No More Wasted Time (31 page)

Late in the evening Tom said, “Tess, I want to take you
someplace nice tomorrow.”

“Are you going to tell me where?” she asked curiously.

“I’d rather not, but I will tell you that we’re not coming
back here tomorrow night. We’ll be back the next night.”

The next morning Tess found Tom swimming laps. She slipped
into the pool naked and reached her hand out to touch him. He flinched lifting
his head out of the water.

“You scared the shit out of me Tess.” Sighing heavily, he
wiped the water from his face.

“I didn’t hear you get up. How long have you been out here?”

“A while.” He inhaled deeply again with bent eyebrows.

“Is everything okay?” She frowned. Tess hated to see him
stressed out.

Tom grinned. “Everything is perfect. Come swim with me.”

Tess teased him, floating on her back, kissing him, and
wrapping herself around him.

“Tess,” he said in a steamy voice.

“Yes.”

“Not yet.” He kissed her quickly on the lips.

She stepped out of the pool and stretched her arms above her
head. “Okay.”

“You’re not being fair.” He called after her, watching her
saunter inside.

Tess showered and Tom peeked in at her. “You’re going to be
happy later Tess, I promise.”

“I’m only teasing you Tom,” she said seductively.

He instantly quit peeking. “Yeah, I know exactly what you’re
doing.”

“Hey wait, I don’t have to wear heels do I?”

“Nope, just wear something cute, and what you had on in the
pool doesn’t count.”

Full of excitement, she danced around the closet searching
through her things, finally choosing the little blue dress Tom was fond of. She
couldn’t decide if she wanted to torture him.
Yep!
  She giggled to
herself in the closet as she slipped her dress on with nothing underneath of
it. When she turned around, Tom stood with arms folded watching her.

“Crap! You scared me.” Heat rose to her cheeks, turning her
face scarlet red.

“Please tell me you’re forgetting something.”

“Actually I’m going to wear this today.” She struggled to
keep a straight face.

Tom fumbled through a drawer for her panties. “Jesus, Tess.
Please don’t do that to me today. You’re gonna drive me fucking crazy. I
already…I…I have something planned for you and there is no way in hell I’ll be
able to concentrate if you’re naked under that dress.”

“I was only going to mess with you a little. Okay, maybe a
lot, but I thought it would make for a
revealing
day.” Her hand covered
her mouth to stop laughing.

Panties hung from the end of his finger. “Here, please. Take
these with you at least. I love the idea of you not wearing anything under your
dress, but I-” He was completely flustered.

“Give them to me, I’ll put them on.”

He pulled them out of her reach. “No, I’m fine. Maybe you
should put them in your purse or something.”

She took the panties from him, whispering in his ear, “You
know I’m going to tease you all day, Tom. Every time I get out of the car,
sitting at lunch…should I go on?”

He rolled his eyes, regaining his composure as he reached
his hand under her dress. “Careful, Tess. This could back fire on you.”

“Shit! I’ll put them on.” She attempted to squirm away from
his wandering fingers.

He kissed her passionately, touching her just for a moment.
“No way. Are you ready?”

“Yep,” she squeaked.

During their short flight, Tess’ excitement grew, wondering
what Tom had planned. They’d had a late lunch under a private veranda at an
olive grove. It had the best food Tess had eaten in Greece and delicious wine,
too.

Tom seemed content as they roamed the stone streets of
another quaint village, holding hands while browsing through shops.

“I love you, Tess,” he said in a quiet voice, playing with
her fingers.

“I love you, too. This has been a beautiful day. It’s going
to be a gorgeous sunset,” she said.

“Yes, it is.” He looked down at her and raised his eyebrows.
“Maybe the best I’ve ever seen.”

Zigzagging down a hill, the view became more and more
breathtaking with every turn. The scenery began to look a little familiar as
she gazed out over the water. Tess kept glancing around and Tom wore an immense
grin.

“Where are we?”

He ignored her and continued walking. The little road turned
and she knew exactly where they were. Tess smiled up at him, meandering toward
the curved white wall they’d stopped at the first time they visited Greece.

“I didn’t know where we were until just now,” she said with
a soft smile.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“Are we staying at the inn?” she asked enthusiastically.

“Yes, we are.”

They reached their spot on the curved white wall. Tom sat
next to her as they watched one of the most vivid sunsets Tess had ever seen.

“I have something for you, Tess.” Tom held out his hand with
a ball resting in the center of his palm.  It resembled a perfectly round golf
ball made from wadded up strips of paper.

“Where did this come from?”

“My pocket,” he flirted, pulling back his lips to flash the
smile she loved so much. Tom hopped off the wall and stood between her thighs,
placing the ball in the palm of her hand.

“Awe. Thanks,” she snickered sarcastically, looking down at
the paper ball. “What is it?”

“It’s a piece of paper,” he said very sexily, watching her
face intently. His lips traveled down her neck, whispering in her ear. “It’s a
funny thing, this piece of paper. I never thought much of it before.”

She grinned, knowing he was toying with her.

“Open it up.”

He stared at her face adoringly as she began pulling at the
wadded up pieces of paper. Tom waited for the precise moment, until she had
completely finished unwrapping. “Tess. It’s not just a piece of paper to me
anymore. Will you marry me?”

A very beautiful ring lay in the center of the crinkled up
strips of paper. Tess set the ring on her lap and placed her shaky hands on the
side of her neck. Her entire body trembled. She stared down at the beautiful
ring in her lap.

He reached down and took both of her hands in his.

“What?” she asked in confusion.

Tom held up the ring between his fingers. “Tess, I love you.
Marriage was always just a piece of paper to me. I never understood why people
bothered to get married. I get it now. I’ve been waiting for you for a long
time.” He bent down, looking into her eyes, “Marry me, Tess. Be my wife. I want
to make you happy for the rest of our lives together. Forever.”

“I…I just…I never thought you’d want this,” she choked,
tripping over her tongue.

“Tess, that’s not an answer. You’re making me nervous.”

“I’m sorry.” She was so stunned she had no words.

“Tess?” he asked again trying to read the answer in her
eyes.

Tess nodded her head.

“Are you nodding yes?”

“Yes, I will marry you.”

He slid the ring on her finger.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she buried her face in his
chest. The man had a true gift for surprising her. “You really want to marry
me?” She lifted her gaze and the sunset silhouetted his face, almost hiding his
broad smile.

“Yes. I love you. I love the way you look at me. I love how
funny and sarcastic you are, yet incredibly grounded and responsible. I love
the fact you’ll go anywhere with your hair in a ponytail and lip-gloss on. I
love how you think you’re taking advantage of me if I buy something for you.
You’re so cute every time you say ‘Holy Crap’. You’re so confident and happy
with yourself. I love everything about you.”

They kissed for a moment.

He inspected her finger with the ring on it as he spoke.
“You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”

“I love you, Tom. I didn’t think you would ever want to get
married. Actually, I didn’t think I ever wanted to get married again. Are you-”

“Please don’t ask me if I’m sure. I’m positive.”

She bit her lip and smiled. Tess had no idea he paid so much
attention. “I love the way you say my name. It literally makes my heart thump
faster. I love the sarcasm between us,” She said quietly. “You make me a better
woman. You make me feel incredible about myself.”

“It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?” They kissed and laughed.
“This is what I love the most, we laugh. And that everyone calls me Tommy, but
you don’t, you call me Tom.” He lifted her finger. “Do you like your ring,
Tess?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even look at it.” She stared down at
the gorgeous, brilliantly cut diamond with a wide, platinum band. “It’s
beautiful, Tom. Holy crap!” 

He chuckled at her
holy crap
. “Do you really like
it?”

“I love it. It’s perfect.”

Tess gripped the hair at the nape of his neck, kissing him
enthusiastically. She slid closer nudging her body against his. Both were
acutely aware she didn’t have anything on underneath her dress. Tom struggled
to gain some restraint, but it wasn’t working.

“What is it with this wall? I want to make love to you right
here. Maybe we should put one of these in your backyard.”

“
Our
backyard.” He pulled away from her so he
wouldn’t embarrass himself in public. She wrapped one leg around his side and
brought him back in front of her. “Speaking of not waiting-”

“I agree. Let’s go.”

“Actually, I’m referring to our wedding.”

She could’ve sworn a bead of sweat dripped from his temple
as he uttered the word wedding. “Was that hard for you to say?” She teased.

“Not at all. You are going to be my wife. I’m going to be
your husband. See? I’m more than fine. I’ve waited for so long to finally find
you, and I really don’t want to wait to get married,” he said sincerely.

“When do you want to get married?”

“Let’s get married now, here, in Greece.” He nibbled on her
neck.

“Tom, I can’t get married without my kids. And what about
Benny and Lisa? I’d love to, but I don’t know if they’d be able to just leave
and come to Greece.” She contemplated. “Maybe?”

“Tess, what if I told you that your kids already expect
this? Would you be upset with me?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Did you tell them?”

“I asked John for his blessing over Thanksgiving, so I’m
assuming he mentioned it to his sisters. I wanted to ask him in Vegas, but he
was too busy knocking my lights out, and I didn’t know if you’d say yes.”

“You’ve known for that long?”

“Yes.” Tom nodded his head. “I’ve known that I’ve loved you
since the shark tour…it just took me awhile to figure it out. When you got
attacked in Malibu, it scared the hell out of me. The thought of losing you
made me crazy. I don’t ever want to be without you.”

“I’ve known that long, too, but I never expected you to want
to be married.”

“There is nothing I want more.” Tom nuzzled her neck. “Back
to my question. If I can get everyone here this weekend, in four days, will you
marry me here in Greece?”

“Of course, I will. Well, how many people are you talking
about? Are you okay with a small wedding?”

“I don’t need a big fancy Hollywood wedding, if that’s what
you’re asking. I love it here in Greece and we’re here right now. Life is
short, and I want to spend the rest of mine with you as your husband. What kind
of wedding would you like?” he asked sweetly.

“One where you’re standing by my side, Tom. That’s all that
matters to me. If we can get everyone here, let’s get married. Please tell me
they’re not already here.”

“No, I’m not that good, Tess. Besides, what if your answer
would’ve been no?”

“Did you really think I might say no?”

“I didn’t think so, but I wasn’t positive. Do you remember
when I asked you in Vegas if you would ever marry again and you said-”

“It’s just a piece of paper.” Tess peeked down at the paper
wrappings in her lap. “I love the ring.”

“I knew it was the right ring as soon as I saw it. Just like
the first time I saw you.”

“If we stay here much longer, this wall is going to have
some stories to tell.” The night grew darker and the wall became a little too
tempting. They headed toward the inn.

Collapsing onto the bed, Tom held up her hand, inspecting
the ring on her finger. “It looks nice on you.” His hand barely skimmed her
dress, “What do you want to wear, Tess?”

Her heart raced with eagerness. “I’ll find something
tomorrow. I can’t wait anymore. I’ve wanted to be with you all day.”

He slid his hand up her thigh. “You’ve been waiting all day?
I’ve been waiting all my life for you, Tess.”

CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO

Tess expected the next few days to be hectic and stressful,
but they weren’t. She called her kids to tell them the good news and Tom called
Shayla to help arrange flights and hotel rooms for family.

They flew back to Tom’s house, which he kept reminding her
was their house now. On the dock by his home, Tom found a little old man with a
boat to take them to an island. Tom retold stories, claims of an ancient ruin
left on an island, he was right. Rubble lay scattered on the ground, but three
and a half majestic marble pillars remained mostly intact. Marble stairs
leading up to the pavilion remained in good shape despite their age. There were
no trees, but beautiful vibrant red, deep violet and pale yellow wild flowers
surrounded the ruins. It overlooked the Aegean Sea as well as the surrounding
islands.

“Do you like it?” he asked, hoping she’d say yes.

“I love it.”

It was late by the time they returned home. Tess was so
tired, she didn’t even feel Tom climb into bed with her.

“Again?” A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. Tess snuggled
on top of his back while he lay sleeping face down in bed. She had already
reached for him in the middle of the night to make love. “Tess, you’re
unbelievable.”