Chapter 11 "Mesmerized"

Fox stared at the pink and white box, his features etched in a scowl. The thought of Teresa in the arms of a faceless man made him want to break something.

"Damn her, damn her to hell for tying me up in knots and then giving away to anyone what she denies me," he thought angrily.

Determined to get the answers he needed he barged into Teresa's room but before he could get a word out, she looked up and put a finger to her lip. Seeing Mathieu nestled in her arms, he let out a sigh and leaned against one wall, casually letting her know that he wasn't going to be put off. Teresa raised a brow but didn't reply. Ignoring his presence, she continued to hum softly under her breath as she rocked the baby to sleep. When Mathieu's breathing evened and his dark blue eyes closed, Teresa rose from the chair and went to put the baby in his crib. Fox shook his head and a startled Teresa looked at him questioningly. Fox thrust the pregnancy kit at her and Teresa's face paled. Without a word she shifted Mathieu's weight in her arms and left the room.

"So Teresa care to explain what this was doing in our bathroom?" Fox asked softly when Teresa walked back into the room.

Teresa moistened her lips nervously and plopped down on the bed. The thin straps of her nightie slipped across one honey toned shoulder, revealing the slope of one breast and Fox's breath caught in his throat.

"Fox I---" she began but was before she could continue he'd grabbed her forcibly by one arm and pulled her tight against him.

"You what Teresa? Don't know who your kid's father is? Or don't care? Is it Dylan? Was I right when I told you that you were giving him what you refused me?" he asked angrily, staring into her eyes with a mix of anger and jealousy.

Teresa looked so damn beautiful, all he wanted was to take her in his arms and put out the fire she had started. Even knowing that she carried some other man's child wasn't enough to quench the desire he felt for her and he doubted anything could. And that made him even angrier.

"How dare you? How dare you talk about me as if I were a cheap whore?" Teresa asked, her dark eyes flashing fire and her hands clenched at her sides.

"If the shoe fits…" Fox replied mockingly.

The force of the backhand she delivered had him stumbling back a few steps.

"I've told you before Fox, what I do and whom I do it with is none of your damn business," Teresa shouted, tears of fury sliding down her cheeks and her slender frame trembling with the force of her rage. She'd be damned if she'd confess the truth to Fox now.

"Get out," she ordered stonily, too proud to admit the truth to him after the hurtful things he'd shouted.

"I don't think so, princess," Fox replies recalling the nickname Dylan had referred to her as. "And seeing as how we're related anything you do is my business. Or how do you think Pops and Gramps are going to react to the news that Ethan's beloved widow is carrying another man's child so soon after my brother's death?" he added and Teresa lowered her eyes not sure what to reply.

"What's the matter baby, cat got your tongue?" he sneered and Teresa raised her head haughtily.

She was a Crane, dammit, and her family was one of the wealthiest in the state. She wouldn't let Fox bully her; it was bad enough that she'd let Ethan get away with treating her like garbage. She wouldn't let Fox get the best of her.

"Julian and Alistair don't run my life Fox and neither do you. I can do as I damn well please," she replied hotly.

Fox's eyes narrowed at the venom in her voice.

"That's right you can do as you please, can't you babe?" he murmured suggestively, cupping her chin in one hand and capturing her mouth in a hungry kiss.

Teresa tried to pull away but he was too strong and as he deepened the kiss her head began to spin and her senses began to reel.

"No, let me go," she yelled, furious with herself for giving in and angry at him for being able to set her on fire so damn easily.

"I can't," he shouted. "Do you thing I enjoy the effect you have on me? You're trouble lady, more trouble than your worth. And even knowing what a bitch you are and how miserable you made my brother I want you. Hell, not even the fact that you're carrying a bastard child makes me want you any less. You're like a poison in my blood and if I don't have you, I'm going to die," he replied tangling his hands in her dark hair so and pressing her mouth to his.

In spite of his harsh words, the kiss was gentle, persuasive and it was his tenderness that Teresa responded to. Whimpering with need, Teresa ran her hands through his hair, pressing her body tightly against his in a suggestive move that made Fox groan.

"Witch." Fox murmured huskily, leading her over to the bed and tumbling them both on it. Pulling her arms above her head, Fox held her captive as he slowly removed her nightie and slipping off his boxers.

"Delicious," he ground out, bending his head and taking one tight nipple in his mouth. Teresa let out a soft moan and clasped his head against her breasts. Fox laved her beaded nipples with his tongue until Teresa was nearly crazy with wanting.

"Fox," she murmured, shifting restlessly on the bed. Fox stared down at her, his eyes hard with desire.

"I'm going to make you want me so much Resa that every time another man touches you it will be me you will think of me," Fox promised, slipping a hand inside her bikini panties and stroking her warmth.

Not wanting her to make too much noise he muffled her cries with his mouth as he brought her to the edge. Teresa's body shook from the force of her climax but before she could recuperate, Fox had replaced his fingers with his mouth and Teresa let out a harsh moan at the sensations that rippled through her body. He suckled her gently; making her burn for him even more and when another climax rushed over her he smiled with ruthless satisfaction. He was so hard he hurt and when Teresa opened her eyes and stared at him coquettishly he grinned wickedly and spreading her slim thighs apart he slipped inside her and sent them both over the edge in one smooth thrust.

When she could speak, Teresa turned to Fox, guilt over the secret she was keeping weighing heavily on her.

"Fox there's something I have to tell you, something really important," she murmured staring at him intently and praying for his understanding.

A/N- Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter cause I sure had fun writing it. And don't forget to review. No reviews, no updates.