“Why don’t you take time for yourself?” she asked curiously. He gave her an odd glance, as if it was the first time someone had ever asked him the question. “You don’t have to talk about it. I’m just wondering,”
“When I was younger, I took every script thrown at me because I never knew how long I would be on top. Now, after all these years, my agent and publicist are used to me taking on a heavy load. They’re accustomed to pushing me. I want to be more selective now, and they aren’t on the same page as me at the moment. It’s not them. It’s me. I’ve changed. They just haven’t caught up yet.”
“Doesn’t it really come down to your decision? I mean, they work for you right? What may have been ideal for you earlier in your career may not apply to you now. I know nothing about it but-”
“You make it sound so easy, but trust me, it’s not. It is my choice though, in the end.”
“Could it be, Tom Clemmins that you don’t know how to say No to someone? It can’t possibly be that you need to work. It’s obvious you love acting but-”
“But what?” he asked with intrigue.
“I mean, my financial theory has always been, give some, save a lot and have fun with the rest. You can’t take it with you when you go, Tom.”
“You are one of the most laid back people I have ever met. I like that theory. Give some, save a lot, and have fun with the rest.”
“It’s true, isn’t it? I mean, I don’t have to go back to work if I don’t want to. What’s it going to get me? More money! But if I truly don’t need any more money, why do it?” Tess joked. “Maybe I should just go buy a shack on a beach somewhere.”
“You’re funny, Tess.”
“I’m glad you went on vacation. I’m having a wonderful time.”
“I am, too.” They both grinned. “We should be landing in a few minutes.”
“That was quick.”
Tess wasn’t sure where they had landed because the window shades were closed on the plane. Tom held her hand as they walked to the car, and she kissed him as the driver opened the door.
“Hi, Mom.” Tracy smiled softly.
“Hey, Mamacita!” JC giggled with excitement.
“What are you doing here?” She pulled her girls in for an airtight hug. Tess already knew the answer, looking at Tom. “I can’t believe you,” she said to Tom with a huge smile. “Seriously, how did you do this?” Tess shook her head, completely shocked to see her girls.
“Well, Tom called Tracy to see if we could meet for lunch before leaving on our cruise in three hours. Our chaperone said no at first, but then Tom spoke to her on the phone and she agreed to let us go, so here we are,” JC said.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She was utterly stunned, but worried to see how her girls would react to Tom.
Tracy and JC’s faces flushed, as he extended his hand. “I feel like I already know you, but I’m Tom.”
Tracy reached for his hand. “Thanks for bringing her here to see us before we leave.”
JC threw her arms around him, squeezing Tom as if she had known him for years. “Thanks for the pictures, too.”
“No problem. I’m glad we’re able to have lunch together before you leave on your cruise.”
Tess sat next to Tom in the limo, leaning forward to hold her girls hands while they talked. Tom rubbed his hand across her back.
“So tell me what’s going on. I don’t even know what to say. You’re unbelievable. Thank you.” Tess leaned back into the crook of his arm and he tenderly kissed her cheek.
She tensed under the pressure of his lips and her girls tentative gaze. Tess was fully aware that her girls were examining their every move together and they probably saw her kiss Tom before getting in the car. She didn’t want to hide her feelings, but she didn’t want to upset her girls. The discussion of dating had never come up, not a serious conversation anyway and she didn’t know how they’d react to Tom.
“You look great, Mom. You’re both so tan. I love your necklace,” Tracy reached forward, delicately touching the pearl hanging from Tess’ neck.
“Thanks, I love it, too. Tom got it for me.”
“How was Bora Bora? Were you nervous to swim with the sharks,” JC asked Tom.
“I was a little anxious at first because your mom led me to believe the sharks don’t attack people…very often, but it was indescribable. I loved it.”
“That’s what our parents always said when they came home.” JC laughed.
“It was intimidating at first, but I’d definitely do it again.”
The car stopped along the waterfront. Walking into the café, Tess held Tom’s hand. The girls talked non-stop about their trip while they ordered lunch.
“So, how was the Coliseum, Tracy?” Tess asked. “I still can’t believe you did this.” She poked Tom in the ribs.
“We’ve seen so many cool things. We don’t have enough time to talk about most of it, but the Coliseum was unbelievably impressive.”
“I liked it better than Tracy. It was awesome! Did you know it could hold 50,000 people and they used to flood it with water to hold mock sea battles, not to mention gladiator games, and executions, too? That place was definitely one of my favorites,” JC declared.
“What was your favorite?” Tess asked Tracy.
“Definitely Venice. It’s surreal how the waterways are the streets. I love how the buildings rise up straight out of the water. And the bridges, I loved the bridges. They were beautiful, but I’m saving my excitement for the cruise.”
“She liked the gondoliers’, Mom. Don’t let her fool you.” JC held her hand over her heart theatrically mocking her sister. “She’s in love with Venice.”
“I’m not even gonna lie, Mom. They were all pretty cute. Even the old chunky ones were adorable, in a grandpa kind of way. I loved it there.”
Tom laughed. “Are you taking a lot of pictures?”
“A ton. I had to buy another memory card for my camera,” Tracy replied.
JC giggled uncontrollably. “We took some really funny ones of David.”
“The statue of David.” Tracy chortled, holding her hand over her mouth to cover her laughter. JC joined in, laughing so hard she got the hic-ups.
“Anyway, we’ve both been taking pictures, but some of them aren’t turning out right. The pictures I’m taking in the middle of the day are too shadowed from the sunlight, so I’m kind of pissed. Hopefully they’ll look better when I get them printed,” Tracy said.
“What kind of camera do you have?” Tom asked.
She pulled her camera out of her purse and handed it to Tom. “Just one I picked up before we left.”
He examined her camera. “Here, look, if you change this setting, they’ll turn out better with the sun behind them.”
“Thanks.” Tracy gave Tom an appreciative nod.
Though Tom hid his apprehension well, Tess sensed it. She could feel a trace of rigidness in his frame and he rubbed his knuckles across his jaw several times throughout lunch. She gave Tom’s leg a gentle squeeze and shot him a smile of appreciation. He pulled her closer and draped his arm over her shoulder.
“Hey, since you have the camera out, can we take some pictures before we leave? It’s pretty down by the water.” JC looked at Tom when she asked.
“Sure,” he replied.
All four of them chatted as they headed across the street to take a couple of pictures. Tess hadn’t noticed the vivid surroundings because she’d been so preoccupied with her girls. “It’s beautiful here. The white buildings are incredibly dramatic, but the water, I had no idea the water was so blue.”
“It is beautiful here. You girls are going to have a great time.” Tom assured Tracy and JC.
“Have you been here before?” Tracy asked.
He nodded. “I love Greece. The islands are amazing.” Tom put his arm around Tess’ waist and she wrapped her arm around his.
Both girls stared at them. “Wow, you guys look really good together,” JC acknowledged with a
bent eyebrow. “I can’t believe you’re with Tom Clemmins, Mom. You seem so normal,” she said to Tom.
“I am normal, aren’t I?” he asked Tess with a sarcastic grin.
“I don’t know if I would say normal,” Tess teased and they all laughed.
After taking several pictures, they drove toward the port where their cruise ship docked. The girls discussed Greece with Tom. He told them about a great little café they should try, an art gallery to stop at, and several other places they might like to see.
Tess appreciated the tremendous effort Tom was making for her girls. She knew the only reason he brought her to Greece was to make her girls comfortable with the idea of them dating. But what surprised Tess the most, was how at ease he acted around the girls.
The car pulled up to the docks, and JC and Tracy’s tour group waited for them.
“I’m glad I got to see you. Have fun and be safe. I’ll pick you up at the airport,” Tess assured.
Both girls glanced at Tom, grinning with their beautiful smiles.
“Actually, Momma, you have plans. John’s picking us up at the airport,” JC mumbled, attempting to bolt out of the car as quickly as possible. Tess caught her by the wrist.
“Plans?” Tess scowled with intrigue, refusing to release JC from her grip.
“Plans, surprise, whatever he calls it. Have fun.” Tracy rambled, trying to shove past her sister. “Seriously, Mom. We have to go.”
“Before we cave,” JC muttered.
“What? You! I knew you were up to something,” she said to Tom. “What’s going on? Spill it.”
Tom exited the car and then ducked his head back inside. “Tess, I’m not going to tell you where we’re going yet, but I think, and your kids agree, you’ll be excited. But right now I have to make good on a promise I made.” He gave her a heart-stopping smile before striding over to schmooze their chaperone.
“Hey, what if I would’ve said no?” Tess beamed, calling after him.
“You wouldn’t.” He turned back shooting her a haughty grin, making her blush.
Both of the girls still sat in the car with Tess. “It’s all right, isn’t it? He called and asked our opinion and we told him yes. You’re going to love his surprise, and please don’t ask us what it is. We promised, promised, promised, swore up and down not to tell you.” Tracy said.
“Yeah, we had to take it to the grave,” JC grumbled. “And it’s killing us not to tell you.”
“He’s unbelievable!” Tess shook her head.
“He’s really nice. I like him,” JC squeezed her mom. “You’re gonna freak!”
Tracy and JC took off after Tom. Tess followed, snapping pictures of him with the tour group. The chaperone could barely contain her excitement when she met ‘The Tom Clemmins’, that’s the term she kept using. Tess thought he was a good sport about the whole thing, but it occurred to her that he was used to it. Tess didn’t see him as famous Tom Clemmins. She saw him as her incredibly wonderful, handsome lover, Tom.
Tracy shook Tom’s hand and thanked him for stopping in Greece. She followed it up with a leery half-hug. She casually reached for Tess’ fingers and the two of them sauntered toward the dock. “He’s nice.” Tracy admitted. “And you’re smiling, a lot. I’m sorry that I threw a fit about Tom and I never should have said that about-”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.” Tears of appreciation welled in Tess’ eyes. “For the record, I know it was a huge sacrifice for you to move back home after your dad died. You’ll never know how much it meant to me.”
“I wanted to come home. It was really hard for us to see you in so much pain.” Tracy pulled her mom into an embrace. “I don’t want you to get hurt. He better not screw you over.” Tracy stated stiffly, inconspicuously wiping her own tears.
Glancing over her daughters shoulder, Tess watched JC give Tom a hug goodbye and then mosey toward her.
JC rolled her eyes as she approached Tess and Tracy. “I can’t leave you delicate flowers alone for a minute. Did you two make up?”
Tess and Tracy both nodded and wiped their tears. Tess motioned for both of them to get going. “Go have fun. Love you.”
Tom joined her, snuggling her in his arms from behind. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, laying her head back against the hard planes of his chest.
His lips moved against her temple. “Are they okay?” She nodded again and he exhaled a heavy sigh of relief into her hair. “Do you think they liked me?” he asked earnestly.
“Back up! You’re not getting off that easily. I can’t believe you did this for me and I’m sure Tracy feels better.” She turned to face him. “What are we doing that you had to go through all of this trouble for?”
He drew her closer and kissed her lips. She forgot about the people still standing on the ship watching them until she heard JC yell. “Have fun, Mom!”
They waved back and Tom asked, “I’m serious Tess, are your girls okay with us being together?”
“Is that why you were uptight on the way here? I thought you were stressed out about work.”
“Work is an issue for me right now, but what did they think?”
“I think, yes, they liked you. What’s not to like? You’re wonderful!”
“Let’s get out of here.”
They drove up a winding road, leading into a little town. “Do you like ice cream, Tess? We don’t have very long, but I know of a great little place. If I can find it.”
“Sure.”
The driver parked along a cliff and they roamed the narrow streets. “This place is just so…” Tess couldn’t find the words to describe it.
“It’s mesmerizing. Greece is one of my favorite places. I love it here.”
“The buildings look like they’re sculpted right out of the rock face and I love the bright white houses.” She sensed him staring at her and tilted her head to stare back. Busted, he grinned timidly in return.
They entered an ice cream shop and ordered when a woman recognized Tom. She ran straight toward him, telling him how much she loved his movies and how cute he was. Tess’ hand covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. He politely let her take a picture. Tess winked at Tom, offering to take the woman’s picture with him, she became overly excited and called her husband over, so Tess took another picture.
Tom led Tess by the hand across the brick street. She kept pace, sprinting several blocks before stopping to check out the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea. Tess sat on a white curved wall. Tom stood between her thighs, so she wrapped her legs around him. The volcanic cliffs, golden beaches and vibrant colorful flowers were stunning.
She rattled on about how beautiful it was, but he only stared at her again. Tom slipped his fingers into her hair, kissing and nibbling on her neck. She dropped her head back and her hair hung down to her waist. His hot breath tickled her collarbone as he kissed it from one side to the other, making her nipples tighten and her pulse accelerate.
“I don’t want to tell you to stop, Tom, but people might start gawking if I take my clothes off right here.”
Tess struggled to keep herself under some kind of control, because even though no one was around, it was a very public spot. Nevertheless, she didn’t stop Tom as his hand traveled up her waist and caressed her breast. He pressed himself against her, revealing his arousal. Fixated on her face, he kissed her passionately, sucking on her bottom lip, stimulating her hunger. She slipped her fingers into the top of his jeans to touch him.
Tess raised her eyebrows asking, “Is there somewhere we can go, cause in about thirty seconds, it’s going to get very embarrassing.”
He held her hand, darting down several side streets, stopping outside of an inn. He grinned. “Will this work?”
“Yep.” The words were barely out of her mouth and he was inside getting them a room.
By the time the key unlocked the door, Tess had her shirt half off. Both scrambled out of their clothes before Tom tackled her to the bed. He pinned he
r hands beside her head, kissing her fervently, on the verge of being forceful, robbing her of air. Turned on by his zealousness, she could barely breathe. Fully aware the balcony door was wide open, Tess tried to contain her moaning, but she was beyond excited. At this point, she didn’t care who heard them.
An hour later, they lay on their backs, covered in sweat staring at the ceiling. “I like Greece!” She giggled with a sultry smirk.
“I had something I wanted to ask you before you seduced me back there on the wall.” Tom teased innocently.
“What? Me? Oh, I don’t think so! You totally started it. I thought it was me lusting after you this whole time but-”
“It’s not just you. I didn’t care where we were. Thanks for stopping me.”
“I certainly didn’t want to stop.” They laughed for a few minutes. “Okay. What did you want to ask me?”
Tom rolled over on his side, gazing intently at her. He grinned with excitement, but seemed serious and a bit self-conscious, too. “I want to know if you’ll you come back here with me, to Greece on vacation?”
“Do you mean like, tomorrow or next week or when? Is this the surprise?” Her heart raced at the idea of spending more time with him.
“Look, Tess, I haven’t figured out when yet, but I’m crazy about you. I think you’re amazing. I don’t want to be without you, or you to be without me, like my girlfriend.”
Tess nervously chewed on her cheek, overcome with sudden urge to guard her emotions. She climbed out of bed and stared out at the sea with her arms folded across her chest. Secretly she wished for this moment, but there were still so many unanswered questions running through her mind.
Being Tom’s girlfriend would come with numerous drawbacks. He lived an entirely different lifestyle than her. The media, his career, and the list of women he dated prior to her. Questions she refused to let herself ask previously, started stacking up like poker chips on a hot Las Vegas casino table. Tess wasn’t foolish, if she bombarded him with twenty questions, she risked the chance that he might panic. This was a huge step for her, but an even bigger one for him. She couldn’t be happier, but she didn’t want to get hurt.
What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 3) Page 38