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

by Lauren Hawkeye

  Tom touched the side of her face. “I love you, Tess. Are you ready to marry me?”

  One tear ran down her cheek. “Yes, I am.”

  “I’ll see you up there in a few minutes.” He kissed Tess and shook John’s hand before dashing up the hill.

  Tess gazed around at the beautiful surroundings. The whole place had been cleaned and raked smooth with rocks lining the pathway on both sides.

  John kissed her cheek. “Are you ready?”

  She could hear somebody playing an acoustic guitar. “I’m ready. Who is that?”

  “Benny’s boy Tommy.”

  John wrapped his arm in hers, escorting her up the steps leading to the beautiful pavilion of ruins. The priest stood directly in front of her. Tom and Benny stood to the right side of him, and Tracy and JC stood to the left. Massive ancient pillars rested behind them, creating a stunning backdrop. The vibrant red bouquets and azure blue dresses were dramatic against the paleness of the aged marble.

  Tom wore a striking black suit and black shirt with his collar unbuttoned. A single red rose adorned his jacket. Tess could only focus on his handsome face. Everything else faded into the background.

  As the guitar played softly, she kept stride with John, glancing down only for a moment to notice red rose petals Kim scattered on the aisle in front of her.

  John smiled down at her, stopping in front of Tom.

  “Who gives this woman to this man?” the priest asked.

  John nodded toward his sisters. “We do.” Each of her kids kissed Tess on both cheeks. John took his place next to Benny and the girls stood beside Tess.

  Tom clasped Tess’ hands in his. It took every ounce of her concentration to listen to the priest as he spoke of love and commitment. He knew a little bit about Tom and Tess’ story and he spoke about how blessed they were to have found each other. Tom slid the wedding band on her finger, staring straight into her soul as he recited his vows in the deep sexy tone she loved so much. She reached up to kiss his lips without thinking. Tom grinned and said in a whisper, “Not yet, Tess.” Everyone giggled.

  “Sorry.” Tess placed the ring on his finger and recited her vows of love and commitment, staring into Tom’s eyes with every bit of love she held in her heart.

  The priest said the words they both waited to hear. “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Clemmins. You may kiss your bride.” Tom laid his hands on both sides of her face. He knew it was of no use to try and stop Tess from kissing him passionately, but she didn’t embarrass them. Their lips connected for a perfectly long, intimate kiss.

  Everything moved in slow motion. Rose petals rained down over them, dancing in the breeze across the aged marble under their bare feet. Flashes popped as Joey snapped pictures, and family and friends clapped in celebration. Tess knew she would cherish this exact moment, captured in time, forever in her memory.

  Tom wore the biggest smile with a tear in his eye as Tess glanced up, kissing him again. Tess wasn’t sure who had more tears: Lisa, Tracy or Marco. Overcome with love and happiness, Tess shed no tears now, only sheer bliss.

  The sun began to sink into the sea, casting a luminous glow across the ruins, creating the perfect backdrop for the memories and photos of their wedding day.

  Everyone ambled back to the ferry, but Tom and Tess stayed behind. He put her hand in his dancing with her slowly. Tom showed her exactly how much he loved her. He embraced her tightly, kissing her with enthusiasm and desire, giving her the kiss she wished for. Now tears stung her eyes and her heart beat wildly in her ears. Finally, he said, “God, I love kissing you Tess Clemmins.”

  Tom and Tess moseyed hand-in-hand down the sandy path to the little boat. Tess draped her legs across his thigh. He rubbed her bare feet as they watched the fiery orange sun dropping into the Aegean Sea. “For some reason, Mrs. Clemmins, sunsets seem so much better with you,” Tom said quietly.

  “We’re going to make the most of every sunset.”

  The reception was on the patio overlooking the edge of the cliff. The fiery sky had turned to dark blue with the smallest amount of soft pink swirling over the sea. Everyone gave a round of applause, even people they didn’t know, as they walked through the restaurant. Their family and friends stood as Tom and Tess entered the patio hand-in-hand with flushed cheeks. The party had already started. Greek music played outside and bread was set on the table. Locals enjoying their dinner came out to congratulate them. Tess could feel the love and warmth of everyone there.

  White candles were placed in groups of three around the tables and red rose bouquets sat in clear vases as centerpieces. The wedding cake turned out beautiful, made with three tiers and perfectly placed delicate red roses. Tess had asked the older woman who made the cake to make chocolate chip cookies for Tom. She placed them on platters around the tables as well as traditional Greek candy-coated almonds.

  “Mrs. Clemmins, would you like wine or martinis?” Tom asked Tess in her ear.

  “Definitely martinis.”

  Dinner was wonderfully delicious. As the party grew louder and the night went on, the couple moved in close for their first dance. Reaching for her hand, Tom led her to an open area on the patio to dance with her. The couple who owned the restaurant joined in and led Tom and Tess by the hands to teach them the Greek wedding dance. Everyone joined in, creating a big circle. Tess had never experienced anything like it. All of their family and friends danced together, celebrating their love for one another.

  It was getting late and Tom and Tess were still dancing.

  “Tom, you need to take your wife home,” Tess hinted.

  John stood beside her. “You can’t bail out of here before you dance with me.”

  As John stole Tess away, JC claimed Tom as her dance partner.

  It made Tess beam to see him having a good time with her kids.

  Benny cut in so he could dance with Tess. “Tommy loves your kids. I think he’s always wanted a family, but he never really believed true love existed. A nonbeliever so-to-speak,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “They like him too.”

  He smiled mischievously. “You know it’s going to be crazy when you go home?”

  Tess turned crimson red and dropping her eyes to the floor.

  “Not tonight,” Benny chuckled. “I mean when you go back to the States. Prepare yourself, Tess. It’s going to be outrageous. When Lisa and I got married, it was pure chaos, but you and Tommy? No one was expecting this.”

  “I remember seeing your pictures on the cover of every magazine.”

  “Laugh now, you’ll be on the cover next week.” Benny grinned.

  “What? Seriously?” Tess nearly stopped dancing.

  Tom cut in. “Don’t be freaking out my wife on my wedding night, Benny.”

  Benny gave her a big smooch on the cheek. “Welcome to our family, Tess.”

  Tom danced her over to the edge of the patio. Her back rested against his chest and his arms embraced her as they swayed together. He bent down, nibbling her neck and she turned her face to kiss him. “Weren’t you saying something about leaving, Mrs. Clemmins?”

  “Let’s go home, Mr. Clemmins.”

  They began saying goodnight. A tear pooled in Lisa’s eye. “We have to leave early in the morning. The wedding was one of the most beautiful I’ve been to. I can’t believe you pulled this off in four days. Take care of each other. We’re coming for Christmas. I hope you don’t ski as well as you dance, Tess.” She smirked.

  “See you at Christmas. Talk to you soon.”

  Grateful they didn’t have far to drive, Tess already had Tom’s shirt unbuttoned and her dress off by the time they pulled in the driveway. The moon shined brightly as he spun her around, studying her silhouette in the moonlight. “Mrs. Clemmins, you look beautiful in those. I couldn’t wait to see you in them again without your daughters in the same room.”

  Tom glanced over his shoulder up the stairs at the front door. Swooping Tess into his arms, he carried her up the steps and across the thresho
ld.

  She giggled. “Have you always wanted to do that?”

  He laughed as if she were delirious. “Hell no. Never! Not until today.”

  Tom set her feet on the ground and she sauntered toward their room. He slipped his fingers around her wrist, turning her to face him. “Not yet, Tess. I want to dance with you for a little while longer.” Holding her close, Tom stared adoringly into her eyes. “I’ve never wanted anything in my life more than I want you right at this moment.”

  He kissed her slowly and passionately for a long time. Flooded with emotion, Tess had never felt so connected in her life. She felt as if they were one, linked together by love and passion, sharing a bond that was unlike any other love she’d experienced before. Soul mate, he’s my soul mate.

  Already aroused, her body pulsed from his insatiable kisses. His talented tongue sent spasms rippling through her core. She panted aloud, “Not yet, Tess.”

  “Really?” he said with a smothered laugh.

  “Yes, really.” She backed away from him. “I need to rinse off first. I want this to last more than fifteen minutes.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me.” He grinned immensely. Reaching out, he clutched her around the waist, sinking his tongue deep into her mouth.

  “I’m referring to myself,” she mumbled under his greedy lips.

  Tom kissed her differently than ever before. His tongue traced her mouth, gently sucking on her lips while tugging with his teeth. Her hips writhed against the hard length of him, encouraging him to kiss her ravenously, turning her on to the point of being right on the edge.

  “Stop, Tom. Wait,” she panted.

  “This would definitely be a first.” He kissed her again, refusing to release her from his arms.

  “Yes, it would be.” Trembling, she slid away from him, deciding if she wanted to stop or not. “I need a minute. Jesus, Tom. Where did that come from?” He was proud of himself, wearing an impish grin that made her rethink her decision to stop him. “Can you make us a drink?”

  “Yep.”

  Her body smoldered and still trembled as she stepped into the shower. Maybe I should’ve let him keep kissing me? I was so close. No, not tonight. That had never happened to Tess before, not from just kissing.

  She was drying off when he brought her a drink with a roguish grin still plastered across his face. “Tess,” he said suggestively.

  “I’ll be right out,” she said anxiously. She rubbed monoi oil all over her body and downed her drink in one sip. She put on sexy, white lace lingerie that hugged her curves down to the bottom of her butt cheek. No panties needed.

  Tom lay on their bed, waiting for her. He reached for her hand, but she shook her head no, pulling him up to her lips.

  “Tess, you look incredible.” His eyes fixed on her body as his hands coasted over her glistening skin.

  “I’m curious,” she said sexily, running her tongue over her lip. “Will you kiss me, like you were before?”

  Tom’s fingers twisted in her hair and gently pulled her head back. Tess’ lips parted, allowing his mouth to seize control, rocking her to the core, leaving her only able to whimper beneath his kisses. He drew in her bottom lip and tugged with his teeth, instantly turning her heavy breathing into a low moan. Every time he sucked on her bottom lip, drawing it into the burning heat of his mouth, it sent a wave of pleasure spiraling through her body. Tom was on a mission now. Refusing to give up or give in, he plunged deeper into her very soul.

  Tess had no idea she could get off just by making out, but it was happening. She rubbed against him eagerly, holding back the urge to take him in. Cresting a wave of sheer pleasure, she cried out softly, melting over him repeatedly as she clung to his arms. Tess thought she was finished, but Tom eased her back on the bed, sinking his tongue deep between her thighs, tasting the sweet rewards of his efforts.

  As Tom raised himself atop her, Tess was overcome with the urgency to feel him inside her. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, thrusting her hips forward, only to be unsuccessful. Holding back, he teased her, wearing a haughty grin.

  “Please don’t make me wait. I want-”

  “Shhh. I know what you want. That’s the thing about being on top. I get to drive.”

  Tess flashed him a naughty smile, attempting to flip him onto his back, but he refused to relinquish the driver’s seat. Pinning her hands to the bed, he bent down to brush his lips over her nipple. Just when she thought she could take no more of his toying, he thrust himself inside, driving deeper as her hips rode along, taking him in.

  It was the beginning of a very long night, and Tess was far from being finished. They made love as their hands and bodies moved in ways new to both of them.

  “Morning, Mrs. Clemmins. Or should I say good afternoon.”

  “I’m not ready to wake up yet.”

  “Your kids and Shayla leave in an hour so I thought we should go to the airport to say goodbye.” He grinned impishly, looking at her lips. “You might want to look in the mirror.”

  Tess touching her fingers to her lips. “Why? Do I look that bad?”

  “Oh no, you look beautiful.” Tom’s laughter filtered through the room. “I think I might have given you a…umm, go look.”

  She jumped out of bed, staring in the mirror at several purple hickeys surrounding her lips. “Oh, great! I can’t go to the airport like this.”

  “You sound like you’re complaining,” he said, being a smartass. “No one will even notice them with some makeup.”

  “Oh, bullshit. They are definitely going to notice these. Crap, I’ll never hear the end of this.”

  “Was it worth it?” he asked gently, kissing her bottom lip.

  “Yes.”

  John, Tracy, JC and Shayla gathered at the airport to say their goodbyes. JC eyed her mom skeptically. Tess knew what was coming.

  “Rough night, Mom? Makeup doesn’t cover those very well.” JC laughed uncontrollably, causing all of them to survey her lips.

  “Ha ha ha very funny. Okay, get out of here. Love you.”

  “We’ll be home in a few days, but we’ll be in California before we go to the cabin,” Tom said.

  Shayla glanced at Tess’ lips and smiled sweetly, whispering to Tom. “I wouldn’t come back to California until those are gone.”

  “Definitely,” he agreed.

  The following day, Tom scheduled a meeting to hire a new publicist, Andy Johnson. Tess saw an entirely different side of Tom, very firm and assertive. He knew what he wanted and expected Andy to have the right answers for him. She loved seeing him so businesslike and learned a lot by sitting in on their meeting.

  After Tom’s meeting, Tess asked apprehensively, “What exactly is going to happen when we get home?”

  “It’s going to be an onslaught of media when we go home.” He admitted hesitantly, stroking her arm in reassurance. “Hopefully, you might actually enjoy some of it.” Tom smiled self-consciously, continuously spinning his wedding band with his thumb.

  “Crap, do my lips look any better?”

  “A little better, but the first time we have a few days in private…” He kissed her enthusiastically, giving her a promising taste of what would come.

  “We need to go over our wedding photos and pick our favorites. Do you want to release photos with your kids or of just you and me? How will they feel about their pictures being in magazines?”

  “I don’t know. I have no idea. I hate to leave them out. I’m proud of my kids, but I don’t want people bugging them either. I should’ve talked to them about it before they left.” Tess shook her head in frustration.

  “Sorry, Tess. I didn’t want to bring it up before the wedding. I guess I probably should’ve, but I didn’t want to stress you out. I didn’t want it to be hectic with the press. I wanted it to be easy for the both of us.”

  “I’m ready to go home as soon as my lips look better. I don’t care what people say. Bring on the madness. I’d prefer to release photos with the kids, too. I
f we don’t, they’re just going to try to get their own pictures, and that, I won’t like at all. I’ll discuss it with them first, but I would rather put all the cards on the table and get on with our life together.”

  “I agree. We’re always going to be under a microscope. That’s just the way it is. But I actually think you have a knack for it.”

  “I sure as hell wouldn’t go that far, but I did have fun at the premier.”

  “This will be more entertaining than the movie premier, trust me.”

  That night they went out for dinner and walked the streets of the village. Tess noticed Tom continuously spinning his ring with his thumb. “You’ll get used to it.” She smiled, watching him play with it.

  He glanced down at his hand. “I love it. I’ve never worn a ring before.”

  She was admiring her own ring when a bright flash blinded her. A young man had taken their picture. He wasn’t paparazzi, but he wasn’t an idiot either. Tom instantly approached the man, offering him money, but the guy acted like a jerk saying, “I heard you got married here. Nobody will believe this.” The damage was done. The man hurried away, muttering something about how much money he’d make off the photo.

  “Maybe he doesn’t realize what we were doing.” Tess tried to be convincing.

  “Come on,” Tom fumed. “He knew exactly what we were looking at. Our rings! We’ll have one day, maybe two. I wanted to do this my way, on my own terms. If Andy can move up an interview we might need to leave early.”

  “It is what it is, Tom. So what? I don’t care. Bring it on! Nothing is going to ruin our honeymoon. The paparazzi can line up in front of the house. I’d be perfectly happy staying in bed for three days. I don’t care what we have to go through when we get home. I have what I want: you. That’s all that matters.” She threw her hands on her hips at the end of her little speech.

  A slow smile spread across his face. “First off, this is not our honeymoon, second, we might have to go home early, and third, I could definitely stay in bed with you until we leave.”

  “What do you mean this isn’t our honeymoon?”