Authors: Marie Kelly
As he had once more driven her back to her apartment and parked the car, he had turned to Tessa.
“I had a good time Tessa Jones” he said his wonderful dark eyes shining.
She had smiled back.
“Me too, thank you for the meal and lift Alexis, and now…….I really have to get some sleep or there are going to be about 200 little kids banging into each other on the stage tomorrow”
As she made to leave, he had captured her hand in his, pulling it to his lips and kissing her fingers gently, causing a tremor to pass through her once more, her cheeks colouring slightly.
“May I take you out for dinner tomorrow?” he said, his breath warm on her fingers, causing more pleasant sensations to run through her.
Tessa had looked shyly back at him before gently pulling her hand back.
“I’m sorry, I really am busy all week” she had replied softly.
“Oh oh, the brush off” he joked softy, as the corners of her mouth had twitched.
“Please don’t take it personally” she had smiled,
“I’m just really not interested in seeing anybody right now”
“Who said anything about ‘seeing’ he had quipped “I just feel that somebody needs to make sure you eat”
Tessa had chuckled.
“Thank you but no thank you Alexis” she had smiled, her tone firm.
“Goodbye….and thank you for the food and the lift” she had added, smiling before quickly pulling the door open and stepping from the car.
As she had moved up the steps to her apartment, his eyes had followed her until she had completely disappeared from view, a thoughtful look on his face.
The next day was, as she had anticipated, bedlam. With only two more days before the final show of the year, Tessa had been busy from the moment she woke to the panicking phone call of one of her students.
The phone call she had made to Andrew that afternoon had seen her forcing more enthusiasm in her voice than she had felt, not prepared to give up on finding some way of raising the money for her friend. She had contacted her bank manager to see how much she could hope to raise based on her business and future inheritance, hoping that she could borrow on the strength of this money. However he had seemed less than enthusiastic with her proposal, Tessa once more feeling the sinking sensation, still determined to find a way.
The dress rehearsals had gone well and Tessa had been happy with the progress, with very few of her students not having the required accessories. Remembering the smallest children, their comical antics had brought a gentle smile to her face as she had finished clearing up the studio. The next day everybody was to meet at the show hall, Tessa once more thinking how they had been lucky to get such a great venue for the show, looking forward to the walk through. She was excited with how well the tickets had sold, her happiness marred only by the memory of Andrew’s situation.
As she had lifted her jacket and moved to turn the lights off in her bright studio, she had furrowed her brow hearing a tap at the door. Looking at her watch, she had been concerned at the lateness of the time, seeing that it was nearly nine o’clock and warily she had gone to the door asking who was there.
Hearing Alexis Demitri’s voice, she had scowled with annoyance. This man did not know when to take no for an answer. Unlocking the door, she had been suddenly very conscious that she was still wearing her dance leotard and tights, her hair pulled up in a pony tail which swung around her shoulders and back, only a long baggy jumper covering her.
He had stood leaning against the door jam, wearing a casual shirt and jeans, Tessa involuntarily flicking her eyes over him, once more feeling the tightening awareness of this man, once more so unsure why he made her feel that way. With an irritated look she had stood before the door, not wanting to give him the chance to move inside.
“Mr Demitri” she had said, her tone showing her displeasure at his presence.
“What can I do for you?”
While her body language was very clear about her displeasure, he had seemed completely oblivious and had smiled softly.
“Well as I suspected, you have I think not eaten”
Sighing softly she had shaken her head.
“And as I said yesterday Mr Demitri, I have no interest in going out for a meal with you”
To her surprise, he had only grinned.
“Yes you did…….and I am a man who always listens” he had laughed, pulling his hand from the side of the door jamb to reveal a large basket.
“So I figured that we could eat in”
Completely speechless, Tessa had only been able to stare at the hamper, as with another small grin he had moved forward into the studio.
“In here?” he had asked walked past her before she could even utter a word.
With a bemused expression, she had once more closed the door, following him into the main studio area, seeing as he had already started to unpack the picnic, laying out the rug and placing food and plates on the brightly coloured surface.
“Do you ever take no for an answer?” she had said, irritation in her voice, annoyed at how he had grinned boyishly.
“Nope”
Seeing how she had hovered over him, her lovely brow lined in a frown.
“Look Tessa, you can have this, which will save you having to make something when you get home, and I can even give you a hand finishing off cleaning up your studio”
He had grinned up at her as he lay down on the rug, his long lean body half lifted as he reached over for a sandwich. Lifting her hand to her mouth, she had tried to suppress the giggle which came out anyway, before moving over and sitting cross legged opposite him, reaching for one of the delicious sandwiches herself.
“Well you seem to have timed it perfectly to not have to help with the cleaning up “she had said in mock annoyance, laughing as he had thrown a hand over his forehead, wiping it in pretend relief.
“Yes…. my timing never fails” he had chuckled softly.
“But really Mr Dem…” she had started as he had interrupted.
“Please, Tessa I think that by our second date we should be on first name terms”
His hand had come up to silence her as she had blustered.
“We have never been on a date….Alexis”
Her face incredulous, as he had smiled.
“Much better……thank you”
As she had laughed, leaning over to help herself to another sandwich, she had looked back over at him.
He really was incredibly attractive; the shirt opened slightly giving her the strangest desire to lean forward and run her fingers along his broad chest. Dropping her eyes she had sought to hide the confusion in them.
“Now admit it……..this is nice”
Smiling softly she had nodded gently.
“Like you said, saves me doing it when I have to go home”
Again, she had found herself enjoying his company, as he had shown such an interest in the show due to take place so soon now. Very quickly she had found herself once more relaxing in his company, moving to lie down along the blanket, as hungrily she had enjoyed the delicious picnic he had provided.
“Now did you really make this yourself?”
She had giggled, as he had grinned.
“Hell no……this is edible”
She had laughed back, as he made a big fuss of clearing away the picnic mess, having missed his chance to impress her with the hall. As he finished putting everything in the basket, he had moved it behind him, suddenly bringing the two of them very close together. Tessa had looked at him, this man she hardly knew, suddenly feeling shy as the air between them had filled with a strange tension, his eyes delving deeply into hers.
“I…I should” she had begun as his hand had reached over to gently cup her face, his eyes moving to her mouth as she had stayed still within his touch. Unconsciously she had moved her head slightly closer, all the encouragement he needed to bend down further, his lips meeting hers. The kiss was barely a whisper against her lips, but Tessa had felt herself melt, her hand moving to touch his chest, her fingers skirting over his skin, hearing a soft moan escape him, as his kiss had deepened. As his mouth had explored hers more deeply, she had explored his, their tongues caressing the others, the kiss so wonderful. She was not even aware of having moved her arms around his neck, nor of his having moved so that he was now half lying over her, one of his hands having moved around her waist to pull her tightly in against him. The only thing that seemed to matter was that this man not stop kissing her. Groaning throatily she had felt him hesitate, pull back from her, giving a small laugh.
“Well I guess that answers that question”
He spoke softly to himself, as her eyes had flickered open, realisation flooding through her, as she had pushed herself from him.
“We …we shouldn’t have “she had began, as his hand had moved to silence her, his eyes suddenly very serious.
“Did you ever wonder why your grandfather was pushing your cousin on me Tessa?” he had asked looking deeply into her eyes.
She had looked back at him, her face confused at the question, still feeling the effects of her reaction to him as her whole body yearned for more.
“I just assumed that she was flirting with you” she had responded.
“My grandfather obviously wants something from you… so he wouldn’t mind. Marcie is a company girl at heart”
His lips had twitched gently.
“Well as true as that may be……….there was more to it than that”
Tessa had continued watching, not sure what he was talking about, still trying to regain her composure, hating the way he seemed so calm as if nothing had happened, while she felt her heart beating so loudly the noise was almost deafening.
“For several months now I have had somebody looking for a wife for me… I’m guessing your grandfather found that out”
Tessa’s eyes had opened in surprise.
“Why would you?”
She had begun as he had carried on.
“Because marriage is something that too many rush into with no real thought of what they actually want……I want a woman who understands my lifestyle…who will produce for me the children I want, and if all fails will not take away most of my business……or my children”
He had paused seeing the confusion on her face.
“I want somebody who understands what it is to be powerful and rich…as your grandfather is. Somebody who loves children, as you seem to do, and somebody who will respond well to me in bed……..I think that we have just proven that would not be a problem”
Tessa had gasped.
”Are you asking me to be your WIFE?” she had cried in shock.
“Yes” he had stated, his tone matter of fact, as though her look of shock was of no concern to him.
“We I feel would make a good partnership, you would be the perfect wife for me and in return I would ensure that you had everything you needed”
Tessa had leapt to her feet.
“This conversation is over Mr Demitri” she had said stiffly, her voice full of contempt, seeing as he had risen slowly to his feet lifting his basket.
“I’m sure that your paid matchmaker will find the right brood mare for you soon”
“My matchmaker has found many ladies……….none of whom have met my requirements………but in you I think I have found what I am looking for”
He had said patiently, as though talking to a small child.
“I think that you should seriously consider the offer Tessa”
“No, I don’t think so” she had cried, moving over to the door and pulling it open for him to leave.
“We are strangers Alexis……….I don’t have any idea about you…….nor you of me, your offer is both unwelcome and ill-conceived, and I would appreciate it if you would leave………..and not return” she had added firmly.
As he had moved passed her, he had stopped, his handsome face looking down on her, those dark eyes once more flicking over her face, causing fluttering to erupt throughout her entire body. Sensually he had lifted a finger to stroke her cheek, her skin tingling where he touched with a strange desire.
“You should know Tessa that I do not give up. When I make my mind up about something…..I usually win”
Gritting her teeth she had looked back at him, her expression determined.
“Well maybe losing will do you good”
Seeing as he had smiled.
“Mmmmm I even like your optimism” he had muttered dropping his head, and before she could move, gently kissing her mouth.
“We will continue this later” he breathed softly, although she was aware of the way his breath like hers was slightly ragged.
As he had moved out, she had closed the door, locking it behind him, leaning against the door cursing the way her body seemed to betray the longing for such a despicable man. That hateful, arrogant man, with the blackest most piercing eyes she had ever seen, groaning at the memory of his touch, as his soft caresses had driven her crazy with such a need for him. How his mouth felt against her, how his aftershave had enveloped her, and caused her to want to…….thumping her hand against the wood she had moved forward, angry at herself. Men like Alexis Demitri were no better than her grandfather she had thought her mouth twisting in a grimace, and people like her got hurt by those kind of men, better she stay far away from him, from his awful plan. With a small frown she had remembered his kiss, that soft sensual kiss, correcting herself….no he wasn’t like her grandfather she thought, there had been a warmth in that kiss, a warmth her grandfather was completely incapable of. No, Alexis Demitri was just misguided in his perception, part of her feeling sorry for his outlook, feeling pity that he would deny himself the joy of a loving relationship and bringing children into that environment.
“Tessa, good to see you”
Tessa had been surprised that afternoon, to hear from her grandfather, even more surprised at how friendly he seemed to be towards her. She had thought him to be furious at her crashing his party however his tone had been almost jovial. When he had requested that she come by that evening to see him, she had agreed instantly. Almost unable to believe his turnaround, her heart had soared that she would be able to help Andrew after all.
Looking suspiciously back at him she had moved over to sit in the seat opposite forcing a smile on her face, not really enjoying being in his company.