Chapter 220

Tessa’s POV

Joseph seemed genuinely confused by my question. It was as if it was the craziest thing he had ever heard, and I couldn’t figure out why he was so confused. It seemed like a normal question to ask, but his lips pursed, and his eyes narrowed as he choked, his head to the side.

“I already assumed that was the plan,” he finally said after a long pause.

Suddenly, it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. I was glad that he didn’t see our relationship ending or wanting to do any long-distance type thing. But at the same time, did I really want to live in the mountains? I mean that was the point of the trial run, to see if could live with him in the mountain village. But as time went forward, I wondered if that was truly what I wanted.

“Is that not what you want?” He then asked, surprising me.

“I want to be with you,” I told him honestly. “I don’t care where we are. As long as we are together.”

The smile that spread across his face was radiant. He wrapped me in his arms and lowered himself so he could brush his lips across mine.

“I’m happy as long as I’m with you,” he told me softly.

I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket, completely ruining our moment. I couldn’t help the groan that left my lips as I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

My mouth fell into a tight frown as I saw my father’s name flash across the screen. I quickly sent him to voicemail, not wanting to hear anything he had to say. After a second, my phone buzzed again, and this time Penny’s name flashed on my screen.

I rolled my eyes.

Honestly, if I didn’t answer my father’s call, what made them think I’d answer Penny’s? The thought was almost laughable, and I would have laughed if I wasn’t feeling so unsettled about the entire ordeal.

“Maybe you should answer it,” Joseph surprised me by saying as he glanced at my phone screen.

I shook my head and shoved my phone back into my pocket. “I don’t want to hear a thing they have to say right now. I need time to think about all this. It’s too much too soon.”

Joseph tucked a fallen strand of hair behind my ear and his touch alone sent a wave of tingles through my body and a warmth spread around my heart. I felt complete when I was with him, and I couldn’t imagine living my life without this man.

It’s a shame my father couldn’t see that and if he did, he didn’t care.

I helped Joseph clear out the rest of his office and put everything into boxes. He put on his cloak and a hat to cover his face along with some gloves; it made him look like a detective and I couldn’t help but tease him about it.

He shut my bantering up with a kiss and then together we carried all the stuff to Joseph’s car and put it in his trunk. It took a couple of trips, but we finally got all the stuff out of his office. I went with him until we reached Dean Miller’s office.

I waited outside while Joseph went inside to return his office key.

After a few minutes, he returned, and we went to his waiting car where we drove back to Joseph’s villa. There was a part of me that felt bad for leaving Ruby here to fend for herself and for ignoring my father and Penny. But then I remembered the harsh words my father said and that he attacked Joseph, and almost accidentally punched me in the process.

I shuddered at the memory, not wanting to think about it any further. If my father wanted to apologize, then I would be here. I just needed some time to cool down.

“What are you thinking about?” Joseph asked, peering at me occasionally as he continued to drive.

I shrugged.

My father, “I admitted. “I guess I’m just a little sad about what had happened.”

“Maybe you can talk with him tomorrow,” Joseph suggested as he reached over and took hold of my hand. “I’m sorry for my part in all of this.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I assured him. “My father was just overreacting. I’m sure it’ll blow over.”

Joseph squeezed my hand tighter, but he didn’t say anything.

When we reached his house, I helped him bring all his stuff inside before wrapping my arms around him and pulling him in for a kiss.

It was meant to be a quick kiss, but as our lips met, I knew I needed him more than anything. I was the one who deepened the kiss and pressed my body against his. He tightened his hold around my waist.

I parted my lips for him, and I felt his warm and soft tongue entering my mouth and exploring me curiously. My tongue twirled around his and it sent my heart into complete turmoil.

Our kiss went from sweetness to hunger in a matter of seconds. We kissed like we hadn’t seen each other in years, and we craved one another. I jumped and wrapped my legs around his waist as he walked with me toward his couch in the sitting room. We didn’t break our kiss once as he sat us down, I kept my legs wrapped around his waist and I found myself straddling him.

I felt his erection through his pants wanting to desperately break free and it made my entire body feel hot. I knew my face was probably red from blushing as he kissed down the nape of my neck, tugging at my shirt until my breast was exposed. I threw my head back and basked in the sensation of his tongue twirling around my supple nipples as I ground my hips against his.

I wanted him so badly that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to wait any longer. I saw the lust and desires in his eyes as he corked his brow at me as if he were reading my mind. He lifted my shirt over my head and threw it to the ground, making me laugh at how quickly he disposed of my shirt.

With one swift move, he unhooked my bra and fell to the ground couch beside him. I wanted him out of his shirt as well and while he was gazing at my topless body and running his fingers down my sides, I lifted his shirt over his head and threw it to the ground beside mine.

I used my hands to explore his torso, running my fingers across his amazing abs and feeling my body growing even hotter by the second. How could it be possible for this man to look that good? He was mouthwatering gorgeous, and I often felt as if I didn’t deserve him.

I leaned in for another kiss; he didn’t give me a chance to pull away before his tongue was in my mouth and he was exploring me with a heated passion. He nibbled and nipped at every corner of my body, positioning me on my back and on top of me as he explored me with his tongue and teeth.

I chuckled at the sensation until he reached my lower half. He quickly removed my pants and then slowly removed my panties with his teeth, letting a low growl escape his throat.

I threw my head back as his tongue teased me. I moaned and whimpered when I felt my building orgasm. He used his fingers to enter me as I continued his magic with his tongue.

“Joseph…” I breathed huskily as my orgasm slammed into me and I found myself shuddering as my body released my juices onto his tongue.

He continued to lap up my juices before trailing his kisses up my torso and taking my mouth for his own. Our kiss was hungry, and I wanted even more of him. I needed to feel him inside of me.

With his help, I managed to get his pants and boxers off and I wrapped my legs around his waist with him still on me. He slowly inserted himself into my core and I let out a deep and satisfied moan.

When I made love to Joseph, I felt whole at last. It was like he was a missing puzzle piece. He picked up speed and my entire body responded to him.

“Oh, god,” I gasped as another orgasm slammed into me.

Not before long he was releasing himself as well, moaning as his lips concurred mine.

We lay together on his couch for a long while. I never wanted to move from him. I felt safe and comfortable in his arms. I didn’t feel exposed being completely naked in the middle of his sitting room. I felt content and for once in a long time, I felt completely and utterly happy.

I buried my face in his chest and allowed myself to drift off to sleep.

By the time I woke up, the sun was completely down, and I had no idea what time it was. Joseph was still sound asleep and holding me. I used him as a body pillow and smiled up at his sleeping face.

I spotted my phone on the ground beside the couch, so I carefully grabbed it without moving too much, not wanting to wake him.

I was surprised that it was 2 am already.

Sighing, I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my texts. I was glad that no one other than Ruby texted me.

I then went into my emails and when I saw that Fable Magazine had emailed me, I opened that one first.

Hello, Tessa.

I’m sending you this email to congratulate you on your successful stories. Not only do our audience love your writing, but we at Fable Magazine can’t seem to get enough of your stories. Because of this, we would like to offer you a full-time position at your New York branch. If you are interested in the position, please respond to this email and we can get the application process started.

Once again, congratulations on your successful stories. I hope we get to work with you in person.

• Fable Magazine editing team.