Page 101 of Seduce

Tessa stood and grabbed her overnight bag. She could always bring it back with her if things didn’t work out with Damon.

Tessa ran every option over in her head as Max drove her to Damon’s. There were far too few choices. She wanted to make the right one. What if Damon didn’t want to talk to her? She tangled her fingers together. He was the one who’d called her about the article and kept calling and texting her. He’d talk to her. She blinked when she realized Max had stopped in front of Damon’s house.

“Call when you’re ready for us to come over. If Damon refuses, I’ll come over and kick his dumb ass,” Max said as Tessa climbed out of his SUV.

“Thanks, Max. I don’t think kicking him will be necessary.” Tessa shut the door. Taking a deep breath, she walked up to the house and rang the bell.

A minute later, the door was pulled open. “Tessa, oh thank god.” He pulled her into his arms.

“Damon, what’s going on?” The panic in his voice made her heart pound.

He pulled her into the house and pushed the door closed with his foot.

“Where is your phone?”

“Right here.” She opened her purse and pulled it out, then groaned at the missed calls from Damon. “I’m sorry I’ve had it on silent. Things have been crazy.”

“You could say that.” He framed her face with his hands. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“I am now.” And that was the truth. His embrace did more for her than her friends’ hugs.

“Let me take that.” He took her bag from her hand and set it on the floor. “Come on into the family room.”

Tessa slipped off her shoes, left her purse next to her bag, and took her phone with her. Damon sat down on the sofa and pulled her into his lap.

“I need to hold you,” he said.

“I’m sorry I worried you.” She was. It was the last thing she wanted to do.

“I was about to call Sierra and Crystal.”

“I wished you would have. I was with them.” She brushed the hair away from his face. “So much has happened.”

“No matter what, I’m here for you. I mean that.”

“I know.” She blew out a breath. “Thanks for the heads up on the article. I hope it didn’t cause you any issues.”

“More business, actually.”

“Oh that’s good.” She was happy for him. Now came the hard part. “My father showed up at my apartment tonight.”

Damon stiffened. “I take it he wasn’t happy.”

“No.” She laid her hand on his cheek. “He wants me to denounce you at a press conference tomorrow.”

Damon held her gaze. “I know you’ll handle it.”

His trust in her hit her in the gut. So much trust. “I love you so much.” The words flowed out of her. This man would never betray her, only support her and keep her safe.

“Tessa?” His eyes grew bright with need.

“I mean it, Damon. I love you. I have no intention of denouncing you. No matter what my father says. But he’s vowed to ruin you. I can’t allow that. We’re stuck. I don’t know how to stop him from trying to ruin you, and I refuse to give you up.”

Damon leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers.

“So we’re going to beat him at his own game.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

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