Splendor(180)

Ian had shook his head. “Well, apparently this leopard hasn’t changed his spots, has he? Looks like I’ll have to pay him a visit when we return home. In the meanwhile,” he added sternly, “that little shit is not to get anywhere near Tessa over the next few days. I don’t want her left alone where he might be able to harass her.”

She’d patted his hand and tried to smile reassuringly. “Hey, I can take care of myself. You’ve been showing me some moves, after all.”

Ian had been working with her at the gym to learn a few basic boxing techniques, and she also continued to take some kickboxing classes. He’d also arranged for her to work out with a personal trainer – a female one, of course – and she knew she was in the best physical shape of her life right now.

Ian had smiled at her rather indulgently. “And you’ve been a very apt pupil. But I still don’t want you having to confront Jason. The safest solution is just to keep you as far away from him as possible.”

Tessa couldn’t help the tiny shudder that rippled through her body as she thought of having to see Jason again. And there was no doubt she would have to at least acknowledge him. Tomorrow evening a lavish cocktail reception and buffet dinner had been planned for all the managers and their guests, and it went without saying that Ian’s cousin Charlotte would seek him out to say hello. There would be no polite way to avoid her for the entire duration of the meeting.

She must have dozed off a little, drowsy from the sun, and gave a little start when she felt Ian’s lips on the back of her neck.

“Mmm. Hi,’ she murmured, scooting over a bit as he sat down on the chaise next to her.

He ran his hand down her back, and she shivered as he slipped his palm beneath the band of her bikini bottoms to cup her buttocks. “Hi yourself, gorgeous girl,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You should have been a swimsuit model as good as you look in this bikini. I can just see you splashed on the cover of Sports Illustrated with these beautiful long legs” – he traced his fingertips down the backs of her thighs – “and this sexy ass” – he squeezed her behind – “and of course these fabulous tits.” He slipped a hand beneath her and squeezed her breast.

Tessa groaned and clasped his hand, holding it in place against her breast. “Don’t stop. It feels so good.”

His fingers found her nipple and tweaked it. “Your wish is my command, love. Are you still on your cycle?”

She shook her head. “No, thank goodness. It’s, ah, been a long time.”

He chuckled, his hand slipping inside her low-cut bikini top to cup her bare, warm flesh. “Are you horny, darling?”

“God, yes,” she panted, trying to roll over onto her back. But his hand on her back held her in place, unable to move freely.

“Shh. I’m going to take very good care of you very soon, love. But first, you’re starting to get a little pink back here. You need some more sunscreen. Ah, there it is.”

Tessa gave a little squeal as he squirted the cool lotion on her sun-warmed skin, but then quickly began to purr in contentment as he rubbed it into her back and shoulder blades. As his hand dipped beneath the waistband of her bikini briefs, she gave a little wiggle, which earned her both a deep chuckle from Ian and a playful swat on the butt.

He squirted another blob of lotion on her back before deftly unhooking the bandeau top, letting the sides fall unheeded onto the chaise. He rubbed the lotion into her skin before sliding his hands beneath her to cup her breasts.

Tessa whimpered with need. “Please.”

He knew what she was pleading for as he pulled her to an upright position, her knees hanging over the side of the chaise. He knelt between her thighs, his dark head at eye level with her chest.

“I take it back,” he murmured hoarsely, his hands fondling her breasts. “There’s no way in hell I’d want a photo of this sexy body of yours being splayed all over a national magazine, letting every horny bastard in the country ogle you. “ He bent his head and licked at her nipple. “For my eyes only, darling.”

“Ohh, yes,” she breathed, clutching his head to her breast as he sucked her nipple into his mouth.

He lifted his head, then moved to the other breast while his thumb and forefinger pinched the other nipple. “Is this what you wanted, love? What you needed? God, your tits are so full right now, Tessa, so swollen. Let me, darling.”

She was groaning as he lavished attention on her breasts, arousing her to the point where she knew it would take very little to make her come. She grabbed one of his hands and dragged it down to the low-cut waistband of her bikini briefs. “Ian. Now, please.”