. “I wanted something that would hold my toy in place while I played with other parts of your body.”
“You are a devious man, Sir.”
Damon laughed. He rubbed his finger over her clit until it was hard and wanting. “So now I’m going to place my toy right here.” A round cool metal was placed against her clit.
Wait a second. His fingers were gone, yet the toy was pressed solidly against her clit. Oh, this was going to be interesting.
“Now, sweetheart.” His voice was next to her ear. “Let’s have some fun.”
The toy began to vibrate against her clit. Okay, he’d put a bullet against her clit, not a biggie.
“Time.” Jordan’s voice reached her ears. Time for what?
“Let’s get these clamps off of you.”
Crap. Once he removed them, blood would rush back to her nipples, and while it was a little painful, it was more pleasure. Would he be upset if she climaxed too early?
“Don’t worry. I have a plan,” he whispered. She felt the first clamp drop against her skin, yet her nipple was still being pinched. Damon was pinching it and ever so slowly releasing the pressure.
Torturous release. There was no pain, only pleasure. When he finished with the clamps, he turned the bullet up.
Her mouth opened on a moan, and he turned it up again. What? She tugged at her legs. That bullet was doing something more than vibrating.
“What is that, Sir?” She couldn’t get enough air. Her skin was ultra-sensitive. If she didn’t know better she would think there was electricity running through her veins.
“That my love”—he paused, and the vibration increased along with the bullet—“is what makes this special.”
Tessa tried to concentrate on the toy. What was it doing? Yes, the vibrations were there, but it was like…someone was licking her clit.
“Ahhh.” The noise escaped from her lips as he turned the toy up, and the tongue moved faster. She wanted to shift her hips so badly, to hit that right spot that would send her over, but she couldn’t move.
The vibrations increased. Tessa’s legs shook. She was right there. A little bit more and she’d go over.
“That’s it, sweetie.” Damon’s husky Dom voice invaded her being. “Let it go. I’m here to catch you.”
“Yes,” she cried out as the toy sped up, the tongue lashing her clit. Her head thrashed against the padded back, and the vibrations increased yet again. She fought her body’s reaction.
Every nerve tingled with electricity, and her pussy clenched tighter and tighter. The vibrations increased again. Damn, how many settings did that thing have?
Panting, Tessa fought each tingle, each shaft of pleasure.
“Now, sweetheart. Come for me.”
His voice and the toy pushed her over the edge. Tessa cried out, and her body spasmed. The chair shook with the force of her climax. Her head fell forward, and she knew nothing more.
* * * *
Damon knew the instant Tessa fainted. Her body went limp as her climax continued.
“Sweet, sweet, Tessa.” He kissed her cheek before turning his toy off.
The audience sighed, causing Damon to smile. He quickly removed the toy and the holder.
“Tessa, honey.” He made sure to keep his voice level. There was no response. Damon undid the restraints on her legs, then looked around. Max stood near the stage. “Max, some help please.”
His friend was there in an instant. “What do you need?”
“I’m going to undo this arm. When I tell you, would you undo her other one?” Max nodded. Damon unfastened her left arm. It fell limply over his shoulder. Damon slipped his left arm around her waist. “Now, Max.”
Tessa slumped against him. She was out of it. Totally and completely out. “Can you grab me the blanket, please?”
Max picked up the blanket and handed it to Damon. “Go to the aftercare area. I can clean up for you.”
“Thank you.” He had wonderful friends. Damon picked Tessa up in his arms and made his way to one of the sofas in the aftercare area. Her head lulled against his shoulder when he sat down, but a smile curved her lips.
“Tessa, sweetie,” he said, trying to pull her back to him.
“Just a few more minutes. I’m enjoying myself.”
“All right.”
* * * *
Damon held Tessa in his arms for a half an hour before she spoke again. She was all soft and relaxed. “I’m not sure I’ll ever move again,” she said softly.
He smiled at her. “Enjoyed that, did you?”
“You and your damn toys. I think I’m still having mini orgasms.” Damon chuckled. “Don’t laugh, you sex fiend.” Her fist thumped his chest.
He couldn’t hide his happiness. Seeing his friends laughing, talking, and cuddling with their women, he wanted what they had. Damon was well on his way with Tessa. He gazed down at her.
Oh yes, he was falling for her. He wanted to be with her all the time. It was too early to tell her, but he would soon.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tessa glanced at the text from her brother. His plane had landed, and he was getting a car to drive to her house, which gave her about two hours before he’d arrive. She sighed.
“Damon, I need to go home.” It wasn’t unusual for a Sunday afternoon, and she did have to work tomorrow.
“Okay.” He pulled her into his arms. “Dinner tomorrow night?”
“I’m not sure.” She pulled back.
Damon frowned. “What’s going on, Tessa?”
“What?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m distracted.” She sighed again. How would Damon take to knowing about her brother’s visit? Heck, that wasn’t as worrisome as meeting her brother. “My brother is coming to town.”
“So that means you can’t see me?” His voice grew deeper.
“Yes and no.” She cupped his cheek. “I don’t want to pull you into my family politics. That’s all.”
He studied her, and Tessa held his gaze. She was falling for Damon. He was becoming more important to her than anyone. She had no clue what her brother wanted, but she didn’t want Damon caught in the middle.
“I don’t even know how long my brother is staying. Maybe later in the week?” God, she hated telling his half-truths. But she couldn’t risk it right now. What if her brother pulled a fast one? In her heart, she knew Damon wouldn’t betray her, but she didn’t trust her brother.
His eyes lightened. “All right.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Call me.”
“Always.” She’d gotten used to calling him when she got home from his house and from work. Damon was protective and part of her liked that. “You’re going to be busy with the new store. You get the keys tomorrow, right?” The real estate agent had called him today. He’d sign the closing papers tomorrow.
“True.”
Tessa slipped from his arms and picked up her bag. “See you soon.” She walked to her car and drove away, watching Damon fade in the mirror. Her heart crumpled. This was going to be a long week.
* * * *
“Come on, Tessa. I want to meet this man my sister is dating,” her brother, Allen, said on Wednesday evening.
<
br /> “Allen, I told Dad it’s just something casual.”
“Right, that’s why you call him every evening when you get home.”
Tessa’s cheeks turned pink. Damn it, she’d hoped he hadn’t noticed that. She always made the phone call from her bedroom.
“I knew it.” Her brother crowed. “Come on, Tessa, what is one little dinner going to hurt?”
“If I do this, there are going to be some ground rules.”
“Oh?” Her brother studied her.
“Yes. You will behave yourself and not ask any political questions.”
“I can do that.”
“No big brother crap.” She held up her hand when he opened his mouth. “No asking what his plans are with me or anything like that. Got it?”
“I promise.”
“Keep your promise.” Tessa walked away. She picked up her cell and dialed Damon’s number.
“Hey, sweetie. I’ve missed you.”
Damon’s voice was like a balm to her heart. “Me too. Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?” It was Thursday, and it was quite possible he’d be needed at the club.
“I am. So I get to meet your brother?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “Allen wants to meet you. I’ve already warned him not to do any big brother crap.”
“I thought he was younger.”
“He is, but that doesn’t stop him.”
Damon laughed, and Tessa grinned. She missed him so much. The way they’d talk over dinner, debate local news, and just be together.
“Where shall I meet you?”
“I don’t have a clue.” Most the places her brother would approve of would take reservations at least a week ahead.
“What about the Pleasant Valley Steakhouse?” Damon asked.
“I thought about that, but it’s hard to get a reservation. I guess I could call and see if they’ve had a cancellation.”
“Let me call for you. I can get us a table.”
“Damon, don’t go to any trouble.” She was tempted to let him take care of it.
“Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll call you back.” The line went dead, and Tessa shook her head.
It didn’t even take him that long. He called her back in five minutes. “Got it.”
“I want to know your trick.”
“It’s all in who you know. Tomorrow at seven.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Damon. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me either. Are PDAs allowed?”
“PDA?”
“Public displays of affection.”
She laughed. Why did her mind think something different? “PG versions, yes.”
“Oh dear, then I guess I better leave the vibrating bullet at home.”
There was laughter in his voice, and she was happy. Things had been a little cool between them since Sunday. She was responsible for that.
“Until tomorrow,” she said softly.
“Until them, my love.”
Tessa froze. He’d said, “my love”. She shook her head. They were just words; Damon didn’t mean them in the way she was taking them. They hadn’t known each other long enough. Who was she kidding? She was falling for Damon. Hard and fast. Time didn’t mean anything. Hadn’t she learned that from her father and her ex?
Not now. She reminded herself. Once her brother was gone, maybe she could analyze these feelings, but not now.
“We have reservations at seven tomorrow night at the Pleasant Valley Steakhouse,” she told her brother.
“Perfect. My last meeting is at four; it will give me time to get back here and shower. I can’t wait to meet this man you’re dating.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. No matter what she said, he wasn’t listening to her.
* * * *
Tessa ran her hands down her dress as she and her brother walked into the restaurant the next night. Why was she so nervous about Allen and Damon meeting? Her stomach churned. She didn’t fully trust her brother.
“Good evening, welcome to the Pleasant Valley Steakhouse. Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asked.
“We’re meeting Damon Kline,” Tessa said.
“Oh yes, please follow me.”
Allen raised his eyebrows but indicated Tessa should precede him. Damon stood when he saw them approaching. This time, they had a table near the front of the restaurant.
“Tessa.” Damon took her hands in his and kissed her cheek.
“Damon.” Her heart lightened at seeing him. Talking to him on the phone and texting had been good, but there was nothing better than seeing him in person.
Allen clearing his throat made her turn. “Damon, this is my brother, Allen. Allen, Damon Kline, a friend.” She put an emphasis on friend. Damon gave her a pointed look, and Tessa knew they’d be discussing the ‘friend’ comment later. Right now, the last thing she needed was her brother poking into her love life.
Allen held his hand out. “Mr. Kline.”
“Damon, please.” They shook hands, and Damon held out a chair for her.
The waiter came right over, took their drink orders, and disappeared.
“This looks good,” Allen said as he looked over the menu.
“Their food is excellent.” She glanced at Damon and grinned.
The waiter returned with their drinks and asked if they were ready. They were, so they all ordered.
“So, Damon, what do you do?” Allen asked.
Tessa almost choked on her iced tea at the question.
“I’m an engineer.”
Whew! Neutral answer. She should have clued Damon in. Not that she thought he’d say anything wrong. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Damon was cool as a cucumber, but Tessa was a basket case.
“Nice. Where did you go to school?” Allen stared at Damon.
“MIT.” Damon slipped his hand to Tessa’s leg and squeezed.
Allen nodded. “So how long have you been dating my sister?”
“Allen!” Tessa sputtered. “We talked about this.”
“It’s a fair question,” Allen said. “I have a right to know about my sister’s love life.”
“I’m going to disagree with you there,” Damon said in that firm voice of his. “What is between Tessa and me remains between us.”
“Really?” Allen raised his eyebrows. “And that picture in the gossip column?”
Tessa groaned. Why didn’t the floor open up and swallow her? She should have known better.
“Unfortunate happenstance. We were out with friends when that reporter intruded. It was coffee with friends.” While Damon kept his tone level, Tessa heard the thread of annoyance.
“I explained this, Allen.” Movement caught her eye, and Tessa turned her head. What the hell was a photographer doing here?
Allen turned and smiled as the picture was taken.
“Thank you, sir,” the man said and scurried away.
Tessa’s hands closed into fists. “You set that up.” Why did she think she could trust her brother? Allen knew she wanted to stay out of the limelight and not be connected to her political family, yet he did this anyway.
“Of course. Congressional candidate out to dinner with his sister and her beau.” Allen grinned.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Kline,” the maître d’ said as he rushed to the table.
“Not your fault, Barry.” Damon’s tone was cool, not quite icy, and his demeanor morphed from cordial to controlled dominance. “I’ll bring a bottle of your favorite wine.”
“No need. It’s fine.” Damon glared at her brother as Barry left. “Why did you feel the need to embarrass your sister?”
“How did I embarrass her? It was just a picture.”
Damon stiffened next to her. Anger filled her own veins, but she couldn’t lose it in the restaurant. Too many eyes. Too many phones, pictures to be taken. She never should have agreed to this.
“I want to leave.” She stood up, and Damon did the same.
“Come on, Tessa. I’m in the mood for a good steak,” Allen cajoled
.
Tessa’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t know what happened to you, Allen. I would say too much time with Dad, but somehow I don’t think that’s it.” She broke off when another man approached the table.
“Allen,” the man said.
“Representative Hopper.” Allen rose to his feet, and they shook hands.
“Please, don’t let me interrupt,” Hopper said.
“We were about leaving,” Tessa said as she fought to keep the anger out of her voice.
“Tessa,” Allen said. “This is my sister, Tessa, and her friend, Damon Kline. This is Representative Hopper. I met with him this afternoon.”
Tessa ground her teeth together. She wouldn’t make a scene no matter how much she wanted to. “If you’ll excuse me.” She didn’t wait for an answer. She slipped by Damon and walked away with her head held high.
* * * *
Damon watched Tessa stride away. His first need was to go after her, but he had something to take care of first. His anger rose. What the hell was wrong with her brother?
“Are you going to sit back down, Damon?” Allen asked.
“No.” Damon took a breath. “If this is how you treat your sister, then you don’t deserve her.”
Allen bristled. “How I treat my sister is none of your business.”
“It is my business. Do this to her again, and I’ll have your ass. Good evening.” Damon walked off, pleased to see both Allen and Hopper standing there with shocked faces.
Damon reached the parking lot and looked for Tessa. She was standing next to her vehicle. “Tessa,” he said softly when he approached.
“I can’t drive,” she said, turning to him, her body shaking.
While her face was composed, there were tears in her eyes.
“No, you can’t.” Damon fished his phone out of his pocket. “Hey, Jordan, can I ask a favor?” He paused. “I’m at the Pleasant Valley Steakhouse. Can you bring Crystal over and have her drive Tessa’s car to her apartment? She’s had an upset and can’t drive. I’m taking her to my place.” He slipped his arm around Tessa’s waist, anchoring her to his side. “Great. Thanks. We’re standing by her car.”