Ian rubbed the back of her neck in his usual soothing manner. “All right there, love?”
She grimaced. “Glad to have that over with, that’s for sure. But can you check my back for claw marks? And I’ve got a terrible chill all of a sudden – must be that case of frostbite I just caught.”
He snickered and caressed the bare skin of her shoulder blades. “She was green with jealously, love. Not only are you ten times more beautiful than she is, but her own date couldn’t take his eyes off of you. Maybe I should have security check her bag for any sharp objects.”
Tessa shook her head. “You know, I should have expected something like this to happen. I had that bad feeling I get sometimes when I have these premonitions. And of course it just happens to be a Wednesday.”
“Darling, I’ve told you a dozen times. That’s just a coincidence. I refuse to believe that bad things haven’t happened on other days of the week. Or that good things haven’t happened occasionally on Wednesdays.”
“Not very many,” she replied somewhat grudgingly. “And I still say it’s some sort of weird curse.”
Tessa’s good humor was restored a couple of minutes later when they met up with Ian’s good friend Matthew Bennett and his wife Lindsey. Tessa had never met Lindsey before, but knew Matthew from the gym and liked him a lot. He was kind and friendly, and she found it hard to believe he was actually a billionaire, for he seemed like one of the most genuine, down to earth people she’d ever met. Not as classically handsome as Ian, Matthew was nonetheless a very attractive man – a little shorter and leaner than Ian, his light brown hair cut in a short, slightly spiky style. And though he wore his tuxedo well, he didn’t seem like the sort of man who liked wearing formal attire or even a suit. He also didn’t seem especially thrilled about attending this ball tonight, unlike his wife who appeared to be having a wonderful time.
Lindsey was laughing, tossing back glass after glass of champagne, and also flirting somewhat outrageously with Ian – a situation that was embarrassing Matthew, pissing off Tessa, and making Ian extremely uncomfortable. Lindsey was a pretty woman, and looked amazing for being forty, the same age as her husband. Petite with glossy dark brown hair and green eyes, she was definitely making sure every male in the room noticed her rather obvious assets showcased by the slinky, low-cut black gown she wore. Tessa was certainly no expert on the subject, but she was almost positive the older woman’s gravity defying breasts couldn’t possibly be real.
Fortunately, Ian had long ago mastered the art of fending off unwanted female attention, and very diplomatically extricated himself and Tessa from what could have become a very awkward situation.
“Poor Matthew,” murmured Tessa in a hushed tone as Ian walked them in the opposite direction of the married couple. “He looked mortified at the way Lindsey kept flirting with you. And it’s a very good thing you got us out of there when you did, because if she tried shoving those fake tits of hers into your face one more time I was going to take her down.”
Ian started to laugh almost uncontrollably, until he became aware of all the curious glances directed his way. Trying to muffle his laughter but not doing a very good job of it, he pulled Tessa into his arms and turned his face against her hair.
“My little tigress,” he murmured, his body still shaking with mirth. “And here I thought I was the only one of us with violent tendencies when it comes to someone poaching on my territory. I’m very glad to know I can count on you in the future to – ah, defend my virtue.”
Tessa couldn’t help laughing along with him. “I think those kickboxing classes I’ve been taking have brought out my protective side. You told me once that you always look out for what’s yours. You’ve got to know that it’s the same for me.” She kissed his cheek before adding softly, “You’re mine, Ian, and no other woman can ever have you.”
Ian’s fingers bit into her waist and she could feel the outline of his erection through the fragile fabric of her gown. “Christ, I wish like hell there weren’t hundreds of people here right now. Because I have the card key for the owner’s suite in my pocket, and I’d love nothing better than to quietly disappear with you and lock ourselves in for a few hours.”
She smiled at him in a deliberately provocative manner. “I wouldn’t say no to that idea. Maybe another time, hmm?”
He gave her a lingering kiss on the mouth, evidently not giving a damn how many people were watching. “It’s a date, love.”