Wicked as Lies (Wicked & Devoted 3)

“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 mowed the yard while Tessa cleaned the house, as they fixed a simple dinner and talked about their favorite movies. The question wasn’t going away, and Zy couldn’t stop fixating. Was there any chance she was ready to try something more than friendship with him? Hell, was he ready to try with her, despite everything?

Honestly, he didn’t know.

After dinner, they were flipping between streaming services, looking for a movie they could both agree on, when he heard shuffling on the front porch. Then someone beat on the door.

Zy stood with a frown. “You expecting any packages?”

“No.”

Fuck. “Let me answer it.”

“I live here, and it might be nothing.”

“It might be something, too.”

“Tessa!” the male voice called from the front porch. “Open up, babe. I didn’t mean to get mad last time. I’m so fucking sorry. Let’s talk it out.”

Son of a bitch. “Cash?”

“Yeah.” She bit her lip. “He sounds drunk.”

He did, goddamn it.

“Go away!” she shouted through the door. “I have a restraining order against you, and you’re violating it.”

“Babe, you don’t need that. I would never hurt you. I lost my temper and I’m sorry. Open up so we can talk?”

Zy shook his head. “Grab your phone and the baby and lock yourself in the bedroom. I’m going to have a chat with this asshole.”

She shook her head. “You’re only going to make matters worse.”

“I’m going to make him go away, but I want you two safe.”

“Tessa!” Cash bellowed.

“He’s going to wake the neighbors,” she hissed.

Zy scowled. “Do you want to see him?”

“No, especially not when he’s drunk. But if he keeps the neighbors awake—”

“It’s a Friday night, and if anyone calls the police, they won’t arrest him. So if you let him in, you might need force to get him out.”

“In other words, I’ll need you…and you might be the one who gets arrested.” Tessa sighed like she was between a rock and a hard place and she knew it. “All right.”

She scooped the baby up from her activity mat. Hallie fussed a little, but Tessa disappeared with her phone and her daughter behind the closed door. Then he hauled ass to retrieve his Glock in his duffel—just in case. As he tucked it into the pocket of his sweatpants, he flipped on the porch light, then yanked the door open.