“Of course you feel all those things. I’d be worried if you didn’t. This is a huge development.” Tess squared her shoulders and looked Sebastian in the eyes. “We should go see him—together,” she decided with great determination.
“I don’t think I could do it without you, Tess.”
“Then we’ll fly to Greece. If you don’t like what you find, we can turn around and come right back.”
Sebastian lunged forward and wrapped his arms around his amazing wife, hugging her so desperately she almost couldn’t breathe. “God, I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, pulling back just enough so she could kiss him. She glanced at the clock on her desk. “Mattie will be getting out of school soon. Let’s go pick her up together.”
“Can you leave?”
“I have an article I’m working on that I can finish at home. I’ll clear it with the boss.”
Sebastian kissed her hand and then closed his eyes and placed his cheek against her knuckles. “Thank you.”
Tess left him momentarily to visit her boss in his corner office and discuss her plans. When she walked back into her cubicle ten minutes later, she grabbed her purse and Sebastian carried her briefcase, and they exited the building together. She reached for his hand and asked, “The wedding’s in two weeks. Do you want to go to Greece before or after?”
“I don’t know. Who will watch Mattie? Can you get some time off work that quickly?”
“I don’t think I could wait if I were you.”
“It’s been twenty-five years.”
“And you seem anxious. The sooner the better, I say.”
“Rip the bandage off quickly, in other words,” he added.
“Exactly. I know this whole situation has you in knots. I don’t want to prolong it. The quicker we do this, the quicker you can stop wondering and move on.” They walked down the stairs into the Tube station and navigated through the tunnels until they reached their platform. “Let me call my mom. Maybe she can schedule a visit and take care of Mattie while we go find your father.”
“Let’s do it. I’m not sure how much longer I can take not knowing the outcome of this impending meeting.”
Chapter 18 - What You Need
With haste, Sebastian and Tess made travel arrangements. A week later, they were picking Kate Hamilton up at Heathrow International Airport. Mattie jumped up and down as she spied Kate walking out of customs. “Grandmom!”
Kate gave the trio a wide smile. First, she picked Mattie up and hugged her. “How’s my favorite granddaughter?”
“Great!” Mattie replied as Kate set her back down on the floor.
Next she hugged Tess. “It’s so good to see you, honey. I’ve missed you all so much.” Then she hugged Sebastian.
“How was your flight?” he inquired.
“Good. Thank you for picking me up.”
Sebastian took Kate’s suitcase and led the group to the car port. The sky was misty and gray—typical English weather. He didn’t mind that the three girls chatted nonstop as he drove them back to London in the car he borrowed from Penny. The plan was to spend a few days with Kate to acclimate her to the city before he and Tess flew to Corfu. Luckily, Tess' boss was very accommodating in giving her time off. He even managed assign her an article while she was in Greece.
After a tour of their neighborhood and a walk through Regent’s Park, everyone settled in for a home-cooked meal. Sitting around the table, they talked and laughed. Sebastian was very happy Kate could make the trip, and had no qualms about leaving Mattie in her care.
As the day came to a close, Sebastian suggested Tess and her mom spend some time together, while he volunteered to put Mattie to bed. He sat next to her, his back propped against the headboard reading her a bedtime story.
“Why aren’t you doing the voices?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, Mattie. My mind’s on other things.”
“Will you miss me when you go to Greece?”
“Of course—but you are so lucky to have Grandmom Kate here to look after you.”
“Can she take me to school tomorrow so she can meet Michael?”
“Just what’s going on between you and Michael?” he asked in a stern tone of voice.
Mattie simply giggled. “Michael is my best friend, Daddy.”
“You only just met the chap a week ago.”
Mattie looked at her father and rolled her eyes.
“You are going to be a handful, aren’t you?”
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” he wearily sighed.
“Daddy, you’re weird.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to say, Martha,” he scolded.
“I love you.” She curled her small arms around his waist and laid her head on his stomach.
“Enough reading for tonight. Shall I stay here until you fall asleep?”
Mattie nodded her head and closed her eyes. Within ten minutes, she was fast asleep.
Tess and Kate sat on the couch, drinking wine and talking. “I’m so glad you love London,” Kate admitted.
“It’s been incredible, Mom. Mattie has transitioned so well. I love my job at the AP. Sebastian is getting to know his older brother and sister.” She shook her head, pondering all the changes. “So much has happened in such a short amount of time.”
“And soon he’ll have the chance to meet his father.”
“Yes, I pray it goes well. He won’t admit it, but Sebastian needs him to be a good man. If he’s not, I’m not sure how Bas will handle it.”
“Don’t worry. Stay positive.”
Tess hugged her mom. It was so good to have her there. “I’m sorry you have to sleep on the sofa bed. You can have our bed when we go.”
“Honey, I’d sleep on the floor for a chance to be with my family. Sebastian was very kind to offer to put me up in a hotel, but I did not fly seven thousand miles to be alone.”
Sebastian walked into the room carrying fresh linens to make up the bed. “Mattie is asleep. I thought you might like to turn in, Kate.”
“Thank you. I didn’t get much sleep on the flight. I was so excited to see all of you.”
Sebastian moved the coffee table and began to convert the couch into a bed. Tess helped him cover it with bed sheets. “Sleep well, Kate,” Sebastian said, kissing his mother-in-law’s cheek.
“I’m heading out early in the morning so I can leave the office at three o’clock to come home, have dinner with you, and pack,” Tess added, hugging her mom again. “You and Bas can take Mattie to school.”
“Goodnight.”
Tess was out of the house and at the office by seven o’clock the next morning. Sebastian made eggs and toast for Mattie and Kate before they walked her to school. The sun was peeking through the clouds and it was shaping up to be a lovely day. While Mattie attended school, Sebastian was going to play tour guide and answer any questions Kate might have about her stay. After Mattie introduced Grandmom Kate to her teacher and her best friend, Michael, Sebastian and Kate were off to do some sightseeing.
They sat back in the red vinyl seats as the cruise boat sailed along the Thames River. They passed all the famous monuments that graced London’s shoreline: Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge. “I’m grateful to you for making the trip so quickly, Kate. Everything is chaotic right now with Maxwell and Penny’s wedding next weekend.”
“Oh, I’m happy to do it. This has been the first vacation I’ve taken in…well, I don’t remember. The hospital begged me to take the time off.”
“I hope you’ll come to the wedding.”
“I don’t even know your brother. I don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense—the more the merrier. You already know Penny. Mattie is a flower girl and you’ll get to see the castle,” he explained, his lips creeping up into a smile.
“Well, how could I refuse!” Kate looked out the window, appreciating the view. “This is a wonderful city. I see why Tess loves
it so much.”
“Yes, she’s happy here,” he agreed.
Kate glanced over at Sebastian. “She’s happy wherever she is as long as she’s with you. I’m glad she’s going with you to meet your father.”
“I couldn’t do it without her,” he quietly admitted.
Kate placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I understand your reservations about meeting him. If you’re meant to have a relationship with him, it will happen.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Then you must know that you are the most incredible and loving father I could ever wish for my granddaughter. You don’t need to have a father to be a good one yourself.”
Sebastian let out the breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding in. “Thank you, Kate.”
“I know Lily was a terrible mother to you, and Nanny Jones was the closest thing to a mother you had in your life. I would be honored if you would call me Mom—or Mum, if that isn’t English enough for you,” she said with a wink.
“I would be happy to call you Mom.”
They ate an early supper before heading off to the airport. Sebastian and Tess settled in for the three hour flight to Corfu. “How are you holding up?” Tess inquired.
“I feel good leaving Mattie in your Mom’s care. I’m glad they’ll get to spend some time together.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
He turned and gave her a feeble smile. “I know.”
Tess took his hand and squeezed it for support. “This will be over soon. For good or bad, you’ll be able to put this past you and move on.”
He didn’t want to talk about his impending meeting with his father, so he changed the subject. “Your passport is getting quite the workout and we’ve only lived in London for three months.”
“This is what I’ve dreamed about. All those years going to school and working hard—it’s paid off. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
“I love seeing you so happy. You deserve every bit of success you receive.”
“Mr. Irons, you are a big part of the reason I’m so successful,” she acknowledged, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.
“We make a great team, Mrs. Irons.”
“Exactly—together we can do anything.”
It was nine thirty in the evening by time they got to their hotel in Corfu City. It was a charming four-story sandstone building flanked by large palm trees at the entrance. The attendant held open the front door for the couple to enter. Sebastian guided Tess across the terra cotta tiled floor to the reception desk. After exchanging pleasantries with the concierge, they were given a room key and declined assistance with their carry-on bags.
The room, on the top floor of the hotel, was quiet and simply decorated with a queen-sized bed, an armchair next to the window, and a small desk. Their surroundings weren’t opulent, but they were comfortable. “I like it. It’s cozy,” Tess said as she placed her bag on the luggage rack.
“We don’t need anything fancy,” Sebastian agreed. “We’re not on holiday.”
“Are you tired?” she asked, walking up behind him as he looked out the window.
“No—too keyed up,” he admitted. There was no way he was going to be able to sleep when he was so close to seeing, maybe even meeting, his father.
“So what are we going to do about that?” Tess asked in a not-so-innocent tone of voice.
Sebastian turned away from the window to face his wife, who was slowly backing away from him as she undid the buttons of her gray silk blouse. A sexy grin etched across her lips as she reached the last button and slid the blouse off, placing it on the desk. He took a seat in the armchair to watch the show Tess was putting on for him. Next, she reached behind her waist and pulled down the zipper of her black skirt, shimmying the skirt over her hips until it pooled on the floor at her ankles. Stepping out of the skirt, she sauntered toward her husband in black lace lingerie Sebastian had never seen before. He sucked in a breath as he reveled in her beauty.
“I know the perfect way to get you mind off your troubles,” she said in a low, seductive voice as she straddled his lap. Placing her fingers in his hair, she pulled him in for a kiss. It was deep and passionate, igniting a fire in his blood.
He moaned into her mouth, their tongues melding together, hot with need. His hands moved over the lace cups of her demi-bra and felt her nipples pebble under his touch. Sebastian’s tongue licked the swell of exposed breast. Hooking a finger under the strap, he pulled it down and then moved to the other side. Soon her breasts were free and he eagerly latched onto the nipple with his mouth. Tess laced her fingers behind her head to give him better access, sighing with pleasure as he licked and sucked. Sliding his hands down her waist, he gripped the lace fabric of her panties. “Take these off, now,” he ordered in a husky voice.
Tess stood up so she could comply with his demand. Meanwhile Sebastian frantically unbuckled his belt and lowered the zipper of his trousers to free his erection, holding his free hand out to Tess, who took it and positioned herself over the chair. Slowly she slid down onto his cock, grabbing onto his shoulders to steady herself.
Sebastian watched his gorgeous wife through heavy lidded eyes as she moved up and down with deliberate, artful strokes. His hands caressed her naked thighs, so soft and silky to the touch. “So fucking amazing,” he muttered, his eyes clamped on hers.
“You do this to me, Bas. Only you can make me feel this way.” She blushed before reclaiming his mouth. Tess picked up the pace and Sebastian flexed his hips to meet her demand. At this pace, he wouldn’t last much longer, feeling the excitement build in his groin and start to spread through every nerve ending. With one last thrust, he pushed into her, up to the hilt, and exploded. “Oh, Tess, damn!”
She collapsed into his arm, leaning her forehead on his shoulder, panting for breath.
“We aren’t finished yet, darling. Hold onto me.” With that he stood from the chair, Tess' legs wrapped around his waist. He walked the short distance to the bed and laid her down on the mattress.
She was naked except for the silk thigh-high stockings and leather pumps she had left on. Sebastian shrugged out of his suit coat, followed by this white shirt, and then his trousers. Kneeling down on the floor in front of his wife, he removed her shoes. Next he carefully rolled down the stockings, planting light kisses along her leg as he went. Once she was completely naked, he leaned back on his calves and gave her a devilishly wicked grin. Placing his hands on Tess' thighs, he spread them open and then leaned forward to touch her, his fingers sliding up and down against her sex. She was so wet and ready for him, and now he was going to make her come. Slipping a finger inside her, he licked his lips before placing his tongue on her swollen clit.
Tess arched her back to meet his advances. The onslaught of his tongue and fingers worked her into a frenzy. Leaning up on her elbows, she looked down to see Sebastian peering up to glance at her, his eyes alight with mischief. “My cheeky Bas,” she panted between ragged breaths. A few more expert flicks of his tongue sent her crashing over the edge in ecstasy.
Sebastian lay down next to Tess, instinctively pulling her into his arms. “I love how you distract me,” he said before kissing her beautiful lips. “You wear me out.”
“That’s the idea,” she giggled. “Let’s get under the covers. I’m tired, too.”
Reluctantly, Sebastian stood from the bed. He picked up his rumpled suit and Tess' lingerie and draped them over the armchair. Switching the light off, he crawled back into bed with his wife and cradled her in his arms. Within a few minutes, they both fell off to sleep.
Chapter 19 - Oh, Father
Sebastian looked down at the paper in his hand that contained his father’s address, and then he looked at the villa in front of him. It was a small one-story home with turquoise shutters and quaint flower boxes hanging from the windows. Now all he had to do was will his feet to move forward and knock on the wooden door. He glanced at Tess, who silently nodded her appr
oval, and then took her hand. Together they walked to the entrance. Taking a deep breath, Sebastian raised his knuckles and rapped on the door.
After a few moments, the door opened. An older, slender woman—maybe in her fifties—with long raven hair greeted them. “Hello, how may I help you?” she asked in a French accent.
Sebastian wanted to answer her question, but his mouth was dry. He swallowed, trying to find his voice. Just then, a gentleman came up behind the woman, asking, “Colette, darling, do we have visitors?”
Sebastian stared at Martin Christopher Baker. The resemblance was alarming. It was as if Sebastian was looking at his reflection in the mirror and seeing himself age thirty-five years. His father’s eyes were still bright blue, with soft wrinkle lines around them. Martin’s hair was thick with a smattering of gray. His demeanor was happy and relaxed.
The couples stood on opposite sides of the doorframe staring at each other. Finally Sebastian said, “I’m Sebastian Irons and this is my wife, Tess. I’m your son.”
Martin’s mouth opened, surprised at the revelation. Colette looked up at Martin and then back to Sebastian. “Please come inside,” she said, stepping aside to allow them entrance.
Once inside the home, the four of them stood in awkward silence. “I’m sorry to come unannounced,” Sebastian apologized. “I realize this must come as quite a shock.”
“Let’s sit on the terrace. I’ll get us some drinks,” Colette suggested.
They followed the elegant French woman to the tiled terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea. “It’s beautiful,” Tess remarked, taking in the view.
Martin took a seat and ran his fingers through his hair. “Forgive my surprise. I’m usually not this quiet.”
Colette let out a full, melodic laugh. “That is an understatement, mon cheri.”
“When were you born?” Martin asked.
“May 27, 1967.”
London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series Page 10
