No More Wasted Time (14 page)

“I’ve never felt like this.” He pulled her onto the bed with
him. “You are amazing.”

“I’m still shaking all over. My ears were ringing so loud I
thought I might pass out.” She kissed his shoulder that glistened from sweat,
tasting the salt on his skin.

He touched her body intimately, tracing every detail of it.
“You’d better get ready or I’ll never hear the end of it from Lisa.”

She was getting dressed when she heard Tom say, “Tess.”

She waited for him to finish but he didn’t say anything.
“Yes, Tom?”

“Nothing. I…I just wanted to say you look beautiful.”

It seemed as if he had something else to say, but again he
held back.

“Thanks, I’m probably glowing.”

They ambled toward the door. “I want to give you some money
to go shopping.” Tom handed her a stack of one hundred dollar bills.

Tess glanced at the money in shock. “No, thanks. I have my
own money.”

“Tess, I’m not going to take no for an answer. I want to do
this for you. Please take it. I had every intention of taking you shopping
myself, but there’s no way Lisa will step aside.”

“Your money doesn’t matter to me. I don’t want you to
think-”

“Tess, I understand what you’re saying, but I already know
you’re not using me for my money.” A smile crossed his face. “You’re using me
for my body!”

“Well, at least you know where you stand.” She grinned
playfully. “That’s a lot of money, Tom.”

“I know Lisa and you’ll probably need it. Please take it! I
want to do this for you. Get whatever you want. Okay?”

“Thanks, but I still feel strange taking it.”

“One more thing, Tess, don’t let Lisa pressure you into
doing anything you don’t want to. I love her to death, but she can be a little
overbearing sometimes. She may try to bring you back with new lips, new boobs
and a new ass,” he said, grabbing her butt.

“Hey, I like my boobs!”

“I do, too. And your lips and your ass. That’s why I’m
warning you. I like you just the way you are.”

Benny and Lisa lounged on the sofa when they reemerged.
“Bout time, I thought I might have to come down to the guest house and get you
myself,” Lisa teased Tess and winked at Tom.

“I’m ready,” Tess said.

“Um hmm, I bet,” Lisa scoffed.

CHAPTER TEN

Tess and Lisa headed out the door, shopping for new attire
fit for Italy. Restaurants, shops and boutiques lined the streets of the
charming village, as well as several specialty shops. Tess bought a couple of
pairs of jeans, several cute tops, and heels too. They enjoyed lunch at a great
little sidewalk café and then ducked into the lingerie boutique across the
street.

When they returned to the villa late in the afternoon, Tom
and Benny were playing football in the yard with the kids. The different time
zones were taking a toll on Tess. She needed to crash for an hour. Tom followed
her to the guesthouse, telling her about his day playing with the kids and
catching up with Benny.

“I love coming here. I can’t believe it’s been eight months
since I’ve seen them.”

“Why did you wait so long to visit?”

“Work. My agent’s been keeping me too busy. Benny and Lisa
do it right, they take time off. I haven’t had this much time off in years,
probably since I first started in the business.”

“Why? I mean if you want time off, why not take it for
yourself? Life’s too short Tom. You should enjoy it. I never wanted to wait
until I retired to take time for myself. Vacations are much more fun when
you’re able to get around without your wheelchair.” Tess grinned, thinking
about JC.

“It’s not that easy sometimes. Anyway, enough about work.
How was shopping?”

“Great!” She cupped her boobs. “Still the same, no changes.
I’m teasing. I had a great time.” Tess handed him back his change, kissing his
cheek. “Thanks for taking me shopping. Lisa mentioned something about the four
of us going to dinner.”

“Yep. You don’t mind, do you, Tess? I have plans for us in a
few days, but I like spending time with them. We don’t get to see each other
very often.”

“No, I don’t mind at all. I like them. They seem normal.
Kind of like you.”

“Are you going to show me what you bought?” he asked in a
wishful sort of way.

“Nope, maybe later,” she yawned.

Tom wrapped his arms around Tess and they both fell asleep.

Later that evening, Tess was about to slip into her black
strapless dress. She could feel Tom watching her from the bedroom.

“You’re not really going to put that dress on, are you?” Tom
sauntered into the bathroom and stood behind her.

“What’s wrong with the dress?”

Peering into the mirror, he wrapped his arms around her,
skimming over her abs and dipping his fingers into her panties. “I like the
dress. However, I love your new black lace thong and the heels, too. I’m so
used to seeing you naked, I didn’t realize how good you’d look like this.”

“You’re going to have to hold that thought. We’re already
late.” Tilting her head to the side, she smooched his neck.

“I will.” Tom teased, slipping the dress over her head and
zipping the side as he fondled her breasts.

“Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

Tess loved the way Tom looked that night in casual dark
jeans and a light gray sweater. They enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at a quaint,
romantic Italian restaurant. She had never eaten authentic Italian food before,
and the wine from a local vineyard was the best she’d ever tasted. It had been
a long time since she’d been on a date with another couple and Tess had a great
evening. All of them had a passion for skiing, so they laughed and joked and
shared their best stories.

Returning to the villa, Tom and Tess said goodnight, then
meandered back to the guesthouse. “They like you,” Tom said.

“I like them, too. They’re gorgeous together.”

“That’s funny. Lisa said the same thing about us.”

“Thanks for bringing me here.” Tess let out a big yawn.

“Sleepy?”

“I think it’s all the wine. Maybe the pasta too, but yes, I
am tired.”

Tom lay next to her propped up on his elbow, touching the
outline of her body with his fingertips.

Tess drifted off. The next time she opened her eyes, Tom lay
in the same position, staring at her and gently tracing her curves.

“Morning. Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” She slid her
leg around his waist.

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I knew you were tired. I
have to run an errand. When I get back we’re going to have some fun today.”

“Do I have time to go run?”

“Yep.” He grinned ear-to-ear.

Tess knew he liked to surprise her, so she wouldn’t ask
where they were going. She threw her hair in a pony and walked over to the
villa. The sweet aroma of muffins filled the kitchen.

“Morning, Tess. Are you hungry?”

“Morning. I’m going to go for a run before I eat. Is there a
good direction to go or a trail I can take?”

Lisa smiled her wicked little smile, “Tess, you go down the
second hall to the last door on the right. If you can give me five minutes,
I’ll work out with you.”

“Sure. I’m going to see if I can get a hold of John first.
I’ll be back as soon as I’m off the phone.”

Tess went back to the guesthouse to call John, dialing the
house phone first. It rang and rang, so she started to leave a message, but he
picked up.

“Mom! Hey, hold on. Let me turn the machine off. What’s
going on? I can’t wait to talk to you.”

“I wanted to call you again. Did you get my message?”

“Yes, I’ve talked to Tracy and JC, too. So…you’re in Italy
with Tom Clemmins?” he taunted. “I don’t know what to say. I knew you’d call me
back and I had fifty questions to ask you, but I just can’t believe you’re with
him.”

“You mean because he’s Tom Clemmins or because I’m with a
man?”

“Well, both, I guess. The girls told me the whole story of
how you met, and JC forwarded me some pictures of you with him and with Benny
and Lisa Levi. Is she as gorgeous in real life as she is in the movies?” His
voice full of envy.

“She’s prettier actually and they’re very nice, too.” Tess
chuckled.

“I miss you, Mom. You sound great! So where are you anyway?”

“Somewhere in Tuscany. I’m not sure exactly. I’d have to
look at a map. I miss you, too.”

“
Sure
you do. Do you want me to pick the girls up at
the airport?”

“I should be home by then. Tom cancelled my flight, so I’m
not sure when I get home.”

“Do you think maybe you could get me Lisa Levi’s autograph?”

“Sure, I’ll try.” Tess laughed.

“I don’t want to upset you, Mom, but how did it go with Dad?
Do you feel better?”

“It went perfect. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful
spot. I’m happy with my decision.”

“Dad would’ve wanted to be there. All right, my friends just
walked in the door and they’re standing here staring at me.”

His friends yelled in the background. “Hi Mom!”

“Mom, promise me you’ll be careful with this guy. Have fun,
but be cautious, okay?”

“I will. I promise, but I don’t need to be careful John.
He’s wonderful. And tell your friends hi for me.”

Lisa was waiting for Tess when she returned to the villa.
“Holy crap! This is an entire gym. I expected a tread mill.” The gym came
complete with every weight machine imaginable. Two bikes, two treadmills, two
elliptical machines and a flat screen TV with surround sound.

Lisa smiled. “What’s your favorite?”

“I like to run, but I do Pilates, kick boxing, yoga.”

“I usually spin. Do you want to box after?”

Tess got the feeling she missed something by the haughty
smirk covering Lisa’s face, but she agreed. “Sure.”

After they finished their cardio, Lisa asked, “Do you do the
Wii?”

“I know what the Wii is, but I’ve never played it.”

“Do you want to try it?” Lisa flashed her devious grin.

Shrugging off the distinct feeling she was about to get
pummeled “Don’t kick my ass too bad.”

Lisa snickered, giving her instruction. Tess began to get
the hang of it, but Lisa had done this before, a lot. Tess was down two rounds,
and covered in sweat from the intense workout. They were getting ready to start
another round. Tess had caught up and Lisa wasn’t very happy about it, mumbling
something about,
Sure you’ve never played
.

Tess noticed Tom and Benny standing at the doorway. Tess
smiled at Tom, motioning him to come into the room. She raised her eyebrows,
holding her fists up in the boxing position. “Come on in, Tom. You wanna play?”

Tom and Benny laughed their asses off. “I don’t think so,”
Tom said.

Tess motioned to him again, laughing aloud while he shook
his head no.

Lisa waited impatiently. “Let’s go, sweet cheeks.”

Tess couldn’t quit giggling while trying to finish their
last round. Lisa beat Tess and jumped up and down like Rocky, thrilled to have
won. Tess recognized right away Lisa was extremely competitive.

“I knew you were going to kick my ass. I could see it
written all over your face. You totally set me up!”

Lisa huffed. “I thought I might lose for a minute there at
the end.”

Benny chimed in. “Tess, if I would’ve known she was bringing
you in here, I would’ve warned you. Seriously! I hate to play with her because
if I win, she gets so mad. But I usually lose, which is even worse because then
I have to listen to her gloat for days.”

It felt wonderful to laugh so much. Tess thoroughly enjoyed
her new friends.

Heading back to the guesthouse, Tom flipped her ponytail
through his fingers. “I liked watching you box, Tess. I had no idea you worked
out like that. Very impressive.”

He made her feel on top of the world when he complimented
her. “Lisa’s pretty good.”

Tom narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “You let her win didn’t
you?”

Tess chuckled.

“You did let her win!”

“Please don’t tell her. Don’t tell Benny either. He’d
probably rat me out one day when she was kicking his ass at boxing.”

“That’s awfully nice of you to take the loss.” 

“Yeah, well I sure as hell don’t want her mad at me. She
would’ve been pissed if I’d beaten her.”

Tom watched her step into the shower.

“Are you getting in here with me?”

“Nope. Not yet.”

Tess showered, dried her hair and did her make-up. She threw
on dark jeans with a white shirt and a pair of cute wedges.

“I like your outfits.”

“Thanks. This extremely attractive man bought them for me.”
She kissed him appreciatively.

“Let’s go,” Tom scoffed.

The peaceful ride put Tess at ease. She stared in awe out
the car window. The landscape appeared as if it came straight out of the pages
of a fairytale. Several art galleries and shops offering gourmet foods, wine
and cheese lined the streets. Tess loved the paper mache masks adorning the
windows of one of the specialty shops. The dramatic dark green, red, purple,
and gold masks resembled exquisite theater masks.

An abundance of historical richness filled the small
village. Friendly locals came with their own special blend of character, too.
People recognized Tom, but only waved, calling out, “Hey, Tommy!” in their
Italian accents. Tess chuckled every time.

Tom and Tess spent the day at a charming vineyard, tasting
delicious wines, warm bread, and scrumptious cheese. They held hands and
meandered through the grounds, admiring perfectly aligned rows of vines covered
with flawless grapes.

Tom arranged an early dinner in a cellar of the winery. Tess
was blown away by the ambient scent of earthy spices mixed with a smoky hint of
oak exuding from the dimly lit cellar. Stone covered the walls, curving into a
barrel arch ceiling and bottles of wine wrapped an entire wall at the far end
of the room. Dinner tasted delectable and the wine was by far the best she had
ever had.