“Is that the one you want?” I ask, stepping closer to her.
For the first time since we met, Tess hits me with the full-blown power of her smile as she looks up at me. It transforms her features from beautiful to otherworldly, making that annoying unknown emotion tug at my heart.
Her smile wavers, then she lifts her chin in defiance. “I’m only letting you buy it because you broke my camera. I’ll take it as an apology.”
The little minx.
Glaring down at her, I cross my arms over my chest, so I don’t end up strangling her in the middle of the store where there are witnesses. “This is not an apology.”
The smile returns to her face, but this time there’s something seductive dancing around the edges of her lips. Fuck if it doesn’t make me harden for her.
“Either this camera is an apology, or I’m not taking it.”
My eyes narrow as my temper flares hotter. Turning around, I walk to the counter while barking at the assistant. “We’ll take the fucking camera.”
The guy glances between Tess and me as she comes to the counter. She doesn’t stop smiling, then the assistant looks at her for a second, too long. Before I can stop myself, I wrap my arm around Tess’ shoulders, tug her to my side, and leaning forward, I growl, “Unless you want to lose your fucking eyesight, you’ll stop looking at her.”
He bristles and quickly finishes the purchase. After I’m done paying, I grab the bag, give him a parting look filled with a world of warning, and practically shove Tess out of the store.
Christé mou.
I feel rattled, my heart beating too fast, my skin growing clammy.
I don’t fucking like this at all.
Why did I threaten the guy for just looking at Tess?
Why do I even fucking care whether she has a camera?
Annoyed as fuck, I shove the bag into her arms and stalk around the SUV to get into the backseat.
Strapping on my seat belt, I bark out the order, “Theresa’s apartment.”
The source of my anger and impatience sits next to me, grinning from ear to fucking ear as she reads every damn word on the box.
Her excitement fills the air, and the moment I slant my eyes in her direction, she smiles at me. “Thank you.”
It catches me totally off guard, rattling me even more. My eyes snap to the window, and refusing to look deeper at the meaning of all the unwanted emotions, I rather focus on my anger.
“You better fucking pass this course with flying colors,” I warn her, my tone tight from all the tension.
“That’s my plan.”
Glancing back at her, I watch as she practically drools over the camera. With eyes sparkling and happiness flirting around her full lips, you’d swear I bought her the world.
To her, it is.
The thought hits hard, and for the first time, I start to see Tess for who she is and not the socialite I expected before I got to know her a little.
She has passion and dreams, and damn does she fight for them.
“This is important to you?” I ask the question before I can stop myself. I shouldn’t give a fuck what’s important to her.
Tess’ gaze lifts to mine and searches my face. “If I say yes are you going to threaten to take it away from me?”
Dealing out threats is second nature to me, and out of habit, I mutter, “If you continue giving me shit, yes.”
Tess’ eyebrows draw together, a flash of panic and sadness in her gaze. I don’t like it one fucking bit and want the smile and happiness immediately back on her face.
Gregory brings the SUV to a stop in front of the apartment building. I’m still taking off my seat belt when Tess throws the door open, shooting out of the backseat. “Bye!”
Fuck, this woman. I swear I’m going to throttle her.
Getting out of the SUV, I set after her in time to see her dart up the stairs. I take the steps two at a time and catch up to her around the second floor. “You could’ve taken the damn elevator,” I grumble.
“A little exercise never killed anyone.” Tess gives me a questioning look. “Don’t you have work to attend to?”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” I grit out from between my teeth.
On the fourth floor, Tess stops in front of a door. “What work?”
I gesture for her to open, and letting out an irritated huff, she obeys. I follow her into her home and glance around the living space.
It’s not what I expected. It feels cozy but not cluttered. The same peaceful feeling I got at the park drifts around me. The only colors are white and blue, giving it a Mediterranean vibe.
Tess sets the box and backpack down on the table then turns to me with a raised eyebrow.