Splendor(74)

She giggled, liking this playful side of him. “Don’t forget I have a job. And a very demanding boss. Somehow I don’t think he’d consider these “skimpy bits” proper office attire.”

“You’re damned right he wouldn’t,” he growled, banding an arm about her waist and yanking her against him. “I haven’t waited this long for you only to share the sight of this luscious body with anyone else.” He cupped her breast through the soft fabric of her robe, his thumb rasping over the nipple. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear these under your clothes, so I can fantasize about how you look in them all day.”

Tessa gave a little moan as he continued to fondle her breast. “I’ll do whatever you want so long as you keep touching me like that.”

His fingers splayed open over her breast before giving it a squeeze. “You are quickly becoming a lusty little thing, aren’t you?” he purred. “But I’m afraid you’ve wrung me dry for the moment, love. Christ, I’ve never had this much sex in such a short amount of time. You’re like a constant aphrodisiac. Now, it’s time to take care of other appetites, hmm? Let’s find you some clothes so we can head out for breakfast.”

She ran a hand up over his pectorals, loving this opportunity to touch his bare skin. “Is it still raining?”

“Absolutely pouring. It eased up a bit during the night, I believe, but a second front is passing through right now. Why do you ask?”

Tessa rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers plucking at the towel wrapped around his waist. “Would you mind very much if we just stayed here today? I’d love to cook breakfast for you. I mean, my cooking skills are pretty basic but I can manage breakfast.”

“I don’t want you to have to work at all this entire weekend,” he declared. “That is – I hope you can stay with me the rest of the weekend. Am I interfering with any plans you’d made?”

She grinned. “Just a hot date with my laundry. And a very fun afternoon at the grocery store. Nothing that won’t keep a couple of days. And I really don’t mind making breakfast. You have such an amazing kitchen that I’d love the chance to use that stove. Provided I can figure out how to operate it, that is.”

“Ah, so now the real truth comes out,” teased Ian. “It’s my kitchen you’re really interested in, not me. I’ll tell you what, love. We’ll cook breakfast together, all right?”

She raised a brow in surprise. “You know how to cook?”

He shrugged. “Well, I’m no Emeril Lagasse but I can manage some basics. My brothers and I were required to work our way up from the bottom in the company, and for me at least that included a stint or two working in hotel restaurants. My housekeeper usually restocks supplies on Friday, so we’ll see what we can put together. Now, I suggest you get some clothes on, love. If you stay in that robe, it will be far too tempting – and easy - for me to slip it off you at a moment’s notice.”

Tessa tugged playfully at his towel. “Not as easy as it would be for me.” Then she squealed as his big hand swatted her bottom.

“Behave,” he admonished. “I think we’ll both be safer if you dress in here while I go shave. And don’t even start looking at price tags. I should have had them all cut off.”

“When exactly did you have time to put all these things away, anyway?” she asked curiously.

“I’m afraid I had to leave that task to my housekeeper,” he admitted. “Fortunately, Mrs. Sargent is both accommodating and discreet. Though I could sense she was very anxious to ask me several questions about who all these things were for.”

“So you don’t normally buy things for your overnight female guests?” she asked pointedly.

Ian shook his head. “Except for family members, I have never purchased clothing – much less very fetching lace undies – for a woman. Same thing with overnight guests. The only women who have ever been in this house are Mrs. Sargent and family members.”

Tessa was extremely pleased at this revelation. “So I’m a first for you in at least a couple of ways, too.”

He held her face between his palms and kissed her forehead. “More than a couple, love. Let me grab some clothes now and I’ll go change outside after I shave.”

She clasped his wrist. “Wait.”

As he gazed at her expectantly, she asked him shyly, “Would it bother you not to shave today? I – um, like you this way for a change. The stubble, I mean. It’s very sexy.”

Ian grinned as she caressed his cheek. “I don’t mind at all, Tessa. In fact, I don’t always shave when I’m home on the weekends. And if you find it sexy, then I definitely won’t do it today.”