Page 50 of Tension

I blinked. “Damn. That’s how you feel?”

Alana choked on a laugh. “Oh, I like her.”

“I like her, too,” Dom said, raising his glass to Chris. “But nah, Vel was a whole mess. Our dad almost disowned him twice.”

“Your parents are still together?” Chris asked, eyebrows raised like she’d just spotted a unicorn.

Dom nodded. “Yeah. Thirty-eight years this November.”

Chris turned to me, surprised. “Seriously?”

“What?” I asked. “You thought I was a feral stray raised by wolves?”

She gave me that slow, teasing grin. “I mean…”

Dominic leaned in, tone shifting. “We got lucky. Our dad taught us what showing up really looked like. How to be a loving man who takes care of what's important.” He looked at his wife, who looked back with loving eyes.

Chris’s smile softened. Her eyes flicked to me. “I can see that. Vel always shows up for me. Even when he has company. And he has company a lot.”

I lightly waved a finger through one of her small curls. “I prefer your company.”

She rolled her eyes like she thought I was playing, but I could see the thoughts running through her head.

I reluctantly pulled myself away, then looked directly at her.

“I know how to treat a woman,” I said. “I just haven’t met the one who deserves all of it.” I paused, then scanned her body, slow and deliberate. “I like to be sure. I like to be clear about what I want.”

Chris’s breath hitched as she reached for her water. She tried to play it off, but I caught it. Alana looked between us, grinning, obviously entertained. Dom raised an eyebrow, already clocking the vibe. I knew a conversation with him was coming.

I let my hand drift under the table, landing on her knee. She tensed, just for a second... then melted into it. I slid my thumb slowly up the inside of her thigh. She kept her eyes on the menu, using it to hide her face as Alana started talking again.

I felt the heat rolling off Chris, pulling me closer.

I leaned in, lips grazing her ear. “You good?”

She parted her lips slightly. Nodding. “Yup.”

I grinned. Leaving my hand exactly where it was, just at her edge.

Alana cleared her throat. “So, Chris, what do you do?”

My finger brushed against her clit, through her panties. Chris straightened, took a breath, and lowered the menu.

“I’m a traveling NICU nurse,” she said, voice even but tighter.

I started moving with slow pressure, keeping my rhythm. She shifted slightly, barely, keeping a straight face, but opening her legs to give me more access.

Oh, she's good.

“I mostly work at the three hospitals near the Heights,” she continued. “Where Vel has his new gym.”

I pushed deeper. I watched the color rise in her cheeks.

She kept talking like nothing was happening. “Sometimes I take contracts in other cities. I like the freedom.”

She finished talking quickly, raised the menu again, and sank behind it as I felt her release through those thin silk panties.

Damn.