Page 56 of Cross My Heart
“They’re a few other things besides,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair. Clearly, the gods have conspired to cockblock me tonight, and already I feel my foul mood return.
I may have to put up with this shit, but Tessa shouldn’t have to.
I lean in and drop a soft kiss on her mouth. “You should head back to Oxford,” I say regretfully. “I don’t know how much longer this is going to last. I’ll call a car for you.”
Tessa looks at me, clearly taken aback. “Just to recap,” she says, with a smirk. “I’m literally naked in front of you right now, planning all kinds of wicked things, and you want me to… Go?”
“I don’t want it,” I say immediately, running a hand over her hip. “It’s the last thing on earth I want right now. But I have to go play the dutiful Ashford heir, and trust me, once these people get started on the port, things get ugly. I wouldn’t subject you to it.”
I get to my feet and offer her my hand. Tessa stares up at me for a moment, then, shaking her head in clear disbelief, she rises.
“I’ll call a car for you,” I say, tapping a few instructions on my phone. Tessa dresses and smooths down her tangled hair.
“How do I look?” she asks.
“Like you just came your brains out,” I reply, and she laughs.
“Twice,” she says with a wink, and then takes my hand. I lead her out of the maze, and back to the party, which is raging full steam now.
“You were right,” Tessa says with a laugh, pointing to where Agatha has grabbed the singer’s microphone and is entertaining the crowd.
I put her in the car out front, pausing to steal one last kiss. Tessa’s mouth is sweet and warm against me, and I find myself wishing I could take her back to Oxford myself. Slide into bed beside her.
Wake with her curled in my arms.
I pull back, unnerved by the vision of simple domesticity. “Have dinner with me,” I find myself asking. “I’ll make us a reservation. Somewhere romantic. A real date.”
“Our fourth date,” she points out, smiling. “Unless this one counts double…”
“Is that a yes?” I ask, as she slides into the backseat.
“It’s a maybe.” Tessa gives me an arch, teasing smile, and flutters a wave. “I’ll think about it.”
The door slams, and she drives away, leaving me on the front steps, alone.
And seriously unsatisfied.
But I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever get enough of this woman. The way she surrenders to pleasure, offering herself up to me—but still, holding so much back…
It’s irresistible.
I want to know this woman. I wantmore.
Chapter16
Tessa
Iwake the next morning with pleasure still sweet and thick in my veins. It turns out, Saint’s filthy mouth is good for more than just talking. Not just good,spectacular…
I lay back against my pillows, reliving the sinful scene: laying there in the middle of the maze, gazing up at the stars as Saint drove me wild. His hands… His fingers…
His skilled, sensual tongue.
I shiver, unable to keep the smile from my face. I know that the event was technically a bust—besides insulting Cyrus Lancaster, and horrifying Saint’s mom, I only have more questions about Wren’s attack—but after that delicious time with Saint in the gardens, I can’t even be frustrated.
No, Saint took care of that.
I sigh with satisfaction. All his talk about expertise and experience wasn’t just a big game. The man really is gifted.Although… I remember his tension, talking to his parents, and the grim resignation that settled over him when our sexy fun was interrupted by those calls. Every family has its drama, but clearly, there’s something going on with the St. Clairs that puts Saint on edge.