Wicked as Lies (Wicked & Devoted #3) - Shayla Black Page 0,27

explained a lot. “Well, you’re a great guy. Some lucky woman will snap you up soon.”

Already she was dreading the moment she heard he was dating. His girlfriend would be gorgeous, fit in those clingy Lycra dresses Tessa used to love. She’d probably look both classy and bad-assy in a pair of killer stilettos—and she wouldn’t have the responsibility of another man’s child.

“Not looking for that. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m looking for.” He stood abruptly. “I think I’m going to, um…take a shower.”

Had she said something that upset him? “Okay. I’ll feed Hallie, then. She’ll probably be done when you are.”

“Sounds good.” He nodded her way.

Why was he staring at her? What was running through his head?

Tessa didn’t see anything that looked like an answer cross his face before he wrenched his gaze from her and strode down the hall. Then he unzipped his duffel and shut himself in the bathroom. She hated to admit it…but she already missed him.

Seconds slid into minutes, and Hallie finished grazing. Tessa worked a final burp out of her, then set the baby on her activity mat for some color and texture stimulation while she made a cup of chamomile tea.

Through the thin walls, she heard water pelting the tile in the adjacent bathroom. Hopefully, the warm water would loosen up his neck after sleeping on it cockeyed all night. She tried not to think of anything else that might be stiff, too. If she did, she’d just picture him naked on the other side of the door and go hot all over.

God, what was happening with her hormones?

Shaking her head, she scrounged up a mug and a tea bag, then pressed the button to dispense hot water. As it filled, she approached the bathroom to ask if he’d like a mug, too. But when she raised her hand to knock, his voice stopped her.

“Fuck,” he groaned low. Dirty. “Yes. That’s it…”

Tessa froze. What was he— No. Surely he wasn’t. He wouldn’t, right?

Why not? He’s a healthy male with the sex drive to match, and you’re not giving him any.

“Oh… So sexy. Fuck, yesss,” he growled.

Tessa could picture him in the small shower with his back to the spray, his big, muscled body taking up most of the space as he worked his soapy hand over his erection. He’d stimulate himself with a savage grip until his body tensed, until a crease formed between his nearly black brows as his face went taut while he fought the pleasure. As he stroked himself faster and faster, right up to the edge of ecstasy.

What was he thinking about? Who was he thinking about?

Her, by any chance?

Suddenly, Zy let loose another low, rough groan. “Tess!”

A stuttering grunt full of ecstasy followed his hoarse cry. It made her shiver. It made her wet.

And knowing he wanted her made her ache for things she shouldn’t.

When he finally switched off the faucet and let out a long sigh, Tessa backed away, into the kitchen. She lifted her tea with a trembling hand. In minutes, he’d walk out that door. How was she going to look him in the eye without remembering what he sounded like in pleasure? How was she going to forget that she’d heard him in climax? And how was she going to live with the knowledge that, when he’d succumbed to orgasm, he’d imagined her?

Zy tossed on the little sofa. He was fucking tired, but sleep wasn’t happening. Not only was his neck cramping like a bitch from his stint in the glider the other night, but Tessa had his cock aching.

The memory of her bathed in soft light, her breast exposed, sent his blood heating and jetting south. Jesus, everything about that moment confused him, just like everything about the woman aroused him. No amount of trying to forget her or masturbate her out of his system was working.

It wasn’t just because she was pretty. He liked spending time with her, laughing with her, helping her. He liked that when he was with her, he felt like he was at home.

Fuck, he was falling for her and he had no idea what to do, because she was absolutely off-limits.

When he awoke the next morning, he felt exactly the same. His first thought was of Tessa. Was she all right? Had she thought of him, too? Sometimes she seemed interested, but were those her hormones talking…or something more?

Wondering plagued him all day—as they took Hallie back to daycare for another few hours, as he