CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tessa checked the beef stew simmering on the stove, and after a taste, decided to add a bit more garlic. It was the first time she’d used cooking as a way to get out of her head and would certainly do it again when she returned to work. Although her own pantry was not as stacked as Locke’s.
It had been years since she’d made one of her grandmother’s recipes and the smell brought back a wealth of memories in a soothing and steadying way. And she needed it.
Images of what had happened in the gym less than an hour ago popped into her mind again. The men together were a sight to behold. Both of them so different—virile and hungry for each other. Tessa only realized after a while that she was touching herself. Lust had spiked so suddenly that it had taken her by surprise. But it was Locke who caught her attention; the way he possessed Gage, but more how he’d included her in their sex act without touching her, just with his stormy-sea stare. It made her burn even more, brighter.
When both men collapsed, she’d made a quick but unsteady exit, knowing that she needed to be by herself and cool down.
Their last meal was long gone, and as she didn’t want to return to her room, she decided to cook and mess up Locke’s pristine kitchen. Damn with his rules. Her brain wasn’t dealing well with having strict rules on one side and breaking all her moral rules on the other. Tessa had always had an open mind, but when the lust died down, it was difficult for her to see herself acting so wanton, with two men.
Also, before stepping inside the gym, she had heard Locke telling Gage about going to see Luther. And he hadn’t shared that bit of information with her, which was a breach on his promise. Or the deal they had together.
Ideas whirled in her head, and she was considering a few of them when she saw Locke coming into view. Dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black t-shirt, he matched the color scheme of his apartment. His dark hair was wet and sleeked back from a shower. He stopped when he saw her in his kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Mr. Cold was back. The question sounded a lot like an accusation, but as she had a few of her own, it didn’t bother her that much.
“Playing rugby. The team’s in the fridge if you wanna check.”
Her attempt at humor fell flat, as she expected. Tessa ignored him and went to the fridge. She had seen some fresh strawberries and intended to make a basic upside-down cake. If she wasn’t mistaken, she had seen some cream somewhere. As she was checking, someone rustled nearby.
“You don’t need to cook.”
Again, it wasn’t said with the tone of a host not wanting his guest to take on daily tasks.
“If I want to eat, I need to cook something. And as I have all this time on my hands…”
She rummaged through the cupboard and found a bowl big enough. The whisk was in one of the utensils drawers, and she found a square baking pan that would perfectly fit what she had in mind.
Ignoring the man that was now looming over her shoulder, she went to the pantry and grabbed some flour. It was so tempting to spill the contents on the clean floor of his perfect kitchen, but the move to annoy him would have been obvious.
In less than five minutes, his counter was filled with cooking implements and food, as well as being covered with spills. Getting the cutting board, Tessa started to slice the strawberries. Locke hadn’t moved from his angry stance less than five feet away.
“Is standing there with a snarl on your face your way of threatening me? Or is it to hide the fact that you went to see Luther without telling me?”
His silence was telling.
“I’m wondering what else you haven’t told me about that particular topic, as your latest disappearance is a sure sign you went to see him. Isn’t that a breach of our agreement, Mr.Locke?”
The man made a move to come closer, but she lifted her dripping knife toward him. “Not another step. I don’t need distractions, I need answers.” A few drops of strawberry juice fell to the floor. Tessa didn’t care, but Locke wasn’t happy about that, but he must have decided that taking care of it wasn’t his priority. So, he stepped back, and she returned to the task at hand.
“Start talking, Locke. And you'd better not leave anything out.”
“Or what?” The sarcasm in his voice wasn’t helping his case at all.
Tessa didn’t look up. If he wanted to play that game, she would play it harder and better. “Or else, this could be my thank you meal before I find another hideout until this whole nightmare is over.”
The calmer she remained, the more she could sense his energy rising, still he remained wisely out of her knife’s reach.
“We had a deal.”
Tessa nodded. “I agree. We had a deal, and I kept my part of it.
“You went into my office when I told you not to. That’s a breach too.”
Not bothering to react or ask how he knew, she continued slicing. “You told me I could make calls, tell the hospital I would be away for a while.”
His body tensed. “Not in my office. If you need my phone, you ask.”
