Page 17 of Seduce

“I’ll die if you don’t.”

“Can’t have that.” His right hand trailed from her shoulder, over her neck, and between her breasts.

Tessa could barely prevent herself from pushing her breasts into his hand. Not that she had much room. With her arms over his head and still in restraints, she was pretty much at his mercy.

Fire ignited in her belly and spread. “Yes,” she whispered as his palm covered her breast. If her hands had been free, she would have stripped her shirt and bra right off. What was she thinking? She barely knew Damon.

“What is it?”

“We need to stop.” Her body protested her words. The voice in her head grew louder.

“All right.” Damon lifted her hands from around his neck and took a step back. “What happened?” he asked softly.

“I…” Her lashes fell. “I feel like I should apologize.”

“Tessa.” A warm finger cupped her chin, lifting her face. “You have a right to call a halt whenever you want.” Damon released the restraints and held her hands in his. “Did I scare you?”

She shook her head. Her reactions scared her. “It was me.” She fought to get the words out. “We barely know each other.”

“True.” He released her hands and put the restraints back into the box. “Will you join me for dinner Friday night?”

“You want to take me out?” He was asking her on a date? Why was she having a hard time believing that?

“Yes. I want to get to know you.” The fire in his blue eyes was still there but muted.

Tessa tilted her head and studied Damon for a moment. “All right.”

His smile lit up the room. “I’ll pick you up at your apartment at six.”

Tessa nodded. “I better leave. I do have work tomorrow.”

“I’ll walk you to your car.”

“I forgot. I rode over with Sierra and Crystal. I’ll call for a ride-share.” She started to fish her phone out of her purse when Damon’s hand covered hers.

“I’ll take you home.”

“But…”

He placed his fingers over her lips. “I’ll take you home.” His voice held a no-nonsense tone and was so firm that her knees almost buckled.

His Dom voice melted her bones. She’d have to be very careful with him, or she’d end up a puddle of goo at his feet.

Damon turned and went to the counter. Tessa moved to the front door and looked out at the street. It was pretty deserted, but of course, it would be at this time of night. This was Pleasant Valley, not Seattle.

Tessa watched Damon’s reflection in the glass as he prepared the store for closing, then he was at the door with her, a bag dangling from his hand. “We’ll go out the back door.” He pressed a button, and the security gates came down over the windows and door.

“Have you had break-ins?” she asked.

“Not in a while, but this is a deterrent in case they want to try anything.” Damon guided her through a door as he turned the lights off in the store. There was a small light on in the hallway.

He opened the door and the gate and gestured for her to precede him. Once she was outside, he pulled the door closed, checked that it was locked, and shut the brushed metal gate, making sure it was secure as well.

“My car is over here.” As she got close, she heard the locks click, but Damon was at the door before she could open it.

He pulled it open. Tessa climbed into the vehicle. The smell of leather greeted her. Her body relaxed against the seat as she fastened her seat belt. Damon climbed in, fastened his seat belt, and they were off.

They rode in a comfortable silence. Thank goodness. Tessa rubbed her wrists where the cuffs had been. Her skin tingled, and her breathing wasn’t as steady as she’d like it to be. What had passed between her and Damon in the store had set off a string of fireworks in her body.

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