All She Wants

by Larkin Rose

  “No dream is ever dead. It’s just waylaid. And your cheating ex has nothing to do with your dream. So tell me more.”

  Marci wasn’t sure if Tessa was being serious or just being nice. Ashley had rolled her eyes and dismissed any conversation about starting a business together. The business that she would have already begun if she hadn’t chased Ashley down into the devil’s den.

  “I wanted a crew that would cater to a client’s every need. Like an elite group of professionals. Think après-ski. With a fancy price tag.”

  “Who exactly are the elite clients?”

  “Clients who just want to have a normal vacation away from paparazzi or prying eyes. The stars, so to speak. Famous.”

  “Like Denzel Washington, Elvis Presley, the president kind of famous?”

  Marci threw her a smile. “Not sure I could plan an event in the afterlife, but yes, celebrity famous. Definitely not people who get to leave their homes without a bodyguard. For sure not any of the clients you guys have entertained the past weeks.”

  “And what would the mission be? Are we talking covert operations here? Wouldn’t that need security?”

  “Everything they did would be private. From shutting down a ski slope to blocking the road leading up to the lodges to even segregating a portion of a restaurant so they can dine in peace. Completely private and completely organized by a crew. All they have to do is pack their clothes and board a flight. From there, that crew caters to their every whim.”

  “What an amazing concept. I absolutely love it.” Tessa sighed. “Sounds almost exactly like what each of us are doing now. Catering to clients. Minus the celebrity part, that is.”

  Marci was turned on by Tessa’s admiration. By her genuine interest. It felt great to have someone interested in her dreams.

  “Yeah, well, that dream died an Ashley death.”

  “Bullshit. That dream died a Marci death. Stop blaming Ashley for your own weakness.”

  Marci cut her gaze on Tessa. Her brow was arched in a serious scold. “You think I was weak because I was in love?”

  “Of course not. But love shouldn’t make us weak. It should make us strong. It’s like one-ply toilet paper versus two-ply. Two is always better than one. So that simply means you were weak because you didn’t see that she wasn’t your team player before she doused your flame. She didn’t make you two-ply.”

  Marci felt the stab of her words. How identical to Wendy’s they sounded. She could be a millionaire by now if she’d charged people to tell her what she didn’t know.

  “I’m sorry. That was harsh. But a team player would have been thrilled to see you achieve your dreams. Ashley should have bulldozed you to the finish line and been thrilled to stand beside you every step of the way.”

  Tessa was right. Ashley should have been on her side. Should have had her back. Should have been happy to see Marci happy.

  Fact was, she wasn’t. She’d been all about Ashley, and Marci had been all about Ashley. It had been a win-win for Ashley.

  Still, hearing the words, the truth behind them, didn’t ease the punch of how she’d wasted so many years of her life coddling Ashley’s every desire.

  Never again.

  When Marci didn’t respond, Tessa turned back around in her chair.

  She’d gone too far. Marci was still tender. Not that she would take it back or not say it again exactly the same way knowing that it would hurt Marci’s feelings.

  Sometimes the truth hurt. Sometimes those words needed to be said out loud. She had a sneaky suspicion Marci had had this conversation several times before. Maybe she didn’t need to hear it again.

  “Zen,” Tessa muttered.

  “What is Zen?”

  “Zen. The name of your company. It implies peace. Exactly what you want for your clients.” Tessa tightened her grip in Marci’s hand. “Now, let’s talk about something else. Like where we’re going.”

  Marci gave her an awkward smile. “You’ll see.”

  Tessa sank into the seat to enjoy the drive, knowing Marci was beside her thinking about her past, a dream she abandoned for love, and concentrated on the winding mountain road leading up and all of the serenity around her.

  Tonight, she just wanted to enjoy herself. This date. Yes, this real date. She wanted to enjoy it because very soon, Marci would be a memory. A hot memory. She was pretty sure Marci knew it too. Maybe the words didn’t need to be spoken out loud.

  Thirty minutes later, Marci pulled down a long driveway tunneled under large oaks and aspen trees that ended at a single-story cottage. A thin plume of smoke seeped from a chimney.

  Marci parked the car and climbed out then came around to Tessa’s side while Tessa took in her surroundings with awed fascination.

  In the distance, she could see the mountain ridges and cliffs, all white and beautiful. Did people run out of things to do with such beauty around them? Did they get tired of seeing so much white? Did they get sick of being snowed in their homes?

  Tessa didn’t see how. She’d love to be trapped inside with a fireplace, food, and sex. It would be the perfect blizzard conditions.

  Marci opened the door and Tessa blinked out of her trance.

  She finally stepped out. “A cottage in the middle of nowhere? What? I’m not worth a movie in town with all of those sparkly streetlights? Candlelit dinner at a five-star restaurant?” she teased her and scooted around the door. “I gave up the goodies too fast, didn’t I?”

  “You don’t strike me as the cheesy dinner and movie type of girl.” Marci winked and shut the door. “As for the goodies, I might require you to put out before the date is over.”

  Tessa looked back to the cottage. “I’m not easy, stud. Let’s see if you deserve it. Or better, earn it.”

  Marci took her hand and led her toward the house. Instead of going onto the porch where two wicker-back rockers sat, she veered them to a path that led around the side of the house and toward the backyard.

  When they reached a bend in the path, Marci turned to Tessa.

  Tessa was hoping, praying, that Marci was going to tug her against her chest. That she was going to kiss her so hard she’d feel it all the way to her toes.

  “Close your eyes,” Marci said.

  “Is this a trust me and I promise not to let you walk off a cliff, kind of challenge?”

  “No, this is a close your eyes so you don’t ruin my surprise, kind of demand.”

  “I don’t do demands. Haven’t you met me yet?”

  Marci bent down, scooped Tessa up by her ass, and slung her over her shoulder.

  Tessa let out a squeal while her insides clamped down tight. She’d never been manhandled before and she damn sure liked it.

  Marci spun around and continued walking as if Tessa weighed nothing. It was sexy how strong she was. More sexy that she had shut off Tessa’s teasing argument so quickly.

  For sure, she would be putting out tonight.

  Marci finally stopped and set Tessa on her feet, and before Tessa could pretend to argue, Marci stepped into her and crushed their lips together.

  Tessa moaned while her body hummed with electric energy. She was going to miss this. These kisses. Those hands. All that magical bliss from Marci’s knees.

  All of it. Tessa knew she was going to miss something, someone, for the first time in her life.

  Marci finally pulled away. “Welcome to our date.” She stepped to the side and waved her hand toward the backyard.

  A double thick king-size air mattress covered in blankets was positioned directly beneath a large pergola. Sheer fabric was draped on all sides, almost hiding the inside. Tall heaters sat at every corner, and a fire pit was off to one side.

  Tessa was shocked. It was perfect. All of it. No one had ever gone to so much trouble for a date. Movies. Dinners. Walks through the park. Sometimes none of the above, just directly to the sex.

  Touched, she looked from the little slice of paradise, feeling an emotion that was foreign to her, back to Marci. A look
of pure admiration washed over her face. How in the world was she going to tell Marci that their time was limited? Did she already know? Could she feel it? Like Tessa felt it?

  Tessa suddenly regretted saying yes to this date tonight. Every minute she spent with Marci was pushing off the inevitable. Every sweet thing that Marci did, Tessa was taking another step back from putting an end to their glorious times.

  Soon. She had to say something soon.

  “You did this for me?” She glanced back to the setup, taking in the wine bottles in a bucket of ice, wine glasses cushioned by a red towel in a wicker basket. It was too romantic. For couples in love. Couples searching for love. Not for Tessa, who was doing anything but searching for a commitment.

  Marci took her hand and led her to the mattress.

  Tessa crawled into the center while Marci poured glasses of wine and handed her one. She held out her glass for a toast.

  “To a great friend, to the benefits of that great friend, to winning this contest, and to getting on with my new life. And for you getting back to yours,” Tessa blurted, regretting how eager and rushed her words sounded.

  Marci watched her for several seconds before she clinked her glass against Tessa’s. “Okay. To that.”

  She curled up on the mattress and leaned back against the pillows. “So tell me more about your family. Are your parents alive?”

  “Yes. They both live in Peoria. My dad married Monty’s mom right after she was born and my mom works in a bank and still plans events in her spare time.”

  “Wait. Does that mean…”

  “That my dad cheated on my mom? Yes. Monty is living proof that my dad wasn’t faithful.”

  “Wow. I’m sorry. That must have sucked.”

  “Don’t be. Shit happens for a reason.”

  Marci looked stunned for a minute, as if she couldn’t believe Tessa was taking such a horrible experience so lightly, then she looked back to her wine glass.

  “Don’t get me wrong. Our lives were rocked for a while. Michelle hated him. She wouldn’t even speak to him. And even now, she barely has anything to do with Monty, as if a baby could be to blame.”

  “What about your mom? How did she take it?”

  “She was sad for a while. We could tell. But she kept right on moving. She never let us see her fall apart. And when Monty got a little older, she even let me babysit her overnight at home.”

  “Your mom sounds like a tough one. I see where you get all your sweet charm.” Marci scrunched her nose.

  “Damn right. She showed me how to get cut off at the knees and still finish the race.”

  “And your sex-addicted little sister?”

  Tessa sighed. “Monty. The apple of her mother’s eye, the thorn in my father’s side, and a person who might be genuinely hated by Michelle.” She added a snicker. “I hate her habits. So, so bad I hate her habits. But I adore her. She’s seriously my best friend. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

  Confused by her confession, Tessa tilted the glass to her lips.

  She wasn’t sure why she’d said those last words. Sucked more that she really meant them. There wasn’t anything wrong with wanting to introduce Marci to her sister. Or was there? It wasn’t like she was bringing home a girl to meet her mother. Right?

  Marci took a sip of wine then propped her head in her hand. She tagged Tessa in those chocolate eyes, and suddenly, Tessa didn’t want to talk about Ashley, careers, Monty, the contest, the new life that awaited her, or even that Tessa was going to blister her feelings very soon.

  She leaned over and pressed her lips against Marci’s. Mainly to ease her own tension of what was to come.

  But not tonight.

  Tonight she just wanted to feel free.

  That tingling sensation swept along her body as Marci deepened the kiss.

  She needed to be closer. Wanted to feel Marci’s heat and the protection she felt when she was in those arms.

  With a hungry growl, Tessa straddled her and took her wine glass. She set the glasses on the ground haphazardly then pushed their lips together again.

  This time, sex was different. This time, they undressed each other with detailed precision, kissing skin as it was bared, memorizing and exploring until they both cried out their release.

  Tessa was in trouble.

  Without a shadow of a doubt, she knew she was in trouble.

  Soon. She had to end this. So very soon.

  Chapter Twelve

  “That bitch missed her flight!” Tessa growled and tossed the phone on the couch. “I can’t believe it!”

  “From what you’ve told me about your sister, I can’t believe that you can’t believe that,” Seth said from the chair beside her. He reached out and squeezed her arm. “Stop panicking. You should be freaking out right now! We just made it into the finale!” He squealed out his last word, and Tessa felt that giddy emotion quicken in her stomach.

  Yes! They’d done that. They’d won top points once again. Her team was one of only two teams still standing.

  Holy hell but she was inches away from having her life spin out from under her feet. Only one more client. Only one more week of planning. Only one more to conquer. Just one more.

  And then she could be swept into a frenzy of weddings. Would be. She was going to win this thing or leave a trail of blood and tears all the way back to Arizona or lock herself in one of the resort bathrooms and refuse to leave the premises. Either way, she wouldn’t go down quietly.

  That close. Oh my God. She was that close to being the shit in the wedding industry, in the resort that dominated the most prestigious wedding locations.

  “I’m sorry.” Tessa made what she hoped was a genuine pouty face when the need to grind her teeth in irritation was so strong.

  Monty was going to try her nerves, and this was the one time she didn’t need any added stress.

  “But she knows how important tonight is and I’m so, so sick of her self-centered ass,” Tessa growled.

  She actually didn’t know just how sick she was of Monty’s self-absorbed ways until this exact moment. Was it too much to ask that she put her sluts aside for a single fucking week? Was it too much to ask to have her undivided attention for just a fraction of a minute? Just one weekend. That’s all she needed. That was all of Monty’s time she’d asked for.

  Yes. Obviously, trying to depend on Monty was too much to ask. Michelle had warned her this would happen when Tessa announced that Monty was coming for moral support during the finale. An offer Michelle had refused as soon as she heard that Monty had accepted.

  She couldn’t even depend on Monty for the most important challenge in her life. And Tessa was damn tired of always being the mothering adult and trying to keep her in line. Damn tired of it.

  “Why don’t we go spend the day up at the lodge? We can get ahead of ourselves for next week,” Seth said.

  Tessa faked a smile. This awesome guy had opted out of going into town today with the rest of the overly excited crew members. Instead, he decided to stay behind to hang out with Tessa. To help her get the lodge ready and wait for Monty. The Monty who had missed her flight. The Monty who promised, no matter what, she would be on time to spend the day with Tessa, to help her stay calm and celebrate tonight with her.

  And now Seth was stuck with Tessa who was in a foul mood and ready to call the Peoria radio station and have them make a public announcement that her sister had cooties.

  Poor Seth. He was such a sweetheart. All of them were, actually. She’d been extremely blessed to have gained a crew that was on board no matter what crazy decision Tessa had made. No matter what ridiculous thing she changed. No matter how many times she repeated that process. They’d never questioned her antics and had seemed happy and eager to go with the flow, soaking up everything as a learning experience, and jumping to pull their own weight.

  She could only hope, win or lose, that she’d taught them something about giving everything they had to reach the next goal in life. To never give
up. To never give in.

  For most of them, those who weren’t content in their current positions, she prayed she’d showed them that she wasn’t afraid to not only think outside the box, but to create and build a larger, better, fancier box around that one. It would make her heart happy to know she’d given them the courage to keep pushing ahead until they reached their personal goals.

  She knew bigger and better opportunities awaited them. Their team had been noticed. Their names were now out there. Each of them. Who they were, what they did, and where they came from. It was just a matter of time before they each took their leaps, and nothing made her happier than to think she’d help make a difference in the lives.

  “I think you should stop worrying about the lodge and take your ass down this mountain to hang out with the rest of our crew.” Tessa arched a brow at him. “I’m just gonna be a Debbie Downer until Monty shows her face. If she does. And when—if—she does, you might not want to be a witness to the crimes I have in mind.”

  “She will make it. Just wait and see. And hanging with a Debbie Downer is way better than Slut Sally, Hoe Hunter, or Do Them All Danny.” Seth cocked his head and pursed his lips. “Do you know how hard it is to stop three drunk sex addicts from diving headfirst into an STD? It’s not pretty.”

  “Danny? Quiet, OCD, Danny?”

  “Girl, please. He’d get a knothole pregnant if there wasn’t someone sane, meaning me, and not drunk, also me, around to stop him.” Seth lifted his arm above his head and pointed at himself in a perfect Blake Shelton move. “Me. Sane one. Only sober one during every celebration thanks to his need to reproduce with things dead or alive.”

  Tessa giggled. “I’ll never be able to look at him the same again. Sweet Danny, a sex fiend. Hilarious.”

  “Sally is far worse, as if that doesn’t come as a surprise.” He wagged his finger. “I can’t believe you didn’t know she screwed Terry from Cynthia’s team. When their team got sent home, she started sleeping with Carl from Donald’s team. Who knows who she’ll turn to now that his team is out.”