Splendor(54)

“It looks wonderful on you,” confirmed Marlene as she straightened the skirt just a bit. “I can see now why he favored this color – it’s perfect for your eyes and skin tone. Now, let’s try the shoes, hmm? I have three different sizes here to choose from.”

Tessa wore an eight and a half, and the nude Christian Louboutin pumps fit her to perfection. Marlene showed her the other items Ian had selected for her to wear this evening – a butter-soft leather handbag in a coordinating shade to the shoes, and a luxurious camel-colored cashmere coat lined in a satiny fabric.

Tessa was seemingly fascinated by the coat, touching the soft fabric. “It looks so warm,” she marveled. “It’s been so cold these past few weeks.”

Marlene wondered if the thin raincoat could possibly be the girl’s only coat. There was no other reasonable explanation why she would have worn it on a bitingly cold but otherwise clear day. “Its pure cashmere, dear, and a Burberry. One of the finest coats we sell here. He wanted only the best for you.”

Tessa smiled. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”

“I think he feels the same way about you, Tessa,” replied Marlene gently. “Now, why don’t we get you out of that dress so I can measure your bra size. Then Mr. Gregson has arranged some other – ah, services for you.”

A quick check with the tape measure confirmed that Tessa’s bra was indeed two full cup sizes too small, which clearly explained why she’d almost been falling out of the black lace garment. While she slipped back into her own black pumps, Marlene handed her a belted smock, the kind used in hair salons and spas.

"You can leave your things here, Tessa. I’ll lock the room while you’re gone and you can come back and change afterwards,” assured Marlene. “Follow me now, we’re just going up one floor.”

Marlene left her charge off at the in-store salon, where she was to have a blow-out, a mani-pedi, and a makeup application. When Tessa returned to the dressing room nearly two hours later, she looked a bit dazed but even more beautiful – her skin glowing, her blonde hair smooth and shiny, her nails buffed and covered in pale pink polish.

She helped Tessa dress, satisfied with the fit of the pale blue lace bra and panties, and with the new pair of sheer nude thigh-highs. After Tessa was zipped up into the dress and wearing her new shoes, Marlene added the finishing touches – a sapphire pendant suspended from a dainty gold chain and a matching pair of drop earrings.

“These aren’t real sapphires, are they?” asked Tessa with what sounded like panic.

“They are, yes. Don’t worry, Tessa, they’re insured. You won’t lose them.”

“It’s not that.” Tessa’s big blue eyes grew shiny with tears. “This is all just – a little overwhelming. I feel like Cinderella.”

Marlene laughed. “And you look like her, too. You’re a beautiful girl, Tessa, and Mr. Gregson is going to be speechless when he sees you. He’ll be very pleased.”

That seemed to do the trick as Tessa looked to Marlene for assurance. “You really think so?”

Marlene nodded. “I know so, dear. He was very anxious earlier today for you to like the things he chose. I’ve rarely see a man take the sort of care he did. Now, come. It’s time to dazzle him.”





Chapter Nine



Ian discreetly pulled back the sleeve of his shirt to check the time on his Cartier watch. It was still a few minutes before six-thirty, and he hoped that Tessa would be ready soon. He’d been waiting for this moment with ill-concealed impatience ever since she’d left his office earlier today.

After his doubts of last evening, he had breathed a huge sigh of relief after finally seeing Tessa today. In fact, her response to him had been well beyond his wildest expectations. She was shy and uncertain, and he couldn’t be too aggressive with her, but he was overjoyed to discover that she was as attracted to him as he was to her. He had never envisioned making this much progress so quickly, and was looking forward to speeding up the very enjoyable process of seducing his golden girl. How many times had he fantasized about this – taking her to dinner and then quite possibly to his bed.

But, no, he couldn’t push her. Despite her eager response to his advances and her shy admittance of being attracted to him, Ian could still sense her uncertainty and inexperience – something that seemed odd for a soon-to-be divorced woman. He wondered if Peter had been her only boyfriend, her only sexual partner, which could explain her shyness around other men.

And while he would love nothing better than to bring Tessa home with him tonight and finally make her his, he wasn’t going to rush things. The last thing he intended to do at this point was to scare her off and ruin his chances with her. He’d waited this long – surely his patience could last a while longer.