Tom sat in a chaise on the rooftop sipping wine. She quietly snuck up behind him, bending down to nibble on his ear. He leaned his head back, she kissed him softly, gently tugging on his bottom lip. Releasing his lip from her teeth, she raised her head and stood in front of him.
Through the darkness of the night, moonlight exposed her taut nipples and perfectly manicured tuft of dark hair through the sheer negligee. He admired her, not saying a word. Her heart pounded violently, waiting for him to say something, hoping he’d like it. His jaw tightened as he swallowed hard, sending a shiver over her skin.
“Damn.” He paused, swallowing hard again. “You look beautiful.”
Tom tried to stand up, but she laid her hand on his hard chest. “I like it up here,” she purred.
She straddled him, sitting backward on his lap. He caressed her back, unraveling the tension in her spine. He reached around to fondle her breasts through the sheer material. She drew in a hissing breath and whimpered at the soft tug on her nipple. She unzipped his jeans and slipped her fingers into the waistband, arching forward seductively to remove his jeans with her hands and teeth.
His searing breath tickled the small of her back. She moved out of reach of his wandering tongue, repositioning herself to face him.
“Do you remember what you told me our first night together?” she asked, leaving a trail of wet kisses down his neck.
“Yes.”
Her lips pulled to a smile as her tongue slid over her lips. “Tonight is all about you.”
Her mouth descended and she dragged her tongue over the taut bands of his rippling stomach. She explored every contoured detail, before wrapping her lips around the full length of him. Teasing him with delicate, moist strokes and flicks of her tongue, she peered up to find his dark eyes locked on her. She grinned going down, taking in inch-by-inch until she heard a low groan in his chest as he tugged at her arms.
Working her way back up to his mouth, she kissed him passionately. Her emotions rose to the surface and she stared through the darkness into his shadowed face, wondering if she had ever felt so powerful before. She didn’t know if it was the novelty of a being intimate with someone new, or the exploration and discovery of sensual need she thought would be gone forever, but this man unlocked something deep within her, a fervent connection that was empowering.
Tom’s long tapered fingers firmly gripped her hips, seeking admittance. She sat up high, wanting to make him wait, needing him to desire her as much as she craved to feel him. Her long hair fell down around her face as her eyes fixed on his. He stared at her in a way that made her feel as if he saw clear down into her soul. Her chest ached with a longing and the need to open up to him, but she couldn’t even explain her feelings to herself. She feared that if she tried, he’d disappear.
Tess knew she shouldn’t do it, telling herself repeatedly, he’s just a vacation. He’s just for fun. He’s just for incredibly good sex. She wouldn’t deny it anymore. She wouldn’t waste one more minute pretending. Tom wasn’t just a rendezvous and it wasn’t just sex. The passion and desire she felt for him was too intense. Tess made love to Tom. She knew it would cause her pain in a few days, but at that moment, it was perfect.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tess slept face down on the bed. Tom gently slipped the sheet back kissing the back of her thigh moving up to the small of her back.
“That tickles so much. Do you want me to put my outfit back on?” She twitched and giggled until goose bumps covered her skin.
Tom laid his body on top of hers, nuzzling her neck with his unshaven face. “I’m quite fond of it, but we have to get ready, sleepyhead. I have a meeting I need to take care of, so we need to get out of here. We can’t be late, Tess.”
A permanent grin covered her face as they drove toward the airport. She had no idea where they were heading and didn’t care, as long as she was with Tom.
“Are we leaving Italy?”
“We are.”
“I should’ve said goodbye to Lisa and Benny,” she said regretfully.
“You’ll see them again, I think. Otherwise, we would’ve both said goodbye.”
“Oh, I’m not meeting anyone you should warn me about, am I?”
“No. I need to take care of some business, so we’re going to have a quick lunch and then leave again.”
Tess thought Tom seemed a bit anxious boarding the plane. He fidgeted with his fingers and rubbed his knuckles over his jaw. “Is this really the first time you’ve taken off work for a long vacation?”
“For the most part. I take a week here and there all the time, but I needed to get away.”
“Why don’t you take time for yourself?” she asked curiously. He gave her an odd glance, as if it was the first time someone had ever asked him the question. “You don’t have to talk about it. I’m just wondering,”
“When I was younger, I took every script thrown at me because I never knew how long I would be on top. Now, after all these years, my agent and publicist are used to me taking on a heavy load. They’re accustomed to pushing me. I want to be more selective now, and they aren’t on the same page as me at the moment. It’s not them. It’s me. I’ve changed. They just haven’t caught up yet.”
“Doesn’t it really come down to your decision? I mean, they work for you right? What may have been ideal for you earlier in your career may not apply to you now. I know nothing about it but-”
“You make it sound so easy, but trust me, it’s not. It is my choice though, in the end.”
“Could it be, Tom Clemmins, that you don’t know how to say No to someone? It can’t possibly be that you need to work. It’s obvious you love acting but-”
“But what?” he asked with intrigue.
“I mean, my financial theory has always been, give some, save a lot and have fun with the rest. You can’t take it with you when you go, Tom.”
“You are one of the most laid back people I have ever met. I like that theory. Give some, save a lot, and have fun with the rest.”
“It’s true, isn’t it? I mean, I don’t have to go back to work if I don’t want to. What’s it going to get me? More money! But if I truly don’t need any more money, why do it?” Tess joked. “Maybe I should just go buy a shack on a beach somewhere.”
“You’re funny, Tess.”
“I’m glad you went on vacation. I’m having a wonderful time.”
“I am, too.” They both grinned. “We should be landing in a few minutes.”
“That was quick.”
Tess wasn’t sure where they had landed because the window shades were closed on the plane. Tom held her hand as they walked to the car, and she kissed him as the driver opened the door.
“Hi, Mom.” Tracy smiled softly.
“Hey, Mamacita!” JC giggled with excitement.
“What are you doing here?” She pulled her girls in for an airtight hug. Tess already knew the answer, looking at Tom. “I can’t believe you,” she said to Tom with a huge smile. “Seriously, how did you do this?” Tess shook her head, completely shocked to see her girls.
“Well, Tom called Tracy to see if we could meet for lunch before leaving on our cruise in three hours. Our chaperone said no at first, but then Tom spoke to her on the phone and she agreed to let us go, so here we are,” JC said.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She was utterly stunned, but worried to see how her girls would react to Tom.
Tracy and JC’s faces flushed, as he extended his hand. “I feel like I already know you, but I’m Tom.”
Tracy reached for his hand. “Thanks for bringing her here to see us before we leave.”
JC threw her arms around him, squeezing Tom as if she had known him for years. “Thanks for the pictures, too.”
“No problem. I’m glad we’re able to have lunch together before you leave on your cruise.”
Tess sat next to Tom in the limo, leaning forward to hold her girls hands while they talked. Tom rubbed his hand across her back.
“So tell me what’s going on. I don’t even know what to say. You’re unbelievable. Thank you.” Tess leaned back into the crook of his arm and he tenderly kissed her cheek.
She tensed under the pressure of his lips and her girls tentative gaze. Tess was fully aware that her girls were examining their every move together and they probably saw her kiss Tom before getting in the car. She didn’t want to hide her feelings, but she didn’t want to upset her girls. The discussion of dating had never come up, not a serious conversation anyway and she didn’t know how they’d react to Tom.
“You look great, Mom. You’re both so tan. I love your necklace,” Tracy reached forward, delicately touching the pearl hanging from Tess’ neck.
“Thanks, I love it, too. Tom got it for me.”
“How was Bora Bora? Were you nervous to swim with the sharks,” JC asked Tom.
“I was a little anxious at first because your mom led me to believe the sharks don’t attack people…very often, but it was indescribable. I loved it.”
“That’s what our parents always said when they came home.” JC laughed.
“It was intimidating at first, but I’d definitely do it again.”
The car stopped along the waterfront. Walking into the café, Tess held Tom’s hand. The girls talked non-stop about their trip while they ordered lunch.
“So, how was the Coliseum, Tracy?” Tess asked. “I still can’t believe you did this.” She poked Tom in the ribs.
“We’ve seen so many cool things. We don’t have enough time to talk about most of it, but the Coliseum was unbelievably impressive.”
“I liked it better than Tracy. It was awesome! Did you know it could hold 50,000 people and they used to flood it with water to hold mock sea battles, not to mention gladiator games, and executions, too? That place was definitely one of my favorites,” JC declared.
“What was your favorite?” Tess asked Tracy.
“Definitely Venice. It’s surreal how the waterways are the streets. I love how the buildings rise up straight out of the water. And the bridges, I loved the bridges. They were beautiful, but I’m saving my excitement for the cruise.”
“She liked the gondoliers’, Mom. Don’t let her fool you.” JC held her hand over her heart theatrically mocking her sister. “She’s in love with Venice.”
“I’m not even gonna lie, Mom. They were all pretty cute. Even the old chunky ones were adorable, in a grandpa kind of way. I loved it there.”
Tom laughed. “Are you taking a lot of pictures?”
“A ton. I had to buy another memory card for my camera,” Tracy replied.
JC giggled uncontrollably. “We took some really funny ones of David.”
“The statue of David.” Tracy chortled, holding her hand over her mouth to cover her laughter. JC joined in, laughing so hard she got the hic-ups.
“Anyway, we’ve both been taking pictures, but some of them aren’t turning out right. The pictures I’m taking in the middle of the day are too shadowed from the sunlight, so I’m kind of pissed. Hopefully they’ll look better when I get them printed,” Tracy said.
“What kind of camera do you have?” Tom asked.
She pulled her camera out of her purse and handed it to Tom. “Just one I picked up before we left.”
He examined her camera. “Here, look, if you change this setting, they’ll turn out better with the sun behind them.”
“Thanks.” Tracy gave Tom an appreciative nod.
Though Tom hid his apprehension well, Tess sensed it. She could feel a trace of rigidness in his frame and he rubbed his knuckles across his jaw several times throughout lunch. She gave Tom’s leg a gentle squeeze and shot him a smile of appreciation. He pulled her closer and draped his arm over her shoulder.
“Hey, since you have the camera out, can we take some pictures before we leave? It’s pretty down by the water.” JC looked at Tom when she asked.
“Sure,” he replied.
All four of them chatted as they headed across the street to take a couple of pictures. Tess hadn’t noticed the vivid surroundings because she’d been so preoccupied with her girls. “It’s beautiful here. The white buildings are incredibly dramatic, but the water, I had no idea the water was so blue.”
“It is beautiful here. You girls are going to have a great time.” Tom assured Tracy and JC.
“Have you been here before?” Tracy asked.
He nodded. “I love Greece. The islands are amazing.” Tom put his arm around Tess' waist and she wrapped her arm around his.
Both girls stared at them. “Wow, you guys look really good together,” JC acknowledged with a bent eyebrow. “I can’t believe you’re with Tom Clemmins, Mom. You seem so normal,” she said to Tom.
“I am normal, aren’t I?” he asked Tess with a sarcastic grin.
“I don’t know if I would say normal,” Tess teased and they all laughed.
After taking several pictures, they drove toward the port where their cruise ship docked. The girls discussed Greece with Tom. He told them about a great little café they should try, an art gallery to stop at, and several other places they might like to see.
Tess appreciated the tremendous effort Tom was making for her girls. She knew the only reason he brought her to Greece was to make her girls comfortable with the idea of them dating. But what surprised Tess the most, was how at ease he acted around the girls.
The car pulled up to the docks, and JC and Tracy’s tour group waited for them.
“I’m glad I got to see you. Have fun and be safe. I’ll pick you up at the airport,” Tess assured.
Both girls glanced at Tom, grinning with their beautiful smiles.
“Actually, Momma, you have plans. John’s picking us up at the airport,” JC mumbled, attempting to bolt out of the car as quickly as possible. Tess caught her by the wrist.
“Plans?” Tess scowled with intrigue, refusing to release JC from her grip.
“Plans, surprise, whatever he calls it. Have fun.” Tracy rambled, trying to shove past her sister. “Seriously, Mom. We have to go.”
“Before we cave,” JC muttered.
“What? You! I knew you were up to something,” she said to Tom. “What’s going on? Spill it.”
Tom exited the car and then ducked his head back inside. “Tess, I’m not going to tell you where we’re going yet, but I think, and your kids agree, you’ll be excited. But right now I have to make good on a promise I made.” He gave her a heart-stopping smile before striding over to schmooze their chaperone.
“Hey, what if I would’ve said no?” Tess beamed, calling after him.
“You wouldn’t.” He turned back shooting her a haughty grin, making her blush.
Both of the girls still sat in the car with Tess. “It’s all right, isn’t it? He called and asked our opinion and we told him yes. You’re going to love his surprise, and please don’t ask us what it is. We promised, promised, promised, swore up and down not to tell you.” Tracy said.
“Yeah, we had to take it to the grave,” JC grumbled. “And it’s killing us not to tell you.”
“He’s unbelievable!” Tess shook her head.
“He’s really nice. I like him,” JC squeezed her mom. “You're gonna freak!”
Tracy and JC took off after Tom. Tess followed, snapping pictures of him with the tour group. The chaperone could barely contain her excitement when she met ‘The Tom Clemmins’, that’s the term she kept using. Tess thought he was a good sport about the whole thing, but it occurred to her that he was used to it. Tess didn’t see him as famous Tom Clemmins. She saw him as her incredibly wonderful, handsome lover, Tom.
Tracy shook Tom’s hand and thanked him for stopping in Greece. She followed it up with a leery half-hug. She casually reached for Tess’ fingers and the two of them sauntered toward the dock. “He’s nice.” Tracy admitted. “And you’re smiling, a lot. I’m sorry that I threw a fit about Tom and I never should have said that about-”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologiz
e.” Tears of appreciation welled in Tess’ eyes. “For the record, I know it was a huge sacrifice for you to move back home after your dad died. You’ll never know how much it meant to me.”
“I wanted to come home. It was really hard for us to see you in so much pain.” Tracy pulled her mom into an embrace. “I don’t want you to get hurt. He better not screw you over.” Tracy stated stiffly, inconspicuously wiping her own tears.
Glancing over her daughters shoulder, Tess watched JC give Tom a hug goodbye and then mosey toward her.
JC rolled her eyes as she approached Tess and Tracy. “I can’t leave you delicate flowers alone for a minute. Did you two make up?”
Tess and Tracy both nodded and wiped their tears. Tess motioned for both of them to get going. “Go have fun. Love you.”
Tom joined her, snuggling her in his arms from behind. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, laying her head back against the hard planes of his chest.
His lips moved against her temple. “Are they okay?” She nodded again and he exhaled a heavy sigh of relief into her hair. “Do you think they liked me?” he asked earnestly.
“Back up! You’re not getting off that easily. I can’t believe you did this for me and I’m sure Tracy feels better.” She turned to face him. “What are we doing that you had to go through all of this trouble for?”
He drew her closer and kissed her lips. She forgot about the people still standing on the ship watching them until she heard JC yell. “Have fun, Mom!”
They waved back and Tom asked, “I’m serious Tess, are your girls okay with us being together?”
“Is that why you were uptight on the way here? I thought you were stressed out about work.”
“Work is an issue for me right now, but what did they think?”
“I think yes, they liked you. What’s not to like? You’re wonderful!”
“Let’s get out of here.”
They drove up a winding road, leading into a little town. “Do you like ice cream, Tess? We don’t have very long, but I know of a great little place. If I can find it.”
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