She wiped the smudged mascara from under her eye. “No, I don’t have a decorator. I’m too much of a control freak to let anyone else pick things out for me.” As soon as the words left her lips, she realized she’d abandoned those idiosyncrasies from the moment they’d met. And oddly enough, it didn’t bother her. “Usually, I’m a little neurotic about control issues, but I seem to be living on the edge the last few weeks.”
Tom pointed to the photo next to her bed. “Do you mind?” asking if he could pick it up. “Where was this taken at?”
“We were skiing over Christmas at Lake Tahoe two years ago.”
“Your son is a splitting-image of him.” Tom smiled sweetly. “It’s a good photo. You looked good together.” He set the picture down, but she picked it up and carried it with her, setting it on a glass top table in the hallway.
She peeked outside. “Hey, we’re going to drive through Red Rock. I’ll be back in a while and then I’ll make dinner.”
“Sounds good,” John said.
Tess tossed the keys to Tom. “Do you want to drive?”
He tossed them back, flashing her a glance of sexy mischief. “I’d rather see you drive.”
She liked to drive fast, but didn’t enjoy getting speeding tickets. They cruised through Red Rock scenic loop at the base of the mountains. Tess hadn’t hiked there recently, but she’d driven this loop many times over the last year. Huge boulders stacked on top of each other and the clay colored mountains etched with veins of white, yellow, purple and black created a beautiful portrait in the middle of the desert.
Tess stopped at an overlook and they sat on a rock to relax. She told him about the Indian petro glyphs on the rocks, desert tortoises and wild donkeys in the area. She had a relaxed babbling going on as they watched rock climbers off in the distance.
He glanced at her car. “So what’s the story behind the Camaro?”
“We always wanted to get an old one to fix up, but never did. A week after Richard died, the day before what was supposed to be our twenty-fifth anniversary, a salesman from the dealership called and left a message on Richards’s phone. He had ordered this car, but never got the chance to give it to me. So, I went down that day and picked it up.” She smiled. “I actually, really do like it.”
“It suits you.” They sat on the rock, holding hands when he asked softly, “Do you think you’ll ever marry again someday, Tess?”
Tess reeled her head around in sheer shock.
“I was just asking. No. I mean. That’s not what I’m asking. I…I was just curious. I didn’t mean-”
“I understood what you meant. Sorry. Was the look on my face that horrible?”
“Yep. It was,” he said in astonishment. “You always sound so happy and fulfilled with your marriage, more than anyone I’ve ever known. I’m a little shocked by the Hell no! expression on your face.”
“I never expected to date again, so it’s not something I’ve even considered.” She paused, gathering her composure. “You know, when you’re young you think, ‘This is what I’m supposed to do. Get married, have kids and life will be perfect’. At least that’s what I thought life was going to be. No one warns you about the challenges that lie ahead or how difficult being a parent is going to be. My marriage was great, but it wasn’t easy. It takes a lot of work having a family and being on the same page as your spouse. You’re a team, but you don’t always agree on everything. Now that I’ve raised my kids, I don’t want them to be under the impression life is going to be a fairytale. I want them to go out and be adventurous. I always tell them, ‘When the right person comes along, then great, but until then, don’t settle.’ I’ve seen a lot of messy divorces that leave deep scars.”
“I wasn’t asking about your kids and you didn’t answer my question.”
She shrugged her shoulders poignantly. “I don’t know. It’s just a piece of paper.”
“You sound like me. ‘It’s just a piece of paper.’ I never got past date until I met you. I’ve never even remotely considered the “M” word.”
She straddled the rock, looking him in the eye. “If you’re afraid I’m hearing the ding dong of wedding bells in the future, Tom, you can quit worrying. You can relax.” They grinned at each other and kissed. “Your word is all I need. I trust you.”
“I trust you, too. Ding dong of wedding bells? That’s pretty funny.”
She rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I feel better. This was a good idea.”
“Let’s go.”
Tess tossed him the keys.
Tom drove the shit out of her car, pushing it to its limits. He obviously was not concerned about getting a speeding ticket.
“Perfect timing,” Tracy said as they walked through the door.
“You didn’t have to make dinner. I planned on grilling,” Tess said, catching a whiff of sizzling steaks.
“Don’t get too excited, Mom. We’re just hungry.” They all laughed.
Tess opened a bottle of wine and everyone sat down for dinner. It was nice to visit with her kids. Tom was himself, and John even acted pleasant.
“Mom, we’re taking off. We’re staying over at JC’s friend’s house tonight,” Tracy said.
“You don’t have to lea-” she started to say.
“We already had plans. Honest. Did you forget we’ve been gone for a month and leave in two weeks for school? I need to catch up with my girls and show them all the hotties we found in Europe,” JC chimed.
“Tom, you’re not leaving early, are you? We want to see you before you take off,” Tracy said.
“I leave late in the afternoon.” Tom beamed, noticeably happy by Tracy’s comment.
“Oh, good cause I’m leaving, too,” John informed as he kissed Tess on the cheek and shook Tom’s hand. “I’ll be by before work or for lunch, but I’ll see you before you take off.”
Tom and Tess sat out back and drank a glass of wine, enjoying the city lights and view of the Strip.
After Tess worked up the courage to take him to bed, she led him down the hallway and they entered her bedroom. Her chest felt tight, making it hard to breath. Standing frozen at the foot of her bed, she cringed with embarrassment, wondering if she could go through with it. For God’s sake, Richard’s not coming back. This wonderful, amazing man wants to make love to me. In my own home. In my own bed. Yesterdays are gone, but today is standing right here beside me.
Tom remained understandingly silent, gently clasping her nape, turning slow circles with his thumb. “You okay?”
She nodded and approached the bed, hoping her knees wouldn’t buckle before she got there. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she patted the comforter and Tom sat next to her. He reached down and slipped her tennis shoes off before removing his own.
He tugged her toward the center of the bed and they laid side-by-side, staring at each other in the quietness of the dimly lit room. Tucking an arm beneath her neck, his other hand coasted over her spine as he brushed soft kisses across her forehead.
It was after four in the morning when Tess sat straight up in bed. She stared at Tom lying on her bed in the dark in only his shorts. At that moment, she could think of nothing she’d ever desired more. She quietly took off her shorts and T-shirt, snuggling up next to him, kissing his neck to wake him up.
“I think I fell asleep.”
“Me too, but I’m awake now.”
He slid his hand down her side. “You undressed?”
“Yes.” She crossed her leg over his hip, pressing herself against him. He gazed into her eyes inquisitively through the darkness. “I’m with you now, Tom.” She unbuttoned his shorts, slipping them off with her toes, kissing him softly, touching his body lovingly. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. The way you kiss me and touch me drives me absolutely crazy.”
Tom looked as if he wanted to say something, but only kissed her. Finally, after a very long, intimate kiss, he murmured, “I never thought it was possible to feel this way.”
The next mor
ning, Tom was out of bed. Tess could hear him in the other room. When she came out, Tom sat on the sofa with her girls, laughing, rolling actually.
“What is so funny this morning?” Tess asked, smiling.
“Oh, nothing!” her girls chimed sarcastically.
“What? Spill it. Come on. What’s so funny?”
Tom peered down at the floor, evading her eyes as if trying to hide another chuckle.
JC held a magazine in her hands and turned it so Tess could see a steamy picture of them dancing at the after party. Tracy and JC burst out laughing.
“I happen to like that picture.” Tess held her head high, but pink cheeks gave away her embarrassment.
“I bet,” Tracy snickered, jumping up to mimic her mom’s best dance moves.
Tom’s face turned as red as Tess'.
“You! I can’t believe you ratted me out. I’ll get you back for this.” She poked him in the side.
“Hey, I just brought out all of the magazines. It’s not my fault they like this picture the best.”
All of them laughed until their sides hurt and just as it was almost over, John came in and it started all over again. Even he imitated her dance moves.
“Very funny. Ha, ha, ha.” Tess acted mad, but was only teasing.
After the laughter died down, John stood tall and folded his arms across his chest. His demeanor turned blatantly protective. “So, where are you flying today for your film?”
The frank tone of John’s voice made Tess flinch.
“Right outside of Germany. It’s a war movie, not the typical type of film I do.”
“What’s it about?” Tracy asked
“I haven’t read over the script too much.” He smiled, but his creased eyebrows gave him away. Tom didn’t want to leave. “I’ll be doing a crash course of the script on the airplane.”
“So how long will you be gone for?” John questioned in a harsh manner. His eyes narrowed apprehensively, waiting for Tom’s reply.
“Several months.” Tom’s eyes darted uncomfortably between John and Tess. “I’ve asked your mom to come see me. It would be too distracting at first, but once it starts rolling, it’ll work.”
“Are you going to go, Mom?” John asked cynically.
“Yes, of course,” she replied, glaring at her son who was on the verge of stepping into her personal business.
The mood in the room turned strained. Even Tracy and JC gawked at their brother, surprised by his forwardness.
“So you two are a couple then?” John asked Tom skeptically.
Tom appeared a bit uncomfortable being put on the spot, but grinned at Tess. “Yes. Partner is the word your mom used. I’ve told her that I don’t want to see anyone else. I’m sure that was your next question, John.”
“Do you have any more questions? Actually, don’t answer that. If you do, you can discuss it with me later. You’re out of line,” Tess said firmly to John.
Seeming impressed with John for asking, Tom had no hesitation answering his questions. “It’s okay, Tess, I understand. Your kids don’t want to see you get hurt. I don’t have anything to hide. Even though my entire life story appears to be online, most of it is untrue, so if you could keep that in mind, I’d appreciate it,” he stated to John.
Tess thought he’d handled that well. Better than she did.
John hesitantly extending his hand toward Tom’s. “Sorry, man.”
Oddly enough, Tom acted like he completely understood. “No problem.”
“Sorry, Mom.” He kissed her cheek. “Hey, man, wanna come check out my bike?”
Tom winked at her, following John to the garage.
“What the fuck was that?” If Tess was mad enough to drop F-bombs, somebody was in trouble.
“We don’t know. John’s just being protective. He’s worried Tom will crush you like a bug,” JC mocked her brother, pretending to squish a bug with her toe.
Still stunned by the whole confrontation, Tracy whispered, “John looked exactly like Dad when my dates would come pick me up.”
The three girls laughed. “You’re right! He did,” Tess agreed.
Thirty minutes later, John and Tom emerged from their male bonding session in the garage, seeming completely fine together. John had to go back to work. The two men shook hands and John told Tom to have a good trip and hoped he’d see him soon.
“I’ll see you when you get home from work,” she said.
Tracy and JC headed out the door behind John. “We’re going out for lunch. We’ll be back before you leave, Tom.” Both girls bowed their heads attempting to hide their giggles.
JC whispered to her mom, “You’re welcome.”
“See you later,” Tess said with a flushed face, knowing they were leaving so she and Tom could say their goodbyes in bed.
“I like your kids, Tess. They’re funny, nice, polite and very protective. Like a mini version of you. The dancing thing was hysterical this morning. It’s refreshing to see how open you are around each other. It’s nice.”
“I have a good relationship with them. They’re good kids. Do you want to go for a swim?”
“Nope.” He led her to the bedroom. “I want to talk to you and then I’m going to make love to you again before I have to leave.”
They lay across her bed and she told herself, Don’t cry.
“Tess, I don’t want you to think this is goodbye. For the first time in my life, I have no desire to go to work. I want you to come see me, but I won’t be able to take days off while we’re filming. I’ll find fun stuff for you to do while I’m busy.”
“You won’t need to entertain me, Tom, I can keep busy. It’d be nice to come see you and sleep next to you.”
“I’ve totally blown this job off for the last month. I’m not complaining, I merely want to explain my situation to you. When I get on the plane, I have to go to work and I need to try to concentrate. If I call you and talk to you all the time, it’s going to make it extremely difficult for me to focus. I already know I’m going to be a wreck because I don’t want to leave you, Tess, but I need to finish this job so we can go have fun.”
She understood, nodding her head. Tess had been avoiding this conversation like it was the black plague. She didn’t want Tom to leave, but she refused to make him feel bad about having to go to work.
“You have no idea how hard this is for me.”
“I do understand.” She choked, trying not to cry.
“Look, Tess, I need to know you’re not going to be here falling apart. To think I might be hurting you…it’s tearing me apart.”
“I promise I won’t be here crying all day.” She smiled. “You have my word, Tom. I’ll miss you beyond desperately and I’m not going to tell you I won’t cry, but I’ll be okay. I’ll be busy the next two weeks getting the girls off to school in Colorado.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. When do you leave?”
“I might leave earlier than I originally planned, maybe next Friday. I’m taking my car so I won’t have a lot of room, but I’ll go shopping for all the things they’ll need when we get there.”
“One more thing, Tess. I know you take care of yourself, but-”
Tess raised her eyebrows and giggled.
“I didn’t mean physically.” He gave her a playful smile. “I meant financially, but if there’s anything you need or something I can do for you, will you please tell me?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need anything.” A naughty chuckle filtered through the silence of her room. “And just so you know, without a doubt, I will definitely be taking care of myself and I expect the same from you. So when you’re lying in bed, remember our first night together in Bora Bora, or the rain storm, or the wall in Greece,” she rubbed her cheek against his neck, whispering in his ear, sliding her tongue around his earlobe, “or every time I kiss you like this,” she kissed him passionately. “But most importantly, I want you to remember right now.” She undid the button of his shorts with her teeth. “I want you
to wait for me right now.” She looked up at him. “And when we’re apart. Wait for me, Tom.”
He tried to pull her up toward his lips to kiss her, but she grinned up at him seductively, running her tongue over his skin. “I’ll always wait for you, Tess, I promise.”
A few hours later, Tess found Tom in the hall studying family photos that adorned the wall.
His eyes filled with admiration. “You have a very beautiful family. You all look so happy.” He examined all the photos, stopping to point out an old picture of her and Richard. “How old were you in this one?”
“Twenty-five maybe.”
“You’re even more beautiful now.”
“They’re my favorite vacation pictures from over the years.”
They kicked back on the couch, teasing each other and being playful. Neither of them heard Tracy and JC standing in the kitchen watching them. Tom noticed them first and smiled, nodding his head as if to say hi. Tess glanced over and for one split second, worried, until she saw their faces. They were giggling. Her girls were happy for her.
They joined Tess and Tom on the sofa like it was no big deal. Her girls didn’t seem bothered by the fact he had stayed in their home. Tracy and JC were back to asking him questions about his career, films he had been in, and actors he had worked with. They made him feel comfortable.
“Well, I hate to say this, but it’s time for me to go,” he announced sadly.
The girls stood to walk them to the car. Tess reached the garage first with JC right behind her, but Tracy pulled Tom off to the side in the hallway.
Tess suspected Tracy was up to something. Minutes later, she observed them as they entered the garage. The girls hugged Tom and said goodbye.
Tom and Tess climbed into the car. As he backed out the driveway, she stared at him and watched his face turn redder by the minute.
“Well?” she asked. “Are you going to tell me what Tracy said that’s putting that big smile on your face?”
“She’s warming up to me.” He shrugged, flashing her an innocent smile. “She even apologized for judging me, and calling me a womanizer, and not liking me.”
But then his face smile softened and he drug his knuckles over his jaw.
No More Wasted Time Page 19