She's Got Dibs

by AJ Nuest

  A set of wide double doors came up on their right and Dibs swung the left side open. “Dining room.”

  A polished mahogany table and twelve high-backed chairs occupied the space, an ornately carved fireplace along the north wall the perfect depiction of casual elegance.

  At the end of the corridor, a heavy swinging door revealed a kitchen that humbled most of the chef’s stations she’d seen in Chicago’s lavish hotels. Scanning the stainless appliances, a palm smoothing over the granite-topped island, she wandered into the breakfast area—a glass-topped wrought iron table inside a deep bay of windows.

  A wall of rising steam clouded the air beyond, and she pointed to the back of the house. “What’s that?”

  “The pool.”

  After retracing their steps through the welcoming room, Dibs led her down a short hall to a set of swinging glass doors. She stepped through and stumbled to a stop. “Wow.”

  Oblong and irregularly shaped, the pool was designed with a small cove here, a little grotto there, winding throughout Roman columns and groupings of white rattan furniture. Italian blue and white tiles covered the bottom and sides, across the floor to the wall, continuing up until they merged with a cathedral ceiling.

  But wait a second…She frowned. Where the pool should have ended, a clear plastic sheet gently grazed the surface of the water. She crossed to the wall-to-wall windows.

  The pool continued on the other side, a massive amount of steam blanketing the air from the heated water. “Indoor-outdoor pool?”

  “Yep.”

  A clover-leaf sunken Jacuzzi sat on the right, another on her left. “I didn’t bring a swimming suit.”

  “Why do you think I didn’t tell you about the pool?”

  She tossed her elbow back and caught him in the ribs.

  He grunted, covering his stomach. “Man, you should register those things as weapons.”

  “My God, it’s beautiful here.” She’d never seen a bluer sky, and the air was so clear the rugged terrain appeared sharp enough to cut paper. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and she leaned into the wall of his chest. “A person could get lost in this view.”

  “Let’s get lost together,” he whispered. “Let’s just spend the week alone and get lost.”

  She rotated in his arms, and her heart tripped a beat over the steadfast devotion in his gaze. “I can’t wait.”

  The stubble on his cheek tickled her palm as she guided him close and brushed her mouth across his, over and again, lightly teasing him until he crushed his lips to hers. With one step, he closed the space between them. Her back met the cold window. The zipper on her vest lowered and he slipped a hand inside. A shiver coursed her body when his warm fingers caressed her breast. She held the back of his head as he roamed over her, trailing kisses along her jaw, down the length of her throat. His other hand eased inside the back of her jeans and he shoved, bringing her flush to his hips. Heated desire pulsed between her legs. The tip of his tongue wet the tender skin under her ear, his thumb swept her nipple, and she gasped when one naughty finger wound inside the lace strap of her thong.

  Someone cleared their throat.

  Tessa jerked away from Dibs, eyes wide.

  He glanced over his shoulder, grinned down at her, and pecked her lips. “Hi, Gerald.”

  “Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but the master suite has been prepared and your luggage has been delivered to that room.”

  An elderly gentleman stood near the door, impeccably dressed in a black suit and tie. His thick gray hair was flawlessly slicked back from his forehead, and he had friendly brown eyes under a heavily lined brow.

  “Thanks, Gerald.” Dibs crossed the room and shook the butler’s hand. He lifted a palm. “This is my girlfriend, Rex.”

  She scowled before starting forward to make Gerald’s acquaintance. “It’s actually Tessa. Very nice to meet you.”

  “Miss Tessa.” Gerald faced Dibs, wiry brows raised in expectation.

  “You can go for the day, Gerald. We won’t be needing anything else.”

  He frowned. “But your dinner, sir. I’ve alerted the staff and they will be arriving at any time.”

  “No, no. That won’t be necessary. We’re just using the house. And quit calling me sir. It’s Dibs, you know that.”

  “Very well, sir. May I check in with you tomorrow morning?”

  “That would be fine.” Dibs clasped the older man’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you again, Gerald. How is your family?’

  He smiled. “Very well, sir, thank you for asking.”

  “Good, good. Please give my best to Theresa.”

  “I will, sir, thank you.” He nodded briefly at Tessa and exited.

  She waited until the door bumped closed behind him before aiming a shrewd eyebrow at Dibs. “I’m going to need a suit.”

  ****

  Tessa snuggled under the protective shelter of Dibs’s arm, one leg tangled through his. Across the master suite, the gentle stirrings of a dying fire crackled and popped inside the imposing stone fireplace, a framed painting of a mountain lake casually propped atop the rustic wooden mantel. Most of the furnishings in the room were rich in textures and colors—the burgundy leather couch and chairs, the bearskin rug, an armoire and two dressers constructed of distressed wood and stained light gray. Natural accents were scattered throughout, their superior craftsmanship defining the space with unpretentious sophistication. “I love it here.”

  “Me, too.” He smoothed a hand down her hair to her waist. “This house has always been my favorite.”

  Nodding, she trailed her fingertips along the defined tiers of his ribbed muscles.

  “That tickles.” He twisted away from her.

  “I didn’t know you were ticklish.” She smiled slyly and squeezed his side.

  “Stop.” Snatching both her wrists, he rolled on top of her and she smiled against the press of his lips. His kisses continued on, dotting lightly across her cheek to her ear.

  Three hours they’d been locked behind closed doors, left alone to explore one another’s desires. Three hours of the most mind-altering sex she had ever experienced, until an exhaustion both languid and delicious pervaded her body, right down to the tips of her toes.

  Dibs had met every single one of her needs, most without asking. All except one. “I’m starving,” she said.

  The tip of his tongue blazed a moist trail down her neck to her shoulder. “Mmm…” His muffled breath warmed her skin.

  “Let’s get something to eat.”

  “You intoxicate me.” He snuck his hands in under her back and scooted her higher on the pillows, licking his lips as if preparing to attack. “The way you smell makes me crazy.”

  “Just the smell, huh?”

  A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes as he shuffled lower, lighting kisses the length of her belly.

  She laughed. “You need to stop so we can go eat.”

  He nibbled her stomach, rasping his cheeks side to side over her bellybutton. “Hey, I waited a long time for this.”

  Two weeks, in fact. During which time she’d come to adore the man feasting on her body. But his tender ministrations didn’t prevent a small measure of guilt from seeping into her heart. “Dibs, what would you’ve done if I’d never shown up at the airport that day? If I never told you I was ready for more?”

  “I would’ve continued to be your friend and worshipped you from afar.”

  She sputtered. “Come on. Indefinitely?”

  “Yep.”

  “You wouldn’t have tired of waiting?”

  He swept his parted mouth over her hips, flipped her onto her stomach and dotted supple little pecks in the small of her back. “You really have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”

  “I think you’re changing the subject.” She tucked her hands under the pillow, a heady thrill mounting in her thighs, heating the soles of her feet. She closed her eyes and groaned. “You’re insatiable.”

  “It’s you, Tessa.” H
e crawled up her body and levered her onto her side, his fingers a warm link he tunneled in under her hair. “Don’t you see? For the first time, I know what’s real. My life isn’t about doing what everyone else thinks is right in order to be happy. Not anymore. Because I found my own happiness.” The ball of his thumb swept her lips. “I found it with you.”

  How could she not believe him, when his words were so filled with love?

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said.

  “I’d forgotten what it’s like, you know? It’s been so long…I’d just forgotten how incredible it all feels.” When tears rushed her eyes, she blinked them away. So she could stay right in the moment, within the tenderness of his gaze. She placed a hand on his chest, over his heart. “I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you did for me, Dibs. You’ve become everything that’s good and right in my life. And I’m sorry if I made things difficult for you.”

  His eyes glistened, two sparkling bits of heaven over a thin crescent of tears. “Rex, you’re breaking my heart over here.”

  “I’m just so grateful, and its important to me you understand. You gave me a second chance at happiness. You know that, right?”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Tessa, I wouldn’t change a thing about you or the past week we spent together. And as for being thankful, well, you can count on that being completely mutual.”

  She pulled him into her arms and held tight. Let her heart be broken. Let her cry rivers of tears. If that was the price, she would pay it. Anything was worth the beautiful moments she found in his arms.

  He swayed them back and forth, cradling the back of her head in his hand. “Okay, now we can eat.”

  Laughter effervesced from her throat like a bubbling fountain and she embraced him tighter still.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Euphoric…she couldn’t describe the past twenty-four hours any other way. Kissing Dibs’s chest as she awoke, his full lips brushing the hair back from her brow, no other word came remotely close.

  Following a shared shower and breakfast, they finally relinquished the sealed barrier of the bedroom door and left the house to window-shop the various boutiques and galleries of downtown Vail. But the breathtaking backdrop of blue mountains, the chalet-style buildings, and relaxing stroll only heightened her joy. It cascaded through her body, tingling in her fingertips each time Dibs pulled her into his arms or brought her close for a kiss.

  If within her power, she would have stopped time. She would have foregone the world and made those hours with him last forever.

  But additional delights awaited once they returned to the house, and her anticipation soon escalated to discover what kind of fulfillment he would coax from her body in that big blue pool.

  Spotting a small boutique displaying sporting goods in the window, she squeezed his hand and led him through the door. Near the rear hung a display of swimming suits, and while paging through the hangers she peeked askance at Dibs, initiating his own search at a second rack.

  She found a pretty red two-piece with a separate skirt cover-up and tugged his sleeve, walking past him to the register.

  A few seconds later, he appeared behind her and added a pile of his own selections. “You were right. This was a great idea.”

  Yes. It. Was. But…She sorted through the skimpy string bikinis. “Five?”

  He cleared his throat into his fist. “Now you have one for each day.”

  “You are too much.” She smiled and faced the woman behind the counter. “Okay, ring ’em up.”

  His hand warmed her back as he leaned close. “I want to see the blue one on you first.”

  Rolling her eyes, she slid her hand inside his elbow and guided him to the door. Once on the sidewalk, he captured her hand and started them across the street…straight toward a jewelry store. He stepped inside the alcove and reached for the door, but she tightened her grip and kept walking. “Uh-uh, Dibs.”

  They’d officially been a couple for a week, and Dibs left to his own devices, surrounded by expensive baubles—not to mention his sleepy confession of love—the entire scenario equaled big trouble.

  He planted his feet and pulled back. “Come on, Rex. I only want to look.”

  “I’m not going into a jewelry store with you.” She grudgingly returned to him. “It’s a bad idea.”

  “No, it’s not.” He grasped both her arms and settled them around his waist.

  “If you want to buy me something, buy me an ice cream.”

  “Who said I was buying you anything?” He rocked her from side to side.

  “You want to take me into a jewelry store and just look.”

  “Yes.” He nodded firmly.

  “No buying of any jewelry.”

  “None.”

  She expelled a breath at the sky. The man was incorrigible, further evidenced by how he snagged the opportunity to nibble the tip of her chin. “Fine.”

  The light tinkling of the bell announced their entrance. A woman behind the counter glanced at the door, and when her eyes landed on Dibs, her smile illuminated the room. The lapel of her tailored red suit held a cluster of diamonds, her blonde hair pinned into a French roll. She quickly strode to the end of the counter and extended her hand. “Mr. Brenner. How nice to see you again.”

  Again? Yep, this was a bad, bad idea…

  “Hello, Gladys. It’s great to be back.” He encircled Tessa’s waist with one arm. “This is my girlfriend, Rex.”

  She aimed a frown at him before offering her hand. “Tessa Adams. Nice to meet you.”

  “What can I show you two today?” Gladys glanced between them.

  “We’re just looking.” Tessa spoke quickly.

  “I see.” The woman refocused on Dibs, and a moment later that same sunny smile curved the corners of her lips. “Well, let me know if anything catches your eye. I’ll be happy to help.” She whirled around and resumed her spot at the far end of the store.

  Wait…Had he just sent her a private message of some kind? Tessa squinted at Dibs. “I take it you’ve been in here before.”

  “Every Christmas”—he started down the aisle—“when I buy a gift for my mother and sister.”

  “You’re a terrible liar.” She browsed past a case displaying all pearls, a case of rubies, and then sapphires.

  “Can I see this piece?” he asked loudly. She snapped her chin up. “And this one? And this one, too?”

  In two quick strides, she crossed the aisle. Several wide bracelets glittered under the glass, all of them boasting row upon row of large diamonds. “Oh…my…God,” she whispered.

  Dibs slid his hand under her hair, fingers weaving through to the nape of her neck. Gladys approached, eyes twinkling with merriment just like the jingling keys in her hand.

  “I’m not trying those on,” Tessa murmured.

  He tugged her temple to his lips. “Yes, you are.”

  “I thought you said no buying of any jewelry.”

  “That doesn’t mean you can’t try them on.”

  Sighing, she crossed her arms. Gladys unlocked the case and placed the bracelets on a square of black velvet, describing the total carat weight and craftsmanship of each piece. Dibs leaned against the counter on his elbow, chin in hand, carefully scrutinizing the stones.

  Tessa looped her focus from him, to the bracelets, to Gladys, and around again. This little detour wasn’t progressing the way she had planned. Not to mention, certain responsibilities came with accepting such a gift. Responsibilities she wasn’t sure she was prepared to face.

  “Try this one on.” He stood and lifted the largest of the bracelets to her wrist. Each emerald-cut stone sat embedded inside a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds, the entire piece bound in gold, each diamond linked to the next by a row of tiny golden rings.

  Stifling a gasp, she hid her hands behind her back and nodded politely at Gladys. “That’s okay.”

  “Rex...” Dibs warned from under his brows. “Just try it on.”

 
“No, really, that’s okay.”

  He frowned at the bracelet. “You don’t like it?”

  She sputtered. “Well, of course I like it. A person would have to be insane not to like it.”

  “Well, then, what’s the problem?”

  What was the problem? For God’s sake where did she start? She spun away from the counter with a quick jerk her head for him to follow. “Have you seen the price on that, Dibs? A person could feed a small country with that tag.”

  “I already feed a small country,” he whispered. “In fact, I feed a rather large country.”

  “That’s not the point.” She peeked over his shoulder at Gladys, waiting patiently behind the counter. “This bracelet isn’t something a person gives to the woman they’ve been dating a few weeks. It’s something they present to their wife…of ten years…after she’s borne them two children. I simply can’t accept it, Dibs. It’s too much.”

  He stared down at the shimmering diamonds in his hand. “I want to buy you something that reflects the way I feel, Rex. And this is how I feel.”

  Her heart soared to the lofty heights amid the mountain peaks, but she simply couldn’t consent. If they ever parted ways, accepting something so costly just wouldn’t be right. She placed a hand on his arm. “I appreciate that, Dibs. I really do. But you’ve exactly proven my point. I don’t need you to buy me something extravagant to know how you feel. I already see it every time you look at me.”

  Incredible tenderness melted through his gaze, the love he held for her reflected in his clear blue-gray eyes.

  “There.” She pointed at him. “That’s the look right there. I would rather have you look at me like that than buy me an expensive bracelet any day. Now if you want to buy me something, buy me an ice cream.”

  He smiled and placed the jewelry on the counter. “We’ll take the bracelet,” he said.

  She dropped her shoulders, eyes closed, but arguing with the man was pointless. He had the funds and resources to spoil her however the hell he wanted. Her choices amounted to accepting now…or accepting later. She opened her eyes and was met by his ear-to-ear grin. “You’re not giving up on this, are you?”