“Is there a problem, Ian?” he asked.
“Two of them actually.” Ian inclined his head towards the back of the room. “You need to call your boy Jake off. At once. And tell him I have a very strict hands off policy when it comes to my – employees.”
Nathan gave a curt nod. “I’ll take care of it. What was the other problem?”
Ian glared at Julia, who was even now approaching Tessa with a perky smile. “Your very charming but extremely nosy fiancé. Tell Julia that if she persists in playing with fire that someone besides herself might get burned.”
Julia waved at both of them cheekily before returning her attention to Tessa, elbowing Jake aside at the same time. She had an extremely satisfied smile on her face.
Nathan sighed. “Aw, hell. I think I’ve got to go shoe shopping with her after work.”
Chapter Sixteen
Tessa couldn’t help the rather awestruck reaction she had as Ian drove up beneath the porte-cochere of the hotel. The mountain lodge in Lake Tahoe was of a much different design than either the opulent high-rise hotel in San Francisco, or the sprawling Mission-style resort in Tucson, the only other two Gregson properties she’d ever set foot in. Situated high on top of a mountain, the lodge was majestic and grand with its stone façade and high windows. Pristine banks of carefully groomed snow surrounded the property on all sides. Tessa had read on the lodge’s website that it offered ski-in/ski-out accommodations, as well as a ski valet and highly rated ski shop on premise. She had never been on skis before, and the only time she’d ever seen actual snow had been one winter years ago when she had lived in Sedona with her mother. She knew Ian was an accomplished skier, and that he had plans to get her out on the slopes this weekend, a prospect that she was admittedly a little nervous about.
The drive up from San Francisco had been smooth and relatively traffic-free. Ian had rushed home as soon as his meeting had ended, and was behind the wheel of his sturdy, four-wheel drive Range Rover by late morning. It had been just past three o’clock when he’d exited the highway for the lodge.
Tessa was more than a little amazed at the way the hotel staff mobilized so swiftly, evidently having been informed to expect Ian and his guest. In quick succession, a valet had taken his car keys, a bellhop unloaded their luggage, and the doorman held the massive front doors leading to the lobby open for them. Ian kept a hand on the small of her back as they walked through the sprawling lobby with its vaulted, wood beam ceilings, flagstone floors, and imposing stone fireplace. Tessa didn’t miss the way almost every single person passing through turned and stared at him, the admiration evident on both female and male faces. She was beginning to get used to the effect her handsome, debonair lover had on people, how he attracted attention no matter where they went, and also how he seemed to be so completely nonchalant about it. For her part, she couldn’t help the thrill she felt at knowing this magnificent man was really hers, and that for reasons she couldn’t really fathom as yet, he’d chosen her out of the thousands of other women around the world who’d give anything to be by his side right now.
The pretty brunette desk clerk who checked them in appeared to be as susceptible to Ian’s charm as anyone else, staring up at him with unabashed interest as he signed in and took the card keys to the owner’s suite. Tessa gave the brunette a tiny frown before sidling up closer against Ian’s side, silently staking her claim. He smiled down at her, dropped a kiss on top of her head, and slid an arm around her waist. Tessa’s frown quickly changed to a very satisfied smile, and she was pleased to note that the clerk was suddenly all business, averting her gaze as she finished the check-in process.
Tessa’s jaw dropped open again as the private butler assigned to their suite opened the double doors and ushered her inside. She could Ian speaking to the man in a low tone as she stared in disbelief at the splendor of the lavishly appointed rooms.
Here, too, were the vaulted wood beam ceilings, and a huge stone fireplace, though these floors were covered in a thick, plush carpet. Floor to ceiling picture windows offered a breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountains outside, and French doors opened out to a private patio where she could see a fire pit and hot tub. The furnishings were a combination of rustic comfort and understated luxury.
A quick inspection of the suite revealed a spacious living room, separate formal dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. There were two bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom. The suite was easily large enough to live in comfortably for days or weeks at a time, and it suddenly dawned on her that this was exactly the sort of opulent lifestyle she could expect to live when she moved in with Ian permanently. And as thrilling as that idea was, it also gave her renewed cause for concern, bringing to the surface all of her fears and insecurities that she just didn’t fit into this world of privilege and extreme wealth.
“Does this meet with your approval?”
Tessa turned to face Ian, who was just now closing the door to the suite. Her heart caught in her throat as she thought of how handsome he looked, how mouthwateringly sexy. He was more casually dressed than usual, clad all in black – wool slacks, a turtleneck sweater and a heavy leather jacket worn in deference to the cold weather. He looked dangerous and sophisticated at the same time, an irresistible combination.
At his urging, she’d dressed in a similarly casual manner – dark skinny jeans, black cashmere sweater, black ankle boots and a black knit cap pulled over her ears. Tessa didn’t want to think about how much money such a seemingly laid back outfit like this had cost, though she knew from performing a quick Google search that just the little cashmere cap had cost over a hundred dollars.
She walked over to Ian, sliding her hands up his chest to clasp around his neck. “Are you referring to this room or to yourself? Because if it’s the latter, I would have to say a very emphatic yes.”
“Is that right?” he asked lazily, his hands sweeping down the sides of her hips to cup her buttocks. “Well, I’d say you also have my wholehearted approval. Especially the way your gorgeous arse looks in these tight jeans.”
Tessa smiled, burying her face against the strong, warm column of his neck and inhaling deeply. “Mmm, you smell even better than usual. Must be the added touch of the leather.”
He kissed her temple, his hand keeping her head pressed to his shoulder. “Would you like the butler to unpack for you, or would you prefer to do it yourself?”
She looked up at him in surprise. “He would do that – actually hang my clothes up and put my shoes away? Not to mention unpacking all my – ah, more personal stuff. I think I’d rather do it myself, actually.”
He grinned, giving her a playful chuck on the chin. “To answer your question – yes, Tyson would certainly be happy to perform that task for you. You’ll begin to see as we travel together that each of our hotels offers this sort of private butler or concierge service for occupants of the larger suites. You’ll need to get used to them doing things for you and letting yourself be pampered. It’s one of the many perks you’ll enjoy as my companion.”
“Okay. It’s just – well, it might take some getting used to. I never thought I’d let a complete stranger – a male one at that – unpack my underwear for me,” she admitted shyly.
“Ah, well, that I understand. You could consider packing all of your lacy bits in a separate bag from now on, and simply instruct the butler not to touch that one.” His lips caressed the soft spot behind her ear. “In fact, I’d probably prefer that. Hell if I want another man to touch your lingerie.”
Ian lifted his head and took her firmly by the hand. “Come, let me give you the grand tour. I gave Tyson instructions to bring up an afternoon tea service in a few minutes, so we don’t have much time.”
As he showed her around the grand suite, she belatedly noticed the beautiful vases of roses arranged in several different locations – the showy red ones on the coffee table; the delicate pale pink blooms in the dining room; a gorgeous arrangement of rich apricot blossoms filled the m
aster bedroom with their fragrance; and the exotic lavender bouquet that had been placed in the en suite bathroom.
Tessa sniffed appreciatively of the last bouquet, which Ian told her were officially called sterling silver roses.
“How beautiful they are,” she murmured. “Did you arrange for all of these?”
He smiled, seeming pleased at her reaction. “I did, yes. I didn’t know which color you preferred so I ordered several different one. Of course, red roses are traditional for Valentine’s Day but – well, the lavender ones in particular reminded me of you.”
Tessa touched the delicate petals with care. “And these just happen to be my favorite of all of them. Thank you, Ian. Once again you’re spoiling me rotten.”
“Ah, and the weekend is just beginning. I have a whole string of surprises planned for you.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his chest to her back, his voice husky in her ear. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.”
She caressed his hands where they rested just above her belly. “I’m sorry my little gift to you was so – simple. I had no idea what to get you since you already seem to have everything.”
“Shh. I already told you that having you here with me is the best gift I could ever hope for. And a batch of homemade cookies is icing on the cake, so to speak. Especially since they’re my favorites.”
She had fretted over what to buy him for Valentine’s Day, knowing that she couldn’t possibly afford to buy him anything extravagant, given that he wore two hundred dollar Hermes ties, had a library bursting at the seams with first edition volumes, and a well-stocked wine cellar where the cost of even a single bottle would likely make her shudder.
But she did know he liked snickerdoodles, since Mrs. Sargent had left a bakery bag for them after a recent shopping trip. Fortunately, they’d been easy to bake, given her tiny kitchen and limited cooking skills, and Ian had seemed genuinely thrilled when she had presented him with the festively beribboned bag filled with three dozen cookies.
Having skipped lunch, they both ate hungrily of the sumptuous afternoon tea service that Tyson delivered to their room. Tessa couldn’t quite stifle a yawn, however, despite the twin jolts of caffeine and sugar her system had just received.
“Sleepy, are we?” asked Ian in amusement.
She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. It’s just – well, we didn’t get much sleep last night what with - ”
“I know,” he interrupted. “I hope I wasn’t too – that it wasn’t - ”
“No.” She shook her head firmly. “You were perfect. It was perfect. I needed you just as badly, Ian.”
Tessa had been waiting for him in the library when he’d returned home just after ten o’clock the previous evening. By now she was becoming use to the hungry, almost desperate way he made love to her, the blatant carnality of his kisses and caresses, the all-consuming manner in which he possessed her body. But when he’d strode boldly into the library last night, she’d been left breathless and unable to even think with the fierce, primal way he’d taken her right there, bent over the arm of the leather sofa. He’d tossed off his suit jacket and unzipped his trousers before yanking the hem of her robe up past her waist and literally ripping the fragile silk and lace panties from her body. He’d surged into her with one powerful thrust, wrenching a cry from her throat and leaving her helpless to do anything but willingly submit to his domination of her body. They had both climaxed within minutes, the entire encounter having taken place without either of them uttering a single word. She had been shaken to the core at such a display of raw, undisguised passion on his part, and astonished that her body could so readily respond to his without even the slightest amount of foreplay.
He’d carried her upstairs to his bed then, and this time had made love to her with exquisite thoroughness, prolonging the ecstasy for what had felt like hours. And then he’d woken her again towards dawn, already imbedded deep inside of her, and wrung another shattering orgasm from her exhausted body.
She was grateful she’d taken the day off from work, because she’d been far too drowsy and pleasantly sated to do more than give him a sleepy kiss as he’d left for the office just before eight a.m. She’d slept until ten, a rare luxury for her, and had had to scramble a bit to shower, dress, and eat breakfast before he arrived home.
But Ian still didn’t look convinced at her assurance. “That first time – in the library – I was like a rutting bull, Tessa. No finesse, no control. I was - ”
“Wild.” She swiftly straddled his lap, twining her arms around his neck. “Like a beast. Or a barbarian.” She nipped his earlobe lightly with her teeth before whispering, “And I loved it. I like it when you lose control.”
He growled, shoving his hand up beneath her sweater and roughly groping her breast, making her gasp as his fingers slid inside her bra cup to pinch the nipple. “You make me lose control just by being in the same room,” he rasped. “It’s never been that way for me before, not even close.”
“Good.” She caressed his cheek, which was just beginning to show some dark stubble as the day began to draw to a close. “I like that I’m the only one who can make you do that. And,” she added playfully, “let’s make sure to keep it that way, hmm?”
He gave a short laugh. “Darling, I’ve told you on multiple occasions that you’re far more than I can handle as it is. Why on earth would I notice other women when I have all my heart desires right here?”
The sweet, wildly romantic things he seemed to have a knack for saying made her feel all gooey inside. Still, she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit more. “So you’re telling me you didn’t notice the way that very pretty front desk clerk was checking you out?”
Ian frowned. “Unless you had just mentioned it, I wouldn’t have been able to remember if the clerk had been a man or a woman. That’s how little attention I paid. But since we’re on the subject, I should mention the very interested stares you were receiving from the valet. And the bellhop. Not to mention the doorman. Ah, and I’m forgetting the dozen or so – at least – admiring males who were staring at your very sexy body as we walked through the lobby.”
“I didn’t notice any of them,” she murmured. “Nowadays, the only man I ever notice is you.”
He smoothed her sweater back down over her belly. “Well, let’s make sure to keep it that way, darling,” he said, teasing her with her own words from just moments before.
A knock sounded on the door to the suite, and he deftly lifted her off his lap. As he stood, he gave her a little wink. “That will be the next in the string of surprises,” he told her as he walked towards the door. “And this one is for both of us.”
The next surprise he’d arranged was a couple’s massage. Ian had whispered to her as the two masseurs were setting up their tables and equipment that he’d specifically requested a female to work on Tessa and a male on himself, adding that he wasn’t about to let another man put his hands on her, whether it was in a clinical manner or not. The folding massage tables were set up over by the grand picture windows so that they could look outside at the snow falling as the sun gradually began to set. One of the masseurs turned on the state of the art sound system and some relaxing classical music filled the room softly. A candle was lit and the subtle fragrance of bergamot scented the air, lending to the atmosphere of complete relaxation.
Tessa had never enjoyed the pure luxury of a massage before, and couldn’t suppress a little moan or two as the masseur found a tight spot here and there. She turned her head in the direction of Ian’s table, and gave him a sleepy smile as their eyes met. She thought blissfully that she could easily get used to this sort of pampering, and wondered if he indulged in massages on a regular basis.
When the massage ended an hour later – far too soon for her liking – she felt boneless and limp and so relaxed that Ian had to help her tie the belt of her robe.
“Hmm, I hope the next surprise is a nice long nap,” she mumbled sleepily.
He chuckled, wrapp
ing her in his arms and dropping a kiss on her forehead. “I didn’t realize I’d worn you out quite so badly last night. I can loan you some of my vitamins,” he teased. “And you might want to consider ordering an extra- large portion of protein with your dinner this evening. Speaking of which, our reservations are in just over an hour and I’d like to have a cocktail with you first. Trust, me, you’ll like where we’re going.”
Tessa yawned, stretching her arms wide. “Umm, okay. But it’s not my fault if I suddenly start nodding off. That massage was incredible. I’ve never felt that pampered before.”
“That was the general idea, darling. To have you feeling relaxed and pampered all weekend long. Though I didn’t intend for you to be quite this relaxed,” he retorted. “Perhaps I should order you a triple espresso – or two.” He leaned forward to murmur huskily, “After all, I plan to keep you awake for hours tonight. Another part of the surprise.”
She couldn’t help trembling just a little at his heated words. “I can’t wait,” she told him a little dazedly. “Maybe we should just get room service and, ah, stay in.”
He grinned at her, shaking his head. “And ruin all of my plans? Hardly, love. Besides, the anticipation will enhance the pleasure ten times over. Trust me on this. Now, time for the next surprises. Come with me.”
Ian led her into the master bedroom, where several boxes of varying sizes had been laid out on the huge four poster bed. She looked at him expectantly, not sure what she was supposed to do next.
“And where did all these just materialize from?” she inquired. “They weren’t here earlier when I unpacked my things.”
But he only gave her a mysterious smile before telling her, “I’d like you to wear all of the items you’ll find in the boxes to dinner this evening. I’ll leave you in here while I change in the other bedroom.”
Tessa regarded him curiously. “There’s plenty of room in here for both of us, you know.”
Splendor (Inevitable #2) Page 29