Free Tessa's Redemption by Josie Dennis Page B

blinked at him. He had never spoken of that first time, when he’d taken her against her will. She’d tried to say no, had sobbed and begged until his potent sensuality overwhelmed her. He had seemed unmoved, and it had taken all of her nerve to go to him a year and a half later when the promise of her marriage to Angel was dead and gone.
    “I don’t like to think of that time, Alex.”
    “I know.” He took her hand and she rose. He led her over to the settee and they sat. “Tell me of the child.”
    Pain stabbed at her. They’d never spoken of him. “I cannot.”
    “Please.” His eyes bore into hers. “Please, love.”
    She licked her lips and gave a nod. “He looked a bit like you.”
    He blinked rapidly, then nodded himself. “How you must have hated me then.”
    “No,” she admitted. “I thought of nothing but getting through the ordeal. He came early and was so small and sickly. As horrid as it is to admit, it is a blessing he did not live.”
    “Darling Tessa.” He pulled her close. “I regret everything that happened at my family’s estate. Everything that happened between you and Angel as well.” He kissed the top of her head. “I regret everything but finding you.”
    She leaned back and searched his face, seeing sincerity there. He was usually so smooth, so unruffled. This evening, however? This evening he wore an expression of concern she’d rarely glimpsed on his face before. Could he really regret all that happened to bring her to this?
    “I do not know what you wish me to say,” she admitted.
    He smiled that Alex smile and stroked her cheek. “Tell me you will no longer feel ashamed, Tessa. Not about the past and not about the present.”
    “How can I do such a thing?” She shook her head. “This is all very new to me.”
    “And to me,” he said softly and lost his smile.
    She stared at him for a beat. “You are very worldly, Alex.”
    “I have never had a woman live with me, Tessa.”
    Her mind boggled at that admission. “Never?”
    “Never.” Thankfully, he smiled again. “Nor the man that was very nearly that particular woman’s husband.”
    She laughed despite herself at his words. He brought his delicious mouth to hers, and she opened hers to taste him. Soon her pulse sang and her body trembled in his arms. The sound of throat clearing broke through to her, and Alex chuckled against her lips. He pulled away from her and she glimpsed Angel over his shoulder. Her heart tripped, and she feared she was indeed falling in love with him again.
    “Ah, dear Angel,” Alex said.
     

Chapter 9
    Angel looked from Alex to Tessa, almost seeing the invisible connection between them. He pushed aside his irritation when he glimpsed Tessa’s face.
    It was clear to him that she was upset. Her eyes looked moist and the tip of her nose was red. His stomach clenched and he hurried over to her. It would have been a close squeeze to insinuate himself beside her with Alex on the settee with her, so he simply fell to his knees before her and grasped her hand.
    “Tessa, what is it?”
    “Are you concerned with her now, Angel?” Alex asked.
    He glared at Alex and focused once more on Tessa. “Something is clearly wrong. Tell me.”
    She shook her head, but when she pulled away from Alex by increments, he allowed himself to feel a touch of satisfaction.
    “Alex and I were just talking, Angel. About the past.”
    He felt the blood drain from his head. “I was so wrong, Tessa. Last spring, when I—”
    “We spoke of earlier,” she cut in. “The time before.”
    In an instant he knew she spoke of Alex’s assault. And of the lost child. “Tessa, I…” He couldn’t form the words.
    “This doesn’t concern you, Angel,” Alex bit out.
    “Ah, but it does. In a fashion.”
    Tessa lifted her head to face him. “How?”
    He took in a breath. “When you told me of that, I only thought of myself,” he said, his throat thick. “I should have comforted you. Not condemned you.”
    “But