No More Wasted Time (9 page)

“I’m having a
great
time with you.” He folded her
into his arms and caressed her back, almost as if he was trying to tell her
something that he couldn’t put into words.

She attempted to control her emotions, but she’d been
tucking these thoughts deep inside since their first night together. She
paused, gathering courage to lower the wall that protected her heart. “If I’m
being totally honest, and I can’t believe I’m going to admit this to myself out
loud, you’re the best time I’ve ever had here. I’ve had some incredible times
in Bora Bora, but the last week has been truly fantastic.”

Tom’s eyes smiled. His lips found hers as his fingers
tenderly cupped her face. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so flattered, but I
don’t want our time together to take the place of your trips here with your
husband. I only want to make you happy while we’re together.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant. Nothing can replace my
memories here with Richard. I know you’d never intentionally do that, but this
is supposed to happen to me. Right now. At this exact moment in my life.” One
tear trickled down her cheek.

“Please don’t be sad, Tess. I don’t think I could take it.”
He gently wiped away her tear.

“I’m not sad. You make me happy. I haven’t allowed myself to
feel anything in such a long time. I just want to live in the moment, Tom.”

As the night lingered, he seemed unusually quiet. She
couldn’t even begin to guess what he was thinking and hoped she hadn’t said
anything to scare him off.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tess tossed and turned in the early morning darkness, too
anxious to sleep. For a moment last night, she worried she’d wake up and he’d
be gone. She was afraid he’d literally run to the airport and catch the first
flight to anywhere so he wouldn’t have to use the word
relationship
.

Tom slept soundly on his stomach with the sheet covering him
from the waist down. She nibbled on his back, moving her way to his ear. “I’m
going for a run, do you want to come?”

He turned over, sitting up on his elbows.

Her heart raced just looking at him.

“No, go ahead without me, I’ve got a few things I still need
to take care of for our trip. I’ll order breakfast when you get back.”

Running had turned into such a great outlet, and she needed
to clear her head. Obviously, they were continuing their trip together, but one
day soon she’d wake up and it would be over. Tom only got involved with a woman
up to a certain point, and she assumed he had already gone way beyond his
relationship limits.

I’m okay with it
. She thought, rehashing the words
that slipped so easily from her lips the night before.
Am I really okay with
a casual fling? Who am I kidding? It doesn’t matter if I’m okay with it or not.
I can either accept Tom the way his is, commitment phobia and relationship
hang-ups included, or I can go home
. She pushed herself into a full on
sprint
. God, I like him so much. I’m so attracted to him it’s ridiculous.
All I really want to do is climb back in bed and kiss every inch of his smoking
hot body
. She stopped to catch her breath before turning back to the
resort.

Tess didn’t want to torment herself for enjoying her time
with Tom, nor did she want to become too attached to him. She decided to
perceive their relationship as a rendezvous. Nothing more, nothing less. An
amazing, once in a lifetime rendezvous. A time in her life that she could look
back on with no regrets, having lived in the moment, sharing time with a
remarkable man.

When she returned to the bungalow, Tom was gone. She
showered outside, letting the sun warm her face as the cool water washed away
her uncertainties.
No more wasted time. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Enjoy
him while you have him. Life isn’t about tomorrow. Life is about today
.

“Tess.” He peeked over the shower wall with the crooked grin
she loved so much. “I have breakfast. How was your run?”

“Great.”

“I wondered if you’d like to visit a pearl farm today. They
grow vanilla there, too. We have today and tomorrow, and check-out the
following day at noon to make our flight,” he said.

“Sounds perfect.” She stepped from the shower and pressed
her lips to his neck, trying to decipher his mood. He seemed slightly pensive
and a bit quiet, but still obligingly stripped her of her towel and assisted
drying her off. Leading her to believe everything was fine between them.

Tom rented a jeep and they drove to a lovely pearl farm that
lay nestled in a beautiful bay on the other side of the island. It was a small
shack perched on stilts over the lagoon with a pier. They toured the farm,
learning the extensive process of cultivating pearls.

Making their way next door, they meandered through the
vanilla fields, taking in the exotic aroma that permeated the air. Tess picked
vanilla beans to take home with her. The thin black beans made the best
homemade ice cream. Tom took pictures of the pearl shack, the bay, even an old
woman working in the fields.

“That relaxes you, doesn’t it?” She nodded toward his
camera.

“It does.” He smiled with surprise. “I love taking
snapshots. It’s kind of a hobby.”

“What do you do with your photos?” She asked curiously.

“I only do it for fun.”

“Will you send copies to me? I haven’t been taking any
pictures, and your camera is a lot nicer than mine.”

“Of course. I don’t mind if you use your camera, Tess.” He
kissed her lips, but withdrew too quickly.

A small flutter trembled in her tummy sensing a slight
wariness in him. “You okay?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“You just seem a little preoccupied.” She thought for sure
he was turning paler by the second and his body language stiffened immediately.
Don’t push him
.  Standing in the middle of the field, Tess reached her
hands over his shoulders and pulled his mouth down to hers. She kissed him and
kissed him and kissed him. A long, sensual, indecent kiss, that she broke only
when the tension released from his limbs and she needed air.

“What’s that all about?” He gasped, holding her willingly in
his arms.

“I can tell you have a lot on your mind.” She smiled
timidly. “I just wanted to give you something else to think about.”

A tinge of blush colored his cheeks as he let out a low
chuckle and nodded his head, acknowledging her suspicions. He smiled, mumbling
something about her being able
to read him like a book
. She said nothing
in return, only bumping him playfully with her hip.

Heading back to the resort, they drove through several rural
villages and stopped at an outdoor market where Tess picked up a few trinkets
for her kids. Tom bought her a wooden bracelet with intricately carved flowers
and earrings made of transparent beach glass. She would wear them to dinner
that night with a white wrap dress.

“How can you wear something so basic and look so incredibly
gorgeous?” she asked. The way she eyed Tom in his faded jeans and button down
white shirt, they might not even make it to dinner.

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you. Are you
ready?”

“I am, unless…” She slid her hand across the bed, inviting
him to stay a little longer.

He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her
enthusiastically. “After dinner.”

They enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the water, watching the
sunset. Tess sensed other couples studying them, wondering if Tom was actually
Tom Clemmins.

“Is that hard for you? Having people know who you are
everywhere you go?”

“Sometimes. My career is more than I ever dreamed it would
be, but there are some definite downsides. No privacy is unquestionably one of
them.”

They chatted about his career. Tom told funny stories about
actors he enjoyed working with, and a few who weren’t so fun to work with. He
supported several charities, and going green was on the top of his list.

Tess talked about her life at home. She’d been heavily involved
in their contracting company until Richard took on a partner ten years ago.
Since then she’d stayed home, raising her kids. Tess didn’t need to go back to
work if she was careful with her money. She considered going back to work, but
had no desire to work fulltime. She’d traveled to Bora Bora searching for
inspiration and direction in her life.

“Clearly, I’ve been inspired, but in a completely different
way." She bit her lip and coasted her fingers across his thigh.

He laughed when she ogled over him. “Let’s go. I hope you
don’t mind, but we aren’t going back to our bungalow. I want to stay on our
deserted
motu
until we leave.”

“I’d love that.”

A boat waited at the pier and dropped them off on the
private moto.

The stars lit up the bungalow as they laid on the bed in the
dark.

“Close your eyes,” he said.

“Why? What are you going to do to me?” she flirted.

“Close your eyes, Tess.”

She did as he asked and received what she hoped for, Tom’s
soft kisses on her lips. His fingers tickled the nape of her neck.

She opened her eyes, staring at the gorgeous Black Tahitian
Pearl necklace. “It’s beautiful. Thank you. When did you get this?”

“At the pearl farm today. I noticed you don’t have one, or
at least you’re not wearing one. The colors in it reminded me of you,” he said
affectionately.

“I didn’t see you pick it out.” Heat spread through her
body, surprised by his gift.

“I know. You were listening to the pearl farmer talk about
cultivation or something.”

“I love the color. It’s so dark, but almost looks like it
has swirls in it.”

Tom stared at her adoringly, touching his fingers to the
necklace. “The pearl is dark, but the dark brown overtone matches your hair,
and tomorrow in the daylight you’ll be able to see an iridescent blue sheen
that reminded me of your eyes.”

Her heart clenched, dreading their eventual goodbye.
Don’t
get attached, Tess. He said it himself, he only dates. He’s just a vacation
.
She whispered softly, “Thank you.”

Tess allowed herself to surrender in the moment, letting go
of her guilt, fears and doubts. The way Tom touched her that night seemed
slower and more natural. They were getting to know each other better and she
had to admit, she was crazy about him.

“What should we do with our last day in paradise?” Tess
asked gazing out over the sunrise.

“I have plans, would you like to know what they are?”

“Hmm, surprise me. I lied, you can tell me.”

“Nope, you said surprise first, so surprise it is. Let’s eat
so we can get out of here. It’s a casual day, nothing extreme.”

“Tom, every day is casual day here. I’ve hardly even worn
any clothes or swim suits, and you can’t get much more casual than this.” She
bit her lip and slid her hands down her naked body.

“You’ve got a point, but don’t start trying to entice me
back to bed. Not yet Tess,” he said with a playful smile.

The boat picked them up and dropped them off at the dock in
front of the resort. Tom led her to the very end of the property where a single
bungalow jutted out over the lagoon. Special touches were placed perfectly
around the resort spa, stimulating her senses. Freshly cut tropical flowers set
on a table next to a bowl of fruit, scented oils sat on a shelf waiting to be
chosen, and plush robes hung in the closet.

“Wow, just when you think it couldn’t possibly get any more
beautiful,” she whispered in awe.

“I know.” Tom agreed embracing her tightly.

“When you stopped me from seducing you this morning, is this
what you had in mind for later?” Tess pointed to the Jacuzzi on the deck that
baited her to undress and climb in.

“Maybe...”

One massage table sat in the center of the room with three
rain-head showers hovering above it. “Are we getting massages?”

“We are.”

“Do you want to go first?”

“No, I’d like you to go first.” He fondled her breasts,
raising her shirt over her head and slid her shorts to the ground before
lifting her up onto the table. Tom pulled his shirt off. “Face down, please.”

Tess couldn’t quit giggling. “Mr. Tom, are you my masseuse?”

“Yes, yes I am. Do you think I’m up for the daunting task?”

“I’m not sure,” she teased.

He picked an oil and started at her neck, kneading the
muscles in her shoulders with the perfect amount of pressure. Using his
forearm, Tom worked over her back and butt. Tess’ body began to pulse as his
strong hands rubbed down her thighs to her feet. Tom’s long tapered fingers
eased up her legs, caressing the inside of her thighs, making her sigh loudly.
She wanted to wait for the Jacuzzi, but wasn’t sure if she could hold out. Her
body squirmed under the strokes of his strong hands.

“Tess, can you roll over please?”

Aroused and excited, she turned over and closed her eyes.
Tom massaged her face, neck and breasts, stopping to feel her heart pounding
beneath his hands. As his fingers traveled toward her thighs, she could feel
the warmth of his breath on her tummy. Tess held her breath in anticipation.

“Breathe, Tess, just breathe.” She rolled her hips toward
his hands, but he whispered in her ear, “Not yet, lay still.”

She exhaled loudly, nodding her head. He touched her
affectionately, kissing and licking her nipple, teasing her with his tongue
until she began to simmer. Tess wouldn’t be able to wait. She was too close.
Overcome by temptation, she couldn’t lie still, writhing beneath his hands.
Dipping lower between her thighs, his tongue and fingers moved as if he knew
her body better than she did.

Tess had never been touched like this. Pleasure surged
through her. He worked over her spot, her
favorite
spot, throbbing with
the need for release. Her quiet moans climbed higher. Reaching down, she held
him there, clutching her wrists to his temples. He was remarkable. His fingers
glided in a tireless rhythm as her muscles frantically tightened and clenched
them inside her.