Authors: Marie Kelly
Moving back into the bedroom that Alexis had taken her into earlier that day, Tessa had once more looked around. She remembered how he had seemed concerned that the room not be what she had expected, offering to show her others, as she had stood back to him, silently. He had not seen how her eyes had taken in the opulence of her surroundings, wide with amazement, until she had turned to face him, her eyes shining.
“Wow……..this is beautiful” she had managed, as he had smiled with relief, moving forward and grabbing her hand to lead her to one of the two other doors in the room, the touch of his hand on hers once more sending the strange signals coursing through Tessa. Pulling the first door open he had shown her the large en-suite bathroom, all marble and luxury, as Tessa had smiled.
“This room is bigger than my apartment” she had giggled, as he had smiled back at her before moving to the second door.
As it too had been opened, Tessa had gasped seeing the huge walk in closet with its many rows of empty rails. Looking at Alexis Tessa had chuckled as he had looked back at her.
“If you are trying to impress me, you are doing a hell of a job”
She had laughed, seeing as he had grinned back, admiring the way the room was tastefully decorated in creams and reds, the large king size bed so soft as she had moved over to sit on it, bouncing gently on the luxurious coverings.
Alexis had moved over beside her, also sitting down on the bed, his eyes once more taking in the woman at his side. Tessa completely lacked the falseness of so many of the women he had brought to his home. She was awestricken at her surroundings and had made no attempt to disguise the fact, her reaction to the large home and the beautiful furnishings like that of a small child.
“I would have thought that you would be used to houses like this” he had finally said, as she had looked back at him with surprise.
“Why?” her eyes questioning.
“Your grandfather’s house………seemed just as large as mine” he had added, seeing the flicker of a smile on her lovely lips.
“And you think that I grew up with my grandfather?” she had asked, her voice full of amusement.
“Did it look like he enjoyed having me around?” she had chuckled, before shaking her head,
“No……..Marcie did……..not me”
Before she had leapt up, suddenly aware of the closeness of Alexis on the bed beside her as she had moved away on the pretext of looking at the large dressing table. Smiling he had also risen before informing her that he had organised a car to take her to the two appointments he had made for her that day, his fingers capturing hers as he had gently kissed them.
“Enjoy, Cara” he had breathed softly, his voice once more sending little shock waves skittering down her spine.
As he had walked her back down the large grand stairway he had told her more about what would be their first official date that evening as Tessa had chucked.
“Not many women can say they are engaged before they go on their first date” she had grinned as he had laughed, flashing a return warm smile.
“Yes the things some men have to do to GET a first date with you” he had returned, the two smiling at each other.
Leading her outside, he had to her surprise pulled her to the where her old car was parked, a small yellow sports car before it really showing off how much it stood out.
“One more thing Cara”
He had breathed softly.
“I know that you might be very attached to your car, but I worry that one day it might let you down”
Flicking her a look full of humour
“One day very soon from the looks of things”
Tessa had chuckled softly, knowing how unreliable it was.
“So I had this delivered today”
As he had moved closer to the yellow sports car she had admired.
“If you don’t like it, then you can choose anything else”
Gasping loudly, she had looked at the car and then back at him, her eyes shining with disbelief.
“You bought me a car!” she had cried, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside her, her whole face shining with happiness as she had rushed forward taking in the exquisite vehicle, not wanting to touch the shiny piece of art. Stepping back she had pulled herself together, her teeth savaging her lip.
“Oh Alexis…………I can’t accept this”
She had muttered, her mind searching for the right words.
“It…it’s too…..”
“Safe?”
He had interjected with a small chuckle, before pulling her into his arms, his mouth dropping to gently kiss her nose.
“I want you happy and safe always Tessa Jones” he had said softly, Tessa once more feeling the strange warmth filling her stomach, as he had released her and stepped back.
“Unfortunately Cara, I must return to work, but I will see you tonight”
His eyes had sparkled, before he had given her a small kiss on the cheek moving to open the door of the limousine waiting to take her to her first appointment.
Looking at the time, Tessa had given a small gasp, pulled from her reverie, not realising how late it had gotten. They were due at to leave for the gala ball in just over an hour and a half, and jumping up she had wondered where Alexis was and which of the many rooms on the landing was his.
The large shower with its jets had been refreshing as Tessa had luxuriated under them, allowing them to bring her tired body back to life. She had sat at the large vanity unit drying her long hair, before pulling it up into a bun, allowing tendrils to fall sexily against her face. Smiling she had applied some light makeup, seeing how good she looked before scrunching up her nose and sticking out her tongue in mockery at herself.
Finally she had slipped on the red full length cocktail dress. Secured at the nape of her neck it had shimmered with the many diamantes on the bodice while being completely backless, showing off her long perfectly arched figure, the material hugging the base of her spine before once more flaring slightly over her bottom. Looking in the mirror she had pulled on the matching shoes before taking a deep breath, her eyes shining at seeing just how lovely she looked.
“Wow” she had giggled “I could even fancy you myself” her wonderful mouth once more breaking into the large smile that lit up her whole face. Finally ready she had checked the clock, happy to see that she was a minute early, and picking up the matching handbag she had moved out of the room making her way to the stairs.
At the foot of the grand stairwell, Alexis had stood open mouthed watching Tessa walk carefully down towards him. She was stunning, and he had felt every part of his body jump in excitement at seeing just how beautiful she was. Reaching the landing and him, Tessa had looked shyly over, her eyes relishing how handsome he looked in his tuxedo, the darkness of the suit only adding to his dark brooding good looks, feeling as she had reacted to just the sight of him.
“You look nice” she had said softly, seeing as he had almost shaken himself before responding, moving forward to take her arm.
“And you look…………..amazing” he had groaned, adding in a tortured voice ”God these two weeks are going to be hell if you keep looking like that”
Making Tessa once more chuckle as she had allowed him to take her arm and lead her to the waiting car.
The gala as it turned out had been a charity event, and Tessa had found herself in awe at the stars from both television and the big screen that she had recognised as they had all mingled prior to the meal itself. She had subconsciously moved in closer to Alexis, who had grinned down on her taking her hand and squeezing it encouragingly.
“You never said it was going to be a star parade” she had whispered to him, her eyes scanning the sea of people as she fought the urge to yell “look it’s …….”
Alexis however, had shrugged his shoulders.
“They are just normal people Tess”
Before he had dragged her over to meet Terry Brown, a man she instantly recognised, having seen all of his films. As they had approached, he had moved to give Alexis a big bear hug, loudly welcoming him, before looking at Tessa, his eyes wide with appreciation.
“And welcome to you too” he had said smoothly, his hand moving to take her fingers before kissing them, his eyes moving slowly over her.
“Now how have I ever missed you?” he had said, as Alexis had chuckled.
“Now Terry, I would appreciate it if you did not try to flirt with my fiancé”
He had said his voice full of laughter, as the other man had looked back at him with shock.
“Your fiancé” he had repeated loudly, making many of the other guests around turn to watch them, including many of the press members who moved around the area, photographing the beautiful and famous.
With that there had been a flurry of activity, as Tessa had found herself suddenly the attention of many of these, as they fired questions at her and Alexis, snapping picture after picture. Tessa had been happy to let him do the talking, feeling completely overwhelmed by the attention, smiling as he had placed his arms around her shoulders half for appearance and half so that he could lean down and gently whisper in her ear.
“This is like a band-aid …best to just get it over with”
Tessa looking up at him with a smile on her face as she had responded.
“Ouch!!”
Alexis laughing back down at her, this image being the one that she was to see the next day in many of the tabloids.
As the meal had been called, he had once more taken her hand and moved into the large beautifully presented hall, Tessa smiling at the other couple as they had taken their place at their table. Alexis had moved to kiss the woman’s cheek, as she had introduced him to her date. He had then introduced Tessa, seeing as the other woman had smiled warmly back at her.
“Tessa, I would like you to meet, Clara Laing, my best project manager”
Tessa had looked at the other woman, seeing as she had waved away the comment, but also noticing how happy she looked at it. Clara Laing was stunning, with a wonderful figure, which was shown off in the long silver blue cocktail dress she wore. With her sparkling blue eyes so full of laughter, and long blonde hair, scooped up to show off her graceful neck, she more than matched any of the starlets and famous actresses Tessa saw around her.
Speaking with a soft accent which still contained a hint of her French origins, Tessa had felt somehow wanting beside the woman. Clara however, had smiled back at her with a friendly look.
“I hear congratulations are in order” she had said softly, moving over to admire Tessa’s ring, a small sound of appreciation coming from her as she had smiled her approval at the gorgeous piece of jewellery.
“I am so happy for you both” she had continued looking over at Alexis and winking softly.
“About time this one was married” she had added with a laugh, before moving back over to her chair, Tessa noticing a strange look passing between the two.
The meal had been delicious and after eating, Tessa had once more moved around the assembled celebrities on Alexis’s arm. This time more relaxed, happily accepting the many wishes for their engagement expressed by those they talked to, as the news had seemed to travel quickly around the crowd. She had chatted with many, soon finding herself at ease with the famous faces she had met, realising as he had put it…….they were just people, and finding that she had enjoyed the evening very much.
Alexis in turn had watched as she had smiled and been so quickly accepted by the many guests, once more happy at his choice of wife. Tessa was attentive as she listened to the new faces she had met, and she had quickly relaxed and been accepted into the company, able to mix so well with the assembled dignitaries just as he had known she would. Yes Tessa Jones was the perfect wife for him, and she would be the perfect mother too he had known, as he had smiled contentedly.
That night as they had returned home, it had been late and she had allowed Alexis to walk her to her room. Stopping at the door she had smiled up at him.
“I had a good time” she had grinned seeing as his mouth had quirked.
“Yes……as first dates go…it was pretty good” he had replied with a small laugh, seeing as she had chuckled back at him nodding.
“Well…….goodnight then” she had whispered softly, as he had stepped forward, his hands moving to hold her naked shoulders before dropping a small kiss on her cheek. As his lips had touched, Tessa had felt the instant jolt of desire flooding through her, feeling as he had pulled back slightly his eyes scanning hers, his just as bright. With a soft groan he had moved closer, his mouth finding hers her lips parting welcoming his kiss. She could feel as her hands had snaked around his neck, feeling as he had pulled her even harder against him, his kiss demanding and passionate as his arms wrapped around her small waist. She had felt her head spinning with the sensations flooding her body, before whimpering feeling him pull back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. Whispering Greek words full of frustration, the sound had made her want him more as she had tried to kiss him again, shocking herself with her own actions. Shakily Alexis had stepped back, his eyes looking so longingly at her, as she had fallen against the wall, her legs feeling so weak, her eyes still full of the fire they shared, her lips red with his kisses as his eyes had looked back at her full of anguish and longing.
“This is going to be a VERY long two weeks” he had moaned softly, as she had felt her racing heart begin to slow down once more, blushing at how she had fallen against him so hungrily.
“I…I’m sorry” she had felt herself mutter, as he had shaken his head.
“No Cara…….we both want this ………oh my god how we want this” he had finished, so badly wanting to return to her arms and move into the bedroom with her. However, pulling himself up with all the determination he possessed, he had taken another step back.
“Tomorrow I will not be back till the afternoon. We can talk about the wedding plans then” he had said before watching as she had wordlessly nodded and moved into her room, her mind and body still feeling the effects of his touches and kisses, as she had scolded herself wondering what had gotten into her.
That night as she had sank into the soft bed; her mind had been full of Alexis. So like her grandfather, and yet so different she had thought to herself, once more remembering how he had kissed her, groaning softly at the memories as she had slipped into a sleep full of dreams of the tall handsome man who was to be her husband.