Tessa groaned, already tremendously aroused. “I - I wanted to make sure you knew - ah, God, that’s sooo good - how much you mean to me, Ian, how much -”
“I do know, love.” Ian bent his head, his tongue circling her nipple before sucking it into his mouth.
Her eyes closed, her head falling back against the wall in ecstasy as he continued to stimulate her very sensitive breasts. She clutched his head to her, threading her fingers through the thick locks of his hair that were still damp from his swim. God, he was so good at this, she thought wildly, so incredibly skilled in the art of arousal.
Her eyes flew open in surprise as Ian sunk to his knees, tugging the bikini bottoms off, and then promptly burying his face between her thighs.
“Oh, God,” she breathed unevenly, her hands tangling in his hair again as he ran his tongue along the most folds of her inner labia before plunging deep inside her creamy wet slit. He lavished attention on her - licking, sucking, nibbling - using his lips, tongue, teeth, fingers, to stimulate and excite her, unselfishly seeing to her pleasure and making sure that he brought her to an exquisite, consuming climax.
“Mmm.”
She moaned rapturously as he stood and claimed her mouth in a deep kiss, tasting her own musky flavor on his lips and tongue. Her arms felt weightless as they twined about his neck, and she made a sound of pleasure as the erect, highly stimulated tips of her breasts rubbed against the hot skin of his bare chest. He was grasping her by the hips, holding her in place as he rubbed his erection against the cleft of her thighs, in a place where she was still quivering from his earlier ministrations. But as she slid a hand down his chest and attempted to delve beneath the waistband of his swim trunks, he clamped his fingers firmly around her wrist, halting her progress.
“No. My way,” he rasped. “After all, I’m in charge tonight.”
She nodded. “Yes, your way. Whatever you like, Ian.’
He took her hand. “Then come with me, and I’ll show you exactly what I like.”
What he liked was to take her in the shower - her breasts crushed up against the smooth, gray granite wall, his chest pressed flush against her back as he fucked her with deep, rapid thrusts. She could feel the urgency of his possession, could tell by the harshness of his breath that this wouldn’t take very long, and she exalted in the knowledge that she could make him lose control this way. Still, he had just enough control left to make sure she found her pleasure again, his thumb rasping over her clit and catapulting her into another delicious climax. Ian braced his palms against the shower wall as he followed her moments later, his hips bucking frantically as he emitted a long, low bellow that she could still hear very clearly above the noise of the shower.
Afterwards, he turned playful, washing her body and even her hair in a teasingly seductive manner and urging her to return the favor. Not surprisingly, his cock was back at full attention by the time they were finished with their shower, but he gave a brief shake of his head as she started to reach for him.
“Regretfully, love, we don’t have time for another round right now,” he told her with a soft kiss. “I’d love nothing better than to cancel this damned dinner with Vincent and his wife, but it’s likely too late for that now. Besides,” he added in a low, purring voice, “you know how much better it is when you have to wait for it a bit, how excited you get. Just think of how good it will be after a few hours of denial.”
Tessa had to stifle a groan, knowing he was right, but at the same time longing to spend the rest of this night in his arms rather than have to make polite dinner conversation with the hotel manager and his wife. But she also knew how firmly Ian could stick to his guns at times, even if it meant denying himself that which he craved beyond anything else.
She emitted a little huff as she began to towel off. “Fine. But when you see what I’ve picked out to wear tonight - especially my lacy bits as you love to call them - I think you’re going to be the one squirming in his seat.”
He laughed heartily, hugging her back against him as he placed a loud, smacking kiss on her cheek. “Darling, I’m always in some state of anticipation when you’re nearby. Or even when I’m just thinking of you. So this evening will be business as usual as far as I’m concerned.”
But she couldn’t deny the sense of satisfaction she felt when he saw her clothed - just barely - in the nearly nonexistent scraps of lingerie. The thong of hot pink lace was about as substantial as a square of tissue, while the specially designed halter bra bared more than it concealed.
Ian cleared his throat but his voice was still hoarse. “Ah, what exactly is that?”
Tessa blew him a saucy, flirty kiss. “Everything will make sense when you see the dress. I bought it last week when Julia and I went shopping.”
Julia had insisted the dress could have been made for her, and that there was no way she was letting Tessa walk out the door of Barney’s without it in her clutches. Tessa had somewhat reluctantly brought it along on this trip, not sure she’d actually have the nerve to wear it, especially given Ian’s preference that she dress rather modestly when they were at one of his hotels on business. But then Mrs. C. had surprised her this afternoon by suggesting that she wear something with a bit of “oomph” to dinner.
Tessa had stared at her old boss. “I’m not sure I heard you correctly. Are you really suggesting I wear something a little more, ah, revealing?”
Mrs. C. had given her a rare smile. “Yes, I realize it might be difficult for you to believe, but that is exactly what I’m suggesting, young miss.”
Tessa had worried her bottom lip uncertainly. “Um, well, Ian usually doesn’t like me to wear anything too flashy. Or tight. Or low cut.”
“Pah.” Mrs. C. had waved a hand in dismissal. “I told you not to let him control you, Tessa, and I meant it. I can see how bedazzled you are by him, and how you’d happily do anything he told you. Fortunately, Ian is the most decent man I’ve ever known and he would never take advantage of your fascination with him. But you need to be more independent at times, young lady, and not allow him to dictate to you round the clock. No matter how good his intentions might be.”
“But there’s an image to uphold. I wouldn’t dream of embarrassing Ian.”
Mrs. C. had given her a scathing look. “As if that could ever be possible. And believe me, under normal circumstances, I certainly wouldn’t condone you showing off too much, ah, décolletage, either. But your dining companion this evening - Vincent’s wife Dinora - well, let’s just say she’ll be showing as much bare skin as she can get away with in public. Oh, and flirting madly with every attractive man in the vicinity. And since your Ian is definitely the best looking man around these parts, you can bet your life the little hussy is going to be batting her false eyelashes at him all night long. Therefore, my dear, it’s your mission to make sure she doesn’t have the nerve to try.”
Mrs. C., whose dislike of this Dinora was very obvious, had gone on to tell Tessa how Vincent chose to turn a blind eye to his admittedly beautiful, sexy wife’s persistent flirting. Dinora Saldivar was a TV talk show host on one of the local Spanish language stations, and something of a minor celebrity around town. And, according to Mrs. C., Vincent was a complete and utter ass for being so besotted by his sultry wife that he put up with her behavior for fear of losing her otherwise.
Tessa had shaken her head. “That’s sad. And, well, rather pathetic, too. I couldn’t ever imagine flirting with another man, and especially if Ian was standing right there.”
Mrs. C. had smirked. “Young Ian wouldn’t stand for such a thing, my girl, and you know it. And you wouldn’t dare try. Not that you’d want to, of course, as crazy as you are about him. But trust me - that little hoyden Dinora will be salivating when she sees your Ian for the first time. So pull out all the stops, young lady, and keep that she-cat away from your man.”
Tessa hadn’t shared that conversation with Ian just yet, feeling a little shy about admitting how jealous she was at the very thought of anoth
er woman trying to flirt with him. She’d already had to do her damnedest to dissuade those woman out by the pool this afternoon, the ones who’d been eyeing her man up and down as though they wanted to devour him.
Recalling how annoyed she’d been at the way they had ogled Ian, she resolved that Vincent’s flirty wife wouldn’t get the opportunity to do anything more than shake his hand tonight. Because Tessa was not only going to stick to his side like glue, but make very, very sure that his eyes stayed glued on her.
She very intentionally didn’t put her dress on while doing her makeup and blow drying her hair. Ian strolled back into the dressing area, already wearing the beige linen Armani suit he’d chosen for this evening, his crisp white shirt open at the neck sans tie. He seemed taken aback to find her still in her underwear, and she watched his reflection in the mirror as he swallowed with some difficulty.
“You’re, ah, not dressed yet,” he said a bit unsteadily.
Tessa smiled at him as she finished applying bright pink lip gloss. “I know,” she replied sweetly. “I didn’t want to get wrinkled. But I’ll be ready soon.”
She gasped as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest as he nuzzled her neck.
“No need to rush on my account, love,” he rasped. “Especially since I’m very much enjoying the view.”
One of his big hands ran up and down her hip before sliding around to cup her bared buttock. She met his gaze in the mirror as his long fingers slipped beneath the front panel of her tiny thong.
“Tell me, love,” he murmured seductively in her ear. “If I were to touch you right now, would you be wet?”
She whimpered as his fingers merely brushed ever so lightly over her clit before retracting. “Yes,” she breathed. “That’s what being near you does to me.”
Ian made a low sound in his throat as he bracketed her hips, pressing his erection against her ass. “And you can certainly feel what being near you does to me, my love. Christ, if we didn’t have to attend this bothersome dinner, I’d take you right here and now. You like to be fucked in front of the mirror, don’t you, darling?”
Tessa was panting now as she tried to grind her buttocks against his throbbing cock but couldn’t while his hands continued to hold her immobile. “Yes,” she whispered. “I do like that. A lot. Please. Can we - ?”
He groaned and dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. “Jesus, how you tempt me. But if I make love to you now, darling, I won’t be able to stop. Not for hours and hours. Especially since you’ve surrendered yourself to me tonight.” He stepped away from her slowly, his gaze still lingering lustfully on her nearly nude body. “Now, be a very good girl and put some clothes on, hmm? I’d better wait for you in the living room, otherwise we will be very, very late for dinner.”
Tessa finished getting ready very quickly after his departure, but couldn’t help smiling in delight. Ian was already primed and ready for their intimate evening ahead, and her confidence level was rising with each passing moment that he’d have a great deal of trouble tearing his eyes from her during dinner.
And that same confidence soared to never before seen heights when she walked into the living room a few minutes later. Ian’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped open in speechless awe as he inspected her very, very thoroughly from head to toe.
The silk dress was of a vivid pink floral print and had a halter top, a deeply plunging neckline that showcased her cleavage to its absolute best advantage, and a short, pleated skirt. Her normally pale skin had begun to take on a soft apricot tone after all the time she’d been spending in warmer climates as of late, and so she’d dispensed with hosiery tonight, leaving her long legs bare. She’d paired her rather daring dress with strappy gold high heeled sandals, a gold cuff bracelet, and a pair of enormous gold hoop earrings. Her blonde hair had been carefully tousled, and fell in loose, thick waves halfway down her back. Her makeup was all deep pinks and smoky grays, the bright shade of her lip gloss coordinating with the polish on her fingers and toes.
Ian walked over to her slowly, never taking his eyes from her face, and then he smiled - a very sexy, panty-melting smile that made her shiver in reaction. His arm circled her waist, pulling her in close as his burning gaze dropped to the lavish display of her breasts.
“Good Christ, I think you’re trying to kill me,” he said huskily with a shake of his head. “Why else would you be wearing a dress like this if you aren’t intending to raise my blood pressure to a very dangerous level?”
Tessa shivered again as he ran a finger very slowly down between her breasts. “I, ah, does this mean you like it?”
Ian growled, tightening his arm and pulling her body flush against his very obvious erection. “What do you think, my sweet?” He bent his head and pressed a kiss to the very top of her cleavage. “I understand now about that ridiculous excuse for a bra you’re wearing. You’ve, ah, got quite a lot of your very impressive assets on display tonight, love. Any particular reason?”
She traced her index finger over his lips. “Complaining?”
He laughed. “Not bloody likely, darling, no. You look a bit like a gypsy tonight, I think, with that very vivid dress and those earrings and your hair all wild. A very, very sexy gypsy.”
She caressed his cheek. “You don’t mind? About the dress, I mean. Because -”
Ian smiled down at her. “Because you look so damned irresistible that I won’t be able to tear my eyes from you all night? Tell me, love, was that your intent when you chose this very revealing dress?”
“Yes,” she replied guilelessly. “Especially after Mrs. C. warned me about, well, about Vincent’s wife.”
He looked at her quizzically. “What about her?”
Tessa fidgeted beneath his intent regard. “Well, Mrs. C. might have mentioned that Dinora, um, likes to flirt. A lot. And, well, Mrs. C. suggested that I should wear something -”
Ian burst out laughing. “My God, she didn’t! After telling you that your skirt was one damned inch too short earlier today, that old witch actually encouraged you to, ah, show off your goods tonight?”
She couldn’t help giggling in return. “I was a little disbelieving myself. But Mrs. C.’s seen Dinora in action several times, and seemed to think she’ll try to latch onto you immediately.”
Ian waved a hand in dismissal. “Let her try, it won’t do a damned bit of good. Darling, even if you were wearing a burqa right now, you’d still be the only woman I’d ever care to look at. But dressed like this - like a very sexy gypsy - my very sexy gypsy, you can be quite sure my eyes will remain fixed on you the entire time.”
She toyed with the lapels of his beautifully tailored linen suit jacket. “I know I’m being silly,” she admitted quietly. “And I know you’re too decent and wonderful to ever openly flirt with another woman. It’s just -”
He tipped her chin up, and the tender look in his hazel eyes made her heart beat a little faster. “Just what, darling?”
“I know you told me there weren’t very many women you’ve been with,” she began hesitantly. “I know that. But, well, I still can’t help but wonder how many others have tried over the years, how many have flirted with you. And I just -”
“Shh.” Ian placed a gentle finger over her mouth, careful not to smudge her lip gloss. “Come over here for a minute, love, and we’ll talk about this. I’m beginning to see we should have had this particular conversation some time ago.”
She started to protest as he led her over to the living room sofa. “But won’t we be late for dinner?”
Ian shrugged carelessly. “Perhaps a few minutes. So what? Vincent is my employee, not one of my friends, and he won’t dare to comment if we’re five minutes late. You, my love, are far more important. You and your peace of mind. Now, let’s sit, hmm?”
“Okay.” She let him draw her onto his lap as his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. “Though I know I’m being silly. I mean, in the time we’ve been together you’ve never once flirted or even looked
at another woman. But I can’t help wondering, what with all the traveling you did and -”
He nodded as her voice trailed off shyly. “Perfectly understandable for you to be curious. Now, let me put all of that adorable curiosity of yours at ease, my love. When I first began to work for the company, my father made it very clear that I would be representing not just the Gregson Group but the Gregson family as well. And that there would always be standards that had to be upheld, a reputation to be maintained - one of class, dignity, and, most importantly, discretion. In other words, picking up random women or indulging in casual affairs while traveling on company business was strictly off the table.”
“So you’ve never -”
“No. Hard as it may be for you to believe, I took what my father said to heart and always strove to act accordingly. It became especially important once Colin graduated from university and also began to work for the company full time.” Ian paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. “He was about as far from being discreet as you’d shudder to imagine. And when his, er, exploits quickly became more and more blatant, my determination to uphold the company standards became even more pronounced.”
Tessa nodded, quietly thrilled at what he’d told her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Were you ever tempted? I mean, it couldn’t have been easy not to give in.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Perhaps once or twice, but never to a point where I ever strongly considered it. The other part of this - well, it will definitely sound hopelessly old-fashioned and probably very chauvinistic, too, but the truth of the matter is that overly aggressive women have always been a huge turnoff for me. I’m well aware that I’ve got this need to be in control, and I’ve always felt that the man should be the one to make the first move. Does that make me sound like a relic from the 1940’s or something?”
Crave (Splendor Book 2) Page 38
