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“Some of it is true. I’ve had plenty of women in my bed, but it’s not how they portray it.”
“How do you mean?”
“The women I’ve dated have wanted me for something. My reputation, my money. They get something out of it.”
“While you get the pleasure of their bodies?” she asked.
He frowned. “Yes, that’s about it.”
Tess took another sip of the cooling liquid. “It sounds like a very lonely life.”
“It was the life I led.”
“Do you ever want love? A family? The stuff you read about in books?”
Duncan sighed putting his mug down. “I’d like to be a father one day. I’ve spent so much of my life in the office I want to have someone to give it to when I’m done. Love? I don’t know. It has been such a foreign concept to me. I figured I could live without it.”
“What about your family?”
“I’d rather not go into it.”
“Okay.”
“What about you, Tess? Do you want love and all of the romance thing?” he asked.
She smiled. “Yes.” Tess debated on telling him everything she wanted. She’d held so much back of herself that she didn’t want to keep anything else inside. “I’ve spent most of my life alone. I’d love to have someone to love and for them to love me back. Children would be wonderful. Daughters and sons would be amazing. I always pictured myself having a big family. It’s amazing how our life pans out.”
She finished off her mug of hot chocolate. “That was delicious.”
“You’re not tired,” he said, taking the cup from her.
“Not a bit.”
“Come on, let’s go and watch a movie.”
Duncan hadn’t ridiculed her hopes or dreams. He’d taken her into the sitting room, and they’d sat together watching a movie.
Tess came out of her thoughts as the jet settled. She gazed at the man beside her. He was the same man she married, but there was something different about him. Duncan felt more real to her.
****
Duncan watched as she got lost in her own little world. He wondered if she was remembering last night. If it had been any other woman who asked him about his wealth he’d have pegged them down as a gold-digger. Tess was different. Every time his wealth was mentioned she looked more nervous around him. He knew she was uncomfortable with his riches and her lack thereof.
When he’d sat down with her father and saw a glimpse of the real Tess he knew family meant more to her than money. His conversation with her the night before had confirmed any doubts. She wanted people in her life to love. Tess had been without love all of her life. Erik, her father, didn’t like his daughter. Duncan never thought in his whole life he’d be so relieved to have someone in his company who never thought about money. Her conversation always surrounded life, love, and beauty. Money meant very little to his wife.
Tess was as refreshing as the Italian sun.
Before long they were on the ground and safely making their way to the huge villa. He saw Tess looking at everything. There was too much for her to see in one quick glance. He looked forward to exploring every part of this country with her. She curled into his side as they walked the short distance from the garden into the house.
Normally, Duncan hated women pawing at him. He wrapped his arm around Tess’s back then continued up with a sense of pride. Each time she came to him for comfort was a big achievement to him.
You’re not thinking about seduction.
You love her, Duncan.
Admit it. You want more from her than revenge on a dead man.
Once again he cut off his thoughts the moment they entered the house.
They were greeted by his wonderful plump housekeeper, Sofia. Duncan smiled as her infectious laughing smile and welcoming arms greeted him. She hugged Duncan close, giving him a squeeze and then turned her attention to Tess.
He saw Sofia assess her, and then she wrapped her arms around his wife. Sofia accepted her. He saw Tess loved every minute of the warm welcome. She smiled back and encouraged the warmth in Sofia’s arms.
Duncan saw the delight of the welcome written in Tess’s eyes. He noticed she gravitated towards older people. Tess looked so happy to be with Sofia. It made him wonder how much she craved a mother. By the way she kept accepting affection from Grace and Sofia, Duncan knew there was more to her feelings about her mother than met the eye.
“You’re such a beautiful woman, and you’ve got meat on your bones. My faith in mankind has been restored,” Sofia said, cupping Tess’s cheeks and kissing her lips.
“Thank you.” Tess blushed. He caught her hand, then pulled her closer giving her his own kiss.
Sofia chuckled and clapped her hands. Duncan let Tess go, her blush turning a deeper shade of red.
“She’s exquisite, Duncan. A brilliant find for a wife, and she has lovely hips, fit to give you many strong babies. I’m only disappointed I didn’t get an invite to the wedding.” Sofia teased him in Italian. He saw the confusion in Tess’s eyes. Duncan would tell her what Sofia said later.
“Our romance happened so fast, Sofia. I didn’t want to wait a minute longer to make her my woman.”
“Yes, I can see. She’s perfect, Duncan. I can tell she has a good heart. Keep this one safe.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Sofia was on his side. She led the way into the kitchen.
He leaned down to Tess when Sofia’s back was turned.
“Sofia mentioned how beautiful you are. That’s what she was saying.” He purposely didn’t tell her about the hips and babies part of her comment. This trip was to get her to fall in love with him, not to hate him. Women and weight made a touchy subject. He liked Tess the way she was. He didn’t want her to change for him. Besides, babies were a huge step, even if he did plan to have his seed planted in her body very soon. First he wanted her to love him.
That was what he had planned for her on this honeymoon, sunshine, happiness, and loving.
Duncan told Sofia in Italian grabbing her attention once more. “She was a rare find indeed.” He kept a hold of Tess not wanting to let her go.
“I’m so pleased you came back. Will you be visiting Miranda?” Sofia asked in Italian. Duncan stroked Tess’s shoulder. She leaned closer snuggling against his chest. Duncan saw Sofia’s eyes soften. “Does she know about your family?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want her to know.” Sofia had been a member of his mother’s household before his father moved Miranda in. “She’s got her own bad experiences with her own parents.”
class=Section9> “My lips are sealed, dear boy. So much drama. No woman could keep up.”
Duncan knew what she meant. It was one of the only areas of his life he didn’t like to think about. He’d cut his father out of his life for good. He’d been the only child to come from his father.
“So, I’ll let you know where everything is and get you both settled,” Sofia said, including Tess in the conversation.
“You’re leaving?”
“Honey, I have my own life to lead. Also, you’re newly wed, and you don’t need an old woman like me spoiling the fun. I’ve taken care of everything for you to stay here without wandering out.”
Duncan appreciated everything Sofia had done for him. She worked so hard and made sure he’d have a good time whenever he visited.
“I’ll be a phone call away if ever you need me. Now, stop stalling.”
Sofia took Tess’s hand pulling her away from him. He missed Tess the moment she was gone.
He followed them into the kitchen. Hearing Tess’s reactions was wonderful. She was a true delight to him.
Chapter Fifteen
After another few words from Sofia, the older woman took her hand pulling her away from Duncan. She liked holding onto him. He was a safety net. When he was around she felt protected by him. He’d never tried to physically hurt her. Even as her excitement grew from being in a country she’d fallen in love with from a girl, she still wanted to be safe. Duncan gave her that. Sofia led the way into the villa’s kitchen. It must have been the size of her apartment from the vast size. It made her wonder what was in all the other rooms inside the villa.
Her hobby was cooking, and she loved looking at kitchens when she went to the DIY stores. The kitchen was filled with all the top of the line products. Tess heard Duncan explain everything was purchased from the surrounding towns.
“It’s wonderful,” Tess said. She gazed round the large room and felt at home. She knew cooking would be a dream. The kitchen made her think it was fit for a family. A nice large family with lots of love.
Tess was taken to the fridge, the pantry, and given more information on all the food available that needed to be eaten. Then Sofia prepared cold cuts of meat, a variety of cheeses, and some fresh baked bread to soften their building appetite. Tess loved the food, and Duncan ate all of his helping and then went for a second and even a third. Tess couldn’t stop herself giggling like a little girl at the way he was behaving. The moment they’d stepped off his aircraft he’d been different. There was an air of ease about him. He looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. He responded in kind by laughing as well.
