Page 39 of Tempting Tessa

“This is seriously the best food I’ve ever had in my mouth,” Nat moans, closing her eyes as she savors another bite. “Almost as good as I bet Matteo is.”

I nearly choke on my risotto. “Can you fucking not?”

“What?” she shrugs, reaching for her wineglass. “We’re going to talk about it eventually. Might as well be now while we’re enjoying his five-star bribery.”

I take a long sip of wine, desperately wishing it were something stronger. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, please.” Nat rolls her eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out of her head. “You fucked him. You’ve been walking funny for days. And now he’s sending you food and mystery packages.” She nods toward the couch where I stashed the black-wrapped gift. “So spill.”

“It was a one-time thing,” I mutter, stabbing another forkful of food.

“Clearly not to him.” She gestures around at the feast spread across my coffee table. “This is not ‘thanks for the fuck’ behavior, T. This is ‘I want to own your pussy’ behavior.”

My face heats, remembering how Matteo growled those exact words against my neck while his fingers were buried inside me. “It’s complicated.”

“Because he’s your dad’s best friend?” She raises an eyebrow. “That’s not complicated, that’s hot.”

“It’s weird,” I insist, setting my plate down harder than necessary. “He used to come to my birthday parties when I was a kid.”

“So? You’re not a kid anymore.” Nat leans back, studying me with that too-perceptive gaze of hers. “Look, is it weird that he knew you when you were young? Sure. But it’s not like he was perving on you when you were sixteen. You’re twenty-three, Tessa. A grown-ass woman building a sex toy empire.”

“That doesn’t make it less weird.”

“Is it, though?” She tilts her head. “You’ve always had a thing for older guys. Remember that professor you fucked in college? The one with the salt and pepper beard who had to be at least forty?”

“That was different.” But even as I say it, I know it’s bullshit.

“Remember your dad’s Christmas party two years ago? You practically drooled every time Matteo walked into the room.” She leans forward, eyes sparkling. “I saw you watching him when he took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Your nipples could’ve cut glass.”

“Jesus Christ, Nat!” I throw a napkin at her, which she dodges easily.

“Look, I’m just saying your dad can’t say fuck all about this.” She takes another bite, moaning dramatically at the taste. “He’s literally married to your brand designer who’s the same age as us.”

I freeze with my fork halfway to my mouth. “That’s…different.”

“How?” she leans forward, her expression suddenly serious. “Unless the dick is bad? Is the dick bad, T?”

“The dick is not—” I start, then stop, memories of Matteo’s cock stretching me open flooding my mind. The way he filled me so completely I could barely breathe. How sore I was the next day, in the best possible way.

“Oh my god.” Nat’s eyes widen. “The dick is GOOD. Like, really good.”

I bury my face in my hands. “It’s fucking spectacular, okay? Like, pornstar dick. But that’s not the point.”

“That’s exactly the point!” She slaps the couch cushion. “You’re getting god-tier dick from a man who clearly worships the ground you walk on, and you’re sitting here acting like nerdy Ned won’t leave you alone.”

Before I can respond—not that I was planning to—the intercom rings.

I press the speaker button. “Hello?”

“Ms. Gallo?” It’s the doorman from downstairs. “There’s another delivery for you. Different driver this time.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter. I’m about to tell him to send the guy away when Nat literally dives across the couch, snatching the phone from my hand.

“Yes! Send him up right away,” she chirps, then hangs up before I can protest.

“What the fuck, Nat?” I try to grab the phone back, but she’s already dancing out of reach.

“Oh, come on, aren’t you even a little curious?” She’s practically bouncing with excitement. “The first delivery was food. The second is probably something dirty.”