No More Wasted Time (18 page)

“Oh, well, please don’t promise me that.” Tom chuckled.

Tess paced in circles, trying to decide what to wear. She
wrapped a towel around herself and ambled out to Tom who was still on the phone
and didn’t sound any better. “Can you help me pick out something to wear when
you’re done?” she whispered to him.

He nodded, hanging up the phone, trying to peek under her
towel.

“What should I wear?” she asked, standing in a white lace
thong.

“That looks perfect,” he said, inspecting her half-naked
body. She shook her head at him. “What are you comfortable in?”

“I thought about my blue dress with the leopard pumps. Or
should I wear jeans?”

“The blue dress is my favorite, but I love your jeans, too.
Which is more comfortable?”

“Please, will you pick? I want to look good next to you.”

He pulled the picture of them back up on his phone. “You
look beautiful next to me. I like the blue dress.”

“Thank you!”

“Call John, please. I don’t want your kids to get mad at
me,” he sighed uneasily.

She called John’s cell.

“Hello?”

“Hi, son. How’s it going?”

“Well, hi, Mom. I thought I might hear from you today,” he
scoffed.

Crap.
He already knew. “I saw your sisters yesterday.
I’m sure they’ve talked to you about picking them up at the airport.”

“Yes, I talked to them yesterday, but I’m sure I’ll be
hearing from them again soon.”

“We’re still in the air. I called-” Tom stretched out on the
bed watching Tess pace around the room.

John cut her off. “So, Mom! How was Greece?” he asked sardonically.

“Okay, go ahead. I can tell you’ve obviously seen the photo
I’m calling to warn you about.” 

“I haven’t, but my friends and girlfriend have.”

“I’m sorry. You haven’t actually seen it though?”

“No, but I heard about it. Blow by blow.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know someone-”

“You don’t need to apologize. And
please
don’t try to
explain anything. That’s a little too much information for me. You’re obviously
having a great time.”

“More than likely, there will be more photos,” Tess
forewarned.

John groaned. “Please tell me you’re not naked or topless!
I’ll never hear the end of that shit from my friends. They’ve already been
telling me,
‘Dude your mom looks so hot’
.” he mimicked with irritation.

“No, I’m not naked or topless in any photos.” Tess glanced
at Tom. He reassured her, shaking his head no. “Sorry about your friends giving
you crap.”

“I appreciate you trying to warn me, but you were too late.
Everybody said it’s a great picture.”

She gave a slight chuckle. “That’s what I said. Tom wanted
me to get a hold of you before you saw it.”

“Well if he wasn’t
groping you in public
, maybe he
wouldn’t be feeling guilty right now. Sorry. I’m fine. It’s just weird. You’re
my mom, but it sounds like, or should I say it looks like, you’re really into
him. My only concern is that you’re happy.” Annoyance sat heavy in his voice.

“I am happy.”

“I’m gonna go. This conversation’s a little too weird. Love
you.”

“Love you, too.”

“He’s upset?” Tom asked, after she hung up.

Tess could tell it bothered Tom. He wanted her kids to
approve of him. “Well, I’m not sure about mad, maybe embarrassed. However, he
did request you not grope me in public. Please tell me there won’t be pictures
of us from Bora Bora? They would die. I would die if there were topless photos
of me.”

“No, there aren’t.” He attempted to be convincing.

“Lovely,” she smirked, falling straight back onto the bed.

Tom touched the Tahitian pearl necklace hanging around her
neck. “If you don’t mind, Tess, I’d rather you didn’t wear this right now.”

She frowned with hurt feelings. “Why?”

“I don’t want them to have any idea where we’ve been. This
necklace would be a dead giveaway. They probably assume we’ve been in Greece
the whole time, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry. It won’t be near as crazy after our public
interest wears off, but it’ll be an ordeal for a while. I’d love to sit here
and tell you that it won’t be a nightmare, but it will. If I could make them go
away I would, but the media doesn’t work that way. So, we can either go out and
get it over with or lay low until the premier. Either way, they’re still going
to line up outside, hide in the bushes, and follow us everywhere. Waiting will
only delay the inevitable.”

“I think I’d rather get it over with.”

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Tess. This might be very
overwhelming for you. The paparazzi can be brutal. A few of them are decent,
but some will say anything to piss you off so they can get their pictures.”

“Lifestyles of the rich and famous…” she smirked.

“Get dressed. We’ll go over some things.” He taught her how
to stand
. Don’t fidget, it shows weakness. And don’t ever look pissed. Move
slowly. Don’t rush when you walk
. “And, Tess, no matter what you do, be
very careful getting in and out of the car.” He reached his hand under her dress,
snapped the top of her thong, and raised his eyebrows. “I’d like to keep that
out of the photos.”

She listened carefully, absorbing his instructions.

“I’m friendly with some of the paparazzi, so what we do will
depend on who is here. Just follow my lead. If I stop, then stop with me.”

“Is there a problem with your publicist? I get the feeling
I’m an issue of sorts.”

“Just a small one, but its fine.” He acted nonchalant, but
obviously, there was a definite problem.

Tom’s phone rang. He smiled, handing it to Tess.

“Hi, Tracy. How’s your cruise going?”

“Hey, Mom. We are loving Greece! Apparently you did, too!”
Tracy and JC giggled hysterically.

“Oh, great. I didn’t think you’d see it.”

“When we got into port, JC had eight photo messages from all
of her friends. So yeah, we’ve seen it!”

“Did you have a message from your brother, too?”

“Oh, yeah. He was quite peeved.”

JC snatched the phone away from Tracy. “We had to explain to
our brother the effect Greece has on you.” JC laughed. “We can appreciate how
you could get caught up here. Greece is incredibly romantic. At least it was a
good picture.”

“That’s what I said.”

Tracy had the phone now. “We can’t talk long because we’re
getting off the ship. We told John he should bring his girlfriend here on vacation
then maybe he wouldn’t be so judgmental. Europe is magically romantic. Anyway,
we have to go. He’s fine now and we all want you to have fun. Do you know where
you are going yet?” she asked enthusiastically.

“Yes, I do.”

Both girls chimed, “Have fun. Love you.”

“Bye. Love you, too.”

“Your girls seem awfully sensible. I knew they’d love
Greece.” Relief covered Tom’s face.

“They are very responsible, but apparently they find Europe
incredibly romantic. I hope they come home.”

Tess sat anxiously waiting for the plane to land.

“I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think you
could handle it. If we want to be together, this has to happen at some point.
The sooner we get it over with, the sooner the cameras will go away. Somewhat.”

Paparazzi loomed when they exited the airport. Tom held her
hand. She followed behind him casually doing everything he told her to do.
Walk
smoothly. Don’t fidget or look directly at them.
He slid his arm around her
waist, smiling at her. Tess focused so hard on concentrating, she didn’t hear
much of anything, but a rush of mumbled voices. Tom moved toward one of the men
with a camera, but kept his distance.

“How was Greece Tommy? Let me take your picture! Who’s your
new date, Tommy?” the man asked.

Tom stopped for five seconds and pulled Tess in next to him.
“Hey, Joey. This is my girlfriend, Tess Mathews. Greece was especially nice.”

Flashes popped off. Before she could duck her head from the
strikes of light, Tess caught glimpse of the stunned look on the man’s face. He
resembled Benny and Lisa’s when Tom used the word girlfriend. The paparazzi
were still taking pictures as Tess slipped into the car carefully.

“I hope you’re ready for this.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“That wasn’t bad.”

CHAPTER
THIRTEEN

The car pulled up to a large black wrought iron gate. Lush,
tall landscaping exposed only a very small portion of the garage doors from the
road.

Entering Tom’s home, she whispered in awe, “It’s beautiful.”
Drawn to the mesmerizing view of the Pacific Ocean, Tess walked straight past
the modest, modern décor. “Wow.” She stared out the floor to ceiling glass
panels that created a frame for nature’s finest canvass of coastal artwork. 

Tom stood behind Tess, embracing her. “Come on, you can look
around later.” He led her to his room, turned on some music, and opened the
glass doors, letting in the moist ocean breeze.

“The view is spectacular.” She wandered out onto the balcony
and leaned over the stainless steel railing, taking in the smell of the ocean.
He stared at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What? Why are you
looking at me like that?” She blushed.

“I like looking at you, Tess, you’re beautiful.” He placed
his palm to hers and his other hand grasped her hip, dancing slowly gazing into
her eyes. She laid her head on his chest, gently swaying to the music.

“Do you want me to show you around the house?” he whispered
in her ear.

“Not right now. I feel so relaxed.”

Tom kissed her lips tenderly, until they heard the front door
open.

“Tommy? Hello! Hey, where are you?” a woman shouted.

“We’ll be right out!” He replied and then brushed his nose
to hers. “It’s my assistant.”

A very young, attractive woman stood in his living room.
“Tommy! I’m glad you’re back. I tried to knock, but you didn’t hear me.” She
gave him a welcoming embrace. “I have some things for you. I hope they’re the
right size,” she said to Tess, setting several bags atop the driftwood coffee
table.

“Tess, this is my assistant, Shayla,” he said, arms still
wrapped around the striking, blond haired girl with hazel eyes.

Tess consciously made an effort not to show any emotions on
her face as a rush of jealously surged through her. His assistant looked as if
she could’ve stepped right out of a surf magazine. Very California. “It’s nice
to meet you.” Tess reached for her hand.

“She’s my assistant and my niece,” Tom clarified.

Shayla embraced Tess. “It’s nice to finally meet you.
Tommy’s been talking about you on the phone for weeks. He said you needed a few
things.”

“I do?”

“I had her pick out a couple of outfits for you so we
wouldn’t have to go out shopping right away. I wasn’t sure how this morning
would play out. Lisa helped me with your sizes, so hopefully they’ll fit.” Tom
said.

“They probably will. That woman is gifted when it comes to
shopping.” Tess peeked inside the bag.

“If they don’t fit or you don’t like them, let me know and
I’ll exchange them for something different. Tommy can give you my number. If
you need anything, Tess, call me. By the way, two guys are lurking around out
front.”

“I’ll call you later so we can go over plans for tomorrow,”
Tom confirmed.

A shudder trickled down her spine as she wondered what it
would be like to go shopping in public with Tom. Tess smiled appreciatively.
“Thanks for the clothes.”

“No problem. Call me with whatever you need. See you
tomorrow.”

“Hopefully you’ll like the things she picked up. Lisa set
the whole thing up for me.”

“You’re spoiling me,” she murmured. Tess treasured
everything Tom did for her, but she was used to taking care of herself.

“I enjoy doing things for you and don’t give me any trouble
over it, please, because you’re going to have a great time the next few days.”

“I’ll just say thank you then.” She kissed him
appreciatively.

“Tess, I want nothing more than to take you to bed right
now, but I hoped we could wait until later.” 

Tess realized she didn’t need to rush all of her feelings
into three days. They were together now and she could enjoy him for a long
time. “I see a pool out back. Or do we have plans?”

“I want to take you to dinner later, but we can unwind for a
few hours. I’m going to unpack and make some calls.”

They both unpacked. She casually glanced around his
thoroughly organized closet, slightly satisfied to see there weren’t any other
woman’s things hanging in his closet. The outfits Shayla picked out for her
were perfect in fit and style, even the shoes fit right.

Tess put on her bikini bottoms, heading out to the pool. He
slipped his fingers around her wrist turning her so he could observe her. A
huge grin spread across his face. “I didn’t think you wanted topless photos of
yourself on the Internet.”

“But your back yard is so private.”

He handed Tess the top to her bikini. “You should probably
put this on, but it’s up to you.” He winked.

“Thanks.”

Large white stone tiles bordered the long narrow rectangular
pool. Perfectly manicured trees and shrubs lined the property so not to block
the view of the ocean. Tess swam laps in the warm water and lounged in the sun.
Tom eventually joined her. “I brought this back from Bora Bora for you.” He
handed her a bottle of the monoi oil she loved so much.

“Thanks. That was sweet of you.” She rubbed oil on his back.
He wanted to wait until later to take her to bed, but just the scent of the oil
turned her on.

“Roll over, I’ll do you,” he said.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Play nice, Tess.” He swatted her butt playfully. 

Her thoughts kept wandering back to Bora Bora and the
massages her gave her. “I give up. I’m going inside.”