“I don’t mind. It’s been very difficult, almost brutal, but the last three or four months have been a little bit better.”
“How long were you married?”
“Twenty-five years.”
“Twenty-five years? Shit, that’s a long time” Lisa’s eyes were full of sadness.
Tess had seen the familiar expression so many times over the last year.“It’s been hard.” Tess admitted openly, feeling an instant bond with Lisa.
“What do your kids think about you being Tommy’s girlfriend?”
“Well, my youngest daughter JC was fine, but Tracy acted like I was running off with Lucifer himself.” Tess rolled her eyes. “Last year was horrible for all of us.”
“Tommy worried that they might be upset. I don’t mean to be nosy, I’m just curious. Tommy hoped your conversation would go well.”
Tess realized immediately it was Lisa’s personality to say whatever was on her mind. “She’s concerned and all of my kids are very protective.”
Lisa’s eyes narrowed into a squint, as if contemplating Tess’ situation. “So, have you dated anyone else since you lost your husband?”
“No.” Tess shook her head.
“Are you telling me that you haven’t been with another man in twenty-five years until you met Tommy?” Lisa asked candidly.
It was beginning to feel like twenty questions. Tess figured Lisa wondered what Tom was getting himself into. “Nope.”
“Wow.” Lisa filled their wine glasses. She raised her glass to Tess. “I hope they give Tommy a chance. He’s a great guy. And he obviously cares about you.”
Unable to utter one word, Tess’ gaze drifted to the counter. She didn’t want assume anything from Lisa’s opinion, cares about you. No doubt she looked pathetically confused as she took a long sip of her wine and then another. She eventually raised her eyes, only to see Lisa staring at her with a wide smile. It suddenly became very apparent to Tess that their vacation was completely outside the norm for Tom.
“Let’s go in the other room.” Lisa draped her arm around Tess, leading her out of the kitchen.
The four of them hung out in the living room for hours talking about work and what roles they were looking at. Tess and Lisa chatted about her restoration project. Tom and Benny were discussing agents and publicists. Tom sounded unhappy with his. Tess curled up next to Tom, almost falling asleep on the couch, so they said good night.
Tom held her hand as they walked outside to a private cottage at the back of a beautiful hidden garden. The guesthouse came complete with a gorgeous rock fireplace tucked in the corner and a wrought iron headboard with grapevine scrolls running through it.
They undressed and climbed into bed. “Did you have a nice time tonight? I knew you’d like Lisa.”
“I had a great time and I do like her. She’s very outspoken. You and Benny seem like brothers. Lisa called her boy Tommy. Is he named after you?”
Tom smiled proudly. “He is named after me. I love their kids. Benny’s closer to me than my brother is. We met on set about sixteen years ago and we’ve been friends ever since. I’m sorry about your girls. I don’t want this to be a problem for them, or for you.”
“My kids will be fine. I think my biggest problem is me. I feel so damned guilty sometimes.” Relief flooded over her as she said the words out loud.
“I can tell when you’re feeling bad,” he said despondently, delicately tracing the curve of her face with his fingers. “I see it in your eyes, Tess.”
“Tom, please don’t be upset if I’m struggling with this, with us. It doesn’t have anything to do with my feelings toward you.” Tess smiled, biting her lip. “I’m enjoying myself with you.”
“I’m enjoying myself too, but I don’t want you to feel guilty when you’re with me. You try to hide it with your smile. As a matter-of-fact, you’re doing right now.” He touched his hand to her heart as they laid on their sides, staring at each other. “I can feel your sadness.”
“Sorry. I’m not very good at hiding my emotions,” she admitted.
“For the record, I’m not very good at sharing my emotions. Although, I seem to have no problem being open and honest with you. Our discussions over the last two weeks are probably the deepest conversations I’ve had in I don’t know how long. Maybe ever. All I’m saying is that I want you to be happy with me.”
“I am happy.” Tess blushed, pausing as she played with his fingers. “It’s more as if I never expected to date again. I thought I had my good luck. I never expected to find anyone who even turned my head. After being married for so many years, sometimes it feels like I’m being unfaithful. Like I’m cheating on Richard. Believe me, I don’t want to feel that way, but I can’t help it.”
Tom wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. “Richard was a lucky man.”
She nuzzled his neck, taking in the scent of his cologne. “Thank you for understanding.”
Tess’ eyes were getting heavy, but she wanted to ask him about the girlfriend comment. She sat up and turned on the light, wanting to see his eyes. Her arms folded across her chest, waiting for an answer to a question she hadn’t even asked yet.
“What?” Tom said innocently, struggling not to smile.
“You know what I want to know. Don’t act all coy with me. You know exactly what I’m thinking.” She couldn’t hide the playfulness that filled her heart.
“What?” he repeated, sitting up beside her.
“Your poor friends, I thought I was going to have to pick their mouths up off the floor myself. They probably think you’ve gone mad from extreme heat in Bora Bora.”
“Do you mind if I introduce you as my girlfriend?” he asked with a sexy grin as he unfolded her arms, holding her hands in his.
“No, I rather like it. I don’t think they were ready for it.”
“Tess, I feel like you’re my girlfriend, and you’re right, I’m sure they were never expecting you.”
“Tom, can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever dated anyone with kids?”
“No, I haven’t.”
She hesitated, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer to her next question. “Do you date women my age?”
“Honestly, I haven’t in a long time, but I don’t want it to hurt your feelings. Your age doesn’t matter to me. Look at you. You look fantastic. I find you incredibly sexy, not to mention witty, sarcastic, smart, athletic and adventurous, but as we learned tonight there’s obviously a lot I don’t know about you.” Tom gazed into her eyes. “You're younger than me, Tess. I’m forty-nine.”
“I don’t mind being forty-four. I’m feeling exceptionally good about myself at the moment. Besides, I’m much better now than I was in my twenties or my thirties.” They snuggled in each other’s arms, drifting off to sleep.
Tom was up early and out of the guesthouse. When Tess woke up she headed over to the villa and could hear music playing down a long stone corridor. As soon as she got close enough, the thumping music sounded familiar. Lisa and Benny’s kids were playing Rock Band. Tess loved to play with her kids and their friends. It dawned on her, they hadn’t played in over a year. When I get home, things are going to change.
Tess peeked into the room. Tom, Tommy, and Kim each had their stage roles down. Tom jammed out on the guitar, Tommy sounded good on the drums and Kim stood on the sofa singing, swinging her long black wig around. Tom wore a pink headband, which she assumed Kim put on him because she was dressed in a rock-and-roller costume. Probably something she wore on Halloween. It was comical and a side of Tom she didn’t know existed.
Tess caught Tom’s eye as she stood in the doorway. Without missing a stroke on his guitar, he motioned her inside, introducing her to Tommy and Kim. Tommy resembled Benny with blonde hair and blue eyes, but Kim sported Lisa’s long blond hair and freckles on her nose and cheeks. Tom held Kim’s hand as she jumped down off the sofa. Tess smiled at the little girl when she beamed up at Tess batting he
r long dark lashes.
“Come rock out with us.” Tom snickered as if it were a challenge, assuming she wouldn’t play along.
“I’m usually the vocals at my house. Only because I can’t play the drums or the guitar,” she admitted.
Kim handed Tess the controller and she picked her favorite classic rock song. The little girl jumped up on the couch next to Tess to share the microphone. They sang together and Tess showed Kim how to beat the tambourine by tapping the microphone. Tess' heart melted when Kim climbed up on her hip so they could dance while they sang.
They were rocking out to their third song when she noticed Benny and Lisa standing at the doorway. Both looked completely stunned and very amused. The song ended and Benny and Lisa clapped loudly, mainly for Kim’s benefit. Tom teased Tess about her lovely vocals, calling her ‘superstar’ and Tess applauded his mad guitar skills. Tommy took a bow while Kim jumped on the sofa.
Tess grinned, shaking her head at Tom. “I can’t believe you don’t have kids.”
From the corner of her eye, Tess saw Benny and Lisa each glance at Tom for one split second and then carry on clapping.
Tess wasn’t sure what it meant, but there was definitely an unsaid glance shared between them. She acted as if she didn’t see anything, but curiosity saturated her thoughts. Maybe he does have a child. I never asked if he had children. I just assumed he didn’t have kids.
After finishing their last song, Tess gave Kim a piggyback ride to the end of the hallway. The little girl squeezed her around her legs before bolting down the hall.
Tom and Tess sat in the kitchen with Benny and Lisa. “Do you have plans today, Tommy?” Benny asked.
“I might take Tess shopping.” He looked her over nicely. “She came prepared for Bora Bora not Italy.”
“I thought the same thing when I was getting dressed this morning. I didn’t even pack any jeans, only shorts, tank tops and flip flops.”
“Shopping? I’ll take you shopping. I love this great little boutique I found about thirty minutes from here. You’ll love it!” Lisa offered.
Tess' face showed a hint of disappointment, and Lisa didn’t miss it.
“Jesus, Tess, I promise we won’t be gone all damn day. I’ll have you back in time so you can have him for dinner,” Lisa scoffed.
“Thanks.” Normally Tess never got embarrassed, but she blushed. She didn’t want to give up a day with Tom. Tess tried not to count how many days until she went home and longed to be with him as much as possible.
“I’m going to hop in the shower,” Tom said.
“I’ll change.” Tess chimed, holding his hand. “Lisa, I’ll be ready to go-”
“In about three hours.” Tom cut her off as they walked out the door.
“Fine, but you better not be too worn out to go shopping with me, Tess.” Lisa and Benny laughed.
Tom and Tess strolled back to the guesthouse. As soon as the door shut behind them, Tom pressed his body tightly to hers, pinning her against the wall. His lips fastened around hers, stealing the breath from her lungs. He raised her arms above her head, holding her wrists tightly with one hand. The pleasure of it sent her pulse rocketing through her veins.
He released his grip on her wrists and fervidly tugged at her clothing. “Were you afraid you’d miss me today?” he whispered before bearing his mouth down over hers.
Caught up in the heat of his hungry lips, she couldn’t answer, but nodded yes. She gently stroked his face with her fingers and kissed him deeply in return. Tom buried his face in her neck and she could feel him trembling beneath her fingers. Moans climbed from her throat and he greedily took her cries of longing into his mouth.
His dark eyes locked on hers and he grasped her upper arms, holding her to the wall. “I want you,” came a possessive growl from deep within him. His words spoken so powerful, it was as if he were trying to tell her something.
To her own surprise, the strength of his intense desire, flooded her with a fierce wave of arousal. She vehemently gripped the hair at the nape of his neck. “Then take me.”
Glancing at the bed, she stretched her leg to the side, her toes searching for the bedside table for support.
“We’re not going over there,” Tom flirted in a low rumble.
Clutching her firmly by the ribcage, he bent down taking hold of her nipple tenderly between his teeth and drawing it into the heat of his mouth. She balanced on her tippy toes as he squeezed firmly along the outside of her thigh, grabbing hold of her leg and drawing it up over his hip.
She fumbled blindly with the button of his jeans as his kisses became tender, brushing over her cheek, neck and throat. “I want you,” he whispered again, softly this time.
The gentleness of his voice made her tremble even more, making it nearly impossible of her to get his jeans off. “I’m trying.”
One brow bent into a touch of a frown as if she didn’t understand what he was trying to tell her. He reached down to help her with the fastening of his jeans. He nudged his hips forward and the hard length of him slid along the wetness of her skin, only teasing her with his ridge.
On the edge of peaking, she whimpered softly, “Please.”
He did it again and again, sliding against that one throbbing spot. Holding back, paying no attention to her pleads for more. “Not yet, Tess.” His deep sexy voice rumbled low in his chest.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she lifted her other leg around his hip, sinking onto him fully. Hot kisses trailed up her neck as he grabbed her ass. The strength of his hands and vigorous thrusts made her cry out with pleasure, securing her hands behind his neck for support.
Tess felt a connection with him like no other. Tom handled her tenderly, yet powerfully at the same time. How can this be? Oh God. He touches me just right and his mouth tastes so fucking good. I’ve never felt like this. I didn’t think it could be so good. Kiss him, Tess. Kiss him like you want to.
Letting go of her fears, guilt, and the sheer desire she’d been holding back, Tess planted her lips on his and kissed him with passion and hunger. Plunging her tongue deeper as she played with his, she ignited a new energy in him. The louder she moaned, the more dynamic he became, driving deeper into her very soul. A tear spilled down her cheek as she crested her peak again. Tom kissed her tenderly as his body convulsed and slumped heavily against her.
He wiped the tear from her cheek. “What’s wrong, Tess? Did I hurt you?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m sorry. You should’ve stopped me.”
“Stopped you? Are you kidding me! No, Tom. I’m not hurt. I just….I don’t even have the words. It keeps happening again and again and again.”
“I’ve never felt like this.” He pulled her onto the bed with him. “You are amazing.”
“I’m still shaking all over. My ears were ringing so loud I thought I might pass out.” She kissed his shoulder that glistened from sweat, tasting the salt on his skin.
He touched her body intimately, tracing every detail of it. “You’d better get ready or I’ll never hear the end of it from Lisa.”
She was getting dressed when she heard Tom say, “Tess.”
She waited for him to finish but he didn’t say anything. “Yes, Tom?”
“Nothing. I…I just wanted to say you look beautiful.”
It seemed as if he had something else to say, but again he held back.
“Thanks, I’m probably glowing.”
They ambled toward the door. “I want to give you some money to go shopping.” Tom handed her a stack of one hundred dollar bills.
Tess glanced at the money in shock. “No, thanks. I have my own money.”
“Tess, I’m not going to take no for an answer. I want to do this for you. Please take it. I had every intention of taking you shopping myself, but there’s no way Lisa will step aside.”
“Your money doesn’t matter to me. I don’t want you to think-”
“Tess, I understand what you’re saying, but I
already know you’re not using me for my money.” A smile crossed his face. “You’re using me for my body!”
“Well, at least you know where you stand.” She grinned playfully. “That’s a lot of money, Tom.”
“I know Lisa and you’ll probably need it. Please take it! I want to do this for you. Get whatever you want. Okay?”
“Thanks, but I still feel strange taking it.”
“One more thing, Tess, don’t let Lisa pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to. I love her to death, but she can be a little overbearing sometimes. She may try to bring you back with new lips, new boobs and a new ass,” he said, grabbing her butt.
“Hey, I like my boobs!”
“I do, too. And your lips and your ass. That’s why I’m warning you. I like you just the way you are.”
Benny and Lisa lounged on the sofa when they reemerged. “Bout time, I thought I might have to come down to the guest house and get you myself,” Lisa teased Tess and winked at Tom.
“I’m ready,” Tess said.
“Um hmm, I bet,” Lisa scoffed.
CHAPTER TEN
Tess and Lisa headed out the door, shopping for new attire fit for Italy. Restaurants, shops and boutiques lined the streets of the charming village, as well as several specialty shops. Tess bought a couple of pairs of jeans, several cute tops, and heels too. They enjoyed lunch at a great little sidewalk café and then ducked into the lingerie boutique across the street.
When they returned to the villa late in the afternoon, Tom and Benny were playing football in the yard with the kids. The different time zones were taking a toll on Tess. She needed to crash for an hour. Tom followed her to the guesthouse, telling her about his day playing with the kids and catching up with Benny.
“I love coming here. I can’t believe it’s been eight months since I’ve seen them.”
“Why did you wait so long to visit?”
“Work. My agent’s been keeping me too busy. Benny and Lisa do it right, they take time off. I haven’t had this much time off in years, probably since I first started in the business.”
No More Wasted Time Page 10