by Shell, C.
She was in trouble with him. He made her feel things she never felt with anyone else, it was unnerving and yet arousing at the same time. He was bad boy meets boy next door and the combination was deadly. She felt his every persistent erection pressing against her belly causing her sex to clench, sending warm liquid to spill into the crotch of her silk panties. Her body felt warm all over and her breathing was coming in erratic spats.
In one quick motion he pushed her up against the door and lowered his lips onto hers, stealing her breath and causing her to whimper against his mouth. His tongue trailed her lips asking for entry that she gladly gave. He kissed her fully, making it harder and greedier, giving her exactly what she craved. His kiss felt like a brand, he was making her his. She groaned and slid her hands against his hard chest, then continued down to cover his already hard erection. He made an animalistic growling sound against her mouth. It was the sexiest sound she ever heard. One minute she was against the wall, the next she was in his arms, legs wrapped around his waist as his hands skimmed down her body making her shiver and her nipples tingle and tighten.
"You like that, Tess? Do you like feeling what you do to me?" he whispered against her neck. She could not answer, her throat felt dry and rough so she just shook her head yes. His lips moved to her throat sucking lightly as his fingers spanned her ribs, moving up to cup her breasts. She wanted to feel him everywhere, no matter how close he got she could not get enough of him. Pulling at the ties on her dress he pulled down the top of it exposing her bare breasts and taking a drawn nipple into his hot mouth sucking it wildly.
"That feels amazing, don't stop," she pleaded, lost in the pleasure.
"You taste so good baby,"
His words turned her on, making her burn hotter. No one had ever talked dirty to her, she liked it, found it was exciting.
Lifting his head he peered into her eyes, her expression a mixture of emotions. He lightly brushed his lips against her once more before un-wrapping her legs and bringing her back to a standing position against the wall. It took a moment for her to process what was happening and to realize he was pulling away from her.
Looking up into his face she tried to find out why, had she done something wrong? All she found was him staring at her with desire in his eyes and a wicked grin. Reaching out he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, skimming his fingers down her face, tracing her jaw as he leaned in and whispered," It was fun catching up with you Tess. I'll be across the hall if you need me."
As realization of what just happened sunk in, she snapped, "Go to hell." She crossed her arms over her chest in a protective gesture, watching him turn and walk out of her door to his apartment. She continued to lean against the wall for support, her legs felt like jelly and she did not trust herself to try to walk just yet.
Asshat! How dare him walk back into her life and turn it upside down all over again. She felt confused, hurt, pissed, and horny. She hated playing games and yet she felt like he had just made his move, check mate. She needed a hot shower and relief from her handy bullet vibrator then starting tomorrow Alex would get a dose of his own medicine. She smiled to herself as she thought of the wonderful ways she planned on taking him down a few notches.
Chapter 5
Cursing her computer for the umpteenth time for moving so slow, Tessa looked up and apologized once again to her new client and old friend Olivia Danson.
Work was picking up with the deadline looming to get taxes turned into to the IRS. She loved this time of year but was ready to kill her computer for not being able to keep up. She would need to buy a new one soon, but it would have to wait until this season needed and she had time to transfer all her files over.
"I am so sorry Olivia, it's not normally this bad," Tessa sighed as she drummed her fingers on the keyboard waiting on the computer screen to confirm everything was uploaded. "While we wait why don't you catch me up on the latest gossip?" Olivia was always in the know of what was going on in town. She owned the Girl's Curls beauty salon in town and headed up the ladies Baptist church group. If anything happened in town she was the first to have all the juicy details.
"Oh honey, where to begin? The latest circling around is that Candice got knocked up by Jeremy Webber. I am not sure if it is true or not, but my sources are really good. Her daddy is going to kill her, or him, either way it is not good."
It was amazing how someone's misery could bring others so much pleasure. Just as the computer was finally beginning to come to life again the door opened and a delivery boy from Cajun Belly's Café came in carrying containers filled with food that filled the office with fragrant spicy smells. Olivia looked at Tessa with a smile obviously thinking she had ordered food for the two of them.
The young delivery boy came to the desk and said," I have a delivery here for Tessa, would either of you be Tessa?"
Confused and not sure what was going on, Tessa answered nervously," I am Tessa, but I did not order any food. I think you have made a mistake."
"No mistake, I was told to bring you these and to make sure you accepted them. They have already been paid for and I have already been tipped, although you're welcome to tip me again if you want to." He handed over the warm containers of food and realizing he was not getting another tip left as quickly as he had come.
Curious, Tessa opened the containers and found fried frog legs, mash potatoes, and red beans and rice. She was really confused until she found a note attached to the top of the larger container that explained it all.
Thinking of you and the first time we met. Hope you enjoy your lunch
-A
Olivia was staring at her trying to piece together what was going on and why Tessa's face was suddenly flushed. "Tessa I didn't think you ate frog legs?"
"I don't.
"Hun, I am confused. Why would someone send you food you don't eat? Who are they from?"
Afraid that she was about to become the new form of gossip but not wanting to lie to her friend either, Tessa took a breath before saying," They are from Alex Reddington, you remember him from high school don't you?" Noticing Olivia's wide eyes and slight nod yes she continued," Well, we first met and became friends in Mr. Smith's biology class when I refused to cut open a stupid frog, and I guess this food is some sort of joke about that." She could feel her face red and as much as she loved Olivia, knew everyone would be hearing this same story as soon as she walked out of her door.
Damn him, why did he have to humiliate her.
"I heard he was back in town. I didn't know you two were already back in touch, how cute." Tessa knew that what she was really trying to say was I didn’t know you two were an item.
"Olivia, it's really not like that, I mean we are friends… well not actually friends as much as old acquaintances. Please don't make this into something it's not, it was just a really bad joke on his part, nothing more." She was blubbering and needed to stop before she made things any worse.
"Of course honey, no problem." Olivia's words and her expression did not match up. Tessa was screwed, so much for keeping a low profile around town.
Chapter 6
Today was feeling like the longest day of Alex's life. He spend the entire morning helping move his dad from the hospital back to their house then spent the remainder of the day fixing an order mistake their new foreman made by ordering too many granite tiles for a bathroom and not enough cabinets for the kitchen. His head hurt and he was starving, luckily his mom had sent over tons of leftovers that should feed him for the remainder of the week.
He had planned on seeing Tessa more during the past week, but due to work and other tenants needing repairs done in their apartments he had not had time to mess with her anymore. Earlier in the week he came home and found containers of frog legs and the other food he had delivered to Tessa's work sitting on in front of his door, he loved that she was able to dish it out as well as she took it. She was so easy to mess with; he wished he could have seen her expression when she opened them. Thinking of her in any wa
y made his body tense and wicked thoughts swirl in his mind.
Remembering the way she instantly responded to him that day made his cock stir, she might be tame on the outside but behind closed doors she was the inhibited hell cat he always hoped she would be. He planned on stopping by this weekend and seeing if he could rattle her cage a little more.
As he was warming up his mom's signature chicken dumplings in the microwave he heard a knock on the door and went to answer it hoping it might be Tessa and they could start round two. Opening the door he was surprised to find a man with sandy colored hair and dark eyes, dressed in khaki slacks and a button down shirt holding a bottle of wine.
"Um, can I help you?" Alex asked testily.
The man looked a bit nervous when he spoke, "I am sorry to bother you, but I am in the middle of a date tonight with your neighbor across the hall and she cannot find her wine bottle opener and thought you might have one we could borrow, do you happen to have one?"
Damn! Alex felt numb and stood there staring down the nervous man without saying anything. Looking him over he questioned what Tess was doing with a man like this, he was all wrong for her. He was preppy with perfectly cut wheat colored hair, black rimmed glasses, and a polo shirt that looked like something his mother picked out tucked into pleated kakis. Without even thinking he grabbed the bottle of wine from the man and slammed the door in his face. The thought of his Tessa on a date with anyone made him edgy and want to hit something. He gripped the kitchen counter and counted to ten, trying to calm his breathing and think straight. He had checked before coming home and all accounts proved that she was single; no one had seen her have a date in months.
She sent him over here! The truth of the situation slowly began sinking in and he realized that Tess was playing with him. Game on baby! Reaching for his wine bottle opener he carefully removed the cork than grabbed the bottle and headed towards her door. He only had to knock once before she answered glaring into his eyes, challenging him to make a scene. Alex plastered his best smile across his face and walked through her door not waiting to be asked. He went straight towards her kitchen and busied himself with grabbling wine glasses and pouring each of them a glass.
"Tessa, where are your manners? You have yet to introduce me to your date," he chastised as he grabbed the full wine glasses and passed them out.
Trying to calm her nerves and the need to throw Alex out of her apartment she pushed her feelings down and went about with introductions trying to remedy the awkward feeling in the room. "David, this is Alex. Alex this is David, my date for the night." At that proclamation she turned to Alex and noticed his eyes narrow for the briefest moment. If she had not been studying his reaction she would not have caught it herself. Leaving David on her small sofa she went and sat across from him, needing some space. David was sweet and cute in a brotherly sort of way, but he did not do it for her, at least not the way Alex could. Alex was talking but she wasn't listening, all she knew at this moment was that somehow this date was going all wrong.
"Well, it's nice to meet you David. How did you and my Tess meet?"
My Tess? The thought of being his sent a sharp sensation straight between her legs. Obviously he was not planning on leaving and letting them finish her façade of the perfect date, Tessa was beginning to second guess her decision to rub David in Alex's face. She thought that if she could show Alex that she was dating than he would believe that their brief hot and heavy encounters were a fluke and would back off.
Why can't he just make this easy?
Poor David looked so confused and flustered. Tess never meant to put him in the middle of their fucked up mind games, he was a really nice guy and she should have known this would turn into a royal mess.
David carefully explained," I've run into Tessa several times a week the local coffee shop down the street and have asked her out on various occasions, she had always sweetly declined until this morning she finally agreed to dinner. Poor David was smiling as if he had won the lottery.
Poor schmuck, Alex ran his hand over his jaw as he tried to conceal a smile. This evening was turning more interesting by the moment. He glanced over to Tess and saw her eyes wide and her face flushed from embarrassment. Trying to hide a laugh, Alex coughed into his hand. He quickly turned his attention back to David." That is great. You two make a lovely couple." He could see Tess pleading with her eyes to stop, but he was just getting started.
Alex mindlessly strode across the room and sat on the arm of the couch behind Tessa, never taking his eyes off David or stopping the conversation they had going on about the new movie complex in town, he began lightly rubbing his thumb up and down the backside of her arm. Goosebumps quickly broke out across her arm and he could feel her trying to pull her arm back without drawing attention to what he was doing. He moved his hands up to the back of her neck and started massaging all the while continuing to talk to David as though they did this sort of thing all the time.
Shoot me now! She could not concentrate on anything going on around her with Alex's hands on her and poor David, she should never had involved him in any of this. Grabbing at her head she decided to try play up a headache and get everyone out of her place. "David, I want to thank you for a wonderful evening, not sure if it’s the wine but I have a killer headache coming on and I think I need to go lie down. " She could feel Alex's eyes boring into the back of her head causing a real headache to begin.
"Tessa, is there anything I can do to help, get you some aspirin?" David asked his eyes full with sincerity and concern. I'm going to hell for this!
"I got her David, nothing like taking care of an old friend when they are in need, right Tess?" Friend, my ass!
He continued as he stood and walked David toward the door," You know David, I think it would be fun if we all double dated one night soon? We can all try out the new Italian bistro on Main Street; I hear it has great food and a very romantic atmosphere."
Her head was spinning. She did not want another date with David, he did not deserve this and she refused to continue to match Alex at his bullshit. Pushing off the couch she quickly went for the door, opening it and grabbing David away from Alex," Thanks again for a nice night David, I will call you soon." She ushered him out the door before he could try to kiss her good night than turned on Alex ready to claw his eyes out for even suggesting a double date.
"What was that about, and you can forget about double dating, not going to happen!"
"Don't play miss innocent, you lost that title the moment you used that church boy to try to make me jealous," he scolded, shaking his head in frustration.
"I was not trying to make you jealous, Mr. Big Ego. I was trying to show you that I was not interested in you," she snapped back exasperated, although her excuse sounded weak even to her ears.
"Fine, call it what you want, but we both know you were never interested in him and your attempt to try and make me see otherwise was pathetic. You want to show me you're not interested in anything but friendship, than go out with me." Seeing her eyes widen and a protest about to shoot out of that damn smart mouth of hers he quickly clarified his proposition. "I am not talking about a date; I want you to go out with me as a friend and prove to me that you can be around me without getting hot, bothered, and wet enough to soak those sweet panties of yours." His eyes were intense, probing, challenging. If you can prove to me that you can do that, than I will leave you alone."
Holy Hell! She studied his face for what seemed like forever trying to decide if he was serious or not. What kind of person put their fate in a date, a date with a date as hell guy could turn her to a puddle of melted butter with a simple touch? Obviously a girl like her because she was actually considering it. I have lost my mind.
This is what she wanted right? One simple night out and she could make Alex leave her alone and her life can go back to normal, that is if she could convince him that he meant nothing to her. This must be what it feels like to make a deal with the devil.
"Ok, what are the rule
s, I mean how do I prove to you that I can be with you without wanting you, besides the fact that you will go home alone and oh so lonely?"
"I will know. The look in your eyes will tell me if you want me or not. Plus your body always gives you away. You can't tell me if I tried to kiss you right now that you wouldn't let me, respond to it and want more, can you?."
She swallowed uncomfortably knowing he was right, "So you get to judge if I am lying or not, that does not sound like a fair challenge."
"Take it or leave it, the choice is yours," he said with a smirk.
"You're on!" she said with more conviction that she felt.
Chapter 7
They had agreed to go out the following Saturday night to the local bar and have drinks and play pool. She did not want anything romantic to get in the way of her winning this bet so a dirty run down bar was the perfect spot to keep her libido in check. She just had to make it through one night and keep his hands off her long enough to get her old life back. Thinking about her graduation day she remembered how back then she would have given anything to have Alex want her as anything other than a best friend, but those days were long gone and her life was on a different path now. She wanted security and a family one day and those things were not in the cards with him. He was restless and once things were better with his dad she knew he would leave again and her heart could not handle that.
The rest of the week went without incidence. They were polite whenever bumping into each other in the hall and never spoke about the upcoming night. Saturday morning she received a text confirming that he would pick up her up at 7:00p.m.