by Judy Angelo
Wolf was surprised at the antiquated décor of Hot Belly Mama’s. He felt like he'd stepped into a different world. One set in Louisiana, maybe, and not modern day Louisiana, either, but probably from a period in time two hundred years earlier. And he liked it.
On the brick walls were exotic paintings, the model of an elephant's head, surrealistic art and the photos of Jazz musicians. A guitar had even been mounted right there on the wall. A bust of Elvis Presley was on display. Music was playing in the background – Aretha Franklyn, the 'queen of soul'. The American south in Canada. Cool.
As Tessa perused the menu Wolf perused her. As her eyes came to the list of delicious dishes her brow crinkled and her small white teeth bit down on her lower lip. Then she released her lip, now a rosy pink from her abuse, and her tongue slid out to soothe it. God, that was sexy.
He must have made a sound because she looked up and her frown cleared. “I can’t make up my mind. Grilled salmon or red snapper. They both look good. What do you think?”
Just looking at her sitting there across from him, the V of her top forming a tempting and mysterious valley, the choice of fish was the least of his concerns. Still, he tried to play along. He could at least pretend that his mouth was watering for the food and not for her. “Red sounds good,” he said. “Go with the snapper.”
“Snapper it is, then,” she said with what sounded like relief. “Black and red snapper and Bismati rice,” she read from the menu. “Yum.”
He smiled. She sounded like a kid. “I’m a steak man myself. I’m going for the grilled New York strip loin. Man food.”
Tessa rolled her eyes then took a sip of water. She dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “Could you excuse me, Wolf?” she asked as she shifted her bag from her lap and hooked it onto the back of her chair.
“Of course." He stood as she slipped from around the table and headed toward the softly lit hallway. He sat down again and his eyes were drawn to a small bunch of three keys lying on the table. Tessa’s keys, the largest of which was the key to her bright orange Audi.
And then a very wicked idea came to him. Wrong move to leave your keys unprotected, Tessa. You never know what can happen to your car when your back is turned. Swiftly, before his rational mind told him to keep his butt in his chair, Wolf palmed the keys and strode out of the restaurant. He had to move fast if this was going to work. As much as he appreciated the sweet spot they’d found he had to move the car, and fast. He hopped in and in seconds he was parking on Simcoe Street, out of sight of anyone standing in front of the restaurant. Then he jogged back.
He'd just slipped back into the seat and picked up the menu when he saw Tessa heading his way. Just in case his face was dewy from his quick run he gave her a broad smile, just to distract her.
“Well, you look happy,” she said, giving him a funny look. “The Peterborough air must be good for you. You never look like this in Burlington.”
“Like what?” he demanded, faking a frown.
“Like…smiling and happy and not at all stern.” She slid into the seat. “But I’m not complaining.”
He gave her a nod, acknowledging her compliment and then his hand brushed his pocket and he remembered something. Damn. The keys. They were still in his pocket. How could he have forgotten?
And if she chose that moment to look for her keys he’d be up the creek.
Quickly, he waved the server over. “We’re ready to order,” he said as soon as the young woman approached the table. “Here, Tessa, have a look at the menu.”
“But I already know what I want.” She stared at him as if one of his screws upstairs had loosened.
“I know,” he pressed, “but you might just want to change your mind.” He shoved the menu under her nose, forcing her to take it. “Now that I look at it again, the grilled salmon looks really good.”
“Are you sure?” Sounding doubtful, Tessa dropped her eyes to the menu.
Now. Wolf dug into his pocket and while Tessa’s attention was otherwise engaged he silently placed the bunch of keys on the table and slid it right next to her plate. As he did that he caught the eye of the server. “The lady will have the black and red snapper and I’ll have your New York strip loin.”
“Hey.” Tessa lowered the menu and glowered at him. “I thought I was supposed to be ordering the grilled salmon.”
“Nope,” Wolf said casually. “We’ll go with your first choice.”
Tessa gave a dramatic sigh and passed the menu to the server. She and the girl exchanged knowing glances. “Men,” Tessa said and they both giggled.
After that it was smooth sailing. While waiting for the meal Wolf and Tessa went over what they had learned that day in terms of new educational techniques. By the time the meal came they were both past hungry and they dug in, the conversation coming in spurts. They ate so heartily that when it was time for dessert and coffee they were both sated.
“I pass,” Tessa said. “I can’t eat another bite.”
“Me neither,” Wolf admitted. In fact, he was feeling a bit too comfortable. He didn’t really want to leave. But no, he had to be responsible. They had a good drive ahead of them and, as pleasant as it was, they couldn’t hang out in the restaurant all evening.
After a few more minutes of light banter he called for the check. Once the bill was taken care of he leaned forward. “You must be tired,” he said, noting how relaxed Tessa looked. “Want me to drive back?”
“No way,” she said with a firm shake of the head. “Nobody drives my car but me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a tilt of the head as he acquiesced to her rule. “Understood.”
“Good.” She flicked her hair back then got up and slung her bag on her shoulder.
Wolf got up, too, and when he saw her walking away he had to call out to her. “Don’t forget your keys.”
“Oops.” She dashed back and snatched up the bunch off the table.
She was buttoning her coat and humming to an Otis Redding song playing in the background as she exited the restaurant. She stepped out onto the sidewalk with Wolf close behind her. Then she stopped abruptly and he almost barreled into her back.
“My car,” she said looking around, confusion registered on her face. “Didn’t I park it right here?” She pointed to the space directly in front of the restaurant but it was a silver Dodge Caravan minivan that occupied that spot. “I could have sworn…” She looked around, seeming almost in a daze, and even looked over to the other side of the road. No solar orange two-seater Audi.
She looked around more frantically now, up the road then down the road then back again. “They’ve towed my car.” She swung around to him. “They’ve towed my car, Wolf.” Then she gasped. “Or…it's been stolen. Oh, my God. Not my Audi.” She looked like she was going to burst into tears.
“I’ve got to…I’ve got to call the police. Oh, no.” Her voice was punctuated by near sobs as she dug around in her purse.
All this time Wolf had remained silent, trying hard to look just as concerned as she did, peering up the road when she did and down the road, too. He could feel the grin threatening the corners of his mouth but he sucked in his breath and held his amusement in check. Now how would it look if he burst out laughing in the middle of Tessa’s distress?
He was almost relieved when she pulled out her cell phone. Now there was no more reason to hold it in. A chuckle slipped out and then a guffaw and in the next instant Wolf was doubled over with laughter.
Phone call forgotten, Tessa stood there staring at him as if he’d lost it. Then, as if a light bulb turned on in her head, her jaw snapped shut and her eyes blazed.
“Where is it?” she demanded through clenched teeth. “Where is my car?”
Holding his sides, his body still shaking with laughter, Wolf began to head toward Simcoe Street and beckoned to her to follow. There, just like he’d known it would be, sat Tessa’s car, safe and sound, nestled at the side of the road between a Honda Accord and an Acura MDX.
; “My car,” she cried and ran forward, her delight erasing all traces of the anger that had just clouded her face. She spread her arms wide and practically threw herself across the hood.
Then, as her relief settled, she raised up and glared at him again. “How could you?”
Not at all perturbed by her outrage Wolf only grinned back at her. “You should have seen your face…my car,” he said in a tiny high-pitched voice. “They stole my car.”
“You beast,” Tessa growled but now she was grinning just as widely as he was. “You pranked me.”
He shrugged. “Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
“Grrr.” Tessa reached for him, her small hands curling around his neck as she pretended to strangle him. “You don’t…prank…Tessa Tyndale,” she grated, squeezing as if she meant it.
“Oh, no you don’t, you little wild cat.” Wolf slipped his thumbs underneath her fingers and lifted her hands from his neck. But he didn’t stop there. Instead of releasing her, he wrapped one arm around her, trapping her arms by her side and with his free hand he cupped her chin, tilting her face up to his. And right there, right at the corner of George and Simcoe Streets, he kissed Tessa, taking away all the control she craved, probing and plundering until she was moaning into his mouth.
When he finally released her she stared up at him, panting, seeming unable to move.
“Now,” he whispered, “we’re even.” Then he took the keys from her hand, clicked to open, then went to get the door for her.
She blinked – twice – then as if waking from a dream she walked toward him and slid into the driver’s seat. He handed the keys to her and went around to slide in the other side. Those few seconds were apparently enough to get her blood pressure back to normal because the shell-shocked look was gone and she was smiling at him.
“You surprised me,” she said as she watched him buckle his seat belt. “Who would have known that old Mr. Grumpy would play a crazy prank like that?”
“Who are you calling Mr. Grumpy?” he growled. “But don’t blame me. You’re the one who turned me into a kid again. A big goofy kid who plays really stupid pranks. My team back at the office would never believe it. They don’t think I have a humorous bone in my body.”
“But you know what?” she said softly. “I like this side of you.”
Like. Wow. She’d actually said she liked him. Or at least the goofy side of him. It was a start. Maybe he should ride this wave. He wasn’t known for being spontaneous but why not start now?
He folded his arms across his chest. “Just to show you I’m not an old grump and that I can be fun and free spirited I’m going to make a suggestion. In fact, I would even say it’s a brilliant idea.”
“So modest,” she murmured but her eager look said she was very interested.
“It’s Friday and you don’t have to be back at school till Monday morning-”
“Not even then,” she said, cutting in. “Spring break starts on Monday.”
“Even better,” he said. “There’s going to be a spring festival in Peterborough this weekend. There was a flyer in the restaurant. What say we stay the weekend and head back to Burlington on Sunday?”
Tessa’s eyes lit up. “That’s great…” but then her voice trailed off. “Oh, I just remembered. We didn’t come prepared to spend the weekend. We don’t have any extra clothes.”
“Leave that to me.” Wolf glanced at his watch. “What time do the malls close in this place?”
“It’s Friday so I assume around six o’clock, just like in Burlington.”
“We’ve got two hours,” he said. “Find the nearest mall on your GPS and let’s get going.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” she said, her face brightening again.
And it was a plan – a plan to seduce Tessa into liking him even more. Better yet, if things went his way, she might even start falling for him.
Tessa had thought he was a grump but before he was done she would know he was anything but.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A road trip, a wonderful meal, then shopping. Now she was getting ready to go out on the town with a man who was growing on her with each moment that she spent with him. Could the day get any better? Tessa wrapped herself in the fluffy white hotel bathrobe and slipped her feet into the disposable slippers then padded over to the bed where she laid out the sexy dress she’d chosen at the mall. It was a bust-hugging number with narrowed waist and a skirt that flared just below the hips. It was the perfect dress for dancing.
Not that she’d be able to do much dancing in the three-inch heels she’d bought. Or, more accurately, that Wolf had bought her. She could barely walk in the blessed things. But they looked hot, elongating her legs to runway model proportions – and that made it all worth it.
She was to meet Wolf in the hotel lobby in thirty minutes and time flew by pretty fast when you were trying to make yourself pretty, so Tessa knew she had to get moving. She slipped into the dress then sat in front of the mirror where she put all of her knowledge of make-up artistry to the test. Tonight she wanted to make an impression, one that Wolf Spencer would never forget. Then, hair piled high with soft tendrils tickling her cheeks, Tessa picked up her purse, blew herself a kiss in the mirror and went through the door. She loved the way she looked and there was no doubt in her mind that Wolf would, too.
But when she got to the hotel lobby everything fell away and she had no thought of herself anymore. All she saw was Wolf, so strikingly handsome in black slacks and black silk shirt with a long black coat thrown over it, his dark hair looking longer than she remembered, curling deliciously at his nape. His face, normally so moody and distant, was focused on her as she walked toward him, his intense blue eyes never once wavering from her.
As she approached, his eyes slid from her face to the bodice that emphasized the curve of her bosom down to the sway of her hips and the length of her legs. And as he watched she saw him swallow. Oh yes, she’d made an impact. And she could not have been more pleased. She was glad she’d left her coat wide open so he’d had a great view of what she had to offer.
Wolf stepped forward to meet her. “Breathtaking,” he said as his eyes went back to her face.
One word. But that word sent tingles of pleasure tripping up her spine.
As he looked down at her, still towering over her in spite of her high heels, he gave her a slow, almost seductive smile then he took her hand and brought it to his lips. His deep blue eyes still on her, he kissed it softly. “At your service, mademoiselle,” came his soft whisper.
Now it was her turn to swallow.
He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm just like he’d done before then turned toward the exit. “I’ve been asking around,” he said, “and I have the perfect place. There’s an entertainment complex along the same stretch with those restaurants we passed. We’ll grab a bite and then go dancing. You look ready to hit the dance floor.”
“How’d you know?” She smiled up at him. “I love dancing and I haven’t done it in a while so I can hardly wait.”
He cocked an eyebrow but only smiled back.
Thank goodness he hadn’t tackled her on the ‘haven’t done it in a while’ bit. Okay, so she hadn’t been out for some time but he didn’t have to know about that.
As they walked out into the night she saw the valet step forward and hand Wolf the key to a black Mercedes Benz that gleamed under the light of the lamp. She gave him a questioning glance. “I thought we’d be taking my car.”
“That’s your baby,” he said as he helped her in. “I know how protective you are of her. I’ll be your chauffeur for tonight in this car.”
Tessa didn’t mind. Every once in a while she liked being pampered and protected.
And she was not disappointed.
After a delicious meal and drinks at the Brew Pub & Restaurant - where Wolf showered her with so much attention she began to feel spoiled – they hit the road again and went dancing at The Junction, and Tessa couldn’t remember
when she’d had such a good time. It was there on the dance floor that Tessa learned how much fun Wolf really was. And, she realized, she would have to add dancing to his list of talents.
And then, when the DJ slowed the music down and Wolf drew her into his arms she began to marvel at his skills as a master of seduction. The way he danced, moving his body to the sensual rhythm, resting a large hand on her hip and molding her body to his as they swayed, told her this man knew exactly what he was doing. He was way ahead of her in this game they were playing.
His hand settled in the small of her back, making her excruciatingly aware of him. His palm radiated warmth, sending flames shooting out to heat her already sensitive skin. And then, to the pulsing of the music, he moved his hand, stroking gently, his touch teasing then tantalizing.
Tessa dipped her head forward and almost groaned. Did he know what he was doing to her? Just his nearness, his touch, his breath tickling her cheek, had her wanting him like she’d wanted no other man before.
She pressed her palms against his lean hips then stifled a moan as he brushed his lips against her ear. Her nipples drew into tight buds and she wished those lips of his would glide down and cover her tortured-
"You okay?”
Tessa jerked then blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You sounded like you were moaning,” Wolf whispered into her ear. “Just checking that you’re okay.”
“I’m…fine.” Tessa drew in a shaky breath then let it out slowly. Dear God, was she that obvious? Could Wolf see the effect he was having on her?
After that, she made sure that no matter how seductive the song, she left at least an inch of space between herself and Wolf. And even then, even when their bodies weren’t touching, she could feel the sizzle of electricity between them. Lord have mercy.
“Uhm, I…think I need some air. Let's go, please.” Tessa knew she was grabbing at straws but she needed to break the tension.