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"She's going to make us late," he whispered to his son "Do you think your mom's ready yet?"

"I am"

Chase looked up, his features pulling tight Oh, God, he thought Hoas he supposed to ignore that! Hell, he knew Tessa was beautiful And he always saw her in sort of a dainty and seductive way But this? This was eye-popping glamour Electric blue crimped silk framed her face like a hood, almost as if the stiff fabric never touched her hair, her skin It rippled crisply at her throat to offer only a gliolden skin, the airy folds wrapped like a robe and hiding her curves A satin sash roped her tri, the frothy cuffs shieldingandin stockings and her tiny feet inshoes He wondered what the hell she had on under it Yet her hair, styled in a chignon, the wisps falling loosely around her face, brought his attention, any reen eyes

She looked like a chic black cat in a cocoon of blue

She evoked sex Pure and raw, and Chase felt the reaction down to his ankles He didn't even feel Celeste take his son until he was gone Chase kissed his boy one last time, then nodded to Tessa

"Ready?"

"Yes Definitely"

A spear of regret drove into his chest She was ready to get this over with, he thought, wrapping himself in his hurt

"Shall we?" she prompted, and Chase frowned into her smile

Tessa felt her spirits lift a tiny fraction He couldn't mask his desire for her even if he despised her She kissed her son, gave last-minute instructions, then proceeded out the door

Chase was a few steps behind her, watching her walk and telling himself he shouldn't be so intoxicated by the shoosh of fabric beneath the crisp silk He opened the door and she brushed against him as she slid into the seat Chase cursed hi and slammed the car door

Tessa ju hiine

"Are you okay?"

She laid a hand on his forearhten

Hell no, he wasn't okay He wanted to take her in his arht out of her He wanted to rip that coat off and see as beneath, but mostly he wanted the crowd in his trousers to leave