by Nora Ford
His smile widened as he approached and stopped in front of me. "Thank you, baby," he murmured, and lowered his head to capture my mouth in a deep, yet incredibly tender kiss. I melted on the spot, but Aron pulled away and ended the kiss. "We should go now. If I stay here a second longer, we wouldn't leave the house tonight."
Before I could tell him that I didn't mind the second alternative, he took my hand and led me to the door.
At the restaurant the owner exchanged few words in Italian with Aron and led us to our table. "This place is breathtaking," I said as soon as we were seated.
"You like?"
I looked up into his eyes and gave him a genuine smile. "I love it."
"It's our last night here; I wanted it to be special."
I looked at the romantic setting around me and smiled. "It's perfect. Thanks for this week. I can't remember when last I was this relaxed," I turned to meet his gaze. What I saw in it was overwhelming. Aron didn't boast, brag or say ´I told you so`. I could see in his eyes that he was happy that he pleased me. The sincerity in his gaze stirred up lots of feelings in me. However, warning sirens in my head screamed that I couldn't fall for him.
To my relief, the waiter came with our food and stopped the battle between my heart and brain.
While we indulged in the most delicious food I'd ever eaten, we managed to keep a simple conversation going. I didn't know where the thought came from, but I suddenly asked, "Why aren't you married?"
Aron lifted his head and looked at me more amused than surprised, "I am married."
"For real, I mean. You're thirty-three, and yet you've never had a long-term relationship, why?" I asked again.
"Why all of a sudden so curious?" He answered my question with another, but it wasn't going to stop me. I wanted to know. "I'm curious, every time I attempt to ask you about it, I get distracted."
"Is that so?" Aron gave me a sexy grin.
"Oh, no! That isn't going to work this time; we're in a room full of people," I shook my head and grinned back at him.
"Are you telling me that I'm beginning to lose my touch. That’s not good for my ego."
"Your ego is large enough. Nothing is going to hurt it. Now answer, I really want to know. Please," I gave him a sweet smile.
Aron stopped eating and studied me for a long moment then he finally said, "The only woman I ever wanted was in love with another man."
"And you didn't tell her?" I asked, but I suddenly felt something I never felt before. I was jealous of this mysterious woman.
"No, I couldn't," he said shortly.
"Why?"
"Because…" Aron leaned back and stared into my eyes, "Because she was engaged to my brother," he finally said.
"Oh, you… you don't mean that," I stuttered, and Aron didn't say anything he just nodded.
When I recovered from the shock, I said in a small voice, "But you didn't even know me."
"I didn't say that I was in love with you, but I always had a thing for you."
"I see."
"No, you don't. Seth's Tessa intrigued me. I liked her innocence, beauty, and liveliness. I wasn't proud that I wanted her, but I couldn't help it."
"Are you saying I'm not that girl anymore?" I frowned.
"No, you're not," Aron's eyes held mine captive as he added. "I didn't love Seth's girl, but I fell in love with the woman sitting in front of me. I love everything about her. I love her weaknesses, fears, and flaws, as much as I love her passion, virtuousness, and loyalty."
I was speechless for a moment, so Aron went on. "I love you, Tessa. I love the woman you became. I love your smile, the way you make me laugh and the way you stare at me when you think I'm not looking."
"I…I don't know what to say." As much as I wanted to tell him that I felt the same way, I couldn't bring myself to say those three words.
"You don't have to say anything. I'll wait until you're ready."
"Take me home, Aron. I want you to make love to me."
Chapter Twenty
Aron
Tessa's scream woke me up. It was full of desperation and terror. I fumbled for the light on the nightstand and saw Tessa gasping for air. She sat upright in bed, her skin slick with sweat. She had another nightmare. Shit. She started having them shortly after we returned from Italy.
"Another nightmare?"
"Yeah, I don't know why they came back. I stopped having them months ago and even then, they didn't happen that often," Tessa drew her arms up around her knee and cried silently.
I pulled her into my arms, and she fell against my chest. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Tessa shook her head, "I told you before, they're about the accident."
"It's okay, baby," I said in a soothing voice as I rubbed her back to comfort her. "It was just a bad dream. You're safe. You're safe, baby."
"Make me forget," she whispered and pressed a kiss to the side of my neck. "Please, just make me forget."
My breath hitched, and my body tensed in a different way. "With pleasure," I murmured to her ears as I turned to place her on the mattress. Tessa wrapped her legs around my hips as I drove into her, letting the force of my thrusts push the nightmare out of her mind.
When I rolled off her, I gathered her against my chest and, cradled her from behind. I waited until her breathing began to slow and she finally drifted off into a deep, hopefully, dreamless sleep.
After Tessa fell asleep, I lay in bed awake staring at my sleeping beauty. I felt guilty. I was in a way responsible for her nightmares. I should have come clean with her about Jacob's death. But since we came back from Italy, the dynamics of our relationship had totally changed.
Although Tessa didn't return my love declarations, she didn't tense up when I told her that I love her anymore. Maybe she couldn't say the words yet, but they were there. I saw them in her eyes every time she kissed me, I heard them in her voice, and I felt them in her touch when we made love.
Two months had passed since our trip to Italy; a lot had happened in them. Tessa quit her job at the hospital and started working with my mom at her private practice. That gave us more time together. We started living as a real couple, went on dates to the movies, out to dinner with friends and family, romantic dinners alone. Even our sex life had changed. We still couldn't keep our hands off each other. However, it wasn't just hot sex anymore. Our lovemaking became more profound and more intense. I took another look at Tessa was sleeping peacefully beside me. "I can't lose you," I murmured before my eyes drifted closed.
The next day, all that I could think about was how to tell Tessa about Jacob's death. I knew she was going to be furious that I kept this from her. But I knew I had to set her straight on this matter. I waited three months, and I couldn't hold it back any longer. I'm going to tell her tonight.
On the way home, I bought her flowers and practiced my speech a few times. But when I entered the apartment, Tessa wasn't there. It was strange because she hadn’t said she was going to be late. I was about to call her when I noticed the note on the bed. I'm sure you'll know where to find me.
Tessa was in a playing mood. She knew I could ask one of my men who were responsible for her security. Although Jacob wasn’t a threat anymore, I didn't reduce the security measures on Tessa. She was the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the country. She had to have security. But I wasn't going to call one of her security and ask him where my wife was. I had a better idea, I tracked her phone and couldn't shake the smile that spread across my face as I went to catch her.
Twenty minutes later, I parked behind Tessa's car in the open driveway of my mansion. When I opened the door, the house was quiet. I took the steps two at a time and went straight to the master bedroom. Mesmerized, I stood in the doorway. Candles lit the room, and Tessa lay in the middle of the bed wearing nothing but a teddy. The sight of her made my jaw drop, and eyes widen.
"How did you find me? Asked your men or tracked my phone?" She gave me a sassy smile and placed a hand on her bare hip.
&nbs
p; "I just followed my heart," I said in a husky voice as I approached the bed.
"That's a lie, but I like it," Tessa grinned and drifted her gaze up my mouth. As soon as I lay beside her, Tessa's hands cupped my neck and her lips crushed mine. The kiss was wild. We were lips and arms, removing clothes and reaching for each other. When I covered her body with mine, there wasn't any room for conversation.
Later, we ordered pizza and ate out of the box sprawled over the bed. "So, you didn't tell me what you are doing here?" I asked Tessa as I took another slice.
"I moved in here," she paused. "We've been living in my apartment for the past five months. I think it's fair that we live here for the coming months. Besides, you've got a pool."
Tessa's words made my heart leap. Not moving in with me was one of her conditions in our agreement. She was finally giving in. Maybe she wasn't ready for a ring yet, but I was sure that soon she would be. I was still thinking about the meaning of this sudden change, when she said, "If you don't want me here, I can move my things back."
As if that’s an option, I thought. I finally had her where I wanted her. "Of course, I want you here."
Tessa bit her lip and said hesitantly, "But you were quiet now, I thought you didn't like my surprise."
"No, I was only thinking that you were on my side of the bed," I scratched my brow and struggled to maintain a serious tone.
"Oh, maybe we can negotiate?" She gave me a sassy smile.
"Good thing I know how to negotiate," I grinned at her.
"I'm pretty sure I could be quite convincing myself." Tessa swept the pizza box to the nightstand and started to use her hands and lips, laying small, tender kisses down my chest. Then she got serious about the task at hand. When she reached my throat, planting feather-like warm kisses, she whispered in my ears as she straddled me, "Now, I'm going to be very, very persuasive."
By the time we finished our negotiations, Tessa had taken my side of the bed, two-thirds of my closet and my entire heart.
***
It was Thanksgiving, Tessa and I had been living in my mansion for a week. I'd never been that happy. I liked coming home to Tessa and having her here. Although she moved only a week ago, her touch was everywhere.
When I woke up that morning, Tessa lay sleeping beside me. I didn't want to wake her; she had another nightmare last night, and shadows haunted her eyes. She needed sleep. So quietly I got out of bed, put on my pants and left the room.
I was in the kitchen starting breakfast when Tessa came in. I felt her presence before I even heard her. I glanced over to where she stood with bare feet, bare legs in nothing but one of my old shirts. I liked to see her wearing my shirts and T-shirts. She looked so damn sexy in them.
"Good morning," she murmured as she approached, hugged me tightly from behind and planted a small kiss on my back. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot to me. Tessa tried to show me her love in every possible way. I knew she was still struggling with the L word, but I wasn't in a hurry. I felt her love and that was what counted. I turned around brushing my lips over hers. "Morning, baby. How are you feeling?"
"Better," she said and leaned forward to kiss me again. However, I pulled back a little bit to see for myself. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Tessa looked up at me, her eyes rested on my lips and waited. I kissed her, really kissed her. I wanted to erase all her pain, worries and fears with this kiss. I took her in my arms, as I nibbled and kissed my way around her lips, neck, and jaw, the world didn't matter.
Later, as we were eating breakfast, I noticed that Tessa was toying with her food. "What's wrong, baby? You haven't eaten anything."
"Nothing, I'm not hungry that's all."
"If you're not feeling well, I can call mom and make our apologies? We don't have to go," I suggested.
"God, no. It's Thanksgiving. Grace is expecting us," Tessa toyed again with her eggs, avoiding my gaze. "I…I'm a little nervous I guess."
"Nervous? Why, baby?" I frowned.
"It's going to be weird this year. With you and me. You know what I mean?"
"Sorry, but I don’t follow?"
"God, Aron. Sure, you do. For the past three years, you were rude. We were either fighting or ignoring each other every time we met. Grace and Jason are going to notice the change. It's going to be awkward," Tessa explained.
"Do you want me to be rude to you?" I raised my brows.
"No, of course not. It's the first time they'll see us together like this. It's going to be confusing." Tessa said as she cleared the table.
"Don't worry, baby. Mom and Jason knew that I had a thing for you. They both know how charming I can be. They would be surprised if you're not head over heals in love with me by now," I grinned and pulled her closer to my chest then I kissed a trail to her neck, nipping and caressing the sensitive skin just below her ear.
"We have to work on your ego," Tessa gave me a playful poke and freed herself from my embrace.
"Ouch, what was that for? Now I'm going to show you that I have something bigger than my ego."
"Jeez, you're so…" She broke off when I pulled her into my arms and ravished her mouth. "Come back to bed," I whispered in her ears as I lifted her off her feet and carried her up the stairs.
***
It was midday when we finally managed to leave the house. As Tessa prophesied, Thanksgiving this year was different. Mom and Jason kept exchanging knowing looks every time Tessa and I showed endearment or liking to each other, but I didn't want to hide my affection or love.
After turkey time, mom cornered me in the kitchen while I helped her with the dishes. "Does Tessa know that Jacob is out of the picture?" Mom asked as soon as we were alone.
"No," I shook my head.
"God, Aron. You know you can't keep something like this forever."
"I know, mom. I'm just waiting for the right moment," I sighed.
"Fine, but don't wait too long. If she finds out from anyone else, she won't forgive you."
"I'm going to tell her tonight," I promised.
After my conversation with mom, I went looking for Tessa. When I entered the media room, I found Jason sitting there watching a game on TV. "Where is Tessa?" I asked him.
Without looking away from the TV, Jason said, "She wasn't feeling well, so she went up to rest."
"Tessa wasn't feeling well? Why didn’t you call me?" My tone was sharp, harsher than I intended.
"Easy, Aron. She just had a headache."
"Okay, I'll go up and check on her."
"Jesus, you're definitely hooked," He grinned.
I didn't answer him and went upstairs to see Tessa. I expected her to be in Seth's room. However, the thought of her there made me uncomfortable. It was her room too. I kept telling myself. She and Seth had lived there for three months before they bought the penthouse apartment.
Before I opened the door, I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the jealous sting I suddenly felt, but when I found the room empty, I wasn't relieved. I panicked. Tessa wasn't there. I looked for her in the guest rooms; she wasn't there either. Before I went down to search for her in the garden, I stopped by my old bedroom. Although I didn't imagine she’d be there, I decided to take a look anyway.
An indescribable feeling of joy surged in me as I saw Tessa sleeping peacefully in my old bed. I couldn’t help it, I sat on the arm chair across the room and stared at her. I smiled on the inside, I hadn’t felt this good in years.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tessa
I opened my eyes to find Aron staring at me. Our gazes met. A thousand words were said in the moments that passed between us... none were spoken. Aron was pleased I came to his room, instead of going to Seth's room. I could see it in the way he smiled at me. "Jason said you weren't feeling well. What's wrong, baby?"
"Um… nothing, I only wanted to lay down a little."
"You look a little pale. I noticed you didn’t really eat. What's the matter, Tess?" Aron stepped into my personal space and pul
led me into his arms. I could hear the rapid beats of his heart in his chest. He was worried. Since I'd been emotional lately, I almost sighed with contentment that he cared. "Um…There is something I need to tell you, but here isn't the right place," I said cautiously as I freed myself from his embrace.
"You're not ill, are you?" Aron asked. It was sweet to see how concerned he was.
"No, I'm not," I assured him.
He sighed with relief. "Okay, let's go home," Aron held out a hand, "there is something I want to tell you too."
I nodded and put my hand in his as we went downstairs.