Page 29 of Cross My Heart
“I’m not sure how entertaining I’d be,” I reply with an easy smile. “I have quite a course load this term. Can’t leave my students neglected.”
Especially not the intriguing American with perfect lips.
Vivian gives a shrug. “If you change your mind, you know how to find me,” she says, “Good seeing you, Saint.”
“You too. And say ‘Hi’ to your sister,” I add. I continue on to get our drinks, but when I return to the table, Max and Hugh are looking at me in shock.
“You turned her down?” Max asks, disbelieving.
“Viv Prescott, champion rider?” Hugh echoes.
“And he’s not just talking about her equestrian skills,” Max cracks. “Since when do you pass up a fine filly like that?”
Since Tessa Peterson made me realize just what kind of excitement I was missing.
I shrug. “Maybe I’m ready for something new,” I say, thinking of her rebellious wit and breathy moans. “Something unpredictable. Different.”
Max whistles. “In that case… You won’t mind if I go say ‘Hello.’”
I laugh. Typical Max. “Knock yourself out.”
I callit an early night with the guys, and head home to the townhouse I keep in the city on a quiet cobbled street. I pour a nightcap, and sit, enjoying the peace of the simple, well-furnished rooms.
Tessa is certainly unpredictable. Clearly, I’m can’t just sit back and wait for her to come to me. She already knows my reputation, and—
I pause. Maybe that’s the reason for her reluctance. She assumes I’m just looking for another idle fling. But she’s wrong; I want to get to know her. Find out what makes her tick, what secrets are hiding behind those watchful eyes. I haven’t felt drawn to a woman like this in… Well, I can’t remember how long. Even now, I find myself replaying the sight of her head tipped back in pleasure; the rebellious sass in her tone.
Who are you, Tessa? And why do I already feel so connected to you?
I mull the question all night, and by morning, it’s clear, I need to step it up if I’m going to get any closer. So, after a brief stop at the Ashford administrators’ office to charm her address out of the clerk, and a detour to the best florist in the city, I show up at her flat, ready to sweep her off her feet.
But when I ring the bell, Tessa isn’t the one who answers.
“Hi?” the petite woman asks, juggling a thermos flask in one hand and a stack of books in the other. Then she gets a proper look at me and pauses. “Oh. Hello.”
I flash a friendly smile. “Hi there. I’m looking for Tessa?”
“She’s out,” a male voice adds, and the door swings wider. A rangy guy is also pulling on his jacket, and he stops too, clearly checking me out. “But maybe there’s something we can help you with?”
“Do you know when she’ll be back?” I ask.
“Not until later. She went down to London,” the woman explains. “I think she said she would be back tonight. But we can tell her you stopped by.”
“Thanks,” I say, passing her the flowers. “I’m Saint, by the way.”
The guy smirks. “Oh, we know who you are, Professor. But we didn’t know you knew Tessa. She’s clearly been holding out on us!”
“Nice meeting you,” I add, before leaving.
I may have struck out this time, but that just makes me more determined to win her over.
That party was just the beginning of what’s happening between us, and I can’t wait to discover what comes next.
Chapter10
Tessa
After the distractions of the party and Saint, it’s almost a relief to get some distance from Oxford for the day, heading down to London by train. The green, lush countryside blurs outside the windows, as I check my text messages and confirm everything’s still set for the meeting.