Chapter Thirty
The next week passed by quickly. Another wedding shower for Jilly. Another day of shopping, this time for a bridesmaid’s dress for Tessa. She bought the first one she tried on—a pale blue, floor-length silk with a dark blue sash. A small hat with a short veil and a pair of matching shoes completed her outfit. They had found a dress for Bailey as well.
The day of Jilly’s wedding dawned bright and clear.
Tessa glanced over her shoulder as Andrei appeared in the doorway of her room.
“Ready to go, beautiful?” he asked.
It was all she could do not to swoon. Clad in a new black Armani suit that had been tailored just for him, a white silk shirt, and black boots polished to a high shine, the man was so devastatingly handsome he fairly took her breath away. “Yes, just let me grab my handbag.”
* * *
Jilly had chosen to be married in a small chapel located in a shady glen. When Tessa arrived, the bride was pacing back and forth. Munching on a candy bar.
“Not too late to change your mind,” Mr. Hix said, patting his daughter’s arm.
“No, no, I’m not having second thoughts about Luke,” Jilly said. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
Tessa plucked the candy bar from Jilly’s hand. “Brides are supposed to be jittery.” She gave Jilly a hug, then handed her a Kleenex pulled from the box on a nearby table. “But not smeared with chocolate. You look lovely, by the way.”
“Thanks. So do you. Is Luke here?”
“Yes,” Tessa said. “I saw his new car out front. Very nice, by the way. Don’t worry, girlfriend, you won’t be alone at the altar.”
Just then, the organist began to play the “Wedding March.”
Tessa glanced over her shoulder as she took her place. “Just remember to breathe, Jilly. Here we go.”
* * *
Tessa blinked tears from her eyes as Jilly and Luke exchanged their wedding vows. As they shared their first kiss, Tessa looked out at the guests, and saw Andrei watching her.
His gaze caught and held hers as, in her mind, she heard his voice. Will you marry me, Tess?
Happiness swelled in her breast, chasing away every doubt, every fear. Yes. Oh, yes!
His smile matched the one in her heart.
After the ceremony, Andrei took her aside while Jilly and Luke were busy with their guests. “You said yes.” His gaze searched hers. “Did you mean it?”
Nodding, she murmured, “I love you, Andrei, for as long as I live.”
Her words poured over him and through him like a warm summer breeze, chasing the cold from his heart and soul. Murmuring her name, he swept her into his arms, holding her as if he would never let her go.
She would have been content to stay there forever but, all too soon, Jilly was tugging on her arm. “Come on, the photographer wants to take some pictures in here, and then take a few in front of the church.”
Andrei kissed Tessa on the cheek, thinking she looked more radiant than the bride. “Go on, love. I’ll see you later.”
* * *
After what seemed like hundreds of photos, the bridal party and guests went to the reception, which was being held at the Corner’s Country Club, located not far from the chapel. Tessa was dying to tell Jilly about Andrei’s proposal, but this was Jilly’s night and she didn’t want to say or do anything that would distract the bride from her own happiness.
The bride and groom did all the usual things—the first dance as man and wife, cutting the cake, tossing the garter and the bouquet.
For Tessa, the best part of the reception was dancing with Andrei. When she was in his arms, everything and everyone else melted away and it was just the two of them lost in a world of their own.
“You look like you swallowed the sun,” Andrei remarked as he twirled her around the floor.
Tessa smiled at him. “I feel that way too. All warm and glowy inside.”
He drew her closer, his gaze hot enough to melt steel.
Tessa felt herself blushing. “Andrei, stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re going to seduce me right here in the middle of the dance floor.”
“Would you like me to?”
She stared at him. Was he serious? Right here, right now, with everyone watching?
Leaning down, he whispered, “No one will see us.”
She didn’t doubt for a minute that he meant it. He was a master vampire, after all, possessed of amazing powers. Still, as intrigued as she was by the idea, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
He laughed softly. “Chicken.”
“How would you do it? Just hypnotize everyone in the place?”
“More or less.”
“You could really do that?”
“Want me to show you?”
“No. When we make love, I’d like it to be someplace more romantic than the floor of the country club.”
“Just say the word. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
The man was as incorrigible as he was desirable.
* * *
“It was a lovely wedding,” Tessa remarked, slipping off her shoes.
Andrei sat on her bed, his back resting against the headboard, one knee bent. He had discarded his suit coat and boots. Now he watched her through heavy-lidded eyes as she stepped out of her dress. “Yes,” he murmured, his gaze following her as she hung her gown in the closet. “Lovely.”
With her back toward him, she asked, “Are you spending the night?”
“I think not.”
“Oh?” She pulled on her robe before she turned to face him.
“I’ve been hungering for you all night,” he said. “And not just for your body. I don’t think staying is a good idea.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Of course.” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, then stood. “Sweet dreams, love.”
Although she very much wanted him to stay, she didn’t try to change his mind. She could see the struggle in his eyes, knew he was keeping a tight rein on his hunger and his desire.
Hands clenched at his sides, he kissed her cheek, and then he was gone.
Theirs had better be a short engagement, she thought.
For his sake. And hers.
* * *
Tessa called her parents first thing Sunday morning to tell them the good news.
Her father was less than thrilled at the idea of his daughter being engaged to a man they had never met, one she had known such a short time, but he wished her well, then said gruffly, “Your mom wants to talk to you.”
There was a muffled exchange and then her mother came on the line. “I’m sure he’s a wonderful man,” Alice Blackburn said, a smile in her voice. “What’s his name? How old is he? Where did you meet?”
“I met Andrei outside my apartment.” Tessa didn’t mention that the first time she had seen him, he had saved her from a vampire attack, and deliberately ignored the question about his age. “He sells antiques. He’s got some pieces I know you’ll love,” she said, hoping to divert her mother from more questions about Andrei. “Wait until you see the gorgeous glass-fronted secretary he gave me.”
In the background, Tessa heard her father mutter, “Well, at least he’s employed.”
“Be quiet, Henry!”
Tessa grinned as her mother cleared her throat. “Have you set a date?”
“No. We haven’t gotten that far. And, of course, we’ll wait until you and Dad get home.”
“Maybe you could send us a photo of the two of you?”
Tessa frowned. Uh-oh. Could you photograph a vampire?
“Tess?”
“Um, sure. Oh, Mom, I almost forgot the other news. Jilly got married last night.”
“That’s wonderful. Give her my best.”
“I will. Listen, Mom, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for church. I just wanted to give you the good news.”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” her mother said. “We can’t wait to meet him.”
Tessa ended the call, then fell back on the mattress, her arms outstretched. Thank goodness that was over!
* * *
Andrei was at the condo when Tessa and Bailey returned from church.
“How long have you been here?” Tessa toed off her heels and removed her coat before going into Andrei’s arms.
“Just a few minutes,” he said, giving her a hug. “How’s it going, Bailey?”
“Fine. I hear you two are getting married.”
“Yeah,” he said, gazing into Tessa’s eyes. “Unless she’s changed her mind.”
“No way, Mr. Dinescu,” Tessa said. “You’re mine now.”
“Well, congratulations to both of you,” Bailey said. “Tess, I’m going over to Tristan’s for lunch, if that’s okay.”
“Hey, I’m not your mother,” Tessa said, grinning. “But behave yourself and don’t be too late.”
“I wish you were my mom.” Bailey glanced down at her shoes, her voice barely audible. “Do you think you could adopt me?”
“Are you serious?” Tessa asked. “Because if you are . . .” She looked at Andrei. “What do you think? Should we adopt a teenager?”
“It’s up to you. But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Tessa asked.
“Never mind,” Bailey said quickly, and it was obvious, from her tone, that she was embarrassed for asking. And equally obvious that she thought Andrei didn’t want her.
“Let me explain,” he said. “I think it would be great for Tessa to adopt you. But it’s not that easy. There’s a lot of paperwork involved. The agency would have to investigate Tessa’s background. I don’t think that would be a problem. She doesn’t have a police record. . . .”
Tessa poked him on the arm. “How do you know?”
He laughed softly. “How do you think?”
“Reading my mind again?” she asked. “Or checking the Internet?”
“As I was saying, you don’t have a police record, you’re an upstanding citizen, you’ve got a good-paying job.”
“So, why isn’t it a good idea?” Tessa glanced at Bailey, who looked like she was on the verge of tears.
“For one thing, they’d probably send Bailey back to the Fischers while the investigation was in progress.”
Bailey shuddered. “No way! I’m never going back there. Not that they’d want me,” she added, and quickly told them about the house call she and Tristan had made on Mr. Fischer. “I don’t think he’ll be mistreating anybody ever again.”
“Good for you!” Tessa exclaimed.
“You know,” Andrei said, “by the time they check into Tessa’s background and do a credit check . . .” He shrugged. “The whole investigation might take a year or two. By then, Bailey will be married or an adult.”
“I didn’t think of that,” Bailey exclaimed. “But you’re probably right.”
“And in the meantime,” Tessa said, “you can stay here.”
* * *
Tessa snuggled against Andrei. A fire burned in the hearth, casting rainbow colors on the two empty goblets on the coffee table. “It would have been nice to adopt Bailey, but not at the risk of having her sent back to the Fischers, or to some other foster home.”
“Enough about Bailey,” Andrei murmured. His fingers stroked her nape, sending little shivers of pleasure down her spine. “You haven’t changed your mind about us, have you? No second thoughts?”
“No.” She smiled up at him. “No second thoughts.”
“Good.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew a small velvet box. “I thought we should make it official.”
Tessa gasped when he lifted the lid. Inside, nestled against a bed of black velvet, lay the most exquisite diamond-and-platinum engagement ring she had ever seen. “Oh, Andrei,” she murmured. “It’s beautiful.”
Lifting it from the box, he slid it on her finger.
“It must have cost a fortune.” The center diamond was large and square, surrounded by a halo of fiery round diamonds.
“Nothing from Tiffany’s comes cheap,” he said, smiling. The center diamond was close to four carats. “I’m glad you like it.”
“How did you know my size?”
“I measured your finger while you were sleeping, of course.”
“I need to ask you a favor.”
“Anything, love.”
“My mom wants me to send her a photo of us. Is that possible?”
“I don’t see why not, unless you’re camera shy.”
“I didn’t know if vampires could be photographed.”
“These days it’s not a problem, more’s the pity.”
“What do you mean?”
“In days past, you couldn’t capture our image on film. And if you did, it quickly disappeared. But these days, with digital technology . . .” He shrugged. “It was more advantageous when our likeness couldn’t be captured.”
“I’ll just tell her no.”
“No, it’s fine. Where’s your phone?” he asked with a grin. “This will be my first selfie. And be sure to get your ring in the photo. I want your folks to know you’re marrying a man who can afford to take good care of you.”
* * *
Eyes as wide as saucers, Jilly stared at Tessa’s ring. “Girl, that is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. I had no idea Andrei was so dang rich.”
“Me either.” Tessa held up her hand, turning it this way and that so that the diamonds reflected the cafeteria lights. Tessa had been surprised when Jilly called last night to say she would be at work in the morning. She and Luke had decided to postpone their honeymoon until spring so they could save enough money to go to Hawaii.
Tessa added sweetener to her iced tea. “I sent my folks a photo of me and Andrei. My dad wasn’t too keen on my engagement to a ‘stranger’ until he saw the ring. Now he can’t wait to meet his future son-in-law.”
“When will your folks be home?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully by Christmas.”
“Have you and Andrei set a date?”
“No. I can’t do that until I know when my mom and dad will be back. So, how’s married life?”
“Wonderful! I mean, wonderful.” Jilly leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Making love to Luke was awesome before but it’s different now. Better, somehow, because I know he’s mine, that he really loves me.”
“He loved you before.”
“I know, but, well, a lot of people say a marriage license is just a piece of paper, but it’s more than that. It’s like a symbol of our love.” Cheeks flushed, she said, “I don’t know how to explain it, but I think you’ll be glad you waited.”
“I’m tired of waiting,” Tessa said. “There’ve been so many times when we’ve almost done it and every time, I’ve pulled back. I think, deep down, I’m a little afraid.”
“Of sex?”
Now it was Tessa’s turn to whisper. “No. Of sex with a . . . you know.”
“Oh. Do they do it different?”
Tessa stared at Jilly, then burst out laughing. And sobered again just as quickly. What if vampires did do it differently?