After the bags were delivered, the bellman left them to the comfort of their accommodation. It was modern and elegantly decorated, nothing like the ornateness of the George V. The AP was footing the bill, so Tess couldn’t complain. The room did have a lovely view of the Seine River.
“I can’t believe I have you to all to myself for four days,” Sebastian murmured, walking up behind his wife and wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Speak to me in French,” she requested, leaning into her husband.
“Je’taime, mon chéri.”
Tess closed her eyes and sighed. “You turn me on when you speak in different languages.”
“I thought everything about me turns you on,” he teased, nipping her ear with his teeth.
Tess turned around and kissed Sebastian—a sweet, soft kiss. Then the kiss deepened, turning feral and desperate. They spent so much time these days working and raising Mattie, there seemed to be little time for just the two of them. Well, not tonight—Sebastian would see to that. He picked Tess up off the floor and carried her over to the king-sized bed, gently laying her on top of the luxurious ivory, silk duvet. Her long brown hair fanned out on the pillow, and the top few buttons on her blouse popped open to reveal her cleavage. Sebastian teased her by running his fingers along the swell of breast on view for him.
Sebastian closed his eyes and inhaled her scent while various things he wanted to do to her body raced through his mind. He reached for her waist and pulled down the zipper of her navy skirt. She lifted her hips and shimmied the fabric down her legs. Next, Sebastian unbuttoned her silk blouse. It fell away to reveal her black, lacy demi-bra. Tess sat up and removed the blouse and then reached around her back to unhook the bra. It was carelessly thrown on the floor as she put her arms around his neck and pulled him back down on top of her. His hand ran over her panties and felt she was wet and ready to take him. “I want you so badly,” he growled, kissing her with force.
“Take me, I’m yours,” she replied in a breathy, seductive tone of voice.
Sebastian pushed away from his wife and stood to remove his clothes. The action done with such haste, a cuff link went flying across the room and bounced off the lamp. His lust-filled eyes roamed over her curves. Soon he was back on the bed, kissing her feet and working his way up her legs until he reached the sweet spot he so wanted to delve into. Removing the delicate lacy fabric, he licked his lips and began to work her into a frenzy with his tongue. Tess squirmed under this touch, eager for more. Just as she was about to climax, Sebastian pulled back.
“No,” she whimpered, reaching out for his body, mourning the loss of his tongue on her.
Sebastian took the tip of his erection and guided it to her folds. With one swift motion, he was inside her: hard, quick, and fast. The sudden movement sent Tess over the edge. Feeling her body orgasm did Sebastian in and he soon followed suit—happy, sated, and in love.
“I will never tire of being with you like this,” he said between ragged breaths. “I love you.”
“I love you, Bas,” she whispered, running her fingers through his hair as he laid his head on her shoulder.
“I could use a nap,” he yawned.
“And then some room service so we can do this again,” Tess added.
“Most definitely.”
They slept for an hour and then ordered room service. Happily sitting in bed, noshing on French crepes and fresh fruit, Tess looked over at Sebastian. “I wonder how Max and Penny are doing with Mattie.”
“They have our number if they need to reach us. Mattie should be asleep by now.”
“I think things are pretty serious between Max and Penny.”
“I don’t want to talk about them, darling. I just want to concentrate on you,” Sebastian said, taking the tray of food away from Tess and placing it on the floor.
“Hmm, you’ll get no argument from me,” she purred, wrapping her naked body around his.
“What time is your interview tomorrow?”
“Ten o’clock,” she replied, kissing his chest.
“Good, then I have all night to make love to you.”
Chapter 12 - Be My Wife
Mattie was dressed in her fancy pink dress, the one with all the ruffles on the skirt. She sat at the dinner table with Max and Penny, eating an early supper. “Can I ride the pony tomorrow?” she asked her uncle.
“Yes, we can ride tomorrow.”
“Awesome!”
Penny chuckled at the child’s enthusiasm. “Don’t you miss your mum and dad, Mattie?”
“No, I love coming to the castle. I wish I could live here.”
Now Maxwell joined in the chuckling. “You’re welcome here anytime.”
“Mattie, if you’re finished your meal, you should get ready for bed. The pony will be up bright and early tomorrow morning, so you must be ready.”
Thankfully, the mention of the pony was all that was needed to convince Mattie it was bedtime. “May I be excused?” Mattie politely asked, looking at Maxwell.
“Yes, you may be excused,” he replied, touching her little hand.
Penny and the child stood from the table and made their way upstairs.
Once they were inside the nursery, Mattie changed into her pajamas and crawled under the covers. “Will you read me a story like Daddy does every night?”
“Certainly. What would you like to read?” Penny asked, walking over to the bookshelf filled with children’s books.
“Paddington Bear.”
“Ah, this is a good one,” Penny said, pulling a copy of Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond from the shelf.
Penny sat down on the bed and began to read the book. In the story, Mr. Brown decides the family should take a vacation to Paris and Paddington is given a beret and French phrase book. Fifteen minutes into the story, Mattie was sound asleep.
Maxwell was watching the two interact, quietly hanging back in the hallway. Penny closed the book and laid it on the bedside table. “You’re wonderful with her,” he whispered, padding into the room and placing his hand on Penny’s shoulder.
“She’s a joy, Max. Sebastian and Tess are so lucky to have her.”
Maxwell got down on one knee, pulling a small box from his tuxedo jacket. He slowly opened the velvet box to reveal a five-carat emerald cut diamond flanked by two baguettes set in platinum. “Penelope, I know we haven’t been together for a very long time, but I love you and I want to marry you. Will you have me?”
Penny let out an audible gasp at the sight of the ring and Max kneeling before her. She threw caution to the wind and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes! I will marry you, Maxwell. I love you, too.”
Beaming with joy, Max slipped the ring on her finger. He pulled her up from the bed, picked her up in his arms, and carried her from Mattie’s bedroom.
Penny lay in Maxwell’s arms after they made love. She couldn’t take her eyes off the ring he had given her a few hours earlier. “Happy?” he asked, pulling her closer.
“Stunned, elated, ecstatic. You’ve made the happiest girl in England. This ring—I have no words.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s a family heirloom. It was my grandmother’s engagement ring,” he explained.
“You’ve given me the Countess’ ring. Oh, Max,” she smiled at him, tears threatening to spill over onto her cheeks.
“So, when do you want to get married? I vote for sooner rather than later.”
Penny nodded in agreement. “I would like to get married as soon as possible.”
“Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s?”
“Neither,” Penny quickly answered. “They’ll be booked for months.”
“I am an earl, I can pull some strings.”
“Let’s get married here at the castle. Sebastian and Tess’ wedding was at their home in America. It was an intimate, romantic affair. I want that, Max.”
“But, love, I’m an earl and you come from a prominent family. I don’t think we can get away with a small affair. However, I do
love the idea of having the ceremony here. God knows there’s enough room.”
Penny grinned with joy. “I can pull it together in two months.”
“You can find a dress that quickly?”
“My parents own a department store. I have connections, too.”
Max leaned in and kissed her full on the lips, savoring her scent and taste. “September it is. You’ve made me the happiest man on earth.”
“Trying to one-up me already, my Lord?” she teased, planting a light kiss on his chest.
“I mean it. I love you, Penelope Stanton. I can’t wait to marry you and raise a family.”
“I can’t wait, either.”
Mattie was still sleeping at eight thirty in the morning. Max and Penny decided to wake her from her slumber. The child rolled over on her back and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. When she noticed Max was holding a large white box with a pink satin ribbon, she quickly sat up. “Is that a present for me?”
“Yes, would you like to open it?”
She nodded her head furiously. Max set the box on her lap and Mattie pulled the end of the ribbon until it unraveled in her hand. She lifted the edge of the box and looked inside. Under the white tissue paper, there was a riding outfit: red jacket, white shirt, khaki jodhpurs, and black leather riding boots. “It’s just like Daddy’s outfit! Can I go on the fox hunt, too?”
“You’re a little young for that yet. Maybe once you become a more experienced rider,” Max said.
“Come on, let’s get you dressed and we’ll have some breakfast before we ride,” Penny said, removing the box from Mattie’s lap. “Max, we’ll meet you downstairs.” Penny leaned in and gave Max an affectionate kiss.
Mattie giggled and Max winked at her before he turned and left the room. It was then that Mattie noticed the large diamond ring on Penny’s finger. She grabbed Penny’s hand to get a closer look. “Wow.”
“Can you keep a secret?” Penny whispered, sitting down on the bed next to Mattie.
“Yes.”
“Uncle Max asked me to marry him last night.”
“Yay! Can I come to the wedding?”
“How would you like to be in the wedding as our flower girl?”
“Awesome!” Mattie threw herself at Penny and gave her a big hug.
Chapter 13 - Maybe I’m Amazed
Sebastian and Tess' flight landed at Heathrow Airport at six o’clock Sunday night. They made their way to Penny’s townhouse to collect Mattie before they headed for home. Mattie noticed her parents, as they walked into the room hand in hand. She ran over to greet them. After hugs and kisses were exchanged, Mattie stood before Tess bouncing up and down on the tips of her toes, excitement sparkling in her baby blue eyes.
“What’s got you so excited?” Sebastian asked.
Mattie held her mouth shut, her arms moving up and down.
“Mattie, what’s going on?”
Mattie remained silent but looked back at Max and Penny, who were standing nearby. Max had his arm around Penny’s shoulder. Tess looked up at the couple and noticed the light glance off the huge rock on Penny’s finger. Tess rushed over to Penny and picked up her hand. “Oh my God, is this what I think it is?”
Before Penny could respond, Mattie shouted, “They’re getting married!”
“Congratulations! Penny, this ring is spectacular. I’m so happy for you both.” The women hugged and then Tess leaned over and kissed Max on the cheek. “This is wonderful news.”
Sebastian walked toward the happy couple. “Well, at least you have good taste in women.” He extended his hand to Max. “Congratulations.”
Max refused to take his brother’s hand, instead pulling him into a hug. “We have your blessing, then?” Max said in a low tone of voice as the girls chatted over them.
Sebastian nodded. “If you truly love her—yes, you have my blessing. What does Lily think?”
“We haven’t told her yet. You and Tess are the first.”
“Max, we must open a bottle of champagne!” Penny announced.
Max rushed off to the kitchen. Penny walked over to Sebastian and hugged him.
“Are you happy, Pen?” Sebastian asked.
“I’ve never been more happy in my life,” she replied.
Sebastian squeezed her tightly. “I’m so happy for you. You’ll make a beautiful bride.”
Soon Max was back with a bottle of champagne and a white grape juice for Mattie. They toasted Max and Penny’s upcoming nuptials and talked about wedding plans and Sebastian and Tess' trip to Paris. By eight o’clock, Mattie was tired. She rested her head on Sebastian’s lap.
“Too much excitement this weekend. I think we better get her home to bed,” Sebastian said, glancing over at his wife.
Tess nodded in agreement and everyone stood to say their goodbyes. She grabbed Mattie’s suitcase while Sebastian scooped his daughter up in his arms. Max and Penny waved farewell standing in the open doorway of the townhouse as the family got into a cab to head home.
Her daughter barely moved as Tess took off her dress and put Mattie in her pajamas. Sebastian tucked her into bed and turned out the light. “Maybe we should give her to Max and Penny more often if they can wear her out like this,” he mused as he and Tess walked to their bedroom.
“I’m so happy they like her,” Tess admitted as she began to undress. “I never could have imagined she’d transition to the move this well.”
“You’ve done a fine job yourself,” Sebastian complimented as he tossed his tie and shirt over the chair. He walked over to his wife, pulled her into an embrace, and gave her a sweet and tender kiss.
“A wedding—isn’t it wonderful? Penny will get her happy ending, too,” Tess sighed, leaning into Sebastian’s bare chest.
“It’s very quick, but I believe Max truly loves her and Penny seems over the moon, so why not have a wedding?” he conceded.
“Gee, if you could show any more enthusiasm, I just might die,” she teased.
“I’m English. I don’t show enthusiasm,” Sebastian warned.
“Nonsense! I’ve seen your enthusiasm in our bed,” she replied, pulling him toward the mattress.
“Oh, well, that’s a different matter altogether,” he smirked as he fell on top of her and kissed her.
In the morning, Sebastian made scrambled eggs and toast for his girls. Tess finished her plate and gave kisses to her husband and daughter before setting off to work. Once he and Mattie were alone, she asked, “What shall we do today, Daddy?”
“I don’t know, love. What were you thinking?”
“Let’s go shopping and buy Uncle Max and Aunt Penny a present.”
“What type a present?”
“Something romantic.”
“What do you know about romance?” Sebastian inquired, yet again amazed at the young girl’s vocabulary.
“Romance is kissing. You and Mummy are always kissing.”
“That’s because I love your mummy very much.”
“Uncle Max and Aunt Penny are in love, too.”
“So it appears they are.” Sebastian stood from the table and reached for Mattie’s breakfast plate. “Why don’t you go get dressed and we’ll head over to Fortum and Mason and see what we can find?”
“Yay! Can we have tea there, too?”
“You’re turning into a regular English lass, aren’t you?” he grinned. “Get going.”
Sebastian cleaned the dirty dishes and glanced at the card that Alistair had given him last week, which was sitting on the counter. He’d been contemplating giving Alistair a call, but wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do. He was too old to get involved in the mayhem they used to live. Actually, it wasn’t his age but his maturity that prevented him from wanting to get involved in that lifestyle again. Alistair was still the darling of the gossip papers—currently dating a very tall, leggy, blonde, South African model.
Mattie walked back into the room wearing a blue cotton dress and her black Mary Jane shoes, and carrying a small purse
that Penny had bought her. “I’m ready.”
“You look very lovely today, Mattie,” her father observed. “Why aren’t you wearing jeans?”
“Daddy, we’re going to tea. I have to dress properly.”
Sebastian chuckled to himself as he grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the kitchen chair. “Off we go, then.”
They walked into Fortum and Mason at 181 Piccadilly, the three-hundred-year-old store looking bright and inviting. Mattie walked over to the sweets counter and marveled at the various confectionary treats. “We should get some chocolate for Mummy,” she said, looking up at Sebastian.
“Yes, she would like that, wouldn’t she? Let’s go upstairs and find Aunt Penny’s gift first.” He guided Mattie up the stairs to the first floor of the department store, where the cook shop, china, and silver were displayed.
Mattie wandered about with great fascination, Sebastian by her side. Finally, she stopped in front of a table of picture frames. “I like that one,” she said, pointing at an eight by ten ornate floral sterling frame.
Sebastian picked it up to inspect it closer. “You really like this one?”
“Yes, they can put their wedding picture in it.”
“I think it’s a fine gift.”
The sales associate rang up the sale and gift-wrapped the frame for them. Mattie insisted on carrying the light green shopping bag as they took the lift to The Fountain restaurant for tea. They sat at a table for two near the window. Sebastian placed their order then turned to his daughter. “So tell me about your weekend at the castle.”
“Uncle Max bought me an outfit to ride my pony.”
“I don’t think it’s your pony, darling.”
“Uncle Max said it was.”
“I think you love Uncle Max more than you love me,” he playfully pouted.
Mattie got down from her chair and walked over to Sebastian and hugged him. “I love you more than anyone in the world, Daddy.”
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. It had been a long time since he’d heard that phrase. It brought back wonderful memories of Nanny Jones. “And I you, Mattie.”
London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series Page 7