Bree thought about it. This woman wanted to leave everything except Tahoe behind for a while. Bree could appreciate that. She looked at Tess and nodded.
“You’ve got a deal. It’s just you and me for this week. And those two.” Bree tilted her head toward the cats. “I’m here for the same reason, to get away from it all, to leave my own real-world baggage behind for a little while too. Afterward, we go our separate ways, so there’s no reason not to relax and just be yourself.” Then she decided to offer a corollary—she wasn’t going to let Tess make all the rules. “What happens in Tahoe stays in Tahoe.”
Although she’d suggested it, Bree had no intention of needing that rule. Her heart was in no place to pursue anything with a stranger.
Tess raised her eyebrows, but she also nodded in agreement. “That’s a given, but it’ll only be boring on my end. It’s just me and my book going to the beach today.”
“Well, that kind of deviant activity certainly sounds like it needs to stay in Tahoe, and it also sounds like an invitation to join you. And I bet the sand will be more comfortable for a nap than the couch.”
Tess was a challenge, but Bree had witnessed the entertaining woman buried beneath the layers. She’d seen the hints. And hadn’t she just decided there was no reason not to enjoy this week? They were going back to their separate lives after this.
“Well, I’d hate to be accused of denying you your beauty sleep.” The corners of Tess’s mouth offered an upward tilt that she was clearly trying to restrain.
“I think you’d miss me if I didn’t come too.” Bree leaned down and set the last of her egg in front of the cats in order to conceal her own smile.
“Undoubtedly,” Tess dryly replied.
“Well, now that you’ve twisted my arm, let me do the dishes because you cooked. Then I’ll get ready.”
Bree hoped that Tess’s willingness to have her come along meant this next week had a chance of being fun and not simply an escape from the boredom of Hank and Rachelle’s place. Bree just needed to find the best level of interaction with Tess that wouldn’t push her into that guarded persona.
Tess carried her empty plate and mug to the sink. “I’ll feed the ladies a little fish pâté and pack some food for our lunch.”
“Don’t forget to wear your bikini.” She probably shouldn’t tease Tess at all, but Bree couldn’t resist. She was learning thatTess could give it back if she’d just relax and let herself.
Tess gave her a hard look for a long moment, then shrugged as her lips twitched. “Oh, darn. I forgot to bring it, and I don’t think skinny-dipping’s allowed.” Tess drawled her response, and Bree smiled to herself. That was the side of Tess that she wanted to spend the week with.
Chapter Three
“So, are you denying yourself, or are you holding out until the prawns arrive?” Bree shoved the basket of bread across the restaurant table toward Tess. The day at the beach had proven fun. More fun than Tess could remember in ages, and now they were sharing dinner.
“Maybe a slice, but I’m partial to prawns. I rarely cook them at home because I don’t spend much time in the kitchen, but if I did, it would escalate the bonding with those two felines to a level that would make us conjoined triplets—they’d be glued to me.” Tess winced internally and hoped Bree didn’t ask questions about her cooking habits. She focused on buttering her slice of bread and took a bite.
“You cook a mean egg and make a wicked cucumber and tomato sandwich. No complaints from me.” Bree’s eyes were warm and sincere.
“I’ve got the feeling it wouldn’t be hard to please you when you’re hungry.” Tess took a second bite.
“Nobody’s ever accused me of being a challenge in the dining room.”
Tess wasn’t going to ask her about what room she might have been a challenge in. Bree was already igniting a dormant spark with just the comment. Tess finished her last bite of bread and then took a sip of wine so she wouldn’t have to look at her. There seemed to be no censoring the thoughts she was having. She usually didn’t have trouble maintaining better control. “Maybe I’ll have another slice of that bread. Delicious.”
Bree gave her an amused smile, as if she knew what Tess was thinking. “Why not? It’s vacation. No reason to deny ourselves.” She reached for a second slice too.
Yes, the day at the beach had been an excellent first full day of her break—relaxing, but not boring. Bree was great company, a good swimmer, and was in admirable physical shape. Tess had been living in a state of controlled personal interactions for a long time, but that didn’t mean that Bree, laughing and bantering in her swimsuit, hadn’t flared Tess’s suppressed feelings to life. She hadn’t felt this kind of desire for someone specific in a long time, not just physical, but the stirrings of something more.
Tess wasn’t sure what to think of this shift in herself. It lifted her spirits for the moment, and it depressed her when she looked ahead because Bree was just temporary, as was this entire stepping away from her real life.
Tess could let it upset her, or she could just enjoy the moment, let Bree fill the emptiness for the time being. There was no point in not having a good time this next week—she’d come here for that. She’d deal with any repercussions later, but how bad could they be? It was only seven days.
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Bree interrupted Tess’s ruminations.
“Have you ever been out on the lake in a paddlewheel boat? It’s heavenly—just water, mountains, and sky.”
“Is this an official inclusion of me in your plans?” Bree gave her an exaggerated eyebrow lift.
Tess took a moment. She hadn’t done this in a long time, whateverthiswas. “I could manage to make that work.” She made a point of adding a little huff so it would sound like she was making a huge sacrifice while she fought to suppress any sign of the shot of pleasure she felt. “If you insist.”
Bree waited, damn her. She was going to make Tess beg, andTess wasn’t sure she could. Bree watched her until Tess finally decided to attempt a stab at lighthearted.
