Crave (Splendor Book 2) (45 page)

“Oh, lighten up a bit, son,” Edward had chided. “Rodney wasn’t insulting or crude, for God’s sake. However, he did say that your very charming companion was - let’s see if I have this in the right order - ah, yes, blonde, beautiful, and busty.”

Ian’s jaw had tightened in displeasure. “There’s no denying that Tessa is blonde and very, very beautiful. And, ah, rather spectacularly endowed. But she’s also kind, warm, affectionate, unselfish, and I’m absolutely mad about her.”

There had been silence on the other end of the line for long moments, until Edward had replied in a rather awestruck voice, “My God, it’s finally happened, hasn’t it? You’ve fallen in love. Your mother and I feared we might not live to see that happy day. I’ll have to tell Joanna that sometimes prayer does work.”

Ian had had the good graces to laugh. “Has she been praying for me, then? I hadn’t realized she’d nearly given up hope. Well, you can assure Mother that yes, I am obsessively, completely in love with this girl and that both of you are going to love her, too.”

Edward’s tone had grown more serious at that point. “Rodney was also bubbling over with the revelation that your companion - er, Tessa, is it? - is quite a bit younger than you are. Is this true, Ian?”

Ian had sworn beneath his breath, cursing the weasily hotel manager for his loose lips. “It is, yes. And before you ask, Tessa is twenty-four, Father.”

There had been another lengthy pause before Edward had burst out laughing. “Christ, boy, you’ve been robbing the bloody cradle, haven’t you? Well, fortunately you’ve kept yourself in prime shape. You’ll need to be to keep up with your hot young blonde. Good for you, son. Might as well enjoy her for awhile.”

Ian hadn’t been in the least amused. “You don’t get it, Father,” he’d replied sternly. “I’m entirely, one hundred percent serious about this girl. She’s the love of my life, and I plan on keeping her with me for a very, very long time - as in forever.”

“Jesus.” Edward’s disbelief had been evident. “You’re really serious, aren’t you? This isn’t some wild, middle aged fling for you. You actually mean to marry the girl?”

“Not yet,” Ian had corrected. “It’s too soon for all that. She needs to get to know me better, and time to adjust living in our world. The last thing I want to do is overwhelm her. But in due time, yes, I mean to make her my wife. Tessa is most assuredly not a fling, as you so charmingly phrased it. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

There had been more silence on the other end, and this time when Edward spoke it was with an almost reverent tone. “Well, then. When do your mother and I get to meet our future daughter-in-law?”

His good humor restored, Ian had chuckled. “You’re planning a visit towards the end of May, aren’t you? You’ll meet my Tessa then. She’s, ah, moved in with me.”

Edward had made something resembling a strangling sound. “Ian, have a care, son. The men in our family have traditionally had very strong hearts, but there’s always a first time. Now, this question will no doubt get your knickers in a twist but it has to be asked. Are you quite certain this girl isn’t just after your money?”

The question hadn’t angered Ian, and he’d only marveled that his father had not already asked it. “Very certain. I have to buy her things behind her back, make sure every damned price tag is removed, otherwise I get a very stern lecture along with threats to return everything. If you knew of Tessa’s background - which she’ll likely share with you at some point - you’d understand, Father. She’s not some ambitious young fortune seeker. That’s why she’s also acting as my traveling PA, so that she feels as though she’s earning her keep.”

“Wait a moment there, son.’ Edward’s tone had changed abruptly from that of concerned father to stern CEO. “Do you mean to tell me this girl, who not only lives in your home but shares your bed when you travel on company business, is an employee? Ian - for Christ’s sake, you of all people ought to know better than that.”

“She’s no longer an official employee, Father,” he’d retorted. “And, yes, I most certainly know the rules. You might as well hear all of it, though I’m shocked that weasel Rodney hasn’t already ratted me out.”

Ian had explained to his father in painstaking detail about how Tessa had worked on his team for more than two years; how he’d fallen for her from the very first day but had been forced to keep his distance because she’d been a married woman; how he’d learned she was getting a divorce and how they had eventually begun seeing each other. He’d hedged over the dates as to when Tessa had actually left the company, but Edward had been mollified enough to realize she wasn’t technically an employee any longer.

“So you’ve been carrying a torch for the girl for some time, eh? Interesting,” his father had murmured. “Now that I think of it, I seem to recall that you kept staring over at the other side of the room during that last Christmas party we attended. And - ah, I see now. She was the sweet young thing that arsehole Jason was sniffing around, wasn’t she? The one you sent young Andrew over to rescue?”

Ian had been dumbfounded. “How did you - I mean, I was extremely -”

“Discreet? Of course you were, you’re my son after all. Discretion could be our middle name. Well, except for your brother Colin, of course, though that situation finally seems to have settled down nicely. But don’t forget, son, who taught you how to observe people when they had no idea they were being watched. You learned that skill from a higher master, my boy.”

Ian had chuckled, reminded never to underestimate his wily father, even though Edward was very close to turning seventy. “I concede to your mastery, Father. Now, come, let’s have it.”

“My opinion of the girl? Does it matter to you that much, Ian?”

“Not enough to change my feelings,” Ian had replied truthfully. “I haven’t been a boy of fourteen for a great many years, Father, and I’m more than capable of making my own decisions. And,” he’d added firmly, “before you ask, I’m also not a man who lets his dick make these types of decisions for him.”

“Never doubted it for a moment. And as for your Tessa, I do seem to recall that she was quite stunning. But I’ll give you a more definitive opinion when I meet her face to face next month.”

Ian had changed the subject at that point, not willing to discuss his relationship with Tessa in any greater detail. But he’d felt reasonably certain that his parents would at least keep an open mind when they met her next month. The tricky part would be breaking the news to Tessa about their impending visit. As shy and insecure as she still was, she would most likely work herself into a frenzy in anticipation, fretting unnecessarily about whether his parents would like her or not. He was going to have his work cut out for him to calm her down.

But for now, he refused to dwell on his parents and whether or not they would like Tessa.
He
liked her a great deal, especially tonight when she was laughing and having fun and when she couldn’t keep her hands off of him. Grinning, he slid his hand to the nape of her neck, giving her the sort of little massage he knew she loved.

Tessa purred like a kitten beneath his touch and slipped her hand inside his jacket to latch onto his waist. “You’re wearing my favorite suit,” she whispered in his ear. “And you look super hot in it.”

He touched his lips to her rosy cheek. “Glad you like it, love,” he whispered back. “Dare I hope you’ve got my favorite undies on beneath that very sexy dress?”

She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Perhaps. Then again, maybe I’m not wearing any undies at all.”

Ian bit his lip to stifle a groan, and was belatedly aware that they weren’t alone at the table. He glanced up to find both Nathan and Julia grinning at him knowingly.

“If you two need a room, Ian, I’m guessing that won’t be a problem given that you own this hotel,” joked Nathan.

Tessa blushed profusely, and stared down into her wine glass as she took a sip. There was an awkward silence for a few moments until Julia stood, picking up her clutch bag.

“I think you gentlemen should order us some coffee and dessert while we visit the ladies room,” she announced. “Tessa, let’s go, shall we?”

Nathan and Ian were very well aware that theirs were far from the only pairs of admiring male eyes that followed the two gorgeous women as they left the restaurant.

Nathan lifted his wine glass in a salute. “We’re lucky bastards, you and I, aren’t we? As much of a jerk as I was to Julia for so long, she still kept on loving me. I know I damned well don’t deserve her, but I’ll spend my life worshipping the ground she walks on.”

“I think she would disagree with the first part of that statement, mate,” replied Ian. “But you’re right about the other. You and I are bloody lucky to have two such beautiful women. And I cherish Tessa every bit as much as you do Julia.”

Nathan sipped his wine slowly. “You going to marry her?”

Ian laughed. “You’re the second person in as many days to ask me that question. And the answer is yes, but not just yet. Tessa - she’s been through a lot in her young life. I’m trying to give her some time to get used to all this,” he waved a hand around to indicate the splendor of their surroundings, “to make sure it’s what she really wants.”

“She loves you, Ian,” Nathan told him quietly. “That’s not going to change anytime soon.”

Ian sighed. “Sometimes I wonder about that. She’s so young, so damned young, and she’s seen absolutely nothing of the world. We’ve talked about her going back to college in the fall, getting her degree. One of my greatest fears is that she meets someone closer to her age, decides I’m too old for her.”

“Hmm. So that’s really why you’re giving her time. To make sure her feelings for you are real.” Nathan shook his head. “The way she looks at you - it’s the same way Julia looks at me. It’s the real deal, my friend, never doubt that.”

Ian was about to reply, to thank Nathan for his reassurances, when he noticed the number of male heads turning, and he knew the women had returned. They made quite a contrast to the other - Julia petite and curvy, looking like a very alluring angel in her ivory dress and towering heels, and Tessa tall and shapely with those endlessly long legs, sexy black dress, and the stilettos that made her look like every forbidden fantasy ever conjured up.

Tessa was beaming when he pulled her chair out for her. “Julia just had the most wonderful ideas for me, Ian. I was telling her how I didn’t want to just sit around and feel useless until our next business trip, especially since the college classes I’d need to take don’t start until late August. And she’s thought of some ways I can keep busy and still learn something useful.”

Nathan smirked as he pushed Julia’s chair in. “Baby, tell Tessa that shopping is not exactly cultural enrichment.”

Julia rolled her eyes at him. “Seriously, Nathan? What I actually suggested to Tessa is that she ought to take some cooking courses. There’s a place over on Francisco Street that offers a whole series of one day to one week classes. The other idea I had for her was to take a course at the Berlitz Language School.”

Tessa nodded and smiled a bit shyly at Ian. “Since you offered to take me to Tuscany one day, I thought it might be nice to learn some Italian.”

Ian smiled back and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. “I think both of those ideas are absolutely wonderful. I want you to sign up for both classes.”

“I think I will,” she agreed. “In fact, Julia said there’s even a cake decorating class available. That way, I can bake you a cake next year instead of having to rely on your chef to do it for me.”

He couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight of half a dozen waiters and busboys who suddenly surrounded their table, and at the elaborately decorated cake ablaze with at least a dozen candles.

But the real thrill came after a rousing rendition of
Happy Birthday
when Tessa whispered to him naughtily, “You know, the real celebration begins when we get home.”

***

Simon had the weekend off so they took a cab home. Not that Ian was anywhere near being inebriated - he was as disciplined and in control about the amount of alcohol he consumed as he was with everything else in his life. But he preferred not to drive himself when he’d been drinking more than a glass or two, just in case. Besides, not having to concentrate on driving meant that he could focus all of his attention on the luscious blonde cuddled up against him.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight, darling?” he asked.

Tessa nodded, her blue eyes glowing. “It was wonderful. Julia and Nathan are good company.” She ran a finger over his mouth before whispering, “But the night is really just beginning, you know. I hope you aren’t sleepy.”

Ian chuckled, giving her waist a squeeze where his arm held her against his side. “Not in the least, my love. And it sounds as though you have special plans for the rest of the evening, hmm?”

Tessa gave him an impish grin and nodded. “I’m going to seduce you,” she announced a bit tipsily. “I hope that meets with your approval.”

He glanced up at the cab driver, who was thankfully immersed in a cell phone conversation, yakking loudly in what sounded like Tagalog. Relieved that they hadn’t been overheard, he looked back at Tessa.

“Considering that all you really need to do to seduce me is be in the same room, I can say with complete honesty that I wholeheartedly approve of your plans, love.” He captured her wrist as her hand began to slide up his thigh. “And you can seduce me all the way until dawn, so long as you wait until we’re at home to begin.”

Tessa pretended to pout, but seemed content to sit beside him rather primly and merely hold hands for the remainder of the ride.

Once inside the house, she took him by the hand and led him up the long, winding staircase. His gaze was fixated the entire time on the tantalizing curve of her ass in the form fitting dress before traveling down the long, shapely length of her legs. Her sheer black stockings had a seam up the back, and were quite possibly the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Unless, of course, one considered the sexy black and silver stilettos on her feet, with their seductive ankle strap. He really, really hoped she planned to keep both the stockings and the shoes on while she had her wicked way with him.