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“Are you ready?” he asked.
She followed his gaze to see the paparazzi flashing their cameras at passing couples.
“Wow, are these guys everywhere?”
“I’m beginning to think they have some kind of tracking device. Anyway, they’ll want to get a picture of you and me together. How do you feel about that?”
The limo pulled close to the curb. A man outside waited for a signal to enter. “I’m fine with it. Please, make sure I don’t embarrass anyone. I couldn’t stand to see my picture in the newspaper for everyone to ridicule.”
Duncan laughed. “You’re precious. I’ll take care of you no matter what. Smile for the cameras.”
The door opened, and she was swamped by all the attention. Cameras flashed at her. Duncan didn’t let her go. He kept his arm wrapped around her at all times. When the time came for their picture to be taken as a couple, Duncan pulled her close and took her lips in a kiss.
She forgot about everything. He knew how to distract her.
Chapter Eighteen
Tess gasped at the delight of the building where the charity ball was being held. A luxurious place with dazzling lights and picturesque views, it was far grander than anything she imagined. The ball was up on the second floor looking down along a star-studded garden and a beautiful romantic fountain. Couples gathered around, drinking sparkling champagne, dancing or talking in groups. Duncan had his hand wrapped possessively around her waist guiding her to groups of couples. He introduced her as his wife. She heard the proud note in his voice as he spoke. His arm around her waist was comforting. When people fired questions at her, Duncan took over if he thought there was anything she couldn’t handle. Within no time at all she became old news. Duncan never left her side as they moved around. Several times guests tried to separate them, but he held onto her, his fingers caressing her waist.
Tess felt like she was on cloud nine. After a time, everyone began to be nice and seemed to accept her as one of their own. She sipped one glass of champagne not bothering with anything else. Duncan smirked every time she took a sip. Tess struggled to contain her revulsion at the taste.
There was a difference in him. His attention along with each of his touches felt as if they were speared to something more.
She believed tonight Duncan would finally make love to her the way he should have done on their wedding night. Her nerves were firmly in place, but she couldn’t wait. The temptation had been there since he’d said how good it could be between them.
Her body trembled with excitement, the anticipation making her feel slightly giddy. The champagne had nothing to do with the head-rush she felt. The way she was feeling was directed at the man beside her.
“Are you having fun?” Duncan leaned down to ask.
She looked into his intense eyes and smiled. She could not think of any words to string together.
“Y-yes,” she said with a croak. Tess cringed at her response.
Tonight meant the world to her. Why couldn’t she grow some balls for a change?
****
Tonight was supposed to be all about Tess. He wanted to please her completely. Duncan had gone to great lengths so he’d be able to show her what true lovemaking could be. Tess looked so beautiful, and he didn’t want to scare her with his passions. He loved sex and wanted her to see how amazing it could be between two people.
He hadn’t planned on leaving her for any time throughout their honeymoon, but when he’d remembered Yvonne was still in his life he’d flown back to end things. His original plan had been to keep Yvonne in his life. He hadn’t believed his sexual needs would be met by Tess. After spending the last few days with her, he knew there was no other choice left. His first thought had been to fly back to end his relationship with Yvonne, which had seemed the better option than ending it with her over the phone.
Duncan knew Tess was getting to him. Before, he hadn’t thought about others’ feelings, but now he thought about them.
When he took Tess and made her his, he’d wanted to do so without Yvonne being in his life. Duncan had told Tess he’d needed to fly back on some important business.
He’d been on the helipad ready to fly back home when an attack of conscience had stopped him from boarding the plane. Tess had been standing in the security of their home while the private plane waited to take off. How could he lie to her? Leave her to go and break it off with another woman? It was her honeymoon, and he didn’t want to leave her alone to go and deal with another woman.
Instead of boarding the plane he’d gone inside and locked himself away in his office with the intent of calling Yvonne.
He sipped the champagne recalling the moment when she answered the phone. He’d hated every second of the conversation and knew he’d gotten away easy.
Duncan sat behind his desk with her number on the card she’d given him to be able to contact her at any time. She lived in an upscale New York place. He knew because he’d paid for her to live there. Her reputation as an interior designer had grown over the last few months, so now she could support herself.
Yvonne loved sex. She was compatible to him in appetite as she didn’t require any emotion from him. Their relationship had lasted longer than he’d anticipated.
He thought about Tess seconds before making the call. She was changing him. He felt it inside himself. There was a time he wouldn’t have cared about having Yvonne in the background as he was pursuing another woman. He wasn’t Yvonne’s only lover. The woman was too insatiable to have one man at her disposal.
For the first time in his life, Duncan felt really nervous. He wanted to be with Tess and not making a call to another woman. .
He picked up the phone and dialled Yvonne’s number.
She answered on the first ring.
“Sweetheart, you called.” Yvonne practically purred as her voice came over the line. His body didn’t respond to the need he heard in her voice. For the first time ever his body did not respond to his mistress.
“I have missed you, Duncan. I have an ache which only you can fix.” Yvonne was always more than willing to try something knew. He knew she was trying to make him have phone sex with her.
“We need to talk, Yvonne.” The sooner he dealt with her the sooner he could get back to his own woman in the next room.
“Is this about that woman you were with? Don’t worry, sweetheart. I don’t mind sharing? Or do we have to be more discreet? You know what I can do for you. How good I can make you feel.” Her voice went deeper as if she was trying to play at keeping their affair a secret.
“That woman I’m with is my wife.”
That stopped her in her tracks. “Your wife?”
“Have you missed the papers? It was everywhere,” he said. The change within her was instant. He heard the change in her voice. She became shriller.
“You have a wife?”
“Yes.”
“You got married?”
“Yes.”
Silence descended.
“It won’t last.” She snapped at him. Her voice grew louder, screeching. “She’ll realise what a callous cruel bastard you are, and she will leave you.” Her voice was hard.
Duncan felt his temper rising. This woman had no right to question his relationship with Tess. He’d never treat her so appallingly. How dare this woman say such things to him?
“No, she won’t.” He told her. “You can keep the apartment. I’ll sign over the deeds. You can keep the jewels and clothes I’ve purchased over the months. You’ll cease all contact with me.” He waited for her final response before putting the phone down.
“What makes you think your wife won’t leave you?”
“Because I’m only a bastard to women who deserve it. My wife is better than you in every way.” He made his parting shot and slammed the phone down. He’d kept himself inside his study until he calmed down. Duncan didn’t want to take his anger out on Tess. She didn’t deserve it.
After he’d finished his call and calmed down, he’d gone in search of his wife. She’d been in the kitchen reading a book near the stove. She looked so perfect and relaxed. They’d talked for a few minutes, and he decided to take her out of dinner and a theatre. First, he needed a shower to wipe all traces of that disgusting woman from his mind. Duncan felt ashamed to have even been associated with that woman. He needed to keep Tess away from her.
Once he showered, he’d taken Tess for a dinner and a show. They’d had a wonderful night, and he loved every second of being in her company. She wasn’t like all of his usual women who tried to get more out of him. She was pure and everything he wanted in a wife.
Duncan came out of his thoughts. Tess in his arms was smiling out at the dance floor. Tonight, he would take her to his bed, and if he had to, he’d keep her there until she felt the same. He loved her. There was no denying it any more. His feelings scared him, but the thought of losing Tess scared him a hell of a lot more.
