Crave (Splendor Book 2) (44 page)

She’d had a full two weeks in between quitting her job and then accompanying him on this past week’s trip. To prepare for the trip, there had been countless phone calls and emails from Andrew, with endless lists of the tasks she would be expected to do, names and numbers of contacts she would need, plus half a dozen items he would “appreciate” her assistance with if she could spare the time.

Julia had been a great help when it came time to pack for the trip, helping her select appropriate outfits for each city, for day and night, and the right accessories. And Ian had insisted she spend a day right before they left on the trip at the Neiman Marcus salon - getting her hair cut, having a facial, a mani-pedi, a massage.

He’d smiled at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Have whatever girly treatments you’d like, my love. With two exceptions.”

She’d looked at him quizzically as he’d explained. “Don’t let them cut too much of this beautiful hair. I told you before that I like it long. As for the other.” He’d nuzzled her neck as his hand had slipped down past her belly to cup her sex. “No Brazilian waxes. I want this left natural.”

Since the very thought of someone applying hot wax to her private parts was just about the scariest idea she’d ever heard, Tessa had readily agreed.

The trip itself had been amazing, even though they both put in long hours at each of the hotels they visited, their days filled with meetings and reviews. Tessa was thrilled to actually be doing real work - taking notes during meetings and then transcribing them, sending faxes and printing reports, creating and updating all of his various spreadsheets, making sure the arrangements for lunch and dinner were confirmed. Ian had insisted that she accompany him to each meeting, lunch and dinner, and had made it very clear, albeit in a discreet, professional manner, that she was not only his PA but his companion as well. They stayed in the owner’s suite at each of the properties, each suite with its own private butler, and each one more lavishly appointed than the one before.

And of course, the very best part of living with and being with him nearly all the time, was his phenomenal sexual prowess. He was the sort of lover every woman could only dream of - the sort she in her naïve inexperience had never imagined truly existed. One night he might set out to seduce her slowly, taking his time with her, drawing out the anticipation until they were both mindless with need. And then, the very next night, he would take her roughly, demandingly, the sex wild and more than a little dirty. Tessa wasn’t sure what side of him she loved better - the erotic seducer or the dominant lover.

And of course there were many and varied versions of both of his personas. But it never mattered to Tessa what Ian’s particular mood called for from one day to the next - she loved them all, loved being his lover, loved making love with him. He had most definitely awakened her body to the point where she craved him like a physical need akin to breathing. She responded to not just his kisses and caresses, but to the sound of his voice, his scent, his very presence in the same room. During their business meetings or dinners, where they would strive to act like complete professionals and not the passionate lovers they were, their eyes would still meetacross the room, and it would be impossible for either of them to disguise the flare of awareness that passed between them every single time.

When they were alone, she would reach for him nearly as often as he did her - snuggling against him as they slept, sliding onto his lap as he sipped his tea or drank his brandy, running her hands over his bare torso as he shaved or brushed his teeth. Sometimes he teased her about having turned her into a sex maniac, but most of the time he would groan and sweep her into his arms, kissing her into oblivion, or carrying her to his bed.

Tonight, for his birthday, she had an extra special sexual experience planned for him, one she was fairly sure he would love. There was a chance, however slight, that he would balk at her idea, but she honestly didn’t think so. She was going to seduce him - plain and simple - and hopefully rock his well-ordered world into another galaxy.

With that goal in mind, she applied a heavier than normal makeup - her eyes darkly shadowed and lined, her skin glowing with the application of sparkly bronzer, her lips full and glistening beneath the shiny scarlet gloss. She’d taken a long, hot bath earlier, the sunken tub filled with fragrant, vanilla scented bath salts, and then exfoliated nearly every inch of her skin. She’d spent considerable time rubbing scented lotion on her arms, legs, belly, breasts, before lightly spritzing herself with the delicate floral perfume Ian had bought her, knowing it was the scent he preferred.

But it was when she put on the new, ultra sexy bits of black lace she’d bought specifically for tonight that her confidence level zoomed up several degrees. As she gazed at her reflection in the full length mirror, she ran her fingers lightly over the plunging demi-bra, miniscule thong, ruffly garter skirt, and sheer, seamed stockings. Tessa gave herself a naughty, satisfied wink in the mirror.

‘There is zero chance - Z-E-R-O - that he’ll say no to anything you suggest when he sees you in this, girl,’ she told herself with a chuckle. ‘In fact, he’s going to get on his hands and knees and beg you to do him any way you want. Too bad that’s not the position I have in mind for tonight.’

***

“Let’s drink a toast to Ian’s birthday, shall we?” suggested Nathan. “Here’s wishing you a very, very happy one, and I’m only hoping that I’ll be in half as good a shape as you are when I turn forty.”

Julia snickered. “Well, I’ll definitely drink to that!”

There was laughter all around the table as the four occupants drank from their champagne flutes. They were enjoying pre-dinner cocktails in the lavishly appointed lounge area on the top floor of the Gregson Hotel. The cocktail lounge was adjacent to the four-star gourmet restaurant where they would be having dinner shortly.

Ian had chosen the venue for his birthday celebration quite intentionally, knowing that not only would the food and the service be superb, but that he could depend on the full discretion of the staff. Even though Tessa no longer officially worked for the company, they had agreed to keep something of a low profile for awhile, at least here in San Francisco. Neither of them wanted speculation to start about exactly when their relationship had begun.

But for now he refused to worry about any of that, or anything else for that matter. Tonight was a night to relax and enjoy a fine meal with friends, and of course with the gorgeous love of his life who was seated to his left.

His jaw had dropped when he’d seen her for the first time tonight, walking with slow deliberation down the long, winding staircase of the house. And while Tessa always looked utterly beautiful and irresistibly tempting, tonight she was beyond dazzling. In the black, V-neck Herve Leger bandage dress with its sequin embellished panels, she was a bombshell - really no other word came close to describing how sizzlingly sexy she looked. Her golden hair fell in thick, bouncy waves past her shoulders, her lush mouth looking positively sinful glossed over in a deep red. The only jewelry she wore were diamond solitaire earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet, with nothing around her neck to distract from the tantalizing display of her cleavage.

Ian hadn’t missed all the admiring, covetous male glances directed her way, and he intended to keep her very close to his side the entire evening. In fact, probably the only male in the lounge who hadn’t stared lustfully at his girl was Nathan, and that was because he had his own ultra-sexy woman sitting next to him. Julia had caused more than a few jaws to drop herself, garbed in a strapless ivory chiffon cocktail dress with a jeweled waist, and very high heeled ivory satin shoes with a rhinestone strap. Every time Ian happened to glance across the table, the engaged couple were touching each other in some way, or kissing. Even now Nathan was dipping his head to whisper something in her ear, and Julia giggled in response.

“Care to share the joke, or is it a private one?” drawled Ian in amusement. His arm circled Tessa’s shoulder, his fingers splayed over the bare, warm flesh of her arm. He felt the little shimmer of awareness that traveled through her body and he smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Nathan and Julia were holding hands, clearly as enamored with each other as he and Tessa were. Nathan indicated his head toward the bottle of champagne Ian had ordered, a particularly fine vintage of Perrier Jouet.

“I was just reminding my lovely fiancée here that we happened to be drinking the exact same champagne on the night of our first - uh, I guess you could call it a date,” shrugged Nathan.

Ian smiled and offered up his flute in a silent toast. “Well, I’m very glad I chose something that brought back happy memories for you.”

Nathan grinned, his fingers brushing against the nape of Julia’s neck. “Julia loves champagne, don’t you, baby? Especially when she’s in the mood to be -”

Julia clamped a hand over Nathan’s mouth. “Don’t you dare. Behave yourself, Nathan Atwood. You’re going to embarrass me in front of Ian and Tessa.”

Nathan winked knowingly at Ian. “Nothing either of them hasn’t heard before, baby. Besides, it’s pretty obvious they’re as crazy about each other as you and I are.”

Ian caught and held Tessa’s gaze, smiling as he noticed the becoming blush on her cheeks, and the way she shyly returned his smile. “I am crazy about her,” he murmured huskily. “I waited a very long time for this woman, but it was well worth it.”

A hint of tears shimmered in Tessa’s eyes as she touched his cheek. “And I’m crazy about you, too,” she whispered. “Happy birthday, my love.”

He gave her a sweet, soft kiss, then glanced up to find Julia’s smiling gaze upon them. He was somewhat surprised to realize Julia’s green eyes were also shiny with unshed tears.

“Oh, you two are so perfect together,” she murmured. “And it’s so romantic how Ian waited for you, Tessa, how he didn’t want anyone else if he couldn’t have you.” She reached up and pressed a kiss to Nathan’s cheek. “I know the feeling.”

“Jesus, you’re going to make me cry in a minute with all this sappy stuff,” grumbled Nathan. “I’ve got a much better idea - more champagne all around.”

Everyone laughed as Nathan refilled their flutes, and the subject was changed. They headed to dinner shortly thereafter, being shown to the best table in the place. There were, after all, a great many perks to being the owner of this hotel, and therefore the restaurant, and this was definitely one time Ian was more than content to avail himself.

It was a wonderful evening all around, and Ian was hard pressed to remember a night when he’d enjoyed himself so much. Nathan and Julia were delightful company, and it was obvious that Tessa felt very comfortable in their presence. She was far more outgoing and talkative tonight than he’d ever seen her, and it made his heart sing to see her so happy and relaxed. Of course, he’d been plying her with a tad more wine than she normally drank, while still taking care to make sure she didn’t overindulge. Getting her tipsy was one thing - there was no way he’d permit her to get drunk. Not on his bloody fortieth birthday, when he was extremely optimistic that she would feel like celebrating in private once they finished dinner.

But there was no denying the obvious benefits of loosening up his shy little love just a bit. Not only did she appear to be greatly enjoying herself - laughing and giggling like a young woman of her age ought to be doing - but she was also extremely affectionate, even more so than usual. He absolutely adored all of the little ways she kept touching him - a soft caress on his cheek, the way she would rest her golden head on his shoulder, how she would slip her arm through his and hug it against her breast. In his life, Ian had always been extremely reserved, even standoffish, and he couldn’t recall ever showing real affection towards a woman in public before Tessa. He knew he gave off the impression of being a rather cold, unfeeling bastard - an image he’d admittedly worked very hard to cultivate. But anyone seeing him here tonight with his beloved Tessa would never believe he was that same formal, proper man, the one who would never dream of kissing a young, gorgeous blonde in front of dozens of other diners.

His own father, in fact, had been in utter disbelief when he’d heard about Ian’s very new and very beautiful traveling companion slash assistant. After visiting the hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, Ian knew it would only be a matter of time before he heard from Edward. The manager of the property was a very ambitious younger man by the name of Rodney Horton. He was also a former protégé of Edward’s, having worked at the home office in London for several years, and was especially loyal to the elder Gregson. Ian had been well aware from the moment he’d walked into the hotel with Tessa at his side that Rodney would waste precious little time in updating Edward about this extremely interesting development.

His mother had called him at the office yesterday to wish him a slightly early happy birthday before passing the phone to Edward. His father had barely been able to conceal his rather obvious amusement.

“Well, I’d wish you a happy birthday, son, but it sounds like you’ve already begun the celebration. And given yourself quite a present to boot,” Edward had joked.

Ian had sighed. “Good old Rodney. I’m just surprised it took him this long to broadcast the news. He must be losing his touch.”

Edward had chuckled. “Oh, never fear. He called me within an hour from the time you checked in. I’ve just been biding my time here, waiting to see if I’d ever hear the news directly from you.”

“Nosy bastard,” Ian had grumbled. “Never did understand what you saw in that weasel. What exactly did the gossipy little shit say to you?”

His father’s mirth had been almost impossible to contain. “That my very reserved, very stuffy old bachelor son seemed to have finally landed himself a – er - hot one, as Rodney referred to her. As you know, his language can be a bit coarse at times. I’ll clean it up as we go along.”

“Yes, be sure to do that, Father,” Ian had retorted. “Otherwise, I might be tempted to pay old Rodney a return visit very soon. This time I guarantee he won’t be tattling on me to my daddy.”