Splendor(144)

Ian bit his lip to stifle a groan, and was belatedly aware that they weren’t alone at the table. He glanced up to find both Nathan and Julia grinning at him knowingly.

“If you two need a room, Ian, I’m guessing that won’t be a problem given that you own this hotel,” joked Nathan.

Tessa blushed profusely, and stared down into her wine glass as she took a sip. There was an awkward silence for a few moments until Julia stood, picking up her clutch bag.

“I think you gentlemen should order us some coffee and dessert while we visit the ladies room,” she announced. “Tessa, let’s go, shall we?”

Nathan and Ian were very well aware that theirs were far from the only pairs of admiring male eyes that followed the two gorgeous women as they left the restaurant.

Nathan lifted his wine glass in a salute. “We’re lucky bastards, you and I, aren’t we? As much of a jerk as I was to Julia for so long she still kept on loving me. I know I damned well don’t deserve her, but I’ll spend my life worshipping the ground she walks on.”

“I think she would disagree with the first part of that statement, mate,” replied Ian. “But you’re right about the other. You and I are bloody lucky to have two such beautiful women. And I cherish Tessa every bit as much as you do Julia.”

Nathan sipped his wine slowly. “You going to marry her?”

Ian laughed. “You’re the second person in as many days to ask me that question. And the answer is yes, but not just yet. Tessa – she’s been through a lot in her young life. I’m trying to give her some time to get used to all this – ” he waved a hand around to indicate the splendor of their surroundings, “to make sure it’s what she really wants.”

“She loves you, Ian,” Nathan told him quietly. “That’s not going to change anytime soon.”

Ian sighed. “Sometimes I wonder about that. She’s so young, so damned young, and she’s seen absolutely nothing of the world. We’ve talked about her going back to college in the fall, getting her degree. One of my greatest fears is that she meets someone closer to her age, decides I’m too old for her.”

“Hmm. So that’s really why you’re giving her time. To make sure her feelings for you are real.” Nathan shook his head. “The way she looks at you – it’s the same way Julia looks at me. It’s the real deal, my friend, never doubt that.”

Ian was about to reply, to thank Nathan for his reassurances, when he noticed the number of male heads that turned and he knew the women had returned. They made quite a contrast to the other – Julia petite and curvy, looking like a very alluring angel in her ivory dress and towering heels, and Tessa tall and shapely with those endlessly long legs, sexy black dress and the stilettos that made her look like every forbidden fantasy ever conjured up.

Tessa was beaming when he pulled her chair out for her. “Julia just had the most wonderful ideas for me, Ian. I was telling her how I didn’t want to just sit around and feel useless until our next business trip, especially since the college classes I’d need to take don’t start until late August. And she’s thought of some ways I can keep busy and still learn something useful.”

Nathan smirked as he pushed Julia’s chair in. “Baby, tell Tessa that shopping is not exactly cultural enrichment.”

Julia rolled her eyes at him. “Seriously, Nathan? What I actually suggested to Tessa is that she ought to take some cooking courses. There’s a place over on Francisco Street that offers a whole series of one day to one week classes. The other idea I had for her was to take a course at the Berlitz Language School.”

Tessa nodded and smiled a bit shyly at Ian. “Since you offered to take me to Tuscany one day, I thought it might be nice to learn some Italian.”

Ian smiled back and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. “I think both of those ideas are absolutely wonderful. I want you to sign up for both classes.”

“I think I will,” she agreed. “In fact, Julia said there’s even a cake decorating class available. That way, I can bake you a cake next year instead of having to rely on your chef to do it for me.”

He couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight of half a dozen waiters and busboys who suddenly surrounded their table, and at the elaborately decorated cake ablaze with at least a dozen candles.

But the real thrill came after a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday when Tessa whispered to him naughtily, “The real celebration begins when we get home.”

***

Simon had the weekend off so they took a cab home. Not that Ian was anywhere near being inebriated – he was as disciplined and in control about the amount of alcohol he consumed as he was with everything else in his life. But he preferred not to drive himself when he’d been drinking more than a glass or two, just in case. Besides, not having to concentrate on driving meant that he could focus all of his attention on the luscious blonde cuddled up against him.