What happens when the siren becomes the tempted?
College student Tess Burke is on the verge of eviction. Her life changed when her dad was in a bad car accident. He’s been in the hospital for months and making little progress. Desperation is setting in. They’re about to lose everything.
Successful architect Chase Carlisle has made a name for himself among the rich and famous. His work keeps him busy, leaving little time for a social life. When an old family friend contacts him and asks him to care for his vibrant, sassy daughter, Chase feels obligated to take her in; Patrick Burke had helped him when he was a troubled teenager, heading down a path of destruction. If not for Pat, Chase would have never become the man he is today.
The wild child turns Chase’s world upside down, tempting him in ways he can’t resist. The sexy younger woman shows him what he’s been missing the past few years. Their attraction is obvious from the beginning despite Chase’s apprehension to getting involved with Pat’s daughter. Tess wears him down but gets caught in her own trap when she becomes the object of his deepest, darkest desires.
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As
you have read and heard many times, reviews are the personal opinions of the
reader. The reason I state this now is because Tessa’s Temptation is one
of the few times I have to openly disagree with the synopsis that I was
given. I read it and had a picture in my mind of how the characters were
going to appear. The more I read the more I felt I had strongly misjudged them
going into the book just by the synopsis.
Tessa
Burke wasn’t given an easy ride in life. Now in her early twenties she
has survived her mother issues, her father is in the hospital not recovering
from an accident like they expected, money issues are at an all-time high and
she is trying to carry on with her own life while handling the out of control
issues she didn’t even create. I found her to be a strong and determined
young woman who never had a chance to be a wild child. I think if you
look at the big picture this girl had every right to rebel or be sassy, but she
never lost her view of what was important. Sure she had the sexual feelings and
desires that other women that age had and face it when you are in the arms of
Chase Carlisle, who could blame her but the synopsis said she was wild child, I
saw her more as a woman who has learned to use her sassy ways as a mean of
survival and this is the first time she has been placed in a role of not
needing to take care of everything so she was letting Chase see the real
her.
The
second issue I had with the synopsis was when it said Chase felt “obligated” to
help Tessa’s dad when he requested that Chase take Tessa with him and care for
her. Chase was a troubled teen, it was Tessa’s dad who took him in for
three years and guided him back to a successful path in life. Now as a
successful architect he has the means to give back to Patrick Burke and I never
once felt he was obligated but more honored that Patrick trusted him enough to
request his help. I also respected that Chase had genuine feelings for
Tessa and didn’t make her feel like a payback project. It was clear that
little beauty was turning him on but he couldn’t get past the age difference
and really while growing up she was more of a little sister than future
lover. Balancing out his commitment to Patrick and his desire for Tessa,
the author gave us a great story about Chase and his struggle to do the right
thing.
So
let me not lead you astray here, yes they are attracted to each other and there
are plenty of times Chase’s dilemma of right and wrong didn’t enter the
picture. Meaning there are some great passion filled scenes here between
the two. You also get to be exposed to a psycho, I mean what is a story without
a crazy woman trying to cause problems and giving you someone to hate. Over all
the part of the story that had my heart was watching Tessa and Chase step out
of the shadows of the past and explore who they are meant to be as individuals
and as a couple. The coming together of these two under the most
stressful of situations is what made this story begin, but watching those two
navigate through the ups and downs trying to find their own kind of balance is
what made me put this book in my reread categories. I felt the book was
well written, smooth reading and gives you a range of emotions that will keep
you invested in the story.
“I
wanted to talk about last night.”
“What
about it?” Tess turned to look at him, her auburn locks blowing in the light
breeze that danced through the porch.
“Tessa,
about that kiss…” Chase stared out at the property. “I’m sending all these mixed
vibes. I’m never this indecisive.” He was used to taking what he wanted and
worrying about consequences later. With her, everything was different. She
threw him off balance and made him think about his every move.
“Don’t
worry about it. We both know we’re attracted to one another. It happened and
it’s not a big deal.”
“It
isn’t?” When had she become so mature? Why wasn’t she trying to convince him
that they should be together?
“Is
that what you wanted to tell me?”
“Not
really but if you’re okay with it...” He shook his head; the heat of her breath
had lingered on his lips for hours after that kiss. Every time he closed his
eyes he felt her sigh against his mouth. “I can’t forget about it. I know I
told you we couldn’t be together but none of my reasons make sense anymore. The
more time I spend with you the more I want you.”
“Are
you saying you want to be with me?”The look of vulnerability in her eyes scared
him. She put on a good act when it came to being tough but he knew the truth.
There was a sweetness; an innocence about her. One that told him she was still
a girl; still on the verge of becoming a woman – who needed to be loved,
respected and desired. God help him, but he wanted to be the man to show her
all of that, and give her the world.
“I
want to back away from you; I don’t want to let you in.” How much longer could
he fight her? Fight these baser instincts?
“Then
go.” The certainty in her eyes gave him clarity. This was her last attempt
where he was concerned.
“I
can’t, Tessa. Your pull is too strong.” He lowered his mouth to hers, focusing
on those forbidden lips. The devil did exist. She stood in front of him as the
flirtatious redhead who now consumed his mind, body and soul. “I can’t resist
your temptation anymore.”
“Then
don’t.”
“I’m
not sure I’m the right man for you.”
“Why
can’t you let me decide for myself?” She let out a frustrated breath. “I’ve
been making choices about my life for a long time. I don’t need you to do what
you think is best for me. That’s not helping either one of us. All you’re doing
is making both of us miss out on something wonderful.”
He
admired her spirit. That vibrant spirit and uninhibited determination. “I know
you’re capable of making your own choices.” He kissed a path to her ear.
“You’re capable of so many things. I want to be the man who helps you realize
all of your dreams.” He moved his mouth along her jaw and back to her lips. “I
can’t fight this anymore. I won’t.”
“It’s
about time.” She kissed him, sweeping her tongue inside his mouth. “We’ve been
doing nothing but wasting time,” she said when she finally stopped for a
breath.
“No,
we haven’t.” He took her face between his hands. “We have all the time in the
world. We can take everything slow. I want you Tessa, but after our explosive
chemistry in the study, I think moderation is in order.”
“Would
you be this controlled with anyone other than me?”
“No.”
That was the truth. Patience was not a virtue in his world.
“Then
why?”
“Because
I care about you. I don’t want to screw this up.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t
be so surprised. I’ve grown quite fond of you.” He kissed her softly. “I want
to do this right for a change.”
“You
don’t need to be so careful with me.”
“I
do. Trust me.” He stroked her soft cheek. “Why don’t you get some breakfast
while I shower?”
“I
could shower with you…” She grinned provocatively. “That might be fun.”
“Don’t
tempt me.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “When you’re ready we’ll go get
those pumpkins, maybe visit your dad and then stop somewhere for a late lunch.
How does that sound?”
“Like
a date?” She trailed her finger down his chest to his waistband. “I’d love to.”
“Perfect.”
He kissed her one more before pulling away. At this rate they’d never leave the
porch. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Are
you sure?” She gripped his biceps, pulling him back to her. “We could stay here
and just… get to know one another.”
Good
God, but she was a cheeky addiction!
“I
love your fearlessness but we’ll stick with my plan.” He tapped the tip of her
nose with his finger. “We’ll leave in an hour.”
“Fine,”
she huffed as she walked over to the porch swing. “I’ll be ready.”
He
laughed as he made his way into the house, dropping his mug off in the sink
before hurrying up the back staircase, taking two steps at a time. The faster
he showered, the sooner they could be together. Tessa was right, he had been
wasting time, but no more. Today was a new day, full of so many possibilities.
He
stripped out of his pajama bottoms and t-shirt while he waited for the water to
heat up in the large, master shower. Thoughts of her wet, soapy and naked with
him in the stall did nothing for his persistent erection. He stepped into the
shower and let the hot water flow over his tense muscles. The multiple shower
heads drenched his skin as the heavy steam filled the room. He closed his eyes
and let his mind disengage, but then the stall door opened.
***
Would
you stay up to read the next chapter? lol
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
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