Page 81 of Seduce

“I should be,” Jordan said.

“Sure.” By then, Tessa would be better.

“All right. We’ll talk to them then about becoming DMs for us.” Max walked away.

“Better make my rounds,” Damon said, and he left Jordan.

* * * *

“Damon, you’re being stubborn as a mule on a cold day.” Tessa crossed her arms over her chest. It was Sunday afternoon, and he had refused to take her home. Jordan had come and gone, and Damon was still being fussy.

“You need to rest.”

“That’s all I’ve done practically all weekend. I’m not dizzy or nauseous. No headaches since yesterday evening. I’m fine.”

“It doesn’t mean you can’t fall again.”

Tessa took a deep breath and closed her eyes, before opening them. “Damon, it was a freak accident. You need to understand that.”

“Still.”

“What’s going on? This overprotective male persona is getting old fast.”

“I want you to be safe.” His voice was strained.

Tessa put her hand on his tense arm. “It’s more than that. What has you so worried?” It was more than her accident. There was something else there.

“If you want to go home, I can’t stop you.” He shook off her touch.

“You can. You’re my ride.”

He stared at her. Tessa stepped up to him and put her arms around his waist and hugged him. “Damon, I’m fine. I swear it. Please, talk to me.” She didn’t want him worrying about her.

He stood in her embrace, stiff, then his arms went around her, and his muscles relaxed. “Remember I told you I lost my parents the day after my college graduation?”

“Yes.”

“An accident took them too.”

“The plane accident.” She remembered his story.

“Yes. I don’t want to lose you to an accident too. To anything.”

“Oh, Damon.” She tightened her hold on him. “These things happen; we can’t always predict them. But I promise to be more careful. Can you accept that?”

“For now,” he said softly.

Tessa would take it. “So will you drive me home, please? I need to get ready for work tomorrow.”

“Before I do that, there is something you should see.” He stepped out of her embrace and picked up the morning paper. She’d been surprised that he still received a physical newspaper. “This came out today.” He handed her a folded over page.

Tessa took it and looked down. Her heart dropped. “Oh crap.” She quickly read the article the reporter had written about them at the coffee shop along with a grainy picture of them. How many people had seen this picture? Would it get back to DC? It shouldn’t. Her stomach turned over.

“It’s pure gossip and innuendo.”

“Yes.” What could she do about it? Nothing. The odds of someone who knew her and showing it to her father were slim to none.

“Are you upset?”

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