No More Wasted Time (23 page)

A slower song started and her movements became smoother and
more deliberate. She turned her back to him and his hands followed the curves
of her waist and hips. Her heels made her taller, so her ass fit Tom’s body perfectly.
Their hips swayed together, flowing with the music.

At some point she noticed Benny and Lisa dancing not far
from them. Lisa smiled and Tess flashed her ten fingers.

Tom took Tess’ hand in his. She let him take control,
dancing slowly, squeezing her hip pulling her tightly against him. Before the
music stopped, he headed for the door. “There’s going to be people out here.
Are you ready?”

“Do I look okay?” She glanced down to make sure everything
was in the right place.

“You look better than okay. You’re everything a woman dreams
of being.” He kissed her hard before exiting the club.

Photographers lined up outside. Bright flashes popped off,
blinding them after being in the dark club and white noise hummed in her ears.
Tom held her hand dashing to the car with their heads bowed.

In the limo, Tess couldn’t keep her hands off him, wanting
him right there and then. She unbuttoned the rest of his shirt, kissing his
chest, running her tongue down his abs and trying to unbutton his pants. Taking
hold of her hands, he wrapping is lips around hers with such intensity it side
tracked her roaming fingers.

“How much longer?” Heat gathered under the material of her
dress. She tugged it up to the top of her thighs and straddled his lap.

“We’re almost there.”

Her head dropped straight back, as she reached behind to
unzip her dress. He remained calm, cool and collected as he gently took her
hands kissing her again. She frowned realizing this obviously wasn’t going to
start in the limo.

“Not in here. Not with you.” He brought her fingertips to
his warm lips.

His words of rejection stung, almost bringing a tear to her
eye. “Why not here?”

“Because….” He stammered struggling for words.

“Why not with
me
in here?” she asked again with hurt
feeling.

“Because I want to…I have something different in mind.”
Nuzzling her palm to his cheek, he smiled his crooked grin as they pulled into
the driveway. “Not yet Tess.”

Tess bit her lip smiling self-consciously, heat turned into
madness as she remembered the words he spoke earlier.

“Next time, I promise.”

“Damn straight. Next time we are so having great limo sex,”
she whispered exiting the car.

Tom led her to his bedroom and turned on some soft music.
Taking his time, he unzipped her dress, sliding it to the floor. Tom’s mouth
tasted exceptionally good as he pressed his soft hungry lips to hers, teasing
the corner of her lips with his tongue. His palms coasted over her arms as her
head fell back allowing his tongue to travel down her neck to her breast.
Skimming over her shoulder with his warm parted lips, he asked softly, “Where
were we before we left?”

Tom sat on the edge of the bed, maneuvering Tess so she
stood between his thighs, clutching her hips firmly with his fingers. She gazed
down, taking in every soft line surrounding his dark brown eyes as he stared up
at her. His eyes fell away from hers hesitantly as he rested his head against
her tummy, only looking up to find them again. “Make love to me Tess,” he asked
bashfully.

Tears bit the corner of her eyes, and words remained
strangled in her throat. Tess tried to speak, but her voice failed her. She had
no way to convey the emotions rising in her chest. Bringing her knees up onto
the bed, she crawled on top of him and ever so slowly rubbed her nose to his
chin. Gazing down at the gorgeous man beneath her, her heart beat violently in
her chest. She caressed his jaw and cradled his face in her hands, tenderly
stroking his neck and ears with her fingertips. Savoring the martini that
lingered on his breath, she possessed his mouth with sensual, wet kisses.

Relinquishing his lips, her eyes and hands wondered over his
chest and abs. She drug her fingers down the muscular chords in his arms,
firmly entwining her fingers in his.

Tess hadn’t realized until that very moment how much she
yearned to bear this part of her soul with Tom. Staring into each other’s eyes,
they made love together, sharing the intimate bond of their bodies connecting
to the rhythm still playing in her head. His dark eyes devoured her, revealing
a part of himself she wasn’t even sure he knew existed.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tom lay in bed next to Tess with his hands behind his head,
looking up at the ceiling. She snuggled up next to him.

“Good morning, Tess.”

“Morning. I had a fantastic time.”

“I did, too. How’d you learn to dance like that? Every woman
in that club wanted to be you last night.”

“Every woman wanted to be me because I was going home with
you.”

“No, that’s not why. Jesus, Tess, I can’t believe you can
move like that.”

“The martinis helped. I always dance at home with my kids.
Well, not quite like that, but probably close.”

Tess attempted to get out of bed, but her body felt stiff
and sore. “Oh, shit.”

“What’s the matter? Do you have a headache?” he taunted.

“No, I didn’t drink too much. My body hurts.”

“I’ll take care of that for you a little later.”

“Promise?”

“Yep. I’m impressed by how well you handled yourself last
night. You were a natural on the carpet.”

“I couldn’t hear much of anything when we got out of the limo.
It seemed garbled or in slow motion.”

“That’s somewhat normal.” He nodded. “I have a question for
you.”

“Shoot.” She lay in bed, stretching.

“Do you ever get jealous? Because I thought you were going
to be pissed at me when you came back from the bathroom with Lisa. I asked
Mariah to leave as soon as she sat down.”

“I can be jealous, but possessive might be a better word.
Mariah’s lucky she got up, I think I might have hurt her. Actually, Lisa warned
me what it would be like. It helped a lot.”

“Speaking of Lisa, she left something for you.” He helped
her out of bed and gave her a card. It contained twelve single dollar bills and
a huge happy face drawn on the card.

Positively a twelve, Tess!!!

Thanks for coming last night.

I know we’ll see you soon.

If you’re missing Tommy and get bored, come visit us. I
mean it!

Most of all, thanks for making Tommy smile.

See you soon sista,

Love, Lisa

P.S. Tommy put my number in your phone, so call me!

Tess smiled to herself, plopping down on Tom’s bed. They
talked about the premier, the after party and all of the different people he
introduced to her. Tess was curious about something, but uncertain if she
wanted to know the answer. “Who is Susan? That woman who wanted to sit with you
said Susan sent her over to see you.”

Tom narrowed his eyes, shaking his head in anger.

“If I’m not going to like the answer, don’t tell me. I
shouldn’t have asked.”

“Susan is my fucking publicist,” he seethed. “I’m not happy
with her right now. We’ve worked together for years, and this time she went too
far. I don’t want to talk about her.”

“I forgot, what were we talking about?” she asked
innocently.

“I feel like running. Are you up for it? Or are you too
sore?”

She could tell he was beyond furious. “I’ll go, but can we
run outside?”

“As long as you don’t mind getting your picture taken.”

They drove to the beach and ran on a trail that wound its
way up the tops of the cliffs and back. A mile from the car, they took off
their shoes to stroll along the ocean, letting the cool water relieve Tess’
aching feet from dancing in heels the night before. When they reach the end of
the trail, they noticed three photographers. Ignoring the onlookers, they
wrapped their arms around each other, staring out over the ocean.

“Better?” she asked quietly.

“Yes, I am.”

They went back to his place. Tess helped him get rid of his
frustrations and Tom massaged her sore body. They crashed for a couple of hours
and it was almost dark when they woke up.

“We have reservations for dinner.”

“Great. I’m starving,” Tess said with astonishment. “I can’t
believe how hungry I’ve been.”

Tess actually recognized the restaurant. A famous actor
opened it the year before last, and it was supposed to be the big thing in
Hollywood. As soon as they pulled up, paparazzi started snapping pictures. The
hip, trendy restaurant had an intimate nightclub vibe to it. Tess had already
met several of Tom’s friends, and they stopped by their table to say hello to
him. A producer talked to Tom about an upcoming film he thought Tom would be perfect
for.

“Thanks, but I’m taking Tess on an extended vacation when
I’m done shooting this next film,” Tom replied.

“If you change your mind, Tommy, let me know. I didn’t know
you ever took a vacation.”

“Things have changed.”

Driving back to his place, Tess realized it would be their
last night together at his house. They wouldn’t be able to be as open at her
house because of her kids. No more walking around naked. They’d have to be much
quieter.

They lay across his bed for a long time talking. Tom gently
touched Tess’ shoulder and played with her fingers. He stood up and pulled her
off the bed to dance with her, but it was unlike previous times they’d danced.
He wasn’t seducing her. Tom held her close, placing his cheek next to her neck,
inhaling the scent of her perfume. Tess got the distinct feeling he wanted to
say something, but never did. That night felt entirely different. They made
love with a new desire, full of passion, but unhurried or hungry, just slow and
deliberate and wonderful.

Tess woke up at four in the morning. Unable to quiet her
thoughts, she slipped out of bed, put on her shirt and shorts, grabbed her
shoes and quietly headed downstairs for his treadmill. She started off slowly,
because her body still ached, but before long she was running from the feelings
of anguish that would come when Tom left.

Tess thought about the way they confided in each other. She
loved his grin, his confidence, his humor and sarcasm, his generosity, and most
of all, the way he made her feel about herself. She felt phenomenal with him,
confident, smart, funny and sexy. Tom made her a better woman.
I love
everything about him. Holy crap! I’m in love with him.

She ran harder and faster. How long have I been in love with
him?
Why didn’t I just admit it days ago, weeks ago?
She’d guarded her
heart, protecting herself from heartache. Tess told Tom she trusted him, but
did she truly trust him? She wanted to. Tess needed Tom to be faithful and it
scared her. Deep in her heart, it seemed as if she knew him so well in such a
short amount of time, but would he really stay committed to her? Tess would
have no problem being faithful to Tom, but being monogamous might be difficult
for him
. Can I really trust him not to hurt me? I have to trust him.

Tess wouldn’t tell him she loved him. Later, not yet. Love
was a whole new ball game for Tom and she didn’t want to lose him now. Love
would be hard enough for Tess to deal with, and she had loved her entire life.
I
won’t tell him. Not yet.

She ran for a long time, but suddenly the treadmill quit
working. Tess poked and pressed buttons, trying to turn the instrument panel
back on. Tom casually stood in the doorway with his arms folded, holding the
plug in his hand. She started laughing, but his eyes filled with worry.

“You climbed out of bed over an hour ago, Tess. Do you have
something you want to talk to me about or are you going to run until the sun
comes up?”

She put on her best lie face. “No, I’m good. I couldn’t
sleep.”

“Um hmm. Really? I think you’re full of shit. What’s going
on?”

“I couldn’t sleep. That’s all.” She knew he wasn’t buying
it.

“Did you want me to plug you back in or are you done?”

“I’m done.” She tried to be convincing, but Tess sucked at
lying.

They went back to bed and he wrapped himself around her.
Finally, she slept.

When Tess woke up late in the morning, Tom was in his
closet, so she peeked in to see what he was doing.

He was packing.

He’d be leaving straight from Vegas for his film. She smiled
immensely at him.
Yep, I’m in love with him.

“What?” he smiled back.

“Good morning.”

“Sleep well this morning?”

“Umm hmm. Are you almost done packing?”

“Almost.”

A sense of relief came over Tess and all her anxiousness
disappeared, leaving her calm inside. Tom, however, was not calm. She’d never
seen him this edgy, squishing his brows together and rubbing his index finger
on his chin.

“You seem a little high strung,” she teased.

“I am not,” he smirked. “Look who’s talking. What was the
deal this morning? I watched you run for a long time. You were flat out sprinting
on the treadmill.”

She only laughed and didn’t answer. It seemed easier than
lying.

A few hours later, they stood against the railing on the
balcony, gazing out over the ocean. “Tess, I’ve liked having you here with me.”

“I love it here. I’ve had an incredible time.”

“There are so many places I want to take you. Places I’ve
been and places I’ve always wanted to travel.”

“There are places I’d like to take you, too, but right now,
I just want to take you home with me. I’m excited and a little nervous,” she
admitted.

“I thought it was just me.”

“Why are you nervous? Is that why you’re so tense?”

“It’s not like I go home to meet someone’s family every day,
Tess. I don’t. Ever. I’m anxious to meet John. I know his opinion is important
to you, and I don’t want it to be an issue for us. It’s a big deal to me.”