Groaning through the pleasure, I fought to stay upright. Heaving in air, I slapped a hand to the tiles and tipped my head under the hot water. Every muscle in my body was relaxed.

That. That’s what I needed.

My fingers curled around the wet lace. Too bad I couldn’t let myself have the real thing.

9. Tessa

Chapter 9

Tessa

I stayed snuggled in bed, arms wrapped around my pillow. I knew my alarm would go off soon, but I loved lying in bed, dozing, and enjoying being warm and cozy. I’d set the alarm for earlier than normal. There was no way I was being late today.

But right at this moment, there were no worries, no pressing things to do, no insanely attractive and demanding billionaire bosses to deal with.

My traitorous mind served up a memory of strong fingers stroking between my legs, a firm tongue circling my clit…

Something tickled my face and my eyes flew open. What the hell?

My cousin Caleb leaned over me, his cute face two inches from mine. He had blond hair shades darker than his sister.

“Caleb.” I really needed to get my key back from the kids.

“Morning, Tessa.”

I rolled onto my back, my blissful doze and X-rated daydream evaporating. “What are you doing here?”

“I really, really want pancakes and Leo won’t make them for me.” He pouted. “I’m not allowed to use the stove.”

Swallowing a groan, I snagged Caleb’s sturdy body and yanked him onto the bed. He let out a half yelp, half laugh.

“I demand a cuddle.”

“Noooo.” He grinned at me, showing off his two huge front teeth he hadn’t grown into yet.

“Yes.” I wrestled him. “Give your cousin a big, morning hug.”

He squirmed and giggled. “I need pancakes.”

“I didn’t hear the magic word.”

“Please, Tessa.” He fluttered his eyelashes at me.

I kissed his nose. “I don’t have time to make them, my gorgeous little man, because I have to get to work. But I have time to bug your brother into making them.”

A pleased, slightly evil grin crossed Caleb’s face. “Okay.”

Shaking my head, I let him go. “I need to shower and change. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

By the time I took a lightning-fast shower, then slipped into a fitted, gray dress that I always thought looked stylish and professional, I didn’t have much time. I managed some light makeup and put my hair in a ponytail.

When I entered my living room, I found Leo sprawled on my couch watching TV, Haley snuggled up beside him cuddling Simba, and Caleb working on one of the jigsaw puzzles I kept on the bookshelf. There were pieces spread all over my rug.

At least it wasn’t Legos.