Splendor(151)
Ian had inquired if she had any friends she cared to visit, or particular places she’d like to show him. He had very tactfully not brought the subject up again when she’d merely given him an abrupt shake of her head. He had seemed to sense after that initial inquiry that she wasn’t exactly thrilled to be going back to Tucson.
Their meetings wrapped up fairly early, leaving them a couple of hours to relax and unwind before their dinner meeting. Since it was still over ninety degrees at four o’clock, a swim in one of the resort’s several pools was a welcome respite. And while Tessa would have never dreamed of using the guest facilities at this time of the day when she’d been employed here, the same rules evidently didn’t apply to the owner.
They swam vigorously for almost an hour, until her legs were quivering in protest and her breathing became labored. Ian kept going a while longer, and she watched him with admiring eyes as he stroked powerfully through the water. Tessa scowled as she realized several other women seated around the pool were also eyeing him hungrily. Two of them even made some very vocal comments about what a hunk he was, and how they sure wouldn’t mind having a nice big helping of his brand of man candy.
Behind the cover of her oversized Chanel sunglasses, Tessa glared at the forty-something bleached blonde with the fake tan and even more obviously fake boobs who’d made that last comment. It made her wonder about all the years of traveling that Ian had done all over the world, and of the many different women who’d hit on him. The jealously she felt threatened to consume her, and it suddenly became very important to stake her claim, to make sure those – cougars knew that her man was strictly off limits.
Ian vaulted out of the pool, water dripping from his body, and she was there to meet him with an oversized beach towel. He smiled his thanks as he briskly toweled off his hair and chest before wrapping the towel around his hips. Tessa slid her arms around his neck, pulling his mouth down to hers for a lingering, open-mouthed kiss. He gave a little “mmm” of surprise just before his hands gripped her hips, pulling her into his body.
He was chuckling when he lifted his head. “Any particular reason for your very enthusiastic greeting?”
She pressed her breasts more fully against his chest, and ran her hands over the bulging muscles of his biceps. “Just admiring my very studly boyfriend. And making sure that all the other women around here know you’re taken.”
Ian smirked, sliding one large hand down to cup her ass. “What other women?”
Tessa laughed in delight. “Oooh, nicely done!”
As they walked over to their lounges, where she’d taken the liberty of having an ice cold margarita waiting for him, she kept an arm wrapped around his waist. She couldn’t resist flashing a triumphant smile in the direction of the now crestfallen bleached blonde cougar. She was absurdly pleased that Ian didn’t even acknowledge the presence of the other women, that the only one he had eyes for was her. It made her realize all over again how incredibly lucky she was to have this amazing man all to herself. She resolved to make very, very sure that he knew on a daily – no, make that an hourly – basis just how crazy she was about him, how much she cherished him. Tessa figured right now was an excellent time to start.
Ian glanced up in surprise as she plucked his margarita glass from his hand and set it down on the low glass-topped table between their lounges. She straddled him, looping her arms around his neck, and gave a satisfied little smile when his gaze automatically flicked down to the ample cleavage bared by her yellow bikini top.
She leaned down to whisper in his ear, “You know how sometimes I really, really like giving you carte blanche over me in bed?”
He ran his hands up the side of her ribcage, stopping just below the swell of her breasts. He swallowed with some difficulty before nodding. “I, ah, do know, yes.”
She licked the side of his neck. “Well, I think I’m going to be in a very giving mood tonight.”
***
“You look kind of – uh, tired, Ian. Late night?”
“Hmm?” Ian glanced up across the table at his dining companion. “I’m sorry, Matt, did you say something? Afraid I’ve been in a bit of a daze most of the morning.”
Matthew Bennett gave his friend a knowing grin. “Should I assume your very hot new girlfriend is the reason for your, er, daze?”
Ian couldn’t suppress the grin that spread across his features. “Jesus, mate, you wouldn’t believe the half of it. But, yes, suffice it to say that Tessa is most definitely the reason I look a little out of it right now. Not to mention in dire need of a nap.”