She was beyond rational thought, was all feeling right now, and as the orgasm hit full force she could only sob out her pleasure, the words tumbling from her lips as naturally as breath. “Ian, ah, oh, God, I’m going to c-come again! Oh, God, I love you!”
Her eyes did shut then, her body too consumed with sensation to even be aware of her actions. Dimly, as if from a great distance, she heard him groan loudly just before pistoning his hips into her body at a breakneck pace, his thrusts almost savage. When he came, he gripped her by the hips as he reared back onto his haunches, and emptied himself fully inside of her. She peeked up at him through half-lidded eyes, enthralled at his spectacular, primitive male beauty – a fine layer of sweat covering his entire body; his dark hair damp and disarrayed; his eyes tightly shut as he continued to fill her with his hot, sticky semen.
And then he was grasping her under the arms, pulling her up to straddle his lap while remaining embedded inside of her. She almost cried out at the ferocity of his gaze, and at the way he fisted a hand in her hair, holding her head still.
“Say it again.”
She knew exactly what he meant. “I love you,” she whispered, cupping his face between her palms.
Ian’s own eyes filled with tears, and she brushed one away with her thumb, staring at him in disbelief.
“God, do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say those words?” he uttered brokenly. “I never, ever, dreamed you would actually do it, though. I’ve loved you since the day you walked into my office, Tessa. I am completely, insanely in love with you, my darling girl, and you have just made me the happiest man on earth.” He kissed her softly. “And I have never, ever, told a woman that before. So you see, you are my first in many ways as well – my love.”
“Ian.” She was overcome with a whole flurry of different emotions right now – amazement that this proud, regal man had actually been brought to tears by her whispered confession of love; disbelief that he’d loved her that long; and then there was simply all the love she felt for him, the tenderness and the passion. Everything combined was almost too much to take, and she felt like pinching herself to make sure this wasn’t another dream she had conjured up.
But she was reminded – in a very, very pleasurable way - that he was all too real, and that what had happened was definitely not a dream. He made love to her again, this time with a gentleness and devotion that brought tears to her eyes. A long time later, they were physically and emotionally exhausted, and finally drifted off to sleep, both whispering “I love you” to the other as they did.
Chapter Seventeen
The international terminal at San Francisco Airport was teeming with people, even at this early hour. Ian had already checked his luggage for the flight to London, and was delaying the moment he had to enter the security line for as long as possible, knowing that Tessa would not be able to proceed past that point. Taking a commercial flight was not something he typically did, for he utilized the corporate jet for the majority of his business travel. But since he would be away for just over two weeks and remaining in London the entire time, he’d decided the company plane could be put to better use by his executives and high level managers who also needed to travel frequently on business.
Wanting to spend every possible minute together until his departure, Tessa had stayed overnight at his house and risen at a very early hour this morning to accompany him on the drive to the airport. Simon was at present circling around the terminal until she re-emerged, and then he would drive her to the office. Or, at least, within a couple of blocks so that no one would notice her alighting from Ian’s car and putting two and two together.
“You’re certain you won’t stay at the house while I’m away?”
Tessa nodded as she smoothed down the lapels of his black wool overcoat. “I’m sure, yes. If I’m going to give notice to my landlord soon, then I’d better use this time to start packing things up and cleaning. I’ll have to decide what to keep and what to donate. I want to ask my landlord if any of the other tenants might need some things.”
He gave the belt of her raincoat a little tug as he tightened his arms around her waist. “Well, if I get a vote you know what item will be on the top of my donation pile.”
She grinned up at him. “I thought you had other plans for this, plans that included a fireplace and a book of matches.”
Ian eyed the much-maligned raincoat dubiously. “You’re right. I’m not certain there would be any takers if you tried to give it away. Even thrift stores have certain standards.”