His Unveiled Passion

Stephen's palm slid downward, resting against Tessa's slender neck.

He lowered his head and looked at her. There was barely any distance between them, allowing their breaths to mingle intimately. He murmured huskily, "What shouldn't I do?"

"You know what I'm getting at," Tessa whispered.

He tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his deep gaze. "I want to hear you say it."

His eyes were as deep as the ocean, threatening to drown her in their bottomless depths.

Tessa pursed her lips and finally said, "You shouldn't worry that I'd fall for someone else."

Stephen chuckled softly. His austere features softening slightly at his joy.

Then, he asked her, "Are you worried that I'll fall in love with someone else?"

She had indeed been worried about it, but that was before Marissa had returned to the country.

Still, she shook her head and told a bald-faced lie, "Never."

Stephen's long fingers pinched her cheeks gently, creating dimples on both sides of her face.

"I find myself disliking that answer. Try again," he drawled playfully.

Tessa stared at him wordlessly. Then, she turned her head away, only for Stephen to turn it back.

Finally, she conceded defeat, answering honestly, "Fine, I was worried about that. I even got jealous. Are you happy now?"

Stephen grinned at her, clearly pleased with her admission. He leaned in and kissed her yet again.

It was a forceful kiss. He pried her lips open with his tongue, slotting their lips together in an intimate dance.

Tessa felt as though he was stealing the very oxygen from her lungs. Soon, she felt herself turning weak in the knees.

The kiss was filled with passion and desire.

It didn't take long for their breathing to grow rapid in their need for one another.

The passion between them grew as they entangled themselves in each other's embrace.

Tessa could feel her blood heating, every caress alighting her nerves.

A deep longing stirred within her, making her unable to do anything but succumb to him.

She was breathless from his kiss, and she soon braced herself against his chest as if to push him away.

Alas, there was no stopping this.

Things were about to spiral out of control.

Tessa found herself a breath away from drowning. So, she panted his name in between gasps, trying to get him to stop. "Stephen..."

Unfortunately for her, he didn't stop kissing her. He knew full well just what she was implying. Yet, he still asked, "What's the matter?"

Before she could get a word in, his lips were on hers once more.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

The couple stiffened at the interruption.

Tessa had no idea whether she should thank whoever it was for saving her or curse them for being a buzzkill.

She exhaled and smoothed out her dishevelled hair. "I'll get the door."

Stephen's dark eyes were still filled with desire, so Tessa couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. Instead, she hastily shuffled toward the door.

When she got to the intercom, she saw that Marianne's face had appeared on the screen. "Tessa, are you home?"

Tessa immediately spun around to look at Stephen, urgently signaling for him to hide.

Stephen remained standing right in his spot. He regarded Tessa languidly as his lips curled into a smirk.

Tessa had no choice but to say into the intercom, "Ms. Connors, give me a moment."

Once she said that, she dashed toward Stephen and started pushing him to her bedroom.

"Ms. Connors is here. You should hide in the bedroom," she whispered urgently as she herded him in there.

The way she was behaving was akin to unfaithful husbands who were trying their damndest to hide their lovers from their wives.

Stephen let her push him along. Unlike Tessa's frantic urgency, he looked utterly amused by the turn of events. However, he did saunter into the bedroom without any protest.

Once he was inside, Tessa stood at the door with one hand on the

doorknob. The door was still

half-open, so she poked her head in and blurted hurriedly, "I'm sorry Just hide in here for a bit, and don't you dare make a sound."

Stephen said nothing, but his gaze never left her face.

Frankly, he looked utterly pitiful like that.

As such, Tessa forced herself to look away and shut the door with a click.

Then, she walked to the front door, inhaled deeply to steady herself, and opened the door for Marianne.

When the door swung open, she saw

Marianne holding a thermos with a genial smile on her face. "Tessa, I called you earlier, but you didn't answer. Have you eaten? I made you your favorites-chicken soup and some peppered shrimp."

Tessa stepped aside to let her in, saying, "I haven't eaten just yet. I was busy

earlier and probably missed the call because my phone was on silent."

To be fair, she wasn't exactly lying because she was indeed busy earlier.

Marianne walked in and placed the thermos on the dining table.

She opened it up and began to serve the dishes. "I understand you're busy, but you should still remember to eat."

Tessa hummed in agreement before saying, "Thank you, Ms. Connors."

"This is nothing. Besides, I've got nothing better to do, so I figured I should drop by and visit you."

Once she was done serving the dishes, she handed Tessa a set of cutlery. "Eat while the dishes are still warm."

"Alright." Tessa pulled out a chair and sat down at the table.

She drank the soup in small sips.

"Why is your face so red?" Marianne asked out of nowhere.

Tessa, who had been drinking her soup, choked at the question.

"Be careful now," Marianne said gently.

Then, she approached Tessa and reached out to feel her forehead. "You're a little warmer than you should be. Do you have a fever? Why don't I take you to the hospital?"

A flicker of discomfort and awkwardness appeared on Tessa's face before she murmured, "I'm fine. I don't have a fever."

Marianne regarded her oddly and questioned, "Then, why does your face look so

red and feel so hot? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"noveldrama

Tessa instinctively reached up to feel her face.

It was rather warm. Still, was it really that red?

She thought to herself, "It's all Stephen's fault for kissing me so passionately."

"I'm fine," she replied, having her soup.

Marianne looked worried. "Where's your thermometer? You do have one, yes? Let's check your temperature just in case. You live alone and don't have anyone to look after you. Who's going to take care of you if you get sick? I should hire a housekeeper for you."

"It's fine, Ms. Connors. Wynn lives with me," Tessa responded.

Marianne was far from reassured.

"I admit that Wynn's very capable. Your father and I have complete faith in her as your protection detail. However, her expertise does not lie in caring for your household needs. You should hire a housekeeper."

Tessa soothed her, saying, "I've hired someone to cook my meals. She usually comes over when it's time for my meals. She's out buying groceries at the

moment and should be back soon."

Tessa wasn't lying.

Michelle would come by every day to cook for her unless Tessa had other plans

that day. It was currently around 11:00 am, so it was a perfectly acceptable time to go on a grocery run.

Just as they were speaking, the door swung open, and in came Michelle with her purchase. She froze slightly at the sight of Marianne.

Tessa introduced them to each other. "This is my stepmother, Marianne Connors."

Michelle hastily greeted Marianne, blurting, "Good day, Mrs. Yates."

Marianne responded politely, "Well met."