Splendor (Inevitable #2) (49 page)

“Tessa. Jesus,” he cursed as her hands squeezed his ass. “Darling, you’ve got to – I’m going to come if you keep touching me like this, that’s how much I need you. Please.”

“Shh. Poor baby. I’ve made you way too long, haven’t I?” she crooned, using the exact same words he’d said to her once. “Let me take care of my baby now. Mmm, yes.”

Ian gave a shout as her lips closed over the head of his cock, sucking just the tip into her warm, willing mouth. Her hand stroked him at the same time, taking him a little deeper inside her mouth with each slow, deliberate movement. His hips bucked up in sync with the eager pulls of her mouth, and he felt his release inching closer with each thrust. And then, when he was very nearly there, ready to come long and hard down her throat, she shocked him to the very core by pressing her finger down on his prostate gland.

He cried out in a guttural, raw voice. “Jesus. Fuck, ah, God, fuck!” alternately cursing and crying out her name as his back bowed off the bed. He came instantly and violently, spilling himself into her waiting mouth with uncontrolled gluttony. And when he thought himself drained, sucked dry, he kept coming, her hands and mouth coaxing him to continue spurting his hot, sticky cum down her throat as fast as she could swallow it. With a loud bellow, he wrenched his wrists free of the flimsy bonds and shoved his hands into her hair, holding her head still as his body kept shuddering with the brutal force of the climax.

And when he was finally, completely sated, he fell back limply on the pillow, his heart racing madly. He was utterly helpless to do anything but watch as Tessa crawled up his body until she was straddling his hips. Her ripe tits were within one deep breath of falling out of that fragile bra, the silk of her stockings rubbing sensually against his bare legs. Her blue eyes were smoky, half-shut, her cheeks flushed, but the single most erotic sight had to be the thick bead of cum that still clung to her chin.

She was beyond a mere goddess, more like a succubus, a sex demon here to steal the very soul from his body. And astonishingly, even though he’d just had the most intense orgasm of his life, he was getting hard again just looking at her.

Ian knew then, in that very moment, that he would never, ever give this woman up. College boys be damned, he would fight any other man to the death for her, beat them to a bloody pulp if they dared to try and take her from him. Tessa was everything he’d ever dared to hope for, and far more than he had ever permitted himself to even dream about. She was his, and he planned to keep her with him for eternity.

Ian reached up and brushed away the spot of semen from her chin. She clasped his wrist, pressing a kiss to the inside before gazing down at him sultrily.

“Naughty man, breaking free of your bonds. We might just have to tie you back up.”

“Not a chance in hell,” he retorted, as he easily held both of her hands still. “And speaking of naughty, you really did almost kill me this time, love. I think we ought to start keeping a tank of oxygen by the bed. And make certain we have 911 on speed dial.”

Tessa dissolved into a fit of giggles, lowering her head to his chest as his arms wrapped around her. “Does this mean you didn’t like your birthday present?”

He tipped her chin up and gave her a resounding kiss. “Ah, but I haven’t even finished unwrapping it yet, have I? And by the way – I like the gift wrap. Very, very much.”

She laughed. “I thought you might.”

With almost no effort, he scissored his ankles free of the satin straps before rolling her underneath him. “And where, my very naughty little miss, did you learn that particular trick? Don’t give me that innocent look – you know exactly what I mean.”

She blushed, then fidgeted beneath his intense regard before admitting in a whispered tone, “Um, Julia sort of – well, suggested it. She told me in the ladies room it would drive you wild. Did it – um, work?”

Ian laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes, rolling onto his side and wrapping her in his arms. “Good God, wait until I tell Nathan that his very wicked fiancée was giving my girl tips on blow jobs while they were visiting the loo. And, yes, my little wanton, it worked very, very well.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “Remind me to send Julia a dozen roses tomorrow as a thank you for sharing her little – ah, tip.” He slid one of her bra straps down, baring her breast. As his fingers plucked the hardened peak of her nipple, he whispered in her ear, “And if your very naughty friend has any more advice she’d like to share with you, it might even be worth a new pair of those very expensive shoes she loves so much.”

Chapter Twenty

Mid-May

“Now, don’t be thinking that just because you’ve brought Tessa along with you that I’ll be willing to forgive the fact it’s been a very long time since your last visit.”

Ian and Tessa exchanged a knowing look as Francine Carrington regarded both of them sternly. Mrs. C. hadn’t changed one bit since the last time either of them had seen her. She was a small woman, almost delicate looking, but far too many people over the years had assumed from her appearance that she was also fragile in nature. It usually took less than a minute in her presence to realize that nothing could be farther from the truth.

Even in the heat of a late Arizona spring, Francine insisted on wearing one of her proper, severely tailored tweed suits and a high-necked blouse. Ian wondered if this particular beige suit had been one she’d worn while still working in London. He couldn’t help but think it seemed oddly familiar to him. Her hairstyle hadn’t changed in twenty years either – her obviously dyed auburn hair scraped back into a tight bun from which even one errant strand didn’t dare escape. And even through the thick lenses of her glasses, her gaze was as sharp as ever, never missing a trick or the tiniest detail. Ian wasn’t certain he would ever truly get over being terrified by one of her scathing glances.

But it seemed that after all these years he had finally discerned Mrs. C’s one soft spot – which by some fortunate coincidence was also his own weakness – Tessa. He could have sworn he’d seen Mrs. C’s eyes looking a bit moist when he and Tessa had entered her office just a few minutes ago, and the older woman had actually given Tessa a brief hug. Not so himself, of course. She would never dream of being so familiar with a superior, and had instead given him one of her surprisingly firm hand shakes.

Francine looked Tessa over critically, her razor sharp gaze not missing a thing. “You look exceptionally well, dear. I see Ian has done something about replacing that appalling Walmart wardrobe of yours, thank God.” She flicked her fingers over the collar of Tessa’s ivory silk blouse. “But the blouse is cut a bit too low for the office. And the skirt needs to be lowered an inch or two.”

Ian shook his head in amusement. “Leave her alone, Mrs. C. Tessa is dressed exactly as I prefer her to be. I’m afraid you don’t get to boss her around any longer.”

Francine shot him an evil look. “But then she doesn’t officially work for you any longer either, does she, Ian?” She scowled at Tessa. “I do hope you’re not letting him take complete control of everything in your life. He might be the boss at work, but I trust you remember to stick up for yourself at other times?”

Tessa gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s not like that at all. He’s wonderful to me, treats me like a princess. And I’ve never been so happy.”

Francine harrumphed. “Well, you deserve to be, my girl. You, too, young Ian. Don’t think I didn’t know exactly what I was doing when I sent Tessa your way.”

Tessa frowned. “How could you have known we’d end up together? I was married, after all.”

The older woman shot her a look of disbelief. “To a boy you treated like he was your brother, or your best friend. I saw the two of you together on enough occasions to realize there was nothing in the least romantic between you, not even a tiny spark. Nothing at all,” she added smugly, “like what you and young Ian here have.”

Ian smiled, sliding his hand to Tessa’s nape and pressing his chest against her back. “And what exactly might that be, Mrs. Eagle Eye?”

Francine’s mouth tightened in disapproval. “Obviously you’re madly in love with the girl. A half-blind simpleton could see that from a mile away. And I’ll remind you, Mr. Gregson, that I don’t condone any hanky-panky in my office. I don’t care if you’re the Managing Director or the King of England, there’ll be none of that funny business here.”

He laughed heartily, stepping a short distance away from Tessa. “I’m surprised you haven’t hired a chaperone for us. Though I hate to be the one to break the news – I’ve already taken advantage of her. Numerous times.”

“Well, of course you have. I’m quite certain that the moment you learned she was getting a divorce – which, by the way, ought to have happened long before it did, in my opinion – you were making plans to stake your claim. Am I right?”

Ian was astounded to feel his cheeks flush with embarrassment at the very forthright question posed by the petite woman who was even now staring him down. “Uh, well, perhaps just a bit.”

“Oh, bollocks.” Francine gave an irritated little huff. “Ian, my boy, you were always a handsome young man – much more so than either of your brothers, though young Colin always thought a bit too highly of himself. I watched many, many women over the years try to catch your eye – secretaries, executives, socialites. You never seemed to notice any of them, at least not for very long. But somehow I just knew that the moment you laid eyes on my Tessa here that you’d fall hard. And, as always, I was exactly right.”

Ian and Tessa exchanged one of those deep, searing looks that so frequently passed between them before he regarded Francine with a half-smile. “And just how did you know this? Is clairvoyance one of the few hidden talents you’ve never bothered to brag about?”

She frowned at him. “Sarcasm isn’t a trait that suits you, my boy. And I knew you’d be completely taken with young Tessa here because the two of you are kindred spirits. Both impossibly beautiful on the outside, of course, but in each of your cases your true beauty is deep inside. I just knew you would see that in each other, as clearly as the light of day.”

Ian took Francine’s small, wiry hand and brought it to his lips. “Then I owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude,” he told her in a reverent tone. “Tessa is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I will cherish her for the rest of my days. Now, I’ll leave you two ladies alone for a bit while I meet with Vincent. I trust you’ve whipped him into shape by now?” he asked Francine teasingly of the newish hotel manager.

Francine waved a hand in the air. “The boy is afraid to take a piss without clearing it with me first, so I suppose he’ll do. Go, I’ll send Tessa to you in just a bit. If you can bear to be separated for that long.”

“Just barely.” Quite deliberately he gave Tessa a lingering kiss on the lips, knowing full well that Francine would be glaring at them in disapproval. “See you in a bit, darling,” he whispered to Tessa.

Tessa watched him walk the short distance down the hall until he entered the hotel manager’s office, already feeling bereft without him beside her.

“Good Lord, girl, he’s just down the hall, not halfway around the world. No need to get teary eyed about it,” scoffed Francine.

Tessa couldn’t help but smile as she turned to face her former mentor. But for all of Francine’s tough talk, there was no denying the softer, more indulgent expression on her face.

“I know. And I’ll be seeing him soon at the staff meeting. I just – well - ” Tessa demurred.

“You’re just head over heels in love with the man,” finished Francine. “As he is with you, dear. So tell me – when is the boy going to make an honest woman out of you?”

Tessa was startled by the question, but in all honesty not the least surprised that Francine would come right out and ask something so personal. “I, um, well – we haven’t really discussed that yet. I mean, we haven’t really been together all that long, and I’m not sure - ”

“Oh, rubbish.” Francine gave her a stern glare. “I’ll tell you now, young miss, that your man there isn’t going to stand for anything less than making you his wife one of these days. As controlling as that boy is, he won’t be satisfied you’re truly his until it’s all legal and binding. The real question is – what do
you
want?”

Tessa stared at the older woman in disbelief. “Well, of course I’d love to marry him - If that’s what he wants, of course. I mean, living together is one thing, but marriage is something else entirely. He might decide I’m not suitable to be his wife. Ian might as well be royalty while I’m just so – well, ordinary.”

“Nothing ordinary about you, my girl,” declared Francine. “And your man knows that as well. That’s why he won’t let you go anytime soon – if ever. Trust me, before this year is out you’ll be calling me with news of your engagement. And it goes without saying I’ll expect an invitation to the wedding.”

Tessa was so flustered she didn’t even know how to respond. “Um, well, of course. I mean, assuming it actually happens, which I can’t say for certain - ”

“I can. I’m never wrong,” stated Francine. “I was right about you and Ian falling for each other, wasn’t I? Too bad my mother instilled in me from such a young age about what a terrible vice gambling was. I could have made myself a tidy fortune by now.”

Tessa laughed. “Whether or not he marries me one day, it doesn’t matter. I’d follow him to the ends of the earth, Mrs. C.”

“I know you would, dear. But can you honestly tell me that he hasn’t swept you off your feet a bit too quickly? I mean, it’s perfectly natural for a young woman like yourself to be dazzled by a man like him – his looks, his money, his position. Are you truly attracted to the man himself or simply to what he can give you?”

Tessa’s smile faded abruptly and she shook her head in emphatic denial. “I don’t give a damn about his money. And I’m sorry if this offends you but I really don’t appreciate your suggesting otherwise. I love Ian with all my heart, more than I ever believed it was possible to love someone. That’s the only reason I’m with him – the
only
one.”