Chapter Twenty-Two
June
“Hmm. Good morning.”
Ian glanced up from his newspaper and smiled at the sight of the gorgeous blonde framed in the doorway. Her hair was rumpled and she was in the middle of a very wide yawn. He knew that beneath her long white cotton robe with its ruffled neckline that she would be nude, and his blood immediately started pumping a little hotter at this realization. Even with a severe case of bedhead and not a scrap of makeup, his girl never failed to arouse him, often just by being in the same room.
“Tired?” At her nod, he gave her an indulgent look. “You should have kept sleeping then, love. After all, we were up a bit late last night and will probably be so again tonight.”
Tessa shrugged, causing the gaping neckline of her robe to slide over her bare shoulder. “I got lonely in there without you. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Ian chuckled. “For the same reason I ought to be tucking you back into bed right now. You obviously need your rest, darling. We have plenty of time until the wedding, you know. Why don’t you go back to sleep for a bit?”
She shook her head and started walking over to where he sat on the sofa. He sat up a little straighter, watching with unabashed interest as her robe parted with each step, revealing the endlessly long length of her legs. Ian held out his arms as she sat down next to him, cuddling her close and kissing the top of her head.
“Mmm, this is so nice,” she purred, burrowing her head against his shoulder. “I missed waking up with you.”
He stroked her tangled curls lovingly, and couldn’t prevent the way his body responded all too quickly to the feel of her unbound breasts crushed against his ribcage. “I promise to stay in bed with you tomorrow morning. We’ll sleep in as late as possible, all right? After all, another perk of owning this place is that I don’t have to worry about trivial details like check-out times.”
They were spending the weekend at the company’s luxury resort in Pebble Beach, the gated community adjacent to the quaint coastal town of Carmel. Today was Julia and Nathan’s wedding, and Ian was glad to see that the couple would be enjoying warm, sunny weather on their special day.
Ian nearly always used the owner’s suite when he visited one of the company’s properties, unless there was some dignitary or celebrity who’d requested it. At those times he would simply stay in another, smaller suite, much like the one he and Tessa were occupying now. As part of their wedding present to the couple, Ian had arranged for them to stay in the owner’s suite, though Nathan had had the plush accommodations all to himself last night. Even though he and Julia had been living together for almost a year, she’d insisted on sleeping apart the night before their wedding as tradition called for, and had stayed at her parents’ home in nearby Carmel Highlands. Ian gave Nathan a great deal of credit for abiding by his bride-to-be’s wishes; for himself, he honestly didn’t think he could ever willingly spend a night without Tessa in his bed.
“Why don’t you let me fix you some tea, love? Then we can call down for breakfast when you’re ready,” he offered.
Tessa gave another yawn. “I can get it. Why don’t you go back to your newspaper?”
“Hush. I’ll read it later. I’d much rather spend time with you. Be right back.”
Their suite was equipped with a state of the art beverage bar that included a Nespresso single serve coffeemaker with a wide assortment of brews, and a sophisticated electric kettle and selection of Tazo teas. He brewed them each a cup of their favorite Darjeeling blend, then carried the two steaming mugs back into the living room area.
“Mmm, thank you,” murmured Tessa after taking the first sip. “Just what I needed.” She had tucked her legs up under her, and he ran his hand up and down the back of her calf.
“My pleasure, love. And the least I can do, considering how many other times you’re the one brewing our morning tea.”
She gave him a sweet smile, the sort that never failed to make his throat catch just a little. “You know I don’t mind, know how much I love taking care of you.”
Ian’s fingers moved to her ankle, then her instep, giving her the sort of little foot massage he knew she adored. “The feeling is very mutual, my sweet.”
Tessa gave a satisfied little groan as he continued to rub her foot, the sound she made more than enough to interest his already semi-hard cock. “Oh, and that feels so good. You’re way better than a professional masseuse, you know. Magic hands.”
He cocked his head at her. “Even better than Sasha?”
Tessa’s yoga teacher slash massage therapist had been to the house on several occasions by now, and had worked her magic on both of them. Ian had been a bit skeptical when Tessa had raved about how good she was. He’d mostly been used to receiving massages from men, largely because he didn’t consider a female quite strong enough to be able to dig deep into the thick layers of muscle that covered his body. His skepticism had only grown stronger when he’d met Sasha for the first time – a slender, graceful young woman of no more than medium height. But it had become apparent within five minutes that she was an exceptionally skilled masseuse, with the knack of finding spots he hadn’t even known were sore. She also had a calm, serene nature about her that soothed the mind and the spirit as well as the body.
Tessa gave him an impish grin. “Well, she might have more experience but you’re way hotter. I’d much rather have your hands on my body than anyone else’s.”
He gave a low growl and tightened his hand around her ankle. “Well, I would most definitely second that opinion, darling. And no other man had better even think of putting his hands on this body of yours.”
She blew him a kiss. “Same here. Except for Sasha, of course. At least I know when she touches you it’s to make you scream with pain and not pleasure.”
He laughed as he reached for the room service menu. “Feel like eating breakfast now?”
“In a minute.” She sat up on the sofa, her feet touching the carpeted floor, and he could tell by the way she was worrying her bottom lip that something was on her mind. “I, um, wanted to talk to you about something first.”
Ian lounged back against the sofa cushions, his arm draped along the back. “Go ahead, love. You know you can always talk to me about anything, don’t you?”
Tessa nodded. “I know. And, well, we’ve discussed this subject before but I just thought of a different approach to it. It’s – well, about school.”
He frowned. “We have had this discussion, several times. And I already know what you’re going to say, Tessa. You don’t want to start college in the fall because it will keep us apart when I have to travel. Darling, nothing has changed since the last time we had this talk. As awful as it will be not to see each other as often, it’s also important for you to get your degree. We’ll work it out, don’t worry.”
She lifted her gaze to his, giving a slight shake of her head. “You don’t understand. Listen to me, Ian, please?” At his assent she continued. “I was looking at the university’s website the other day, mostly doing some more research on courses, when I realized they have an entire online program. All of the classes I’d need to get my degree are offered via distance learning. I’d still have to go to the campus in person for mid-terms and finals and for a couple of meetings, but that’s it. So I could still travel with you while getting my degree. What – what do you think?”
A slow smile crossed his features. “I think you’re a very sweet and generous girl to be willing to do something like that for me – correction, for us. But, darling, part of the whole college experience involves being on campus, sitting in lecture halls, making friends. You’d miss out on all that if you chose this other option.”
“I don’t care about that stuff,” she declared firmly. “I mean, let’s face it. It’s not like I’m eighteen years old and fresh out of high school any longer. Most of the students will be anywhere from five to seven years younger than I am. Plus, it’s still hard for me to talk to people and make friends most of the time.”
Ian cupped her cheek in his palm. “I don’t want you choosing this other option because of me. I want what’s best for you, Tessa.”
She turned her face into his palm and pressed a kiss there. Her blue eyes were filled with tenderness. “This is best for me. For us. We can still be together this way, Ian, it’s the perfect solution.” She rose up on her knees, slipping her arms around his neck as she gazed down at him. “You told me on the night of our very first date that there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for me. Well, I’m telling you now it’s the same for me. There is nothing – absolutely nothing – I wouldn’t do for you. And if that means taking my classes online rather than in person so that we don’t have to be separated – my darling Ian, that’s the easiest decision I’ll ever have to make in my life.”
He was speechless at her impassioned words, the way she was looking at him with so much love. He stared at her for long seconds, scarcely daring to breathe because his heart was brimming over with so much love, so much desire, and so much need. He was powerfully, immensely aroused, to know that this gorgeous, giving, loving woman was his, and that she had just sworn steadfast devotion to him.
His hands were trembling as they moved to the sash of her cotton robe, the gaping ruffled neckline giving him a generous glimpse of her cleavage. He needed her naked right now, needed to bury himself inside of her as deeply as he could get, to mark her as his in the most primitive way possible.
“Take this off.”
At his hoarsely muttered words, her eyes grew big and round, her mouth parting in a lush “O”. But she was quick to do his bidding, untying the robe and pushing it off her shoulders to bare her ripe, glowing body to his devouring gaze.
His hands slid up her arms and into her hair, tilting her head back as his gaze bored into hers. “I need to take you, Tessa. Just – let me, all right? I won’t hurt you but I can’t be gentle right now either.”
She gave a quick nod and he groaned, even as he stripped off his T-shirt and pajama bottoms. She gasped at the sight of his immensely swollen erection and reached out to touch him, only to have his fingers clamp down around her wrist.
“No. Like this. I need you like this.”
He flipped her onto her stomach, spreading her thighs apart. He stretched both of her arms above her head, placing her hands on the arm of the sofa.
“Hold on to that tight. Don’t let go,” he ordered.
“O-okay,” was all she seemed capable of saying in response.
Then, with one dominant surge, he mounted her and drove deep inside her tight, clenching pussy. The cry of surrender that escaped Tessa’s throat was one of the most erotic sounds he’d ever heard, and he groaned as he took her hard, his chest flush against her back. This was what he’d needed to do so desperately after she’d so sweetly declared her devotion to him – to fuck her hard, to brand her with his possession, with intense and utter domination. She was the only woman in his entire life that he’d ever felt this way about, the only one in his forty years of living that he’d ever wanted to claim.
Tessa was mewling against the sofa cushions, clutching the arm rest for dear life, as he continued to pound into her with hard, powerful strokes. He worked a hand between their co-joined bodies and found her clit, hearing her gasp as he rubbed the hard little nub.
He was too far gone, too consumed with lust and need and love to care if he was crushing her or not, his body so much heavier and muscular than hers. But if he was hurting her she gave no indication, didn’t try to resist his domination of her body. She whimpered when he sucked hard on the back of her neck, marking her with his love bite, and the blood roared in his ears at the little sounds she made.
Feeling himself drawing ever closer to release, he reared back onto his knees and pulled her up with him, his chest pressed against her back. Tessa’s head fell back limply onto his shoulder as she gasped for breath, and then she was panting as his fingers plucked at her engorged nipple while the other hand stimulated her clit, all while he continued to fuck her with barely controlled force.
Her orgasm shook her whole body, and she would have collapsed onto the sofa if he hadn’t banded an arm around her waist to hold her in place. Ian shouted incoherent, raw words of pleasure as he followed her over the edge, continuing to pump into her body long after he was empty. When he could breathe again – though not necessarily think – he folded her into his arms, dragging her onto his lap.
Tessa spoke first, her voice whisper soft. “I assume since you own this hotel that the staff will overlook the big wet stain we’re leaving on this sofa.”
His shoulders shook with mirth. “Let’s put it this way, love. Not a one of them would have the nerve to bring the subject up.”
She smiled, and tenderly brushed damp strands of hair back off his face. “I love it when you’re in boss man mode. How everyone snaps to attention and bends over backwards to please you.” She nibbled on his earlobe. “And I especially love it when you’re the boss in our bed.”
He chuckled, pulling her astride his lap and squeezing the firm cheeks of her ass. “And I love how you, uh, just bent over backwards for me.”
Tessa gasped in mock outrage, giving him a little shove. “As I recall, I wasn’t exactly given a choice in the matter.”
“No, you weren’t.” Ian sobered, tracing his thumb over her lips. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She shook her head. “No, you could never hurt me, Ian. Though it might be a little difficult to walk a straight line today.”
“I’ll hold you up, darling,” he murmured, pulling her head down to his for a long, lingering kiss. “Though a hot bath might help both of us. I’m a bit shaky myself.”
“Not surprising, considering how you were pretty much in barbarian mode a little while ago,” she teased. “I never imagined when I told you I was going to do online classes that you’d be quite so, ah, thrilled.”
“It wasn’t just that and you know it.” He brushed a soft kiss on her lips. “It was what you told me about doing absolutely anything for me. That just – touched something in me, made me go a little crazy with needing you. All I knew at that moment was that I had to own you completely, be just as raw and honest as you had been with me.”
Tessa touched her forehead to his. “I love you, Ian. And I meant every single word.”
“My sweet, darling girl. You are the love of my life. Now, let’s see about that bath and then breakfast, hmm? After all, we have a wedding to attend.”
***
Julia looked breathtakingly beautiful, Nathan incredibly handsome, and their wedding was rather like a fairytale. At least it seemed that way to Tessa, who had never actually attended a wedding before. She and Peter had married in a brief, rather clinical ceremony at City Hall, and the extent of their celebration had consisted of eating dinner at the Olive Garden. She had seen a lot of lavish weddings being set up when she’d worked at the Tucson resort, but had never actually attended any of them, of course.
Tessa had gotten a little misty eyed while her friends were exchanging their heartfelt vows, and she smiled gratefully at Ian when he took her hand.
“It’s so romantic, isn’t it?” she whispered.
In reply, he merely pressed a kiss to her temple and squeezed her hand a little tighter.
The words he had spoken to her last month during his parents’ visit suddenly came back to tease her – what he’d said about her being his wife one day. He hadn’t mentioned anything further about marriage since that evening, and she hadn’t permitted herself to think about it too much. But now, in this exquisitely romantic garden setting, with a string quartet playing, flowers everywhere, and two starry eyed lovers pledging themselves to each other, it was easy to imagine her own potential nuptials one day. At the same time, though, the idea made her a little sad, because unlike Julia she had no doting father to give her away, no proud mother watching teary eyed from the front row of seats, and no devoted sister to stand as her maid of honor. If Ian did in fact marry her someday, it would really only be his family and friends in attendance, and it occurred to Tessa for the first time since moving in with him just how alone she would be without him.
Impatiently, she forced her maudlin thoughts aside just as the minister was pronouncing Nathan and Julia to be husband and wife. With something of a twinkle in his eye, the white haired officiate nodded at the rather impatient groom.
“Well, go ahead, Nathan, it’s finally time. You may kiss the bride.”
Tessa joined in the applause as a grinning Nathan wasted no time in sweeping Julia into his arms and kissing her soundly, not seeming to notice that two hundred other people – including her father and uncle – were watching them intently. Somewhere to her left Tessa heard loud whoops and cat calls, as well as several suggestive comments being shouted out.
Ian murmured in her ear, clearly amused. “The, ah, cheering section there would be Nathan’s old college mates that I told you about.”
“The ones from the bachelor party?” At Ian’s nod, Tessa glanced over at the group of a dozen or so noisy thirty-somethings in concern. “Oh, God, I hope they don’t ruin Julia’s wedding! From what she’s told me – and what you saw firsthand - they can get a little rowdy.”
Ian arched a brow. “A little rowdy? Darling, a rugby match is a little rowdy. Nathan’s chums over there take rowdy to whole new levels. Think Animal House on steroids.”
Tessa suppressed a giggle, especially when the string quartet started to play a rousing version of the Beatles’ All You Need is Love as the recessional. She’d heard all about the drunken bachelor party – where Ian had drolly told her he’d been not only the oldest but the most sober of the attendees. It had taken place the same night as Julia’s only slightly less wild bachelorette party, to which Tessa had been invited.
Fortunately, Nathan’s friends quieted down long enough for him to walk down the aisle with his beaming bride on his arm, the two of them waving and smiling to as many guests as they could. When Julia saw Tessa and Ian she blew them a kiss before continuing down the white carpet to the back of the outdoor chapel.
“She looks so beautiful,” sighed Tessa. “And so happy.”
Ian slid his arm around her waist, guiding her out of their row of chairs as other guests began to leave the chapel. “They deserve it, darling. Like with us, it took a little time for the stars to align properly so they could be together. Now, come, the festivities are beginning.”
He steered her over to the expansive patio area where champagne and hors d’oeuvres were being passed around. All of the wait staff seemed to know exactly who Ian was, treating him with extreme deference and care. At various times during the cocktail reception, the hotel manager, catering manager and head bartender all came over to shake his hand and inquire if all was well, as though he were the groom or the father of the bride instead of merely a guest. As always, Ian was graciousness personified, greeting them by name and asking about their families. It never ceased to amaze Tessa at how much respect he commanded and how eagerly all his employees rushed to please him. He was, she though fondly, like a well-loved king among his subjects.
And the two of them seemed to be drawing almost as much attention as the bride and groom. Tessa thought with a little smile that they did make rather a striking couple, both tall and impeccably dressed. With Joanna’s help, she’d chosen a gorgeous pink silk pleated dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline. With it she wore killer pale pink satin Jimmy Choo sandals that had a satin bow attached to the ankle strap, plus the triple strand pearl necklace and dainty pearl stud earrings that Ian had given her months ago. He had chosen a complementing Armani suit in a pale silver gray, paired with a pearl gray shirt and a silk tie patterned in varying shades of gray and mauve. Tessa hadn’t missed all the admiring female glances directed his way, and she made sure she stuck to his side like glue.
Julia and Nathan were doing their best to circulate among all their guests, stopping to greet as many people as possible. When they eventually reached Tessa and Ian, Julia pulled her down into a fierce little hug.
“Oh, you look so pretty, Tessa! God, just look at the pair of you together. Like two movie stars or European royalty,” sighed Julia.
Ian grinned and bent to kiss her cheek. “Ah, but the bride is supposed to be the center of attention on her wedding day. And as lovely as my girl here looks, I think she’d agree that you are the most beautiful woman here today. Congratulations, Mrs. Atwood.”
Nathan was beaming as he shook Ian’s hand and then kissed Tessa’s cheek. “I told you on your birthday, Ian. We’re the two luckiest bastards I know. And with the two most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Hey, I heard that, Nathan. And since Jules and I are identical twins, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Nathan rolled his eyes as his very outspoken sister-in-law Lauren sidled up alongside Julia, slipping an arm about her twin’s waist. Tessa had only met the very formidable Lauren once – at the bachelorette party that Lauren herself had organized – and she confessed to being more than a little intimidated by her. Julia’s sister was utterly fearless, extremely outspoken, and could put away an astonishing number of tequila shots. She seemed sassier than ever today, though she looked far softer and more feminine in her mint green floral print bridesmaid dress.
Nathan gave his sister-in-law a good natured jab in the ribs. “Okay, the three most beautiful women in the world. You’ve met Tessa, haven’t you?”
“I have. Tried like hell to get her drunk but I think her man here gave her strict orders to behave. Good to see you again, sweetie.” Lauren turned and winked at Ian. “Hey, handsome. I’d ask how you were doing but I can see that for myself. You two look like Ken and Barbie.”
Ian grinned and gave Lauren a peck on the cheek. “Lovely to see you as always, Lauren. Break any hearts lately? Or noses, for that matter?”
Lauren glared at him darkly. “I should have never told you that story. And I didn’t break the little crybaby’s nose, just made it bleed a little. On accident.” She gave Tessa a sheepish look. “Blind date gone bad. Really bad. Ask Ian to tell you the story sometime, he thought it was hilarious.”
As the call came to sit down for dinner, Tessa gave Ian an inquiring look. “I didn’t realize you’d met Lauren before.”
He nodded as he ushered her to their assigned table. “Once, last fall. It was at a dinner party Julia and Nathan were giving. I was lonely, and rather miserable since I was still pining away for a woman I couldn’t have – namely you. I thought meeting Julia’s sister might prove something of a distraction.” He shook his head. “I’m not certain there’s a man alive capable of taming that girl. She was definitely too much for me to even consider handling. And as beautiful as she is, she still wasn’t you.”
Tessa clutched his arm a little tighter. “Sometimes I wish I’d known sooner how you felt about me. I don’t know how that might have changed things but - ”
He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have. I know you too well, Tessa, and the fact that I was attracted to you would not have compelled you to leave your husband. The way we finally got together – it had to happen that way, love. You had to end things with Peter first, and for the right reasons. As much as I wanted you, I would never have broken up your marriage.”
“I know. And you’re right, of course. Still - ”
“Shh. We’re together now and that’s all that matters. Ah, here’s our table.”
They had been seated with several of Julia’s and Nathan’s co-workers – the co-owner of the firm, Travis Headley, and his partner Anton Nguyen; Nathan’s PA Robyn Reynolds and her husband Dan; and Jake Harriman, the associate architect working on the new Gregson resort in Napa, accompanied by his date Abby.
During the multi-course wedding meal, Tessa learned that Travis had been the interior designer responsible for decorating Ian’s home; that Anton also worked as a personal shopper at Neiman Marcus – albeit in the men’s department – and that Marlene Brennan was a mentor of his; and that Robyn had originally worked with Nathan and Travis at a different architectural design firm before – as she fondly recalled – “the boys decided to spin off on their own and practically shanghaied me into going with them.”
It was, all in all, a beautiful wedding with wonderful food and wine, pleasant company, and a magnificent setting. Tessa took a sip of her wine and gazed admiringly around the trellised patio.
“This is so beautiful,” she told Ian. “I think this might be my favorite of all the hotels I’ve seen so far. Not that I’ve been to all that many, of course.”
He nodded in agreement. “It’s one of my favorites, too, and one of our most popular. Especially for weddings. But,” he added mysteriously, “I have an even grander venue in mind for the day I finally make you my wife. And before you ask, darling, that bit of information is going to remain a closely guarded secret. Let’s just say it will be another first.”
Once the lavish meal had been cleared away, the dancing began. Tessa and Ian watched along with all the other guests as the bride and groom shared a tender first dance before changing partners multiple times to dance with parents, siblings, and the members of the wedding party. As soon as the rest of the guests were invited to join in, Ian tugged Tessa to her feet, and smoothly drew her onto the dance floor.
She went into his arms with a little sigh, resting her cheek on his shoulder, and smiled when she recognized the song.
“This is what was playing when we danced for the first time in Lake Tahoe,” she told him as he guided her around the dance floor to If I Ain’t Got You.
“I remember. Very, very well,” he replied with a warm glow in his hazel eyes. “And it’s true, you know, what the lyrics say – if I can’t have you, Tessa, then nothing else in this whole world means a thing.”
She touched his cheek, which was already starting to show signs of a five o’clock shadow. “Same here. I told your mother that sometimes I wish you didn’t have all this money, that you were a truck driver or something like that, and that we lived on a little houseboat somewhere. Just so that you’d know you were the only thing that mattered to me.”
He pressed a kiss to her palm and smiled. “I do know, darling. You show me that every day in more ways than you realize. As for driving a truck – I much prefer the Jaguar, thank you very much. And the houseboat – I have to confess to an occasional bout of seasickness so I’m afraid we’ll have to stay on land.”
She laughed along with him as the song finished, and then Ian went to claim a dance with Julia while Tessa and Nathan paired up.
Tessa couldn’t recall a time when she’d enjoyed herself more – laughing with all the other guests when Nathan “accidentally” smeared cake frosting all over Julia’s mouth, and then egging him on as he slowly licked it all off; watching Lauren start up a raucous conga line that was quickly joined by most of Nathan’s drunk friends; and then listening dreamily to Julia’s father Robert serenade his daughter with a touching rendition of Sunrise Sunset.
Then it was time for Julia to toss her bouquet, and at Ian’s prodding Tessa joined the other single women on the floor, giggling the whole time. Save for Angela, Tessa was taller than most of the other women present and thus had a better than even shot at catching it. She actually had a hand on the gorgeous bouquet of pink and cream roses, was convinced she could snatch it up, when it tumbled instead into the hands of Lauren McKinnon.
Julia’s sister stared at the bouquet with a horrified expression, as though she were clutching an angry badger instead of some beautiful flowers. Julia was squealing in delight as she realized her twin was the lucky girl, while Lauren could only murmur in stunned disbelief, “How in the hell did that happen?”