Plump, glossy lips. Flowing silver waves. Luscious curves—hidden but hinted at.
Ravishing. Seductive. Intoxicating.
Like a naughty, gothic version of aLittle House on the Prairiecharacter.
This woman fucks with my head so much that I’m aching for her impending wrath.
And here it comes.
“Why are you here, and why the hell is your shirt off?” she hisses through gritted teeth.
This is where my proclivity to hurdle boundaries could go either way because she clearly wants me to let her usher me out of here. And not only is that not my style, but I won’t be going anywhere while that douche is following her around.
Deep down, her inner vixen probably loves that though.
So, I go all in with what feels right and scoop her into my arms, palming her head and kissing her cheek. Her hair smells like the ocean, and while I’ve never been a yacht guy, I think I want to live at sea.
Or fucking drown in it.
“You have no idea what a sight you are, Tess.” The air in my lungswhooshesout. I’m losing my goddamn mind over her, but I don’t hold back. “This country-librarian look is sexy on you.” When she starts to pull away because she assumes I’m going to tease her, I lift her off the ground so she can’t break free and tune me out. “You’re stunning in that dress, as always, but it’s more. I needed you.”
In a move that is utterly shocking, she rests her hands on my shoulders and lifts her chin, concern vanquishing her anger. “Did something happen? Are you okay?”
She feels something more for me too. She might not want to, but she does. There’s no denying how that burrows into my depths. This is all so foreign.
“I am now. I just … really missed you.” Truest words I’ve ever spoken.
Is this the first time I’ve held her like this?
Her breath catches, but then her focus snaps to my bare chest, and she resumes her fury. “Where the hell is your shirt?”
Without releasing her, even though she’s squirming, I point to the three dripping kids, surrounded by broken water balloons, staring at us. “From what they told me, I think the one who drenched me is your nephew, but as you can see, I got him back.”
“Hey, Aunt Tessa.” He flips his hand up in an unenthusiastic wave.
“What kind of reception is that for the coolest aunt in the world, Adam?” I cup my hand and motion it to the sky, encouraging him to give it a little oomph, which goes over well with the kids that I believe are from another family, but Adam seems startled, so I lighten things. “You could do a dance or a cheer, give her a round of applause. That might be weird. A hug would be the best, but you’ll have to get in line for that.”
“You’re fine, Adam,” Tessa says before her nephew can take one of my suggestions. “You three go play hide-and-seek, and I’ll give you a special treat when I find you.”
They run, but the man I presume to be Hunter stays, lingering like he deserves some airtime.
“Put your shirt on.” She glares when I don’t loosen my hold on her.
I move my mouth to her ear, my scruff grazing her silky cheek. “You like what you see, don’t you, baby?”
She huffs, but her lips twitch. “Please, Maddox.”
“I can’t deny you when you beg. Remember that.” I kiss her temple, let her go, grab my drying shirt from a nearby tree branch, and leer at Mr. Douche while I put it on.
He stands with his hands in his pockets, feigning indifference as jealousy and nervousness radiate off him. He looks like an accountant who golfs a lot. That can’t be her type.
Tessa ignores him, but she frantically searches the faces of the guests who are doing that thing where they pretend they aren’t looking while watching my every move. Nothing new. I don’t care about them. But her? I’m not sure if she’s embarrassed that I’m here or if she just doesn’t want me in her business, but we’ll be plowing through both issues.
Her gaze skates over my abs before she forces it away and shifts her weight toward the house. “I’ll walk you out.”
“You’re ready to go so soon, Dollface?” My use of her old nickname is simply to slither under her skin with a hefty dose of annoyance—a coded warning that I won’t be complying with whatever bullshit she’s planning.
Her gorgeous blues bulge, and her jaw sets. My girl is pissed. “You can’t be here.”
