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The experience was wonderful. Tess was unable to recall ever feeling so happy.
Once they were all cleared and well fed to wait for the supper, Duncan took her for a tour, leaving Sofia to finish preparing the night’s meal. Duncan had informed her tonight’s meal was a surprise. When she asked what she should expect, he’d given her an indulgent chuckle, kissed her head, and said to wait and see.
“Sofia will be spending the night here, and then tomorrow she’ll be walking back home,” Duncan said.
“She’s a lovely woman. I’m so pleased to have met her.” He took her hand once again. A thrill of excitement shot through her entire body. The chemistry between them was undeniable. She hoped they were able to work past their issues. Her feelings for Duncan were really starting to grow.
Tess feared what she’d end up feeling for Duncan. There was a side of him she didn’t like, his business side. Then there was the person he appeared to be now, the kind man who smiled without expecting something. This man she liked. She wondered which man was the real Duncan James.
The house was amazing and breathtaking. From the decoration alone she knew there was no expense spared in all the rooms. Everything, from the art to the furniture, was there for a reason. Tess loved everything. She knew there had been a lot of love dedicated to the house. Duncan must have really fallen for the villa. His mark was in every room.
“Did you decorate yourself?” she asked.
“Yes. I didn’t want anyone having any part in it. It took some time, but I got what I wanted.”
“Your house is beautiful. Your time and attention really show.”
“Thank you.”
The beautiful pieces of art that decorated the walls were all different but all splendid. They ranged from self portraits to landscapes to passionate lovers entwined. Every detail was designed to capture the eye and keep it. The explicit art work wasn’t vulgar but portrayed as beautifully as possible. The male and female forms wrapped into one.
Tess felt her blood heating. The lovers looked so attuned to each other.
“Do you know the lovers?” she asked. She felt the heat spread into her cheeks. Why couldn’t she go a day without blushing around this man?
“No, I don’t. But I know the artist, and I know he’s incredible. The way he shows the lust in the picture is magnificent. To me, it looks like there is no one else in the world alive for them. They are devoted to one another. It is so passionate but modest at the same time. The artist has made less, more.”
Tess could only agree. As they made their way upstairs, Duncan stroked her hand where he held it, filling Tess with happiness. She felt a bond between them beginning to form. Duncan kept so much of himself locked away. This man wasn’t the same one she’d married. This man was deeper than money.
This man she could easily fall in love with.
If not for their predicament, her father’s thievery, they could have had a real chance together.
You still can if you only look beyond the problems.
Tess wanted to love someone so much, but she was scared to finally let go.
“I’m pleased you like my home,” he said, pulling her out of her troubled thoughts.
“You’re different when you’re here.”
He paused turning to face her.
“Is this a good different or a bad different?” he asked. Duncan reached out to push some of her hair off her face. His attentiveness pleased her. He stroked a line from her forehead to her lips. She stopped breathing as he ran a thumb over her bottom lip.
“It’s good,” she said. “Which one of you is real?”
“You’ll have to find out.” He took a kiss then continued on with his tour.
When they entered the master suite Tess wondered how he’d decorate the main room. Duncan wasn’t like the man she’d come to know. The tabloids had lied about him, and he’d succumbed to the reputation. She didn’t want to spoil the moment they were sharing. Tess felt so close to him. She wanted to press a hand to her lips where they tingled from his kiss. His gentleness was a contrast to the powerful man he portrayed. She wanted to get to know this side of him.
He opened the door to the master bedroom. She was surprised by how sensational the room looked. The king-sized bed dominated the room. The luxury of the room wasn’t lost even with a large bed. The bed was covered with silk sheets. They looked beautiful and soft. The pillows were plump and inviting.
She looked round and saw doors that opened onto the patio outside overlooking the vast gardens. A slight chill permeated the air from air conditioning. Tess followed Duncan as he tugged on her arms. There was an incredible en-suite bathroom with a glorious open bathtub and a separate power shower, two sinks, and luxuriousness in every corner.
Tess loved it and wanted to share it with the man at her side. She didn’t want to lose him. The desire she felt for him increased ten-fold. Tess felt the pull deep within her body. She sensed his desire and the need he had for her. It was strange how quickly the air changed. He stared at her, his gaze dark as he looked from the top of her head down her body to her toes. Tess didn’t feel scared but anxious. Her mind and body were becoming attuned to this man. Her heart was melting as her mind opened up to wanting more from him.
She was beginning to want to have a family with this man.
It no longer mattered about the shortness of time. She knew what she wanted. Duncan was proving to her there was more to him than met the eye. She was more than willing to take a leap of faith with him.
They stood close, neither moving away nor closing the small distance. For a few moments it was a battle of wills, but to Tess it felt like a lifetime. She wanted to do something, but she didn’t know what to do.
Then it suddenly hit her.
I want him to kiss me, to take me. I want to finally be his wife in the truest sense of the word.
Tess wanted to forget about the disaster of her wedding night. They both could make a fresh start, here and now. She was willing to take a chance. Was he?
****
Duncan watched Tess closely to see her reaction to his home and the room he hoped to share with her. He recalled with great detail the pains he’d gone to have this place looking the way he wanted. It had taken many years and plenty of tears to get what he wanted. He felt the results of all his efforts by her amazed expression.
He didn’t want her thinking another woman had been here before because he’d never brought any woman here. This was his domain, and that is how he’d kept it. Tess was the first woman he’d ever let see a part of himself he’d kept hidden. Why he’d done it, he didn’t know.
Because you want her to love Duncan James the man. Not what the press or anyone else portrays you as.
He’d wanted to share his home with Tess. She deserved to see the beauty in the world. Duncan wanted to give her something no other man could, a chance for her to have all of her dreams. He’d got plenty of money and the means to give her the world.
“You’re really rich,” she said. A deeper blush stained her cheeks. He loved seeing her innocence. It reminded him of everything she’d given him. For a short time when he was with her, he could forget about his plan for vengeance. He could embrace everything life had to offer.
“Yes, I am. I think it’s part of who I am. Money is the only part of me.” He closed the distance between them. They stood close together. Duncan lifted her hand and stared at the two rings on her finger.
They’d come by unscrupulous means, but they were part of them. Erik, his own father didn’t matter to him in that moment. Tess was with him, and she’d proven to be more than money.
The air around them became charged.
Duncan saw a difference inside Tess. There was a fight going on inside her. He saw the arousal building up with the way her nipples poked against the fabric of her shirt. Duncan anticipated her next move. His own desire was building. The way her jeans and shirt moulded against her body had him in a sweat to take them off. He knew how full and luscious her body was under his own.
His cock pulsed, his semen leaking out of the tip.
All he wanted to do was grab her, press her against the wall, and fuck her hard. Her body was so fucking hot.
He let her hand go to run his fingers through his head.
Her body appeared to be moving on pure instinct. Duncan didn’t know what to do if she came on to him. Should he reject her or sate both their appetites?
Tess closed the small distance between them.
Duncan could not believe what she was doing.
He truly believed she would have backed off, but within the next instant her lips came up to meet his.
They didn’t touch other than her lips against his.
Her lips trembled against his. They were smooth and plump. He felt like punching the air in victory. She’d initiated the first physical response.
Keep it in your pants, big boy. You may have taken the virgin, but you need to prepare her for your possession.
Duncan enjoyed the moment not allowing anything to spoil her kiss.
