Desire & Deception

by Sahara Roberts

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  “Not particularly.” She put the book down, pulling her knees up to her chest.

  He set down the bags and fished out a coffee for her. She accepted it with a mirthless smile.

  “I can’t blame you for keeping what you told me to yourself.” His eyes skimmed her face.

  She swallowed, still stunned by what he’d told her about Heather’s actions.

  He put his hand on her knee. “I want to help you, Tessa. But you make things so hard sometimes.”

  She nodded. What could she say? “Thank you, for anything and everything you’ve done. This was a mess I ended up dragged into, and I didn’t mean to get anyone else involved.”

  “I hope your friends realize what you’ve sacrificed.”

  “I won’t be seeing Heather after this.” She blinked back moisture. “My BFF will be royally pissed.”

  “You think?”

  Her stomach rolled. “I don’t own anything other than the house.” She paused, gathering courage. “But I’ll sign the documents over if you can get your hands on them.”

  “Losing everything to avoid inconveniencing the friend who left you behind?” He shook his head.

  She could still see Moni’s expression as she shared the details of the night her cousin came to live with them. Could Kris ever understand the pain of losing loved ones to the violent life he was part of? No. If he did he’d understand why she wouldn’t risk putting Moni in danger. Couldn’t. “My decision has nothing to do with convenience. I’d go back home. She’d be stuck here, dealing with any consequences.” She cupped her hands around the coffee, needing to chase the chill from her extremities. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to her. She’s as close as it gets to family for me.”

  Kris studied her, his expression inscrutable. “You’re an amazing woman, Tessa. I can’t decide whether to shake you or kiss you.”

  A smile filtered through Tessa’s sadness. “If you shake me, you’ll get coffee all over your side of the bed.”

  He kissed her, hard, then ran his lips over hers. “Come, have breakfast with me before I go.”

  She handed him her coffee to scoot closer.

  “I brought a variety. Didn’t know if you preferred red or green salsa, so I asked for both.” He started opening the foil packages to check each one.

  “I’m never going back to cold cereal after this,” she said following his inspection.

  He grinned. “Ever had coffee in milk?”

  She quirked an eyebrow.

  “It’s sweeter than the coffee you’re used to. You might want to wait for later and have it with the sweet bread since you’re having a spicy breakfast.”

  “You’re going to make me fat,” she chided.

  “I’ll have to figure out how to help you work off the calories.” He popped a bite of flour tortilla into her open mouth while her tummy did a backflip.

  Kris cut each taco in half so she’d taste them all. They ended by sharing the delicious milk based coffee, which he let her finish.

  “How’s the book?” he asked.

  “I couldn’t concentrate this morning, but I did well yesterday.”

  He nodded. “Good. I half-expected you to be going crazy without a television.”

  “I don’t watch TV very often. I usually listen to music while I work, so I’m kind of at home with this.”

  “You surprise me at every turn. I don’t know what to make of you.” When she cocked a questioning brow at him, he explained, “I guess I figured you’d be freaking out a little. Most people would.”

  She stared at her coffee, dredging up memories she hadn’t shared with another soul. “I grew up in a third story walk-up in the projects. My mom was always at work, so I had to look out for myself.” She shrugged. “You could say I’ve been locked up in a room by myself for half my life. I feel…safe up here.” As safe as one could under the circumstances.

  Kris went silent, his thoughts taking him somewhere far away. He blinked, his shoulders rolling in as he came back to himself. His eyes were sad when he turned to face her. “Te—” A muted buzz sounded next to her. His thoughtful expression evaporated. “Tessa, I’ve gotta go.” He put his hand to his pocket, gave her a quick kiss, and strode out.

  …

  Once outside, Kris slid the lock into place with a loud bang. He hadn’t expected Ida to be so damn quick. Anticipation doubled his heart rate.

  He swallowed, forcing down a lump big enough to be his boot going down sideways, knowing he was going to hear the truth about Tessa at last. Preliminaries weren’t necessary or expected. “What’d you find?” He held his breath, his shoulders contracting into boulders. Heaven or hell. He had to know where she belonged, no matter that either answer might crush him.

  “Her utilities were transferred to an address in north Austin on Monday. I cross-referenced the address, found the listing, and confirmed the sale. All her money’s accounted for.”

  “Shit.”

  She’d told him the truth all along. And Monica… Fuck. He’d been the one to put her and the family through hell by not telling her Tessa was alive and safe. Worse yet, he’d have to keep up the charade. Tessa was spared untold horrors because the Juarez boss wanted revenge. If he declared her innocent of the theft, she’d just be a kidnapping victim. Since nobody would provide her ransom, she’d be fair game. Every one of Felipe’s men would expect a turn at her.

  Damn Heather Tucker for her stupidity.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Mariscada.”

  Tessa sounded out the word for seafood platter.

  “Have you tried shrimp cocktail, Mexican style?”

  They lay in bed facing each other, dinner laid out between them on an overturned drawer. Kris, his long sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, had his bare feet hanging off the end of the bed.

  “Uh-uh.”

  “Remember, our seafood isn’t what you’re used to in the States.” He handed her a Styrofoam container. “I made sure they added plenty of avocado since you found it so finger-licking good.” He grinned. “Condiments are in the packet.”

  Her lips twitched. “How do you fix yours?”

  “Grab some crackers.” He topped the cocktail with cilantro then squeezed half a lime and added a dash of Tabasco. One quick stir and he brought a spoonful to her lips.

  Her taste buds burst with the rich, savory flavor. “Oh wow! That’s delicious.”

  His eyes sparkled as she picked up the container and dug in. “Thought you’d like it.”

  “Have you been to the States?” she asked between bites.

  He popped a shrimp into his mouth, then went about fixing a cocktail for himself.

  Obviously, she’d hit a sore spot. “You’ve made some references.” She shrugged. “I figured…” She grabbed a packet of saltines, waiting for an answer, but the silence dragged on. So this is how it is. She pressed the corner of her lips together. He gets to dig into my life, but we can’t have a simple conversa—

  “Yes,” he conceded finally. “A long time ago.”

  She tucked a strand behind her ear, hoping for details. In all the time she’d spent alone—both as a child and here—she’d never missed hearing another voice the way she wanted to hear his now.

  “Why are you surprised? The U.S. has more Mexican citizens than ever before.” He didn’t invite further questions.

  “That’s not what I meant,” she continued. “I wondered where you’ve visited.”

  He drank his soda. “I’d much rather talk about you.”

  I’d rather have a bikini wax. Instead, she scooped up a heaping spoonful of shrimp cocktail to avoid speaking.

  He suppressed a smile, though not completely. “So I bet you wish you’d gone to Vegas this year instead of coming to Mexico.”

  The empty container stared up at her. When did she finish the cocktail? “Actually, I’ve never been.” Her attention turned to the array of seafood on the plates.

  �
�Why is that?”

  This wasn’t the time or the place to crack open her diary. She moistened her lips. “I’ve been...busy.” She picked at some grilled fish with green olives, onions, and tomato.

  “Doing?”

  She exhaled. “Working. Going to school. Paying bills. It seems like there was always one more thing I had to do.”

  “What do you do when life isn’t hectic?”

  “My favorite thing to do?” she asked.

  He nodded, curious.

  “I take a long, hot, relaxing bath and sleep in.” She grinned ear to ear.

  “Sleeping late makes you happy?” He peeled a couple of shrimp. “So,” he said with an air of nonchalance, “is that something you usually do alone?”

  She peered at him through her lashes. “You’re asking if I have someone back home?”

  He stopped, giving her his full attention. “Do you?” His eyes were guarded. For once, he was just a guy. Not the boss, not the interrogator, just a person she was having a conversation with.

  “No, nobody’s waiting for me.” She fiddled with her spoon. “Either way, I prefer to wake up alone.”

  Or I did.

  “Even now, when you’ll have time to go dancing?”

  She laughed, remembering the odd questions that came up in his interrogation. “Are you teasing me?”

  “Noooo.” He shook his head, a smile fighting its way to the surface. “Just asking a question.”

  She couldn’t get over this new version of Kris. “Are you into dancing?”

  He grinned and rolled his eyes. “Yes.”

  This easy conversation was unexpected. She kept her personal life private, so she avoided this type of exchange like a dental exam. Still, she was having too much fun to change the subject. “What do you dance?”

  “Everything.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Boasting?”

  “I’ve had a lot of partners to keep up with.”

  Her stomach dropped, her smile faltering. Was he taunting her with the women he’d been with? Because she certainly felt like she was slapped in the face.

  He dipped a fried shrimp in red sauce. “In my family, the girls far outnumbered the boys.” He fed her the morsel with a smile. “The previous generation made sure we all knew how to dance so they’d never be short a partner.”

  A heavy blush rolled across her face. Apparently, she was too easy to read. But deep down, she was also thrilled he’d shared a little about himself.

  His smile faded. “I suppose this is one hell of a vacation.”

  Wow, his statement didn’t come close. “It’s been memorable.”

  He caressed her face. “Here you are trying to enjoy time off, and I’m making you share a bed and waking you up every day before dawn.”

  When did he stop being her kidnapper and become her friend and lover? No. She couldn’t let her feelings stray from reality. He wasn’t the same hard man from the first day, but he still had her locked up.

  She gave him a saucy wink, changing the tone of the conversation so she could have stable footing. “Now there’s a silver lining.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah,” she confirmed, leaning in.

  He kissed her across what was left of their dinner, a gentle brush of their lips, then touched his forehead to hers. “I would’ve given you whatever you wanted.” He was quiet, thoughtful. “You know that, don’t you?”

  Just like that, he pulled her feet out from under her. A lump settled in her throat. The simple statement spoke volumes. But he was still holding her against her will. The fact he would have given her whatever she wanted if things were different, if Heather had been honest, if she was a dealer…if they were a couple… None of it would get her out of this room.

  She kissed him, pressing her eyes closed to hold back moisture as she sought the closeness she needed. If she left here, she wouldn’t be as complete as when she’d arrived, even as complete as she’d been just a day ago. So much had changed—her thoughts, her perspective, her trust and desires. Though it was possible the change was due to the fact that she was completely dependent upon Kris for not only food, shelter, and companionship, but for protection against the all-male crew downstairs, she thought there was more to it as well. She cleared the bed and came to kneel beside him. With a secretive smile, she reached for the top button of his gray shirt. “I’ll tell you what you can give me.”

  His amused chuckle fluttered over her.

  She bit her lower lip, running her fingers over the ridges on his chest. “I like you without a shirt on.”

  “Funny.” Desire glittered in his eyes. “I like you without a shirt on, also.”

  He reached for her.

  She swatted him away. “Uh-uh. Turn over so you stay out of trouble.” She sat astride his lower back and ran her hands across his shoulders. “Move your arm, here.” She touched his bicep. She searched her memory, but couldn’t come up with the translation. “I don’t know how to say....”

  He caught on to what she wanted and flexed. His lips curved as she stretched out and explored the curve and texture of his muscles. They were hard, unyielding, yet smooth and natural. She’d seen firsthand the strength they afforded him, yet she’d also felt the gentle way he’d held her. “Mmmm, you’re laughing at me aren’t you?” she asked with mock sternness.

  “They’re just arms, chiquilla.”

  Tessa sat up and pulled her shirt off, dropping it beside him on the pillow before returning to her task. When her nipples brushed his skin, he groaned.

  “What’s the matter, Kris?” she whispered. “They’re only breasts.”

  “Point taken.” His voice held a rough edge.

  With exaggerated movements, she let her breasts sway above him, then went on to discover every other muscle group. Soft kisses alternated with deliberate licks along his neck and spinal column.

  “Turn over.” She straddled him on the mattress, looking down at every delicious attribute with a predatory half-smile.

  His eyes followed as she lowered herself over his abdomen, keeping her weight on her legs. Her heart raced as she adjusted, taking her time finding the most comfortable position.

  Those granite arms reached for her. Liquid heat gushed at her center, anticipating the fire that would rage within her. But she wasn’t ready for the full-blown arousal he could so easily kindle.

  She caught his wrists, folding them above his head, pressing herself against him in the process. The tip of his tongue ran along her cleavage, leaving a wet trail. Tessa retreated, folding her arm over her breasts while she reprimanded him with a light tap of her finger on his lips. She brought the fingertip to her mouth, sucking it while he watched. Mesmerized.

  Eventually, she scooted lower to the fine sheen of moisture forming at the base of his throat. Her chest pressed his as she nuzzled his neck and drew a line of kisses along his skin. She moved to his ear, leisurely licking the rim. Sitting up, she wiggled back as he watched her with open fascination. He caught her, bringing her up to nibble on her lips.

  His hands slid to the flare of her hips.

  She tensed, her skin pulling tight against her cheeks.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Tessa’s brows shifted, uncomfortable with the conversation. “You always end up on the worst part of my body.”

  He cocked his head, looking genuinely confused. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “My waist ends and my hips explode.” Her hands mimicked the burst with a widening arc. “No nice curve or continued flow.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “This.” His thumbs caressed her. “Is one of the sexiest parts of your body.”

  Tessa’s eyes narrowed, unconvinced. She’d always been self-conscious of the way her hips flared past her waist like a pendulum.

  “A natural hold I can wrap my hands around to keep you in place.” He pressed up against the apex of her thighs. “Otherwise, I’d push you up the mattress with every thrust.”

  Her tongue
stuck to the roof of her mouth. With her legs spread across him, she couldn’t stem her body’s pleased response.

  “That thought goes through my head every time I touch you here.”

  She studied her body, where his left hand squeezed gently. The image would be stuck in her head, also. Not a bad change from hating her figure.

  He stole down to where their bodies met, slipping two fingers between them. Her body hitched as he swept past sensitive spots. He paused, his eyes softening. “You’re not sore…from last night, are you?”

  She dragged in breath through parted lips. “Oh Kris, I don’t know. You’re a lot bigger than—” She giggled as he growled. Together, they worked his jeans off. He grabbed a condom, biting the foil to tear the package open.

  Tessa pushed him onto his back and nestled between his thighs, fanning her breath over his shaft. “Tell me if you don’t like what I’m doing.” Looking up at him, she ran her tongue up his hard length, swirled, then went down the other side. Hungry eyes followed every move.

  Her fingers curled around his cock, thumb under the ridge at his crown. Enough space remained to fit another hand. She leaned forward, putting her mouth over him, pulling up while sucking.

  “Jesus, Tessa.” He burrowed his hands into her hair.

  She stroked him, working the base of her thumb into his balls as he shifted his hips.

  “Too much, baby.” He grabbed her shoulder. “Condom.”

  The note in his voice surprised her.

  “Awww, Kris.” She manufactured disappointment. “How will I know what you like?”

  He dragged the condom on and pulled her across him. Her wet sheath slid over him, but she stopped before she bottomed out. Leaning forward, she found the leverage she needed to ride him at a nice, leisurely pace.

  She moaned, taking her time, allowing him to fill her.

  The cords of his neck strained. “Tessa,” he pleaded, “I’ve been on edge since before the sun came up.” He took over with a heavy, upward thrust that bowed her spine.

  A wave of satisfaction rippled through her. She bore down, shifting over him, tightening around him. Letting the rough hair at the base of his cock brush her pussy. He dragged in a breath when she quickened the pace. His fingers dug into the curve of her bottom and she leaned her hips forward, pushing his cock to the perfect spot. In an instant, she shattered, her body contracting around his again and again until he surged against her. Sated, she wilted into his waiting arms.