Splendor (Inevitable #2) (35 page)

Julia batted her lashes at him flirtatiously. “Because this really hot architect I know is building me this awesome waterfront house in Tiburon, complete with the biggest walk-in closet I’ve ever seen. I don’t have nearly enough stuff to fill it up.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have let your father talk me into making that damned closet so big,” he replied darkly. “And you haven’t won yet, baby. I need more proof before I whip my credit card out.”

She gave him a dangerous smile. “Leave it to me. I’ll get you all the proof you need.”

***

Ian knew that Tessa would already be in the conference room setting up for the architect’s meeting due to start in less than an hour. He had far too much work to get through today, did not have even ten minutes to spare for anything not already on his packed schedule, and yet he still found himself walking in the direction of the conference room where he knew she would be. He’d mumbled some harebrained excuse to Andrew about where he was going, and received a disapproving frown from his by-the-book PA. But it had seemed like an eternity since he’d been alone with Tessa, even though in reality it had only been three days ago.

He’d convinced her to stay over at his home on Sunday night rather than bringing her back to that god-awful apartment of hers. Still intent on keeping their relationship a carefully guarded secret, he’d sent her off to work on Monday in a taxi while Simon had driven him to the office as usual. And even though he and Tessa had only been together for just over a month’s time, he was already at the end of his rope with this very unsatisfactory arrangement they had. He wanted her with him constantly, sleeping in his bed every single night, and was extremely displeased with this elaborate pretense they had to keep up.

Thank God there was a long weekend beginning tomorrow, when they would be spending some quality time together. Tomorrow, Friday was Valentine’s Day, and the President’s Day holiday three days later. Tessa was taking a vacation day tomorrow, but he had a morning meeting that would be impossible to re-schedule. But once the damned meeting was over he was whisking her off to the Gregson resort in Lake Tahoe for the holiday weekend – three and a half days of skiing, relaxation, and a whole lot of sex.

The phone calls and texts they’d exchanged since Monday morning weren’t nearly enough to make up for not having her in his arms, and he badly needed to see her alone, even for a few minutes. Ian realized this was uncharted territory for him – this almost stalker-like behavior he was engaging in – but he couldn’t help this obsession he felt for her. He was taking a risk, of course, with so many people in the office this morning, but he was more than ready to throw caution to the wind just for five minutes with her.

‘Jesus, mate, you’re acting like a thirteen year old schoolgirl,’ he chastised himself. ‘What the hell are you going to do when you’re away from her for two bloody weeks?’

Less than a week from now he had to fly to London for a mind-numbing series of board meetings and other matters that required his presence at worldwide headquarters. Under normal circumstances, he’d actually be looking forward to spending some time with his parents and brothers and the rest of his family. But the very thought of being away from Tessa for so long was eating away at him, and he honestly had no idea how he was going to bear the separation. If she hadn’t been so stubborn, she would have quit her job by now and be spending the full two weeks in England with him.

But even as that thought crossed his mind, Ian knew in all fairness that Tessa simply wasn’t ready for that. She was still so shy and uncertain around him, still getting to know him really, and it wouldn’t be especially considerate to overwhelm her so completely by having to meet all of his family at once. He knew she was terrified of embarrassing him, and that she didn’t feel worthy to be seen out in public with him – two ridiculous matters he was determined to resolve sooner than later. If he brought her to meet his family now – when she was very much like a skittish, frightened fawn – she could very well decide to end their relationship, fearful that she could never be what he needed.

Ian wasn’t going to do a damned thing to risk losing her at this point, not after he’d longed for her for so many months. What he
was
going to do – in a very persuasive manner – was convince his surprisingly stubborn little love that if he had her with him permanently she would be
all
he would ever need. His plans for this coming weekend revolved around convincing her of just that.

As he approached the conference room, he frowned in irritation to realize she wasn’t alone. He recognized the rather whiny, nasally tone as Kevin’s and stopped in his tracks, quite intentionally eavesdropping on the conversation the younger man was having with Tessa.

“Got any hot plans for Valentine’s Day tomorrow?” asked Kevin cheerily. “Or the long weekend?”

There was a pause before he heard Tessa reply, her answer thankfully vague. “Oh, nothing specific. Just relaxing, maybe a yoga class, the usual.”

“Well, that just won’t do,” declared Kevin. “It’s not right that a hot babe like you doesn’t have a date for Valentine’s Day. And don’t feed me that BS about not being ready to move on. It’s been months, Tessa, way past time for you to get out there and find a new man. Maybe several of them.”

Ian was furious, outraged, to hear that little shit trying to convince Tessa –
his
Tessa, god damn it – that she ought to be dating other men –
lots
of other men. He had to clench his fists to keep from slamming one into the wall, and counted to ten instead to calm himself down.

“Thanks for thinking of me, but I’ll know when the time is right,” Tessa replied casually.

“Well, maybe I can change your mind. One of the attorneys who works with Terrence is recently divorced and on the prowl. And let me tell you, sweetie, he is H-O-T. Looks just like Ryan Gosling. Or is that Ryan Reynolds? I always get those two mixed up. Anyway, he saw the photo that Terrence took of you and me at the Christmas party and he is
very
interested in meeting you. His name is - ”

Ian had had quite enough, and chose that moment to enter the conference room, his strides long and purposeful. Kevin and Tessa looked up as he all but burst inside, and the expression on his face must have been murderous judging from the looks on their faces.

“M – Mr. Gregson. Can I – ah, help you with something?” stammered Tessa.

Ian glared pointedly at Kevin. “Yes, I need to review some data on one of the spreadsheets before our meeting. Kevin, would you excuse us please?”

Kevin looked as though he was about to faint – or piss his pants – but merely gulped and nodded. “Uh, sure. I need to get back to work anyway. See you after the meeting, Tess.”

Ian drummed his fingers on the table impatiently until Kevin slinked out of the room. Mere seconds later he was quietly shutting and locking the door, and then he very nearly flew across the room until he was jerking Tessa into his arms.

“Just so we’re perfectly clear,” he bit out, each word enunciated slowly, “you are
not
going on a date with any lawyers, doctors, or anyone else that little fucker offers to set you up with. You are not “getting out there” to find a new man. Because you already have a new man in your life, and he’s damned sure not willing to share you.”

“Ian - ” Whatever she was about to say was quickly swallowed up by the fierce, desperate way he kissed her. She whimpered beneath the force of his lips and tongue, especially when his hand slid down her back to cup her ass. Tessa clutched the lapels of his suit jacket as he ground himself against the cleft of her thighs.

They were both gasping for air when he finally lifted his head, half-afraid he’d come in his pants if he continued to dry hump her a second longer. He slid his hands into her thick, glossy hair instead, gazing into her huge blue eyes, and frowned when he saw the way her lips were trembling.

“Did I frighten you?’ he asked in concern, making sure to keep his voice low, belatedly aware that anyone could try to enter the room and wonder why it was locked. “God, please tell me I didn’t do that, darling.”

Tessa’s hands were resting lightly on his chest. “No. You just – ah, surprised me. I didn’t expect you to walk in like that and then – well, we’re at the office after all.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I know. This is possibly the most insane thing I’ve ever done, there are dozens of people on the other side of that door. If any one of them suspect we’re locked in here together - ”

Her hands smoothed down his lapels, adjusted his tie. “It would be very bad, wouldn’t it? So we should really look at that spreadsheet so we can - ”

Ian chuckled. “Ah, my beautiful, naïve girl. There is no spreadsheet. At least none that I have a question about. I just needed an excuse to get rid of that little – pimp, for lack of a better word. And I wanted a few minutes with you. It’s been three entire days since we’ve been alone.”

Tessa sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. “I know. I’ve missed you, too.”

He held her against him gently, his hand stroking her back. “This is quickly becoming an obsession for me, Tessa.
You
are becoming my obsession. I think about you constantly, can’t focus on work half the time. These days and nights away from you are just too damned hard. It’s not nearly enough to see you around the office briefly, or exchange texts or phone calls. You need to - ”

“To quit my job and move in with you,” she finished. “I’m working on that, I promise. Please be a little patient with me, Ian. I promise it won’t be very much longer.”

He sighed. “I find when it comes to you that I have no patience whatsoever. At least not in terms of how long I have to wait before I can see you again. I’ve never been craved anything like I do you, love. It’s a feeling of utter desperation at times.”

She nodded. “It’s the same for me. I can’t even begin to think about next week when you have to leave for London.”

“Well, trust me, I have, and I’m damned sure not looking forward to it, to say the least,” he growled.

“At least we have this long weekend coming up,” she consoled him.

Ian hesitated. “Would you consider – that is, I’ve got this bloody dinner tonight with those German tourist board members. But I was hoping you’d be agreeable to spending the night? I can have Simon pick you up at your place and bring you to the house. The thought that you’d be there waiting for me when I got home – I can’t tell you how much that would mean to me.”

“Yes.” She agreed easily, without the slightest fuss or argument, a trait he adored about her. “I’ll spend the night – happily. Just tell me what time to expect Simon.”

Ian grinned broadly, his good humor instantly restored. “Probably around eight, but I’ll text you with the exact time.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you, darling. I’m just – especially needy for you today. The thought of having to wait until tomorrow night to have you again was driving me mad.”

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” she teased. “Especially after you terrified poor Kevin that way. I’d hate to think of you fixing that glare on anyone else today.”

His phone buzzed at that moment and he dug it out of his pocket impatiently. “Andrew,” he mouthed to Tessa before asking brusquely, “What is it? Yes, I’ll be right there. No, everything’s fine now.”

He ended the call and pocketed the phone, shaking his head. “At times I wish he wasn’t quite so damned efficient. I have an overseas call I need to take. I’ll see you at the meeting shortly, hmm?”

Tessa nodded. “Of course.” Then, as she glanced over at the massive conference table, an odd expression crossed her features.

He regarded her curiously. “And what does that particular look mean?”

She looked away hastily, as though embarrassed by her train of thought, and resumed setting up for the meeting. “Oh, nothing, just something silly. You’d – ah, better go take that phone call.”

Ian waved a hand dismissingly. “It’s only some annoying clerk from the London offices calling to go over the schedule of meetings with me. He can damned well cool his heels for a minute longer. Now, I want to know what this silly thought of yours was. That look you had on your face – as though you were remembering something.”

Tessa fidgeted, clearly ill at ease with this topic. “It was just – kind of a strange dream I had once. A few months ago, actually. I don’t even remember most of it.”

“Liar,” he taunted. “You know you need to tell me about it now. My curiosity won’t be appeased until you do.”

She was completely flustered now, refusing to look at him as she reluctantly replied, “I was – God, this is really embarrassing.”

He leaned back against the table, crossing his arms and raising a brow. “I don’t have all day, Tessa. Out with it now.”

She began to twirl a lock of hair around her fingers. “I was laying on the table. On my back. With – ah, with my arms and legs spread out.”

Ian was instantly intrigued. “Nude?” At her nod, his voice deepened. “Bound?”

Her eyes flew up to his. “Not exactly. I mean, it felt that way but the bonds were – well, invisible, I guess.”

“And were you alone in the room during this dream?”

“No.” She shifted from one foot to the other in agitation. “Er, you were here, too.”

His smile deepened. “Was I naked?”

“God.” She closed her eyes. “No, you – you were dressed. Except for your jacket and tie.”

He stepped in close to her, trailing his fingers up and down her arms. “And what was I doing to you? Was I touching you? “ She nodded and he pressed on. “Kissing you?”

“Yes.”

“Where? Here, perhaps?” He touched her full, lush mouth. “And I think of course here.”

His hands cupped her breasts, squeezing them lightly. Tessa gasped, even as he slid one hand down to gently cup the juncture of her thighs.

“And here. Was I kissing you here?”

Her cheeks were a deep, rosy pink as she uttered a small moan. “You were – just about to. Then I woke up.”

“Well, that’s a pity, isn’t it?” he murmured in her ear. “Perhaps we can re-enact your dream sometime, only this time it won’t end nearly so abruptly.”