Crave (Splendor Book 2)

by Janet Nissenson

  Tessa wore an eight and a half, and the nude Christian Louboutin pumps fit her to perfection. Marlene showed her the other items Ian had selected for her to wear this evening - a butter-soft leather handbag in a coordinating shade to the shoes, and a luxurious camel-colored cashmere coat lined in a satiny fabric.

  Tessa was seemingly fascinated by the coat, touching the soft fabric. “It looks so warm,” she marveled. “The weather has been so cold these past few weeks.”

  Marlene wondered if the thin raincoat could possibly be the girl’s only coat. There was no other reasonable explanation why she would have worn it on a bitingly cold but otherwise clear day. “Its pure cashmere, dear, and a Burberry. One of the finest coats we sell here. He wanted only the best for you.”

  Tessa smiled. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”

  “I think he feels the same way about you, Tessa,” replied Marlene gently. “Now, why don’t we get you out of that dress so I can measure your bra size. Then Mr. Gregson has arranged some other, ah, services for you.”

  A quick check with the tape measure confirmed that Tessa’s bra was indeed a full cup size too small, which clearly explained why she’d almost been falling out of the black lace garment. While she slipped back into her own black pumps, Marlene handed her a belted smock, the kind used in hair salons and spas.

  “You can leave your things here, Tessa. I’ll lock the room while you’re gone and you can come back and change afterwards,” assured Marlene. “Follow me now, we’re just going up one floor.”

  Marlene left her charge off at the in-store salon, where she was to have a blow-out, a mani-pedi, and a makeup application. When Tessa returned to the dressing room nearly two hours later, she looked a bit dazed but even more beautiful - her skin glowing, her blonde hair smooth and shiny, her nails buffed and covered in pale pink polish.

  She helped Tessa dress, satisfied with the fit of the pale blue lace bra and panties, and with the new pair of sheer nude thigh-highs. After Tessa was zipped up into the dress and wearing her new shoes, Marlene added the finishing touches - a sapphire pendant suspended from a dainty gold chain, and a matching pair of drop earrings.

  “These aren’t real sapphires, are they?” asked Tessa with what sounded like panic.

  “They are, yes. Don’t worry, Tessa, they’re insured. And the necklace has a very secure clasp so you can’t possibly lose it.”

  “It’s not that.” Tessa’s big blue eyes grew shiny with tears. “This is all just a little overwhelming. I feel like Cinderella.”

  Marlene laughed. “And you look like her, too. You’re a beautiful girl, Tessa, and Mr. Gregson is going to be speechless when he sees you. He’ll be very pleased.”

  That seemed to do the trick as Tessa looked to Marlene for assurance. “You really think so?”

  Marlene nodded. “I know so, dear. He was very anxious earlier today for you to like the things he chose. I’ve rarely see a man take the sort of care he did. Now, come. It’s time to dazzle him.”

  Chapter Four

  Ian discreetly pulled back the sleeve of his shirt to check the time on his Cartier watch. It was still a few minutes before six-thirty, but he’d arrived at Neiman Marcus a bit early in the hopes that Tessa would already be finished with the salon treatments he had arranged for her. He’d been waiting for this moment with ill-concealed impatience ever since she’d left his office earlier today.

  After his doubts of last evening, he had breathed a huge sigh of relief after finally seeing Tessa today. In fact, her response to him had been well beyond his wildest expectations. She was still shy and uncertain, and he couldn’t be too aggressive with her, but he was overjoyed to discover that the attraction between them was very mutual. He had never envisioned making this much progress so quickly, and was looking forward to speeding up the very enjoyable process of seducing his golden girl. How many times had he fantasized about this - taking her out to dinner and then quite possibly to his bed.

  But, no, he couldn’t push her. Despite her eager response to his advances and her shy admittance of being attracted to him, Ian could still sense her uncertainty and inexperience, behavior that seemed odd for a soon-to-be divorced woman. He wondered if Peter had been her only boyfriend, her only sexual partner, which could explain her shyness around other men.

  And while he would love nothing better than to bring Tessa home with him tonight and finally make her his, he wasn’t going to rush things. The last thing he intended to do at this point was to scare her off and ruin his chances with her. He’d waited this long, surely his patience could last a while longer.

  But his good intentions were all dashed to hell when he saw her emerge from the dressing room, Marlene Brennan trailing in her wake. Ian froze as he got a good look at Tessa, and his heart caught in his throat at just how beautiful she looked.

  The blue dress, almost exactly the same shade as the one she’d worn to the office Christmas party, clung in all the right places and made her look svelte and sexy while still shrieking class. Her breasts looked higher and rounder, and he wondered how she looked in the seductive blue lace bra he’d selected for her, as well as the tiny matching panties. His erection began to throb painfully and he groaned in silence, realizing it was going to be a damned long night ahead if he kept up this train of thought.

  Tessa was glowing - there was really no other word for it. Her lovely face didn’t actually need cosmetics, but the makeup artist had done an excellent job with the subtle application she’d given her. His gaze lingered on the soft pink gloss on her lips, and how her eyes seemed even bigger and bluer than usual. Her hair was shiny and smooth, falling in a straight, glossy fall down her shoulders and back. The sapphires he’d chosen to go with the dress were just right, not too large or showy.

  She was smiling as she reached him, standing a couple of inches taller than usual with the added height from her new shoes.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly.

  Ian grinned at her, absurdly proud of how striking she looked and how happy she seemed. “Hi, yourself, darling. You look gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. I assume you like the dress?”

  She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, and his skin burned from the contact. “It’s beautiful. All of it. Thank you so much, I love everything. But it’s way too much, you know, especially the sapphires. You didn’t -”

  He placed a finger over her lips, careful not to muss the pink gloss. “I know I didn’t. But it gives me just as much pleasure to buy you things as it does for you to receive them. So indulge me, hmm? I’ve waited a very long time to be able to do these things.”

  Tessa nodded. “Okay. Just - thank you.”

  He couldn’t resist wrapping an arm around her waist and hugging her close. He buried his face in her hair, which smelled like vanilla and spice. “It was my pleasure, love. Especially when I see how happy my little gift has made you. Are you ready to leave now?”

  “I just need to get my coat and bag,” she assured him, and turned to face Marlene.

  Ian took the cashmere coat from the personal shopper and held it open for Tessa. He smiled as she buttoned up the coat and then snuggled the collar more closely around her neck.

  “I really love this,” she said guilelessly. “I’ve never, ever had anything so nice before. Or so warm.”

  He leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Careful, or I might find myself getting jealous of a coat. Though I admit it’s a big improvement over that bloody raincoat.”

  Tessa laughed, and took the Coach handbag from Marlene. The older woman was also carrying a large paper shopping bag which she handed to Tessa.

  “This has all the things you were wearing when you arrived,” she explained.

  “I’ll take that,” offered Ian, thinking of how much he longed to burn the damned raincoat that he could see folded on top of the bag. “And I must thank you for taking such excellent care of Tessa. I didn’t think perfection could be improved upon, but I believe I’ve been proven wrong. She looks - breathtaking
.”

  Marlene smiled. “She certainly does. And the two of you make quite an attractive pair if I may say so. You’ll certainly have every eye in the place on you, wherever you might be headed this evening.”

  Ian shook her hand. “My thanks again, Mrs. Brennan. You’ve outdone yourself. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of Tessa before too long.”

  “It would be my pleasure, Mr. Gregson,” replied Marlene smoothly. “She’s been a joy to work with, and I would adore the opportunity to help her in the future.”

  “Thank you for everything,” Tessa told Marlene, giving her a shy hug. “I’m sorry if I was a lot of trouble.”

  “Dear, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed working with a customer more than I did today,” assured Marlene. “You were no trouble at all. And Mr. Gregson is right - you are breathtaking. Now go do me proud and dazzle everyone you see.”

  As Ian guided Tessa to the elevators, he wanted nothing more than to pull her in close for a long, deep kiss. But he was unfortunately all too aware of the curious pairs of eyes that followed them along, and he chose instead to merely keep a light hand on the small of her back. Once inside the elevator, which was occupied, much to his chagrin, he took hold of her hand as though they were teenagers, and received a bright smile in return from Tessa. Unable to resist her a moment longer, and not giving a damn who was looking, he pulled her against him for a soft, lingering kiss.

  When he lifted his head, the elevator was stopping at the ground floor, everyone around them was smiling indulgently, and Tessa’s eyes were as shiny as the sapphire at her throat.

  “Come along, darling,” he murmured, tucking her against his side. “Cinderella’s carriage awaits.”

  The “carriage”, of course, was the black town car that Ian utilized primarily for business purposes, or if he thought he might have a bit more than usual to drink at an event. He introduced Tessa to Simon, noticing as he did so that the chauffeur displayed not the slightest surprise at meeting his very beautiful - and very young - companion for the evening. Ian offered up a silent thanks that the silver-haired Welshman was as discreet as he was capable - not that Ian was in the habit of engaging in amorous activities in the backseat of the vehicle by any means. He was a firm believer in discretion, and that there was a time and a place for everything. He was too old now, and had always been too straight-laced, to ever seriously consider having sex in a public place or even his car. The privacy of his own home, or the owner’s suite at one of the company’s hotels was a different matter entirely. Especially if the blonde beauty currently snuggled against his side was closeted up in the room with him.

  He kept an arm about Tessa’s shoulders during the short drive to the restaurant. The top of her silky hair brushed up against his nose, and he inhaled deeply of the scent of her shampoo.

  “Your hair smells like cinnamon and vanilla,” he murmured, then pressed a kiss to her temple. He took a long, shiny strand of her hair between his fingers. “And it feels like silk.”

  Tessa nodded. “I love how soft and shiny it is right now. I’m such a klutz with a blow dryer that I could never get it to look like this. The stylist wanted to cut some of it, but we didn’t have enough time.”

  “Good.” He nuzzled his face into her hair. “I like your hair long.”

  She patted his arm reassuringly. “It was only going to be a couple of inches, just a trim. I like my hair long, too.”

  Ian captured her mouth in a soft kiss. “Then I’ll take you back to the salon soon when there’s more time. Or to any other salon you’d prefer if this one wasn’t to your liking.”

  “It was perfect,” she told him. “They treated me like a queen. Or a movie star. But I can’t let you keep doing things like that.”

  “Why not? I told you earlier today that I intended to spoil you, and I meant it.”

  Tessa looked uneasy. “I just don’t feel right letting you buy me all these things. I mean, I know I’ve worked for you for over two years but, well, we don’t really know each other.”

  He tucked her glossy hair behind one ear. “I know that, Tessa,” he said gently. “And I certainly don’t want to overwhelm you or make you feel uncomfortable. I think perhaps I’ve just wanted for so long now to be with you and take care of you that I’m probably coming on a bit too strong. We’ll take this as slowly as you want to, all right, love?”

  She nodded, then gave him an impish little grin. “Well, not too slowly.”

  Ian laughed and hugged her close. “I’ll let you call the shots then, shall I? Now, you haven’t asked me where we’re having dinner.”

  Tessa shrugged. “Anyplace you choose is fine with me. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with most of the restaurants in San Francisco, just the few little places in my neighborhood. And I’m guessing we aren’t going to Zen Sushi or El Toro Taqueria.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Your guess would be correct. I think we’d both be a bit overdressed for either of those fine establishments. No, this evening we’re dining at Le Mistral. Have you heard of it?”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Is it French?”

  He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Oui, mademoiselle. It’s very French and very romantic. And best of all, they have private dining rooms so that you and I can, ah, get to know each other.”

  Tessa had a wistful look on her face. “You speak French, don’t you? So does Julia. I heard her talking to Henri again the last time she was in the office.”

  “Yes, though my French is not quite as good as Julia’s. I also speak Italian and Spanish and some German and Portuguese.”

  She used her thumb to trace a little pattern over their clasped hands. “You’re so smart and accomplished. I love hearing you talk at meetings. Not that I always understand what’s being discussed, but I just like the sound of your voice.”

  Grateful for the unquestionable discretion of his chauffeur, Ian hauled her against him and gave her a deep, searing kiss, her softly spoken words far more arousing than he could properly express. At the sound of her low but audible moan, he reluctantly lifted his head, only to whisper in a husky tone, “I hope you’ll like hearing all the things I plan on saying to you when we’re alone. And I’ll be sure to say them in English so that you understand every single word.”

  He felt her quiver in arousal against him, and knew that if he slid his hand inside her coat he would find the hardened peak of her nipple.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered back. “Even if I can’t really understand you, I think hearing you speak French or Italian would be incredibly romantic. And sexy.”

  Ian groaned. “I fear that when I take you to my bed I’m going to forget my own damned name, much less how to say it in French.”

  Simon pulled up to the restaurant moments later, holding the back door open as Ian exited first, then assisted Tessa out. It was a chilly evening, and he smiled indulgently as she snuggled deeper into her new coat.

  “I’m developing a serious case of envy for that coat,” he grumbled as he opened the door to the restaurant.

  She giggled as she preceded him inside. “How can you be envious of a coat?”

  He slid his arms around her waist, hugging her back against his chest. “Because it’s wrapped around your body, and I’d give anything at this moment to change places with it.”

  He pressed a little closer against her buttocks, and he knew from the little gasp she made that she could feel the heavy ridge of his erection, even through the fabric of her coat. He was grateful that he was wearing a black wool overcoat of his own, which he quickly buttoned before approaching the host stand to hide his rather obvious arousal.

  Ian patronized this restaurant often enough that many of the staff knew him by name. Tonight the maître d’ himself - Victor - greeted Ian, who then introduced him to Tessa.

  “Welcome to Le Mistral, Mademoiselle,” greeted Victor as he shook Tessa’s hand. “I can guarantee that you will have the most wonderful meal of your life this evening. Now, if
you please, follow me to your table. You are in the Blue Room as requested, Monsieur Gregson.”

  The Blue Room was a small, private dining room that could hold up to a dozen guests comfortably. Ian had hosted a number of business dinners here, as well as entertained family members when they had visited. But for tonight he and Tessa would be the only occupants.

  As he took Tessa’s coat and hung it on the corner rack, he smiled to observe her reaction as she took in the truly fabulous interior of the private room. A fresco in blues and golds had been painted on the domed ceiling; the walls were papered in a blue and cream stripe; and the thick carpet beneath their feet was of a lush shade of blue. Ian was thankful to note that the large dining table that was usually in this room had been temporarily moved out and replaced with a much smaller, more intimately sized one. It was set with pristine white linens, exquisite blue floral china, gleaming flatware, and fine crystal, the high backed chairs upholstered in a pale blue fabric.

  Tessa’s eyes were wide with wonder as she turned to him. “This is so lovely. Like a palace. I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”

  Her heartfelt confession tugged at his emotions, and he feared he was going to continue discovering just how little Tessa had experienced or been given in her life thus far.

  “I’m glad you like it,” was all he said in reply. “I entertain business associates here quite a lot, and the food is just about the best in the city. And,” he added, “there’s the extra bonus of these private rooms. I doubt we’d run into anyone from the office here this evening but it’s always a possibility.”

  “Oh.” Tessa bit her bottom lip, as though that thought hadn’t occurred to her until now. “You’re sure it’s all right?”

  “Yes, it’s fine. Not to mention that Victor is extremely discreet and would never dream of telling anyone that I was here this evening. We’ll need to talk some about how we’re going to have to conduct ourselves around the office, but that can keep. For now, let’s have a seat, shall we?”