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He caressed her cheek. His gaze never left hers. “A little of both.”
The maitre d’ came through to escort them to their table in the restaurant. Duncan was stopped several times by business associates and acquaintances. Eyes bored into her from all around the room. Many were from the men who she could only imagine were curious about Duncan James’s choice of date, while the women were scowling at her. Their vindictiveness consumed her. No matter where she looked their eyes cut through her. If looks could strike she would be down on the floor and wounded.
She noticed their eyes caressed Duncan across the room while they sent daggers her way. Her hand gripped his more firmly. The security she felt from his touch shocked her.
Tess never wanted their animosity to hit her. She hadn’t thought that far ahead to being his wife. It would seem she’d be on the receiving end of all of their hate.
Within minutes they were seated at their secluded table. A small selection of candles was scattered in the centre of the table. A single red rose was in one fluted glass to the side of the table. The couples around them were engrossed in their own tables.
They were alone at the romantic table.
“How did you manage to get a table away from all the chaos?” she asked, extremely pleased that he had. She wouldn’t have been able to bear all the stares for long.
“I’m part-owner of this restaurant. The chef is a close friend of mine. This table, you could say I own,” he said as the waiter came to hand them what seemed like special menus.
“You told me our table wouldn’t wait around forever,” she said.
“I lied to get you here quickly. I knew the longer I left you alone the higher the risk was of you backing out.”
“You wouldn’t have let me back out, Duncan. We both know that.”
He smiled then looked down at the menu.
“Why the different menus from everyone else?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t always want what is on offer. The service I get is I can have any dish I choose. The chef is more than happy to cook for me.” He smiled, his arrogance showing through.
“You always get what you want?” It was more a statement than a question. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.
“I have spent most of my life making it so. So now I indulge in all the fruits and extras it has to offer,” he said. The waiter came over, and Duncan ordered a bottle of house red wine.
Her menu was taken off her.
“I don’t drink,” she said, trying to signal the waiter back.
“Try the wine when it comes. If you don’t like it we’ll get you a Coke.” He mocked her.
“I’m not a child, Duncan. I just don’t drink alcohol. A water would do fine.” She felt her temper rise to the surface. He was always so controlling. She liked and hated it about him.
What was so wrong with her not liking wine? He didn’t know everything.
“I could never mistake you for a child, Tess. Do you drink tea?” His smile brightened his whole face.
She struggled to be angry with him when he was charming. Her anger melted away.
Tess smiled back. There was nothing else for her to do.
She moved out of the way for the waiter to fill her glass. The red liquid was filled to the top. She stared at it wishing he’d asked for something else. The waiter left the table, leaving the bottle for Duncan to deal with. She picked her glass up, watching as Duncan laughed.
“It’s not going to bite,” he said. He laughed again as she pulled a face in his direction.
She took a gentle sip then put the glass back down. She wasn’t designed to enjoy wine.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
Tess shook her head and left the wine where it was.
“Don’t you like it?” He took a sip of the wine. He frowned then took another sip. “It’s exquisite.” He took another generous sip.
“I only taste vinegar. I don’t think I have the palate for wine. Would you order me a water, please.”
He nodded then signalled the waiter. Tess waited for some water. The waiter came over with a wine glass and a pitcher. He took the glass of red wine then left.
Duncan smiled at her. She didn’t have the energy to smile back. Everything was a fight for him, even over her drink. Would their life ever be simple?
She looked behind her to see all the other customers farther away were still nodding towards Duncan’s table.
“They’re all curious about you,” Duncan said, drawing her attention back to him. She turned around focussing on him. The moment her mind began to wander she started to feel nervous.
“Why?” she asked feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“They want to know who the beautiful woman is at my side. You have my complete attention, Tess. The fact I’ve never brought anyone here but business associates has caused quite a stir.”
“Why did you bring me here?” she asked.
“I wanted everyone to know you’re different. I don’t take the other women here. This place is special to me. Only the right woman at my side would ever get a chance to come here.” Duncan reached across the table to take hold of her left hand. She watched as he twirled the ring on her finger. He then removed it and slipped onto her a finger the biggest diamond she had ever seen. He pulled her fingers to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her hand and the diamond.
She pulled her hand away, looking at the ring dominating her finger.
“What is this for? What was wrong with the one you put on my finger in the limo?” She panicked. Her hand felt heavy with the real weight of the diamond on her finger. This ring would be hard to miss.
“The ring in the car was a test,” he said.
“A test?”
“Yes, I wanted to see how you reacted to such a small, inexpensive piece of jewellery.” He leaned back in his chair watching her.
“Did I pass or fail?”
“You weren’t bothered by the small item. I find that refreshing. Any other woman in your shoes would have complained about the lack of devotion on my part.”
“Then you’ve been hanging out with the wrong women. I wish you’d stop comparing me to all your other women.”
“And you don’t compare me to your other men?”
Tess wanted to throw her virginity in his face. Instead, she shook her head. “No, I don’t compare.”
Duncan stared at her for several moments. “You have just become my fiancée. I’ll make sure you have the proper tools to pull it off,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful ring. It must have cost you a small fortune.” She stared at the ring worried in case she lost it. She looked at him, but he was staring somewhere past her shoulder.
“Yes, it did cost a small fortune, and we both know I can afford it.” He motioned for the waiter to come.
“But I can’t have—” She stopped talking as the waiter handed them both a menu. She opened the menu and saw it was food. She thanked him before he left them alone again.
“If our marriage doesn’t last I’ll make sure the ring comes back to you in one piece,” she said.
“You won’t want to sell it on? Or are you planning on taking me for more money?”
She noticed he didn’t mention anything about her marriage comment. What were his thoughts about their upcoming nuptials?
“I don’t want anything from you. You’ve given my father freedom. I hope he doesn’t do anything else. I’m grateful for that.” She gazed down at her menu.
“You don’t have to order for yourself, and you can keep the ring,” he said. Duncan took her menu from her then opened his own menu.
“I can’t keep the ring. People will think—” She stopped when he looked at her. His stare was hard. She was looking at the businessman.
“People will think you are nothing but a gold-digger. In all my life I have found it easier to allow people to think what they want. That way you won’t spend your time telling people who won’t listen that they are wrong. It is a waste of time. They will all soon realise you aren’t a gold-digger. You’re my wife. Now, what do you want to eat?” He motioned for the waiter to come back. Duncan ordered himself a large steak meal. Tess had the same as he did, only with a smaller steak for her.
“So no salad sticks for you?” he asked. There was a teasing glint in his eye.
“Well, from my size I think it shows that I don’t go for salad sticks. I’m surprised you were able to find a dress in my size,” she said. Diets were pointless. No matter how little she ate or all the exercise she did nothing stopped her size. She’d had to accept she’d always be bigger and have womanly curves. Tess was learning to accept she would never be model thin. Some days it was harder to accept than others.
“I’ve noticed your body, Tess. I’ve felt your curves in my hands, and I have to say I love the fact that you eat more than salad sticks.” He complimented her. A red blush spread up her chest to her cheeks.
