No More Wasted Time (34 page)

Everyone boarded the boats. The little boat Tom and Tess
rode in had been cleaned and freshly painted. They rode in silence, holding
hands as the little boat skimmed across the flat, calm sea. They reached the
island and took off their shoes, leaving them on the beach next to everyone
else’s. John waited for Tess with an exquisite bouquet of red roses.

Tom touched the side of her face. “I love you, Tess. Are you
ready to marry me?”

One tear ran down her cheek. “Yes, I am.”

“I’ll see you up there in a few minutes.” He kissed Tess and
shook John’s hand before dashing up the hill.

Tess gazed around at the beautiful surroundings. The whole
place had been cleaned and raked smooth with rocks lining the pathway on both
sides.

John kissed her cheek. “Are you ready?”

She could hear somebody playing an acoustic guitar. “I’m
ready. Who is that?”

“Benny’s boy Tommy.”

John wrapped his arm in hers, escorting her up the steps
leading to the beautiful pavilion of ruins. The priest stood directly in front
of her. Tom and Benny stood to the right side of him, and Tracy and JC stood to
the left. Massive ancient pillars rested behind them, creating a stunning
backdrop. The vibrant red bouquets and azure blue dresses were dramatic against
the paleness of the aged marble.

Tom wore a striking black suit and black shirt with his
collar unbuttoned. A single red rose adorned his jacket. Tess could only focus
on his handsome face. Everything else faded into the background.

As the guitar played softly, she kept stride with John,
glancing down only for a moment to notice red rose pedals Kim scattered on the
aisle in front of her.

John smiled down at her, stopping in front of Tom.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” the priest asked.

John nodded toward his sisters. “We do.” Each of her kids
kissed Tess on both cheeks. John took his place next to Benny and the girls
stood beside Tess. 

Tom clasped Tess’ hands in his. It took every ounce of her
concentration to listen to the priest as he spoke of love and commitment. He
knew a little bit about Tom and Tess' story and he spoke about how blessed they
were to have found each other. Tom slid the wedding band on her finger, staring
straight into her soul as he recited his vows in the deep sexy tone she loved
so much. She reached up to kiss his lips without thinking. Tom grinned and said
in a whisper, “Not yet, Tess.” Everyone giggled.

“Sorry.” Tess placed the ring on his finger and recited her
vows of love and commitment, staring into Tom’s eyes with every bit of love she
held in her heart.

The priest said the words they both waited to hear. “I give
you Mr. and Mrs. Clemmins. You may kiss your bride.” Tom laid his hands on both
sides of her face. He knew it was of no use to try and stop Tess from kissing
him passionately, but she didn’t embarrass them. Their lips connected for a
perfectly long, intimate kiss.

Everything moved in slow motion. Rose petals rained down
over them, dancing in the breeze across the aged marble under their bare feet.
Flashes popped as Joey snapped pictures, and family and friends clapped in
celebration. Tess knew she would cherish this exact moment, captured in time,
forever in her memory. 

Tom wore the biggest smile with a tear in his eye as Tess
glanced up, kissing him again. Tess wasn’t sure who had more tears: Lisa, Tracy
or Marco. Overcome with love and happiness, Tess shed no tears now, only sheer
bliss.

The sun began to sink into the sea, casting a luminous glow
across the ruins, creating the perfect backdrop for the memories and photos of
their wedding day.

Everyone ambled back to the ferry, but Tom and Tess stayed
behind. He put her hand in his dancing with her slowly. Tom showed her exactly
how much he loved her. He embraced her tightly, kissing her with enthusiasm and
desire, giving her the kiss she wished for. Now tears stung her eyes and her
heart beat wildly in her ears. Finally, he said, “God, I love kissing you Tess
Clemmins.”

Tom and Tess moseyed hand-in-hand down the sandy path to the
little boat. Tess draped her legs across his thigh. He rubbed her bare feet as
they watched the fiery orange sun dropping into the Aegean Sea. “For some
reason, Mrs. Clemmins, sunsets seem so much better with you,” Tom said quietly.

“We’re going to make the most of every sunset.”

The reception was on the patio overlooking the edge of the
cliff. The fiery sky had turned to dark blue with the smallest amount of soft
pink swirling over the sea. Everyone gave a round of applause, even people they
didn’t know, as they walked through the restaurant. Their family and friends
stood as Tom and Tess entered the patio hand-in-hand with flush cheeks. The
party had already started. Greek music played outside and bread was set on the
table. Locals enjoying their dinner came out to congratulate them. Tess could
feel the love and warmth of everyone there.

White candles were placed in groups of three around the
tables and red rose bouquets sat in clear vases as centerpieces. The wedding
cake turned out beautiful, made with three tiers and perfectly placed delicate
red roses. Tess had asked the older woman who made the cake to make chocolate
chip cookies for Tom. She placed them on platters around the tables as well as
traditional Greek candy-coated almonds.

“Mrs. Clemmins, would you like wine or martinis?” Tom asked
Tess in her ear.

“Definitely martinis.”

Dinner was wonderfully delicious. As the party grew louder
and the night went on, the couple moved in close for their first dance.
Reaching for her hand, Tom led her to an open area on the patio to dance with
her. The couple who owned the restaurant joined in and led Tom and Tess by the
hands to teach them the Greek wedding dance. Everyone joined in, creating a big
circle. Tess had never experienced anything like it. All of their family and
friends danced together, celebrating their love for one another.

It was getting late and Tom and Tess were still dancing.

“Tom, you need to take your wife home,” Tess hinted.

John stood beside her. “You can’t bail out of here before
you dance with me.”

As John stole Tess away, JC claimed Tom as her dance
partner.

It made Tess beam to see him having a good time with her
kids.

Benny cut in so he could dance with Tess. “Tommy loves your
kids. I think he’s always wanted a family, but he never really believed true
love existed. A
nonbeliever
so-to-speak,” he said matter-of-factly.

“They like him too.”

He smiled mischievously. “You know it’s going to be crazy
when you go home?”

Tess turned crimson red and dropping her eyes to the floor.

“Not
tonight
,” Benny chuckled. “I mean when you go
back to the States. Prepare yourself, Tess. It’s going to be outrageous. When
Lisa and I got married, it was pure chaos, but you and Tommy? No one was
expecting this.”

“I remember seeing your pictures on the cover of every
magazine.”

“Laugh now, you’ll be on the cover next week.” Benny
grinned.

“What? Holy crap! Seriously?” Tess nearly stopped dancing.

Tom cut in. “Don’t be freaking out my wife on my wedding
night, Benny.”

Benny gave her a big smooch on the cheek. “Welcome to our
family, Tess.”

Tom danced her over to the edge of the patio. Her back
rested against his chest and his arms embraced her as they swayed together. He
bent down, nibbling her neck and she turned her face to kiss him. “Weren’t you
saying something about leaving, Mrs. Clemmins?”

“Let’s go home, Mr. Clemmins.”

They began saying goodnight. A tear pooled in Lisa’s eye.
“We have to leave early in the morning. The wedding was one of the most
beautiful I’ve been to. I can’t believe you pulled this off in four days. Take
care of each other. We’re coming for Christmas. I hope you don’t ski as well as
you dance, Tess.” She smirked.

“See you at Christmas. Talk to you soon.”

Grateful they didn’t have far to drive, Tess already had
Tom’s shirt unbuttoned and her dress off by the time they pulled in the
driveway. The moon shined brightly as he spun her around, studying her
silhouette in the moonlight. “Mrs. Clemmins, you look beautiful in those. I
couldn’t wait to see you in them again
without your daughters
in the
same room.”

Tom glanced over his shoulder up the stairs at the front
door. Swooping Tess into his arms, he carried her up the steps and across the
threshold. 

She giggled. “Have you always wanted to do that?”

He laughed as if she were delirious. “Hell no. Never! Not
until today.”

Tom set her feet on the ground and she sauntered toward
their room. He slipped his fingers around her wrist, turning her to face him.
“Not yet, Tess. I want to dance with you for a little while longer.” Holding
her close, Tom stared adoringly into her eyes. “I’ve never wanted anything in
my life more than I want you right at this moment.”

He kissed her slowly and passionately for a long time.
Flooded with emotion, Tess had never felt so connected in her life. She felt as
if they were one, linked together by love and passion, sharing a bond that was
unlike any other love she’d experienced before.
Soul mate, he’s my soul
mate. 

Already aroused, her body pulsed from his insatiable kisses.
His talented tongue sent spasms rippling through her core. She panted aloud,
“Not yet, Tess.”

“Really?” he said with a smothered laugh.

“Yes, really.” She backed away from him. “I need to rinse
off first. I want this to last more than fifteen minutes.”

“You don’t have to worry about
me
.” He grinned
immensely. Reaching out, he clutched her around the waist, sinking his tongue
deep into her mouth.

“I’m referring to myself,” she mumbled under his greedy
lips.

Tom kissed her differently than ever before. His tongue
traced her mouth, gently sucking on her lips while tugging with his teeth. Her
hips writhed against the hard length of him, encouraging him to kiss her
ravenously, turning her on to the point of being right on the edge.

“Holy crap, Tom. Wait,” she panted.

“This would definitely be a first.” He kissed her again,
refusing to release her from his arms.

“Yes, it would be.” Trembling, she slid away from him,
deciding if she wanted to stop or not. “I need a minute. Jesus, Tom. Where did
that come from?” He was proud of himself, wearing an impish grin that made her
rethink her decision to stop him. “Can you make us a drink?”

“Yep.”

Her body smoldered and still trembled as she stepped into
the shower
. Maybe I should’ve let him keep kissing me? I was so close. No,
not tonight.
That had never happened to Tess before, not from just kissing.

She was drying off when he brought her a drink with a
roguish grin still plastered across his face. “Tess,” he said suggestively.

“I’ll be right out,” she said anxiously. She rubbed monoi
oil all over her body and downed her drink in one sip. She put on sexy, white
lace lingerie that hugged her curves down to the bottom of her butt cheek. No
panties needed.

Tom lay on their bed, waiting for her. He reached for her
hand, but she shook her head no, pulling him up to her lips.

“Tess, you look incredible.” His eyes fixed on her body as
his hands coasted over her glistening skin.

“I’m curious,” she said sexily, running her tongue over her
lip. “Will you kiss me, like you were before?”

Tom’s fingers twisted in her hair and gently pulled her head
back. Tess’ lips parted, allowing his mouth to seize control, rocking her to
the core, leaving her only able to whimper beneath his kisses. He drew in her
bottom lip and tugged with his teeth, instantly turning her heavy breathing
into a low moan. Every time he sucked on her bottom lip, drawing it into the
burning heat of his mouth, it sent a wave of pleasure spiraling through her
body. Tom was on a mission now. Refusing to give up or give in, he plunged
deeper into her very soul.

Tess had no idea she could get off just by making out, but
it was happening. She rubbed against him eagerly, holding back the urge to take
him in. Cresting a wave of sheer pleasure, she cried out softly, melting over
him repeatedly as she clung to his arms. Tess thought she was finished, but Tom
eased her back on the bed, sinking his tongue deep between her thighs, tasting
the sweet rewards of his efforts. 

As Tom raised himself atop her, Tess was overcome with the
urgency to feel him inside her. She dug her fingers into his shoulders,
thrusting her hips forward, only to be unsuccessful. Holding back, he teased
her, wearing a haughty grin.

“Please don’t make me wait. I want-”

“Shhh. I know what you want. That’s the thing about being on
top. I get to drive.”

Tess flashed him a naughty smile, attempting to flip him
onto his back, but he refused to relinquish the driver’s seat. Pinning her
hands to the bed, he bent down to brush his lips over her nipple. Just when she
thought she could take no more of his toying, he thrust himself inside, driving
deeper as her hips rode along, taking him in.

It was the beginning of a very long night, and Tess was far
from being finished. They made love as their hands and bodies moved in ways new
to both of them.

“Morning, Mrs. Clemmins. Or should I say good afternoon.”

“I’m not ready to wake up yet.”

“Your kids and Shayla leave in an hour so I thought we
should go to the airport to say goodbye.” He grinned impishly, looking at her
lips. “You might want to look in the mirror.”

Tess touching her fingers to her lips. “Why? Do I look that
bad?”

“Oh no, you look beautiful.” Tom’s laughter filtered through
the room. “I think I might have given you a…umm, go look.”