The Power of Tess

by Angelina J. Windsor

  “What is it, Tess?” he asks with concern, sitting down beside me on the piano bench and gently pulling me into his arms.

  I can’t answer. The music was so full of love and longing and I am in such a strange place in my life. After a few more moments I manage to pull myself together and blow my nose on a tissue he hands me.

  “Thanks.”

  “No need. Are you all right? Has something upset you?”

  “No. It was just the music. It’s so romantic.”

  “I understand. Music can truly move a person.”

  “Yeah. Music, romantic books, movies. I cry at them all. Do you watch many movies, Jonathon?” The thought just pops into my head.

  “Yes, I have to admit I have a weakness in that direction.”

  “Me too, when I can find the time. I used to love to curl up with my Gran and we’d eat freshly popped corn and watch the old classics. I miss that.”

  “Well, we can do that here anytime you like. I have an enormous library of movies and the biggest, baddest TV you can imagine.”

  Whoa. That sounded like an invitation for another date. But it also sounds nice. And we do need to practice…

  I sit up straighter and firmly close the piano’s keyboard cover.

  “Sure. We’ll have to do that,” I couldn’t help accepting the invite even if it was against my better judgment. My serious side reminds me I could be heading for trouble while the imp rises, wins the moment, and adds in a teasing tone, “Maybe we could watch some sexy porn—you know—to help me learn what men like.” I look up at him while deliberately batting my eyelashes and I love the way I’ve enticed his dinosaur brain this time. He’s been affecting my “dinosaur brain” too much, that part of me that is controlled only by its own greedy needs like it just crawled out of the primordial swamp. Men are not so hard to read after all.

  “Anytime you like, Tess. As a matter of fact, I do believe I have a small but helpful collection of ‘training videos’ that will make your practice sessions all that more intriguing.” He reaches out with a finger and runs it enticingly over my bottom lip. His touch sends delicious waves of excitement racing through my body. I forget everything as I look into his eyes and lose myself in their depths. He pushes his finger gently into my mouth and I nibble on it. His eyes widen with interest. I circle his finger with my tongue and his eyes darken further at the invitation. I playfully suck on it and give him an innocent look while he lets out an almost inaudible.

  “Are you hungry?” he asks.

  “Sure.” My stomach rumbling aloud would have belied my words if I had not accepted. I’m hungry for a lot of things. Starved.

  “Come on, I have food stashed in the refrigerator for us.”

  “You do come prepared, Jonathon,” I tease as he takes me by the hand and pulls me firmly in the direction of the kitchen.

  “Well, I like to be ready for anything,” he replies, his eyes creasing at the corners into natural smile lines.

  “You must think we’ll be snowbound.”

  “Now, wouldn’t that be great—snowbound, lots of food and a cache of great old movies to watch?”

  “My idea of the perfect date.” I sigh with satisfaction at his scenario.

  “Think I’d like to take you to Colorado skiing. Do you ski?”

  I shook my head. “No, never had the opportunity to. But I’ll bet it would be a lot of fun.”

  “Then it’s settled,” he says with satisfaction as he pulls two plastic wrapped plates from the depths of the refrigerator. “Colorado as soon as the season is underway.”

  Is this the start of a real relationship? It has all the hallmarks of one. I may not be experienced, but if it walks and talks like a duck, surely it is one…

  The plates contain delicious chicken caesar salad and soon we are both chowing down. It feels homey sitting across from each other at the small but elegant kitchen table. There was no dining room, but I love the small size of the apartment—intimate and easy. And less to clean, not an unimportant consideration when you’re going to school and have two jobs.

  “Want to catch one of those oldies but goodies, Tess? Or maybe something racier?” Jonathon asks after pushing back his plate. I like that he’s giving me the lead on this adventure.

  “I’d like something—racier. Just let me tidy up and check to see if I can find any popcorn.”

  “I have lots of popcorn and you have daily maid service included in your rent.”

  “Excuse me? I do my own dishes.”

  “Then have at it. I’ll wait in the living room,” he says and fakes a big grin.

  I scrape the plates in the garbage, rinse them and hurriedly stash them in the dishwasher. I join Jonathon in the living room and find he’s checking his messages. I pick up my abandoned suitcase in the front foyer and say, “I’ll just put this in the bedroom.”

  “Okay, but don’t keep me waiting too long, beautiful.”

  “I won’t,” I promise and hurry to my bedroom. I’ve barely unlatched the suitcase when he calls from the living room.

  “Are you ready, Tess?”

  Was I? Yes, I definitely was.

  At his apartment Jonathon opens the door and we step inside. Before I can say anything, he turns and takes me in his arms. His firm body presses up against mine and there is no doubt he is aroused. His lips descend on mine and I return kiss for kiss. His tongue slips inside my mouth and its warmth sends tentacles of desire to my pussy. I want him so much. I mew softly. My panties are instantly wet and I’m swollen with need. I visualize him inside me, stretching me, filling me with his cock. I don’t want to wait. I need him now. Right now.

  He reaches down and pulls my top over my head by the hem. I let him and stand there in my white lace bra. He’s kissing me again, kissing my throat, my collarbone, and then my breasts through the thin fabric. He undoes my bra and my naked breasts fall into his hands. His fingers caress my breasts and work my nipples into a frenzy. He leans down and sucks one into his mouth, tugging it into a hard bud of throbbing pleasure. Then he sucks on the other one. I moan aloud, uncaring of who hears me. I want his naked flesh against mine, more than I want anything in the world.

  He breaks away for a moment and looks deep into my eyes, his eyes smoldering with lust. “I want to kiss you all over. To taste you. Will you let me?”

  “Oh please yes!” I say licking my lips with anticipation. His words turn me on. I like the power.

  He scoops me up and carries me to the sofa. He slips my jeans over my hips revealing my matching white panties. He leaves them on at first, running his hands over my body and murmurs, “So fine and so beautiful.”

  I can see the obvious evidence of his own arousal through his chinos. His face flushed with desire, he leans over me and slowly pulls my panties down. They are wet with moisture and he has to tug them off. They slip off my feet and I’m exposed. He moves them to his face and pushes his nose into them, breathing in my fragrance. I gulp. He is so-o hot.

  “Your pussy smells like honey. It’s intoxicating.”

  He pulls my thighs apart and I blush. “You are beautiful all over, sweetheart. Don’t ever forget that.”

  He runs his hands up my thighs to the junction and I swallow hard. The room is spinning slowly like I’m drunk. His hand cups my mound and the heat from his flesh sears me. I moan from the tantalizing sensation. Oh please yes.

  But it’s just the beginning. He touches me with his nimble fingers, massaging my pussy and lightly touching my clit. It throbs with need. He separates the folds of my sex and leans down to swipe his tongue along my channel. I hear moaning sounds I realize dimly are coming from me. He’s relentless. Kissing, sucking, and pushing his tongue deep into my pussy until I’m certain I have died and gone to heaven. The pleasure keeps increasing and I can hardly manage not to fall apart. Not one bit of my exposed flesh escapes his attention. He’s ruthless. He’s dangerous. And over-the-top wonderful at pleasuring me. I want to open up even more, to let all of him inside me. I let my
legs come even further apart to allow him more access. He laps it up, the licking sounds so erotic I cream all the more, feeling the wet flow down to anoint my thighs.

  “Let yourself feel it all. Let it happen. That’s it. Come for me, baby,” he whispers and breathes against my swollen pussy and continues the pressure. I thrash about until I can’t take it anymore. Wave after wave of throbbing pleasure centers in my clit, making me its slave. The pinnacle is within reach and it overcomes me. Pleasure explodes in powerful waves that go on and on. When I finally open my eyes to find him smiling down at me I find I am a changed woman. A wanton woman who could never get enough of such pleasure. Good lord, but that was beyond amazing. My bones have turned to water.

  “And that, Heavenly Tess, is the first kind of orgasm I was referring to on that fateful day in my office.”

  I laugh out loud in my relief and contentment and the pure audaciousness of it all. “And I would imagine the second kind is the one off-limits to us at the moment?”

  “For the moment,” he says, his eyes twinkling.

  * * * * *

  The alarm, officious and annoying, wakes me, and I slam the off button. I usually wake up before it goes off to save myself the displeasure. I give a luxurious stretch in the massive bed and savor the memory of last night. It was beyond awesome. Not being able to go all the way didn’t hurt a bit, quite the contrary. Having him worship at the gates of my pussy was—words fail me for how sweet it is. A gal could never get enough of that pleasuring. I’m ready for as much as he wants to dish out, anytime, anywhere. Well, almost anywhere. I chuckle aloud, the sound escaping me.

  Soon I will return the favor. My pussy is instantly wet at the idea, but I turn my mind to other things. I have two jobs to do today, but with no more classes ‘til fall, it seems almost like a day off. I ignore the weirdness of the second job I’m assigned to and focus instead on getting ready to leave for the campus bookstore. No one there could care less how I dress, so I just put on a regular pair of faded jeans and a tee shirt, run a brush through my hair, add a trace of lip gloss and I’m ready. No fussing needed ‘til later.

  Crap. I need to go back to my old apartment to get Charlie. In yesterday’s stressful kerfuffle over moving out and upsetting Sally, I forgot all about bringing my faithful half-ton friend to my new place. Well, I’ll just have to take the bus.

  I check my messages and there’s one from Jonathon:

  How about dinner and a ‘training movie’ at seven, my place? J.

  Nice. We can pick up where we left off last night. It is so-o my turn to do the deed. I reply.

  Sure. Turnabout is fair play.

  When I get downstairs to street level the doorman rushes over to greet me before I can slip out.

  “Miss Summerlin?”

  At my nod he continues, “I have some keys that I am supposed to give you. Could you just hold on a minute, please?”

  “Sure.” What keys?

  He goes behind the front desk and brings out a set of keys with a note tag attached.

  “Here we are,” he says with evident satisfaction. “I’m to tell you that your vehicle is parked just outside. It’s the black Mercedes under the overhang. Normally we don’t allow our guests to park there, but apparently this is a special day for you and a one-time thing. When you come back, please use this key card to access the parking garage on the north side of the building. By the way, welcome to Excelsior Place.” He hands me a key fob similar to Jonathon’s.

  “Uh, thanks,” I manage to say as I take the keys and folded note from him. I unfold it and read. I don’t want you to need a tow again. Don’t worry, it’s just on lease and can go back anytime. J.

  Hmmm. Thoughtful and unexpected. And another unexpected expense. Worry digs into me. Setting up as an escort is expensive. This is supposed to be about making money not spending it. But Charlie’s not reliable anymore. I war within myself and then settle on giving it a test drive.

  I walk through the electric door and there is an elegant and understated black car awaiting me. I open the driver’s door and slide in behind the wheel, laying my backpack on the seat beside me. Sure beats the bus. But it’s going back very soon.

  Before I realize it, I’m changing clothes for my second job.

  I drive into the client’s garage and turn the motor off. The new car smell entices my nostrils and reminds me of Jonathon and tonight’s practice session. How to handle the here and now is where your mind should be, Tess. Okay. Pretend it’s Jonathon you’re putting on the show for.

  I give it a go. Every time I bend over to dust the bottom shelf it’s Jonathon who’s benefiting. Every time my nipples threaten to escape my top it’s him watching with his smoldering eyes. By the time I leave I think maybe I should be paying the perv for the warm up. The thought makes me giggle aloud. I have come a long way in twenty-four hours. I didn’t know I had it in me. Well, not in me yet per se, but soon. Oh yes, soon.

  Chapter Fourteen

  We are standing together in the foyer of Jonathon’s apartment. He grins and grabs my hand, pulling me closer. He looks down at me, his eyes blue and steady. Time lurches to a standstill while I hold his gaze. I’m hot and damp from thinking about him all afternoon and I want very much to get into the main attraction. I’m surprised to find I’m not shy about my newfound lust for sex. In fact, I want to embrace it.

  “Are you hungry?” he asks.

  “Yes, I’m starved,” I answer honestly. Food first does sound good. I haven’t eaten all day. Delicious odors fill his condo and my hunger returns with a vengeance.

  “Well then, let’s eat.”

  “Let me give you a hand.”

  “No, set your beautiful self down and I’ll bring it in.”

  I do as I’m told at the dining room table that has been pre-set for two.

  He walks in bearing two well-filled plates that make my mouth water with anticipation. But as hungry as I am, I’m even more appreciative of the waiter. He’s too handsome for words. I try not to devour the delicious steak, baked potato and baby carrots but it is good and I’m hungry. I finish before Jonathon and he raises his eyebrow at me as I set my fork down and blot my mouth on the napkin.

  “I hope you saved room for desert,” he remarks, giving me a sexy smile.

  “Of course,” I say. “What are we having?”

  “Sex in a pan,” he deadpans without a trace of a smile.

  O-kay.

  “It has enough chocolate, whipped cream, and caramel to satisfy any sweet tooth. Heavenly enough even for you, I believe, my Heavenly Tess,” he teases.

  We hear a loud knock at the door. Jonathon frowns at the interruption. He gets up and once more makes his delicious way across the room. I really like the way his jeans hug him. Very nice view from behind, indeed. Good coming, good going.

  “Katherine, I wasn’t expecting you.” Jonathon’s voice sounds a little off as he gives his sister a quick peck on the cheek. I watch them both warily, wondering what’s up this time. Isn’t his sister supposed to be on bed rest? I wonder what her deal really is. Perhaps she’s OCD about her business.

  “I just couldn’t stay home another minute. The walls were closing in and that can’t be good for the baby,” she says as Jonathon helps her out of her coat and hangs it in the hall closet.

  “You have company again,” she says and walks over to greet me.

  “Katherine, I’d like you to meet Tess Summerlin,” Jonathon introduces us as we give each other a quick sizing up. Self-made would best sum up her confident demeanor. It shows in her posture, her easy bearing and the no-nonsense look in her eyes.

  She sits down heavily and graciously accepts the non-alcoholic lemon cooler he pours for her in a tall, iced-filled glass.

  “So, what do you do, Tess?”

  “I’m taking Business Administration at L.A. Technical Business College.” I find I just can’t talk about being an escort. Even if she does run the agency. I seem to be only up for losing one hang-up at a time.
/>   She nods, takes a sip of her drink and places it on a coaster on the coffee table. “How did you and Jonathon meet?”

  So, she doesn’t know about our work connection or she wouldn’t have to ask. I’m really shy about saying anything. I actually feel kind of ashamed, if the truth be known. I’d never thought I’d find myself into such a pickle.

  “It’s a funny story. Let me tell it, Tess.”

  Please. This I want to hear. Or not. Will he admit the truth? I wait nervously.

  “Tess applied for a job as an intern in my Oakville office for the summer and her truck wouldn’t start as she was leaving the interview. I ended up driving her home and then taking her to lunch the next day where we were held up by an armed robber. You remember—I told you about that last time you came over.”

  “Yes. No one was hurt, right?”

  “No, Tess is a good person to have around in a gun fight. She scooped up the gun and held the thief at gun point. Quite amazing, really.”

  I bask in the praise and silently thank him for not spilling the beans. But actually, she will know as soon as she looks at the books for the business. The thought gives me a sudden wrenching feeling as I realize Jonathon and I are both trying to hide something—my working for Rosemère Agency and his involvement with the hired help. Maybe he is no more impressed with what I am doing to make big money than I am with the kind of business they run. Maybe I embarrass him, maybe he’s hiding something else. I don’t know him that well yet. It’s sobering. And humbling. And disturbing on many levels. But it doesn’t change one iota the lust I feel for him.

  What if Katherine asks where I live? I hate to lie, but I cannot imagine she will believe that I can afford to live at the exclusive Excelsior Place as a student still in college. I feel a strong, unexpected urge to protect Jonathon. Strange, because he sure looks like he can take care of himself.

  “Well, you are quite the young lady,” Katherine’s eyes seem to reassess me. I sure wish I could read her mind. Though maybe I would learn some secrets I’d rather not know.