What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 3)

by Lauren Hawkeye

  “Yes.”

  They mingled their way through the club. Plush circular couches with low tables created secluded and private seating areas. Similar to the Vegas nightclubs, the atmosphere was very modern, very loud and very, very sexy. It seemed absurd how many beautiful young women and just as many, if not more, gorgeous young men filled the club. Some people were nice, some were ostentatious, few were complete asses, and most were very clingy and pawed on everyone.

  The music was loud and pumping. She knew most of the songs the DJ played because her kids listened to them, but the DJ mixed the music so it thumped erotically along with the bass. She watched people dancing in the crowd, and grinned thinking of her three kids. They definitely loved to shake their groove thing and teased Tess because she would dance with them no matter what kind of music they listened to. Rave, rock, rap or country, it really didn’t matter.

  “I need a drink,” she told Tom.

  “Would you like a martini?” A haughty grin plastered his face.

  Blushing in return, she recalled how aroused martini’s made her the night before. “Yes. Yes, I would.”

  They found Benny and Lisa at a lounge area. Lisa and Tess shouted to each other over the loud music.

  “Tess, how are you holding up?”

  Tess sipped her drink. “Great.”

  Lisa squinted as if she were analyzing her. “Do you remember what we talked about?”

  “Yes. I’m trying. It’s a little distracting with so many people here. I’m fine.”

  “If you’re distracted, then he’s distracted. Be better than fine. You’re here with Tommy and he’s taking you home tonight,” she smirked wickedly.

  Tess drank her drink and started to loosen up. Tom continuously stroked and caressed her shoulders, arms and back. He gently squeezed her thigh and she sank in next to him, changing her demeanor instantly, comforted by his touch. Another drink came and Tess felt much more comfortable. Lisa slyly held up her fingers. First, a six, working her way up to an eight.

  Tess’ body grooved to the music. She slid her hand inside Tom’s jacket, stretching her arm across his abs, gently stroking his side. “What did you say to me earlier? What do you want to do when we go back to your place?” She put her lips around his earlobe sucking on it gently.

  He peered through her long brown hair. “I said, I want to make love to you.”

  “Oh that’s right, for a minute I thought you said you wanted to fuck me real slowly.” Tom’s back stiffened and Tess knew she had his full attention. “But I like the way you said it better. I want to make love to you too,” she flirted.

  He swallowed hard and locked his eyes on hers. “That’s not even fair Tess. You’re cheating.”

  “I haven’t even started with you yet.” She gripped his side firmly. Tess knew she’d keep his undivided attention all night. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Benny and Lisa watching them. Tess shot Lisa her best saucy smile, and Lisa slid a glass of water toward Tess.

  She mouthed the words ‘Thank you’ to Lisa.

  Lisa held up nine fingers in return.

  People continuously stopped by to see Benny. Tess noticed several women looming near their table. She got the distinct feeling they were coming by for Tom. No way in hell would he notice them that night, or any other night.

  Lisa reached over and touched her leg, motioning toward the powder room. Lisa gripped her hand, weaving through the crowd. Tess’ ears rang from the loud music.

  “Hey I told you no hair holding,” Lisa joked.

  “I’m fine. I feel incredible.”

  “You need to stay that way for about three more hours, okay!”

  They laughed together fixing each other’s hair and makeup. “Thanks for the advice. I’d feel extremely uncomfortable right now if you hadn’t talked to me, or should I say, inspired me. I truly appreciate all your help.”

  “We like you Tess. You need to be able to hold your own in Tommy’s world, and you are certainly managing perfectly. You’re about a nine and a half at the moment. If you keep kissing him that way, you’ll be leaving in an hour.”

  “Oh no. I want to dance with him.”

  “I can tell. I see you over there grooving in your seat.”

  “He does dance, right? I mean, like this. I know he can dance formally.”

  “What do you think?” Lisa answered sarcastically.

  “I think he hasn’t danced with me yet,” Tess squealed confidently.

  Lisa weaved her way back through the maze of people heading for their table. Tess’ eyes narrowed when she noticed a woman in her seat. She stopped in her tracks practically yanking Lisa’s arm out of the socket. Lisa spun around following Tess’ gaze.

  “Don’t make that face Tess. He goes home with you remember.”

  Lisa took her place next to Benny. Tess waited for the young woman to get up, but she didn’t budge. Tom squirmed uneasily in his seat, but Tess simply smiled at him. She recognized the girl from Bora Bora. Mariah. As Tom scooted away from her, Mariah slithered closer, sliding a hand up his thigh and whispering closely in his ear. Tom asked the young woman to leave, but her hand continued to travel further up his thigh.

  Tess started to lurch toward her, but stopped herself midway when she noticed Benny and Lisa observing her reaction. I can do this. Be calm. She took a deep breath, restraining the urge to rip the girl out of her seat by her hair.

  Tess winked at Lisa and stepped toward Mariah, standing directly in front of her. The young woman acted completely oblivious to Tess’ presence, but Tom didn’t. His eyes widened and he started to stand up out of his seat. Tess’ brow raised to a point in defense, giving him an I got this grin. She could’ve sworn he turned a shade paler as he settled back into the seat.

  Tess bent down, putting her lips to Mariah’s ear, twirling a piece of her long, blond hair through her fingers. “You’re in my seat.”

  Mariah shot Tess a condescending sneer and turned her head, barely acknowledging her presence.

  A jolt of red hot molten surged through Tess’ veins. Oh, Hell no! She bent down to her ear again. “Those thighs you’re rubbing and everything in between belong to me now. If you touch his leg again, Mariah, I’m going to break your fucking nose and anything else I can get my hands on.”

  Mariah sat up straighter, flung her hair over her shoulder and glared at Tess.

  Tess pulled back so the girl could see the fiery look in her eyes and understand exactly how serious she was. Mariah didn’t budge. Tess leaned back into her ear, “I’m counting to three Mariah, and if you don’t move, I swear to God, I’ll kick your ass.” She stood tall, looked down at Mariah and mouthed, “One.”

  Mariah glared at Tess and slid out from under her. As the young woman raised to her feet, Tess warned, “Don’t bother coming back.” Mariah sneered at Tess as if she were insane before slinking away from the table.

  Tess collected herself and started to giggle. Benny, Lisa and Tom stared at her with a look of What the hell did you say to her?

  Tess shrugged innocently. “I just asked her to move. Nicely.”

  Tom whispered in her ear. “What did you say to her?”

  Tess raised her hands up like a boxer. The whole table erupted in laughter.

  The look on Toms face. Priceless.

  “Tommy, you’ve got your hands full,” Benny teased.

  “Hey!” Tess complained, as if he had insulted her.

  “That’s a good thing, Tess. He needs his hands full. Believe me, it’s a compliment.”

  Tess’ confidence boosted to a full-blown ten. As she sipped her martini, the urge to dance overwhelmed her, and she could hardly resist the beat pumping through her veins. A young woman sauntered to the table and leaned over her.

  “Hey, Tom. Susan said I should sit with you.”

  Tom shook his head. “She’s mistaken.”

  The young woman obviously wasn’t going anywhere and Tess couldn’t threaten every woman in the club. She had sat in her seat long en
ough. Recognizing the song, she stood up, her body automatically flowing with the rhythm. The poor young woman thought Tess stood up so she could sit by Tom. She was wrong! Tess shot Tom a come-hither look and rolled her ass in an invitation. He followed right behind her, heading for the dance floor.

  Tess smoothly rolled her body, lifting her hands above her head and then let them fall to her side. Her hips pumped to the music that had taken over. By the end of the second song, Tom no longer grinned at her. His eyes now fixed on her body. Tess danced on the edge of being provocative, mixing it with a Tahitian flair.

  People crowded the dance floor, many of whom scrutinized every move she made, dissecting her piece by piece. Aware of the onlookers, Tess only smiled, knowing she captivated Tom. The DJ mixed a rap song and her rhythm instantly changed, adding a little bounce to her movements. Tom smiled changing his groove to match hers. Tess sang a few of the dirty lyrics and his smile widened across his face.

  A slower song started and her movements became smoother and more deliberate. She turned her back to him and his hands followed the curves of her waist and hips. Her heels made her taller, so her ass fit Tom’s body perfectly. Their hips swayed together, flowing with the music.

  At some point she noticed Benny and Lisa dancing not far from them. Lisa smiled and Tess flashed her ten fingers.

  Tom took Tess’ hand in his. She let him take control, dancing slowly, squeezing her hip pulling her tightly against him. Before the music stopped, he headed for the door. “There’s going to be people out here. Are you ready?”

  “Do I look okay?” She glanced down to make sure everything was in the right place.

  “You look better than okay. You’re everything a woman dreams of being.” He kissed her hard before exiting the club.

  Photographers lined up outside. Bright flashes popped off, blinding them after being in the dark club and white noise hummed in her ears. Tom held her hand dashing to the car with their heads bowed.

  In the limo, Tess couldn’t keep her hands off him, wanting him right there and then. She unbuttoned the rest of his shirt, kissing his chest, running her tongue down his abs and trying to unbutton his pants. Taking hold of her hands, he wrapping is lips around hers with such intensity it side tracked her roaming fingers.

  “How much longer?” Heat gathered under the material of her dress. She tugged it up to the top of her thighs and straddled his lap.

  “We’re almost there.”

  Her head dropped straight back, as she reached behind to unzip her dress. He remained calm, cool and collected as he gently took her hands kissing her again. She frowned realizing this obviously wasn’t going to start in the limo.

  “Not in here. Not with you.” He brought her fingertips to his warm lips.

  His words of rejection stung, almost bringing a tear to her eye. “Why not here?”

  “Because….” He stammered struggling for words.

  “Why not with me in here?” she asked again with hurt feeling.

  “Because I want to…I have something different in mind.” Nuzzling her palm to his cheek, he smiled his crooked grin as they pulled into the driveway. “Not yet Tess.”

  Tess bit her lip smiling self-consciously, heat turned into madness as she remembered the words he spoke earlier.

  “Next time, I promise.”

  “Damn straight. Next time we are so having great limo sex,” she whispered exiting the car.

  Tom led her to his bedroom and turned on some soft music. Taking his time, he unzipped her dress, sliding it to the floor. Tom’s mouth tasted exceptionally good as he pressed his soft hungry lips to hers, teasing the corner of her lips with his tongue. His palms coasted over her arms as her head fell back allowing his tongue to travel down her neck to her breast. Skimming over her shoulder with his warm parted lips, he asked softly, “Where were we before we left?”

  Tom sat on the edge of the bed, maneuvering Tess so she stood between his thighs, clutching her hips firmly with his fingers. She gazed down, taking in every soft line surrounding his dark brown eyes as he stared up at her. His eyes fell away from hers hesitantly as he rested his head against her tummy, only looking up to find them again. “Make love to me Tess,” he asked bashfully.

  Tears bit the corner of her eyes, and words remained strangled in her throat. Tess tried to speak, but her voice failed her. She had no way to convey the emotions rising in her chest. Bringing her knees up onto the bed, she crawled on top of him and ever so slowly rubbed her nose to his chin. Gazing down at the gorgeous man beneath her, her heart beat violently in her chest. She caressed his jaw and cradled his face in her hands, tenderly stroking his neck and ears with her fingertips. Savoring the martini that lingered on his breath, she possessed his mouth with sensual, wet kisses.

  Relinquishing his lips, her eyes and hands wandered over his chest and abs. She dragged her fingers down the muscular cords in his arms, firmly entwining her fingers in his.

  Tess hadn’t realized until that very moment how much she yearned to bare this part of her soul with Tom. Staring into each other’s eyes, they made love together, sharing the intimate bond of their bodies connecting to the rhythm still playing in her head. His dark eyes devoured her, revealing a part of himself she wasn’t even sure he knew existed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tom lay in bed next to Tess with his hands behind his head, looking up at the ceiling. She snuggled up next to him.

  “Good morning, Tess.”

  “Morning. I had a fantastic time.”

  “I did, too. How’d you learn to dance like that? Every woman in that club wanted to be you last night.”

  “Every woman wanted to be me because I was going home with you.”

  “No, that’s not why. Jesus, Tess, I can’t believe you can move like that.”

  “The martinis helped. I always dance at home with my kids. Well, not quite like that, but probably close.”

  Tess attempted to get out of bed, but her body felt stiff and sore. “Oh, shit.”

  “What’s the matter? Do you have a headache?” he taunted.

  “No, I didn’t drink too much. My body hurts.”

  “I’ll take care of that for you a little later.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yep. I’m impressed by how well you handled yourself last night. You were a natural on the carpet.”

  “I couldn’t hear much of anything when we got out of the limo. It seemed garbled or in slow motion.”

  “That’s somewhat normal.” He nodded. “I have a question for you.”

  “Shoot.” She lay in bed, stretching.

  “Do you ever get jealous? Because I thought you were going to be pissed at me when you came back from the bathroom with Lisa. I asked Mariah to leave as soon as she sat down.”

  “I can be jealous, but possessive might be a better word. Mariah’s lucky she got up, I think I might have hurt her. Actually, Lisa warned me what it would be like. It helped a lot.”

  “Speaking of Lisa, she left something for you.” He helped her out of bed and gave her a card. It contained twelve single dollar bills and a huge happy face drawn on the card.

  Positively a twelve, Tess!!!

  Thanks for coming last night.

  I know we’ll see you soon.

  If you’re missing Tommy and get bored, come visit us. I mean it!

  Most of all, thanks for making Tommy smile.

  See you soon sista,

  Love, Lisa

  P.S. Tommy put my number in your phone, so call me!

  Tess smiled to herself, plopping down on Tom’s bed. They talked about the premier, the after party and all of the different people he introduced to her. Tess was curious about something, but uncertain if she wanted to know the answer. “Who is Susan? That woman who wanted to sit with you said Susan sent her over to see you.”

  Tom narrowed his eyes, shaking his head in anger.

  “If I’m not going to like the answer, don’t tell me. I shouldn’t have asked.”

&
nbsp; “Susan is my fucking publicist,” he seethed. “I’m not happy with her right now. We’ve worked together for years, and this time she went too far. I don’t want to talk about her.”

  “I forgot, what were we talking about?” she asked innocently.

  “I feel like running. Are you up for it? Or are you too sore?”

  She could tell he was beyond furious. “I’ll go, but can we run outside?”

  “As long as you don’t mind getting your picture taken.”

  They drove to the beach and ran on a trail that wound its way up the tops of the cliffs and back. A mile from the car, they took off their shoes to stroll along the ocean, letting the cool water relieve Tess’ aching feet from dancing in heels the night before. When they reached the end of the trail, they noticed three photographers. Ignoring the onlookers, they wrapped their arms around each other, staring out over the ocean.

  “Better?” she asked quietly.

  “Yes, I am.”

  They went back to his place. Tess helped him get rid of his frustrations and Tom massaged her sore body. They crashed for a couple of hours and it was almost dark when they woke up.

  “We have reservations for dinner.”

  “Great. I’m starving,” Tess said with astonishment. “I can’t believe how hungry I’ve been.”

  Tess actually recognized the restaurant. A famous actor opened it the year before last, and it was supposed to be the big thing in Hollywood. As soon as they pulled up, paparazzi started snapping pictures. The hip, trendy restaurant had an intimate nightclub vibe to it. Tess had already met several of Tom’s friends, and they stopped by the table to say hello to him. A producer talked to Tom about an upcoming film he thought Tom would be perfect for.

  “Thanks, but I’m taking Tess on an extended vacation when I’m done shooting this next film,” Tom replied.

  “If you change your mind, Tommy, let me know. I didn’t know you ever took a vacation.”

  “Things have changed.”

  Driving back to his place, Tess realized it would be their last night together at his house. They wouldn’t be able to be as open at her house because of her kids. No more walking around naked. They’d have to be much quieter.