Page 37 of Seduce

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“It seems kind of silly.”

“If it’s still affecting you, it’s not silly.”

Tessa tilted her head so she could see his face. Sincerity was written there. He believed the words he said. She slouched against him. “I was about eight years old. We were out in the country, visiting my aunt. A storm came up.”

“Was this back when you lived in DC?”

“Yep. Thunder and lightning, the whole nine yards. I’d been outside with my brother. I didn’t care about getting wet. We were kids.” She took a breath. “Anyway, lightning flashed, and a bolt came right down and hit a tree not far from where I was standing.”

“It could have hit you.” His voice was soft.

“Scared me to death. I started running and screaming. My brother laughed at me.”

“If I ever meet him, remind me to punch him for that.”

Tessa’s lips turned up. “We were both quite young. Since then, storms bother me. My father told me to get over it; I wouldn’t be hurt by a storm. But I couldn’t shake what happened. I was born and raised in DC, but I’d never been outside during a bad storm.”

His arms tightened around her. “We don’t get storms like this too often, but we do have them. How did you get through them?”

“Most of the time, they’re at night, so I can curl up in my bed or distract myself with the TV, but with the electricity out…”

“Well then, let me distract you.” He lowered his head and captured her lips.

Tessa didn’t hesitate. She opened her mouth to Damon’s. His tongue swept in. She twisted within his hold so they were face to face. The feel of his hands stroking her back set her blood on fire.

Her hands wandered to his hair-roughened chest. So strong and manly. She shifted so she could stroke farther south.

“Tessa.” Damon pulled his lips from hers.

“What? Can’t I play?” Where were the words coming from? She usually wasn’t this flirty or forward. It wasn’t how she’d acted with her mentor. Hell, withanyman.

“Maybe.” He nuzzled her cheek then pulled back, putting some distance between them. “I don’t want you to feel rushed or pressured. We can lie here all night together and watch the storm.”

“Are you saying this is up to me?” This was different. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Tessa expected him to take command.

“Yes.”

“But what if you don’t want to play?” She’d never been with a man so open, so willing to listen to her wants and needs. She refused to take advantage of him.

“Then I would tell you. This isn’t a one way street.” His finger brushed over her cheek. “I will be open and honest with you. I expect the same.”

“This is very unexpected.” How open and honest did she need to be with Damon? Yes, tonight they’d planned to go to the club but more as trainer and trainee. Nevertheless, her body was ready to play with him. Thunder rumbled, and she flinched.

“Relax.” Damon tugged her down until she lay on his chest. “It’s just the two of us. We don’t have to do anything.”

“But—” She bit her lip and sighed as she felt the tension and anxiety slowly drain from her body. He’d keep her safe, and she let her worries slip away.

* * * *

Damon grinned as Tessa relaxed against him. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her up into his arms and carry her into the bedroom, but he’d wait until she was ready.

She might say she was ready, but this was more than needing to scratch an itch for him, and he suspected it was that way for her as well. Her fingers made circles on his chest. His blood heated at her touch.

“Will you touch me?” she whispered, her breath caressing his skin.

An idea formed in his mind. “Let’s do this. I want you to strip off your top and sit back between my legs like we were.”

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