by Larkin Rose
“Hey, sexy. Are you ever going to slow down?” Camille, her newest client, cooed from behind her. “We didn’t invite you to this party so you could work all night.”
Tessa turned around and found her personal space had been completely invaded. Again. Camille didn’t have a clue what personal territory meant. Or didn’t care. Which was more likely the case.
But she sure was a hottie. A boxer with numerous trophies, according to her endless conversations all night long that centered around her accomplishments.
Right now, she towered above Tessa by a good six inches, and damn, she smelled good.
Problem was, she’d been following Tessa around for hours, licking her lips in blatant invitation, undeterred by Tessa’s one-line answers and quick dismissals. As hot as she was, as much fun as their rough sex could be, she absolutely detested a woman who didn’t take no for an answer.
Because once she’d said no, she damn well meant it.
And she’d meant it when she said it four hours ago, three, two, and one hour ago, but she especially meant it fifteen minutes ago after she watched Marci walk through the front door.
Now those seductive pleas were getting on her ever-loving last nerve.
“You’re my client. It’s my job to work for you all night.” Tessa stepped around her.
Camille gently cuffed her upper arm and stopped her forward progress. “Please stop and come hang with me. I’ve been begging all night.”
Tessa gave her the sweetest smile she still possessed when she could feel her fangs and claws ready for action. “Yes, ma’am, you have. And I’ve been turning you down all night. Because I have a job to do.”
Tessa resisted the urge to tell her that the real reason was standing across the room. That if luck was on her side she was going to be flat on her back with Marci hovering above her, inside her, when these bitches finally passed the hell out.
“If only I thought you meant no.” Camille pulled Tessa to her chest and gave a devious smile.
“Camille?” Seth interrupted them. “Someone in the back needs you immediately.”
Camille never took her sights off of Tessa. Her face remained calm as she stared down over her, her lips merely inches away. “Tell them I’m busy with far more important matters.”
“They said it was very important. They used the word urgent, actually.”
Camille groaned and released her tight hold on Tessa’s arm. “I’ll be right back, beautiful.”
Seth bared his teeth as he watched her walk away. “If that woman didn’t have the power to make us lose this game, or the muscles to punch my pretty face in, I’d whack her in the flipping head with a liquor bottle.” His gaze swung back to Tessa. “You need to get your little ass on out of here, missy. She means to get right in your pants and you might not get a say-so in the decision.”
“She’s just drunk. They fall faster when they’re intoxicated. So tell the bartender to start doubling those shots until she face-plants.” Tessa patted his arm to assure him she wasn’t concerned, although if Camille didn’t pass out soon, she might have to consider plan B because she always had a say-so in who got around the bases with her, and she one hundred percent had a say in who got in her pants. “Just make sure when she starts puking, she does it over the hardwood floor please.”
She picked up empty beer bottles from the coffee table while he huffed and beelined for the bartender. Tessa had only been half kidding. But seeing as he took her seriously, she wasn’t kidding anymore. Drunken face-plants would have to do for the handsy one tonight. No way in hell would Tessa allow that woman to hurt their chances of getting every point out of Camille’s entourage. She’d come too far to let tequila stand in her way.
For another thirty minutes, the party continued without a hitch. Women danced in the great room. Music screamed through the house. A bonfire blazed in the backyard. And everyone was laughing and smiling and having the time of their life, even if they were all enhanced by alcohol.
Until.
“I’m back, sexy.” Camille captured Tessa from behind and ground her hips hard into Tessa’s ass. “Did you miss me?”
“Ah, Camille.” Tessa tried to squirm out of her tight hold. “Is everything okay with your friend?”
“Yes. She’s a wimp and can’t hang with the big dogs.” Camille ground into her again. “Her wife put her to bed where said wimps belong. Speaking of beds. How about we go find one.” She pushed Tessa’s hair to the side and bit the flesh just below her ear.
“Ouch!” Tessa jerked forward and pulled herself free of those clutching hands. “Rough, much?” She rubbed the spot on her neck and gave Camille a hard glare.
“I can tell you like it rough.” Camille licked her lips and stepped forward. “I like to give it rough. And I can’t wait to give it to you rough.”
Tessa stepped back and looked across the room. She found Marci staring at her, a look of pure anger dominating her expression.
Marci took a deep breath. It was all she could do not to charge across the room and lay the inconsiderate bitch out.
She’d been watching the altercation for too long, getting more and more jealous by the minute. Although jealous was a strong word for someone who didn’t get jealous.
Whatever she was feeling, it was in high gear right now as she watched Tessa rub her neck, apparent pain and shock on her gorgeous face, doing all she could do, with utmost consideration, to just say no.
But running to her aid or interfering would be Tessa’s downfall. And whatever happened from that point on would all be blamed on Marci. If Tessa lost this round in the game, it would be Marci’s fault. If Marci did nothing, it would still be her fault for watching and not intervening. And if Tessa gave in and fucked that bitch, it would be her undoing.
Not tonight. Not while so many wicked thoughts were scampering through her mind. Not while she needed Tessa all to herself tonight.
Tonight, Tessa would be hers and hers alone.
As soon as she figured out how to put an end to this unfolding drama, that is. Without making an ass of herself, embarrassing Tessa, or having to sport an orange jumpsuit in the detention center at the base of the mountain.
Camille pulled Tessa to her once again, and Marci’s grip tightened around her glass.
She had to do something. She couldn’t sit back and watch this another second.
With a little more force than she meant, Marci slammed her glass down on the mantle and started across the room, glad that Wendy had come and gone and couldn’t talk her out of a possible bad decision. And she had a sneaky suspicion she was about to make a very bad decision.
Tessa attempted to keep the polite smile on her face as Camille tightened the grip around her arm. No one would make her lose her composure when her future, possibly the future of her entire crew, was riding on her being able to keep her temper in check.
However, she’d had enough. Actually, she’d had enough hours ago. Had enough of having a grown woman paw at her all night. Having to run like Penelope from Pepé Le Pew. And honestly, not being heard the first five hundred times she’d made it clear that she wasn’t interested, even though in any other setting, she could have possibly been.
And finally, because Marci was across the room, watching her most of the night with those rich brown eyes, silently promising erotic endings to an otherwise hectic weekend.
And right now, Marci was making her way across the room wearing an aggravated expression.
Before Marci could act like a brazen hero, Tessa needed to put a halt to this disaster in the making.
She gave in to Camille’s tug and pretended to step into a friendly hug, even though the grip on her arm remained tight and demanding.
With her heart hammering, she pressed her lips against Camille’s ear. “I need you to nod like we’re solving a private business matter. Do you understand, Camille?”
Camille gave a single nod.
“Let me be perfectly clear. I never mix fucking with business. Especially w
hen my future is on the line. Especially when I have a crew looking up to me and depending on me to be on my best behavior. Nod, Camille. And smile.”
Once again, Camille gave a nod.
“Under any other circumstances, I would have already pushed you down to your knees and ridden your tongue like a vibrator. But this is business, and you have been completely disrespectful to me, my crew, and more importantly, to yourself, all night. So unless you want me to drop-kick your drunk ass in front of God and everyone else in this room, I suggest you take yourself up those stairs and tuck it into bed. Nod, Camille.”
This time, Camille’s nod was tight and quick.
“And tomorrow, when you’re sitting down with your scorecard, I suggest your revenge be targeted on me. Not my crew. They did nothing wrong and your points should, and better, reflect the great work they have done for you all weekend. Nod.”
Once again, Camille gave a tight nod.
“Now, I’m going to pull away, and you’re going to let go of me, then we are going to shake hands like grown adults and walk away.” Tessa ground her teeth together and pushed her lips harder against Camille’s ear. “One last thing, dipshit. No always means no.”
Camille loosened the grip on Tessa’s arm and her posture shrank.
Tessa stepped back, smile fastened to her lips like a window cling.
She turned to walk away and found Marci only feet away, dark expression on her face, feet hip-width apart, standing tall and threatening.
Her insides clamped down tight at the clear protective posture.
Camille stormed off and Tessa had a heavy pit in her stomach. Tomorrow, before Camille left this lodge, she was going to take it out on Tessa. That fact made her heart heavy yet there was nothing she could do to alter the revenge that Camille would surely dish out while scoring this entire team.
Seth charged up beside Marci. “Please get her the hell out of here before that buffoon changes her mind and comes back!”
Marci followed Camille’s departure before her features softened and she looked down at Tessa.
“Absolutely.”
Thirty minutes later, Tessa landed on her back in the middle of Marci’s bed. Exactly where she wanted to be.
Chapter Nine
Tessa immediately felt the weight pinning her leg down as she slowly lifted out of sleep. Marci’s weight. One arm rested across her stomach. The other was tucked under Tessa’s head. She was normally claustrophobic when it came to things that restricted her movement. This was different. This time the confinement was sensual and comforting.
She cracked an eye open to find dim light filtering through the window. The morning was awakening beyond the panes, silhouetting the trees in the distance.
She’d fallen asleep in Marci’s bed. Passed out was more like it.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that. Had a sleepover. Fell asleep with a woman beside her. In their bed. Years, no doubt.
Not that she didn’t believe in love or commitment. She just didn’t believe in it for herself. Possibly because she’d planned one too many weddings for people who had already vowed their love, life, and commitments to someone before. Sometimes several times before.
Those ceremonies, time and time again, left her just a little more bitter. A little more sold on the fact that genuine love might never be possible for her. Was true love so rare? Was it that hard to cling to? To find? Was it like a needle in that haystack, forcing people to give up the needle and settle for the hay?
According to her sister’s wedding planning schedule, the one Tessa had helped finalize before she left, the one that listed plans for second and third marriages, she had proof that love was indeed rare.
When, if, she ever found love and promised herself to another forever, she was going to mean it. But for now, being single, and being okay with being single, was far easier than winding up with multiple engagement rings in her jewelry box.
But right now, love, relationships, or sleepovers were the furthest things from her mind. She had a future ahead of her. The one she’d been reaching for for far too long. And depending on her run in this game, and Camille’s memory of last night, she could easily achieve that goal. But she needed to do it with a clear head. Every minute she spent with Marci, in or out of her bed, was chipping away at the valuable time she could be spending on her clients. Planning for the next clients.
Marci opened her eyes to find Tessa staring out the window. She was stunning with her tousled hair framing her face. How was she still single? Was she, in fact, single? Why hadn’t she thought to ask before now? How had she not thought to consider that until now? Cheaters were at the top of her thought process now. The very thing she vowed to avoid by fucking all the people passing through. So how in the world had that one simple question dodged her lips?
She’d awoken several times during the night to the heat of Tessa snuggled into her, and it felt strange. She wasn’t used to sharing her bed all night. And if she had to be honest, Ashley wasn’t the cuddle type, preferring her side of their king-size bed to be all hers. Hell, until Ashley, she’d rarely shared a bed with anyone else at all.
Sharing that space with Tessa had been a welcoming comfort. One she didn’t know she missed until now. The realization gave her solace. Likely, it shouldn’t. But it did.
“Are you having a mental conversation with the trees?” Marci snuggled her face into the crook of Tessa’s neck and pressed her lips against the steady pulse.
Tessa hummed and angled her head back.
It was incredible how responsive she was to Marci’s touch. How her body arched and bowed with every kiss. How she cocooned Marci in her grasp while her fingers were buried deep, like she was holding on to every minute of their time.
Those little things made Marci feel important. Wanted. Even needed. Like her actions were valued and every caress of exploration had reached Tessa’s soul. Sure, she was overthinking, but she couldn’t shake the feeling.
“Yes. I’m asking them to give me energy since it was all consumed last night,” Tessa whispered.
Marci wrapped her free arm around Tessa’s hip, pulled her closer, and tucked the length of her beneath her own. “That’s a perfect request.” She rolled on top and gently pushed her legs open. “You’re going to need lots more energy.”
Tessa instinctively thrust upward and she draped her arms around Marci’s neck. “Not this time, stud. I am absolutely depleted of muscle control.” She leaned forward and captured Marci’s lips in complete mockery of her words.
Marci ground into her, rotating her hips, driving Tessa against the mattress. “Is this a case of no always means no? Which was hot as hell listening to you spit those words out to a freaking trophied boxer, by the way.” She drove down harder. “Unlike her, should I be a gentleman and stop?”
“God no.” Tessa fisted her fingers into Marci’s hair and pulled her back down. “Don’t stop.”
Marci was positive last night would have filled her appetite for Tessa. She was incredibly wrong. Even now, barely any sleep, her body splendidly sore from so much sex, her insides throbbed for more.
It helped that Tessa seemed just as hungry, no matter what her words said.
Marci pushed her hand between them, seeking that warm, wet opening, and gently eased inside.
Tessa ground her head into the pillow, her fingers tightening in Marci’s hair, a moan escaping those plump lips.
This, this reaction, as if Marci had found that sexual center that operated all of her senses, amazed her. She’d never had sex with someone who responded to every touch, every kiss, and every buck of her hips. Not anyone who had seemed genuine, anyway. It was addicting. She wanted to touch her everywhere. Wanted to kiss her longer. Wanted to fuck her harder. Just to hear those cries of release.
Tessa’s body froze in an arch, and then she clutched at Marci, bucking up to meet her thrusts.
Marci continued to fuck her, inhaling those musical sounds of satisfaction, until Tessa sagged
beneath her.
“No more,” Tessa managed. “I mean it. My body can’t take anymore.”
Tessa was aware that her chest was rising and falling. That Marci fit perfectly along her body. That she was breathing. Alive. But every nerve in her body felt nothing more than prickly tingles to tell her she might still have sensation in her limbs after all.
She was in complete awe that her body was still capable of functioning, let alone able to produce another toe curling orgasm. So much sex. Heaven help her, so much sex had happened in this bed all night. And if Marci so much as touched her, her body ignited with need as if she hadn’t been fucked in years.
It was insane. How was she doing it? How was she able to awaken her needs so quickly after awakening them hour after hour?
Sure, she’d had fantastic lovers. But none as intuitive as Marci. She was perfect, in fact. Rough, easy, slow, fast, as if she could read Tessa’s every desire. As if her only goal was to satisfy those desires. She’d never had someone so in tune with her. Anyone who seemed to care to be in tune with her.
Marci rolled onto her side and stared over at Tessa. “Do you practice witchcraft?”
Tessa eyed her suspiciously. “I wish. I would wiggle my nose or point a wand and fix the whole world.”
“Hmm. Then do you morph into wolf form on the full moon?”
Intrigued with the line of questions, Tessa rolled onto her side to face Marci. “Not just any wolf. A dire wolf. Nymeria is my name because I am a warrior queen.”
“She’s a Game of Thrones fanatic. Cute.” Marci grinned and Tessa resisted kissing her. Kissing would lead her right back to another orgasm, and she was quite certain her body would self-destruct the next time.
“Do you swallow your fingernails, maybe?”
“Gross. No.”
“Sniff people’s feet?”
“Eww. No!” Tessa laughed and her insides squeezed in protest. Her body had never quite responded so much. “What the hell are you getting at, freak?”