Love This Life: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2

by Theresa Troutman

  Sebastian opened the front door of Sigourney’s brownstone on Park Avenue. Tess entered first, then Sebastian. The sounds of Mozart filled the vestibule. They walked into the sitting room to find Sigourney seated at the piano. She stopped when she noticed her brother and Tess enter the room.

  “Hello! I’m so happy you came to visit,” Sigourney announced, standing up from the piano and rushing over to give her brother and Tess hugs. “How have you been?”

  “Good,” Sebastian and Tess said simultaneously.

  “Sit down and I’ll make us a cocktail,” Sigourney said, walking to the drink trolley. She poured Sebastian his usual scotch and popped a bottle of champagne.

  “Champagne on a Saturday. What’s the occasion?” Sebastian asked.

  “Because I feel like it,” Sigourney replied, sitting down in the chair opposite her brother.

  “So Tess, how is NYU? Do you love it?”

  “It’s amazing. I love the city. I love the classes. I have a part-time job at the Strand.”

  “Ooh, they have the most amazing selection of books!” Sigourney agreed. She sat back in the chair and grinned at the couple. “It is so good to see you. It’s ridiculous we don’t get together more often when you live so close.”

  “You know it’s best this way. If Mother found out you were fraternizing with the enemy, you’d be in a heap of trouble. I won’t subject you to that, Sigourney.”

  “I can take care of Mummy.”

  “I’d rather you not have to do that,” Sebastian remarked.

  “How are things at Juilliard?” Tess asked, changing the subject. “You’ll graduate this year. What will you do when you finish?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I’ve been thinking of applying to the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. I love living here in New York, but sometimes I do miss London.”

  “Tess and I were just talking about studying abroad next year.”

  “You should do it, Tess. You’ll have a natural born tour guide with Sebastian in tow.”

  “What are we having for dinner?” Sebastian asked. They had skipped lunch and his stomach was beginning to rumble.

  “Sushi for you and me, Chinese take-away for Tess.” As if on cue, the doorbell rang. “There it is now. Excuse me.” Sigourney left the room to answer the door.

  They ate, laughed, and played cards after dinner. The grandfather clock chimed nine o’clock. Tess yawned. “We should get going, Sebastian.”

  “Don’t go. I’m having such a good time,” Sigourney pleaded. “Spend the night.”

  Sebastian looked a Tess for her approval. “Okay. I’d like that,” Tess agreed.

  Sigourney clapped her hands with delight and poured Tess more champagne. They played another round of cards and Tess begged off sleep for one more hour. Finally, at ten o’clock, she hugged Sigourney goodnight.

  Sebastian escorted Tess upstairs to the bedroom she had slept in the very first time he had brought her here—only this time, he was sleeping with her. They took off their clothes and crawled into bed naked. Tess curled up in Sebastian’s arms. “I had a wonderful day. Thank you.”

  “You know what the best part is?” he asked, caressing her soft skin. “I don’t have to sleep in the bed down the hall.”

  Tess chuckled at the memory. “That next morning you overslept and I found you naked in bed. I so wanted to climb into bed with you instead of going to the art museum.”

  “Well, here we are,” Sebastian teased, covering her mouth with his. “Please tell me you can stay awake just a little while longer?”

  “I think I can be persuaded.”

  Chapter 4 - To Turn You On

  “Tess,” Dan called out as he spotted her in the crowded hallway.

  Tess turned around and searched the flow of people that streamed by her.

  “Good morning,” Dan greeted when he finally caught up with her.

  At that moment a male student rushed toward them, running down the hall to make a class, and bumped into Dan. He lost his balance and stumbled forward into Tess. Dan’s body was pinning hers against the wall.

  “Oh,” Tess gasped, surprised by the sudden movement, her heart racing.

  Dan looked over his shoulder, but the student was out of sight. He looked back at Tess. She held Dan’s gaze, her breath labored, their lips just inches apart. “Sorry about that,” Dan said.

  Tess didn’t respond. She stood stone still. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating.

  Dan politely moved away from Tess. Straightening his posture, he said very quietly, “I guess we should get to class.”

  Tess slowly nodded in agreement. She began to walk toward class, but never uttered a word.

  Tess sat in the lecture hall next to Dan. The event in the hallway had shaken her. She was excited by the close proximity they shared and her brain wandered. What would it be like to kiss Dan? How could she be attracted to Dan when she was in love with Sebastian? The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt.

  When class ended, Tess stood up from her chair and rushed out of the lecture hall without a word to Dan. Sebastian only had one class that day and then he was heading to the art gallery to work. Maybe it was a good thing for Tess to spend the day alone; she needed to get some fresh air and try to sort out her conflicted feelings.

  Pushing open the glass door, she walked out into the crisp fall weather. Instinctively, she wrapped her scarf around her neck and headed to the coffee shop down the street.

  It was packed with NYU students. Tess ordered a hot chocolate. When her drink was prepared, she paid the cashier and headed out of the shop, walking toward Washington Square.

  The square was bustling with students. It seemed like Tess was never going to find a quiet spot to think. She sat on a park bench, clutching her hot beverage to warm her hands. The next week was Thanksgiving. Where had the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday that Sebastian and Tess were graduating high school. Tess smiled as she thought of Sebastian. He had become the most important person in her world. She loved him; it was as simple as that. Why, then, did she find it hard to concentrate when she was around Dan? Surely, she couldn’t be attracted to him while being in love with Sebastian. Maybe it was just infatuation? That must be it, because Tess would never intentionally do something to ruin the relationship she was building with Sebastian.

  After her last class, Tess retreated to the library to wait for Sebastian. He was picking her up after his shift at the gallery. She tried to focus on her textbook, but found herself continually reading the same line over and over again, without comprehension.

  The shadow of a man cast over her and she looked up, expecting to see Sebastian.

  “I’ve been looking for you all day. Have you been avoiding me?” Dan asked as he took a seat next to her.

  “Yes,” Tess admitted.

  “Why?”

  “I needed some time alone to think.”

  “About what?” a confused Dan asked.

  “It’s been a long day. Can we talk some other time? Sebastian should be here shortly to pick me up.”

  “I don’t understand. What did I do wrong, Tess?”

  Tess loudly exhaled the breath she had been holding in. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Dan,” she explained, avoiding eye contact.

  Dan wouldn’t let it go. He lifted her chin with his hand and forced her to make eye contact with him. “You are upset about this morning, when I took you in my arms in the hallway. I didn’t mean to do that. That guy pushed me into you.”

  “I know. Honestly, I’m not upset with you.” Tess stood up from the chair, looking for an escape route.

  Dan stood up, too. He took a step closer to Tess.

  Tess stepped back, trying to keep her distance, but ended up with her back against a bookshelf. She didn’t want to be in this position, because as much as she wanted to run away from Dan, she had an equal desire to run to him.

  Dan must have sensed her indecision. He took one more step forward. He was s
o close to her that she could feel his breath on her skin and smell the peppermint in his mouth. He held her gaze as he leaned his forehead against hers. The tips of their noses touched as Dan moved his lips to touch hers. The kiss was slow and tentative at first, then Tess’ arms curled around Dan’s neck and their kiss deepened.

  When Tess returned to her senses, she pushed Dan away. Her trembling hand flew up to cover her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. “This was so wrong,” she sputtered. “Don’t ever kiss me again.”

  “You were kissing me back, Tess. Don’t deny it. You felt something, too.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I love my fiancé.”

  “Oh, so now he’s your fiancé? Before he was just a boyfriend.”

  “He was always my fiancé.”

  * * *

  Sebastian headed for the corner of the library, where Tess liked to study. He hadn’t seen her since that morning and missed her terribly. As Sebastian turned left and walked down the science aisle, he found Tess embracing another man, kissing him passionately. It was Dan Miller. Sebastian made a hasty retreat from the library, back into the hall, and then sat down on a wooden bench. Taking a few deep breaths, he folded his hands, propped his elbows on his thighs, and rested his forehead on his fists. He forced down the queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. Tess, his fiancée, couldn’t have found comfort in another man’s arms.

  A few minutes later, Tess and Dan walked out into the hall. When she noticed Sebastian, the color drained from her face. She turned to her paramour and said something so softly, Sebastian couldn’t make out what it was. He willed himself to remain on the bench. His heart wanted to lunge forward and beat the guy to a pulp. His mind stopped him. Sebastian needed to get the story from Tess. God knows he was no saint, and Tess had forgiven him so many times over the course of their relationship, he owed her this consideration.

  Dan took off in the opposite direction. Sebastian stood as Tess cautiously approached him. He resolved not to show any hurt or anger. “Are you ready to go home?” he asked, his voice void of emotion.

  Tess nodded, her eyes focused on the floor, avoiding Sebastian’s stare. They walked to the subway station in silence. He let Tess board first. She took the last empty seat in the car, while Sebastian stood near the door.

  Once they exited the subway station, they made their way on foot to the ferry terminal. On deck, Tess leaned into Sebastian and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

  Sebastian acknowledged her with a brief nod of his head. He couldn’t do this in public, afraid he would either fly into a rage or break down and cry. Not liking either option, he decided to remain silent.

  * * *

  They walked through the front door of the condo. Sebastian let out the loud breath that he’d been holding in. He threw his jacket over the back of the kitchen chair and sat down. “Please explain to me what happened. I’ve spent the last hour going over it again and again in my mind, and I can’t sort it out.”

  He was so calm and in control, Tess wanted to hit him. Wasn’t he angry or jealous? Anything would be better than this man with no emotion sitting in front of her. She’d betrayed him and he didn’t deserve it. What the hell was wrong with her? She fell to her knees and took his hands. “Just yell at me already. I know I deserve it.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “No!” she cried.

  “Okay, I forgive you.”

  “What?” She was confused by his simple reply. She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand. “I don’t understand.”

  “You were curious about kissing another man. I’m the only one you’ve ever been with. It makes sense. God knows I had a lot of experience before I settled down with you.” He paused for a moment, then quickly added, “But if you’d like me to beat the shit out of that guy, I’d be more than happy to oblige.”

  Sebastian left her dumbfounded. “I—No, don’t beat him up. It’s my fault. I let him kiss me.” She gaped at him, astonished.

  “Did you sleep with him?” The question nagged at the back of his mind and he needed to know.

  Tess furiously shook her head back and forth. “No, you’re the only one.”

  “Then it’s settled.”

  “I won’t see him again. I promise, Sebastian.”

  “You have classes with him. You can’t make that promise. I’d prefer to trust you won’t be tempted to do it again.”

  Tears began to run down her cheeks once more. “I love you so much. Please, hold me.”

  Sebastian pulled Tess into his lap and tucked her head under his chin, gently kissing the top of her head. “I love you, too. You’re my world. Please don’t leave me, I’d be lost without you,” he told her, his voice soft and sincere.

  Tess sniffled into his chest and then looked up into his eyes. “I can’t imagine my world without you, either.”

  Sebastian removed the handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit and offered it to Tess. She gratefully accepted and dabbed the tears from her red-rimmed eyes.

  “I’ll do anything to make this up to you, just name it,” Tess said. She looked at Sebastian and tried to read his blank expression. She was at a loss. All she could think to do was kiss him, so she did, pouring all the emotion she felt into it. Sebastian kissed her back. Her heavy heart felt a little lighter. She began pulling on his tie in an attempt to undress him.

  Sebastian broke the kiss and gently pushed her back. “No, not tonight. Not like this.”

  “I don’t understand,” Tess said in a haze of confusion.

  “I love you, Tess, but I won’t make love to you when you have another man on your mind.” Sebastian brought them both into a standing position. “I’ll sleep in the guest bedroom tonight. You have a lot to think about.” He kissed her on the cheek and left Tess standing alone in the living room, feeling crestfallen and bewildered.

  * * *

  Sebastian sat in the guest bed, attempting to read a book. It was to no avail: he couldn’t get the image of Tess in Dan’s arms out of his mind. Slamming the book closed, Sebastian tossed it on the floor in disgust. Why was Tess attracted to the American? What qualities could Dan possibly possess that would make him a better fit with Tess than Sebastian? He would stand by her and continue to love her, but not physically. Sebastian believed her remorse, but he couldn’t bring himself to make love to her tonight. Tess’ emotions were still too conflicted and Sebastian felt he had to guard his heart lest she break it into a million tiny little pieces.

  There was a light rap on the door. Tess entered without waiting for an invitation. “Can we talk?” she asked quietly, padding toward the bed. She pulled back the navy duvet and climbed into bed with Sebastian.

  “It’s two in the morning, Tess. Do you really want to do this right now?” Sebastian asked wearily, pushing his fingers through his brown hair.

  “I can’t sleep without you in our bed,” Tess explained.

  “Neither can I.”

  “I’m going to talk to Dan and tell him I’m committed to you and our relationship. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m going to make it right.”

  Sebastian fidgeted under the covers. “Maybe you should explore your feelings for him and have a new experience before we get married.”

  Tess shook her head in disbelief. “What are you saying, Sebastian?”

  “Maybe you should sleep with him; see what you’re missing.”

  Tess gave him an incredulous look. “Excuse me?”

  “If you want to have sex with him, then do it.”

  “Where is this coming from? Earlier tonight you offered to beat Dan up. Now you want me to sleep with him?”

  “I still want to pulverize him, Tess. But I’ve been thinking, you’re so naïve when it comes to sexual partners—I’m the only lover you’ve ever had. Maybe some part of you needs to experience someone different. Maybe that experience will make you realize that we were mean
t to be together.”

  “I couldn’t cheat on you. You mean too much to me.”

  “It wouldn’t be cheating if I agreed to the liaison.”

  “You want an open relationship?” Tess all but shouted.

  “No, I don’t want anyone else but you. You, however, have feelings for this person. I’m worried you’ll grow to resent me if you don’t explore your feelings for Dan Miller. Years from now, I don’t want you to look at me and think, ‘Why am I with Sebastian when I had an opportunity to be with Dan?’’’

  Tess took Sebastian’s hand. “Can’t we just make love? I want to show you how I feel about you.”

  Sebastian gave her a melancholy smile. “I can’t make love to you right now, because in the back of my mind I’ll be wondering if you’re thinking of him.”

  “Ouch, that hurt,” she said regarding his stinging comment.

  “I’m just being honest. We promised that to each other. Think about what I said. I’ll stand by you no matter what decision you make. I love you, Tess.”

  “Can I at least sleep here with you tonight?” she asked, her head bowed in shame.

  “Yes, darling, you can stay here.” Sebastian turned out the lamp on the bedside table and lay down. Tess snuggled in close to him, draping her arm over his stomach. Fifteen minutes later, Sebastian felt a change in the rhythm of Tess' breathing and knew she had fallen asleep. He was exhausted, too many thoughts ricocheting around his head. Giving her his blessing to have sex with Dan may have been the stupidest thing he had ever done, but he felt he had no other choice. Ultimately this decision belonged to Tess, and all Sebastian could do was wait for her to decide.

  Chapter 5 - Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime

  Tess stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. There were dark circles under her eyes and her complexion was pale. You look like hell, she thought to herself. She attempted to make herself look presentable, applying makeup—heavy on the concealer—and dressing in a new pair of denim jeans, a camel-colored cashmere sweater, and a pair of leather boots. One last glance in the mirror confirmed that she could do little else to help her appearance, so she turned the light off and walked to the kitchen.