Tess blinked a few times. Where was Bree going with this?
“Get your mind off that track,” Bree said. “I was thinking that was one you could teach me. I’ve never learned to properly sleep in a bed with a cat. The Purrfessor would tell you that he thinks I should have turned the pillow over to him when I was staying at Hank’s.”
“A pillow hog. I don’t think there’s any cure for that.” Tess made a point of shaking her head as the fun of teasing Bree left her feeling happy for now.
“Sure there is. You just have to figure out ways to take your mind off the pillow.”
“Now you’re trying to put my mind onthattrack.” Tess’s thoughts shifted to those memories of that night in bed with Bree that she was supposed to have left in Tahoe. The throbbing between her thighs only intensified. No wonder you were supposed to leave one-night stands behind. And you certainly shouldn’t keep torturing yourself by repeated encounters and ending up in a slow dance lesson with that woman.
“You know I wouldn’t dream of putting your mind on sex.” Bree’s darkened hungry eyes said the opposite.
Tess couldn’t suppress her chuckle. Bree radiated sexuality. But it wasn’t just that. There was so much more. Tess also couldn’t suppress the growing sense of both their increasing emotional bond and the dread she felt—the two were so intricately linked.
She took a breath and pulled Bree close in a prolonged hug as they swayed to the love song that was now playing. Maybe it was just the setting, their proximity, the words to that song promising thatlove wins outthat had Tess caught in this mood. Not that it was love she was trying to navigate. She wasn’t good at that anyway.
“It’s been the best day,” Bree said, “but I’m starting to feel the hour. I think it’s after ten. I’m blaming a day in the fresh airand that prune-laced dessert for making me act like an old lady.” Bree stifled a yawn. “How are you doing?”
Tess sensed that maybe Bree wanted to politely shut the evening down. It hurt, but she had too much pride to let her feelings show. “I’m loving this dance lesson, but I’m feeling the full day too. Thanks so much for coming with me today. I know you’re trying to focus on all the changes in your life, so I really appreciate that you made my raffle prize win so memorable.”
“Tess…” Bree’s voice trailed off as she seemed to wrestle with her thoughts.
“It’s fine. It’s been such a great day.”
Bree pulled her in closer and rocked them in unison. “Are you listening to this song?”
Tess had been too wrapped up in her own thoughts to pay close attention to the lyrics of what they were currently dancing to. She listened as the last line of the last refrain crooned from the speaker.There’s no quitting on us, baby. There was thatbabyagain, and it hit her that she really wanted to be Bree’s baby tonight. Her body ached for it. She’d already decided she’d face the reset later. Forget tomorrow, and she’d deal with the fallout later too.
As the dance ended, Bree gently kissed Tess, then took her hand as they went to collect their belongings and head out.
Walking into the night with their fingers laced together, Bree realized that she could picture their lives intertwined. She knew deep down in her bones that Tess was nothing like Cora. Today with Tess had felt so right. She certainly didn’t seem to be able to just walk away. She didn’t want to.
There was no manipulating her heart, and it was telling herthat she wanted to try to add Tess into the mix of her life. She had no doubt that Tess would support and help her in making this move to Corazon Cove be the best it could be. She’d probably even been a fool for thinking that she could succeed at the new life she wanted without considering what would heal her heart, and that heart was having a say—she needed to try for a future with Tess.
That revelation forced a decision. As she’d assured Ned she would, she would tell him that she could no longer withhold her role from Tess. The time she had anticipated had arrived. She would no longer leave her relationship with Tess in limbo, and she needed the right to be fully open with her. As Bree prayed this would all work out, she felt lighter than she had in a long time.
Tess dropped Bree’s hand when they reached her car and then used her body to press Bree back against her passenger door.
“Remember that barbecue at Flo and Fred’s place?” Tess asked.
Bree nodded.
“The chocolate cake we shared?”
Bree nodded again. She knew that her own expression suggested she knew where this was going, that she wanted this too. She needed Tess to know that she wanted her.
“The chocolate cake consumption statute you warned me about, and the kiss I owe you?” Tess purred.
Bree locked her gaze on Tess’s darkening eyes, then lowered her scrutiny to Tess’s full pink lips. She hadn’t dared define what she was feeling for Tess, but she knew she was committed to clearing the way to do just that. A declaration to Ned, an explanation to Tess, and then if Tess still wanted her…
“I remember. The best fucking kiss.”
“The best fucking kissever. Delivered tonight.” Tess closedthose dilated eyes and nodded one last time.
Bree heard herself moan and reminded herself that they’d agreed to this at the barbecue. It would just be a kiss, a kiss that could go no farther than that tonight. Just the best fucking kiss ever shared with this woman she was developing deep feelings for.
It started out as a mixing of breath and brushing of skin. Then Tess placed her hands at the curve of Bree’s jaw and kissed her eyelids. Tess’s tongue parted Bree’s lips, and Bree opened up as she welcomed Tess into her mouth. It became a deep, shared merging, both of them probing and tasting. It deepened to hungry exploration as they barely allowed themselves a chance to come up for air. Bree worked her way across Tess’s cheek and burrowed her face in the warm curve where Tess’s neck met her shoulder.
Tess cradled Bree in close and slid her hands between them. She cupped Bree’s breasts before she rubbed Bree’s aroused nipples through the fabric that covered them. Bree could feel even more moisture pooling between her legs. Tess held her steady as they sampled and teased and narrowed each other’s worlds down to this shared moment in a darkened parking lot.
