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Chapter One
Tessa Jones had stepped gingerly from the taxi, feeling as her body had tensed once more being so close to the house that she had spent her early childhood years. Pausing for a second, she had taken in the well manicured lawns, the grand entrance filling her with foreboding before stealing herself to move forward. Lifting the large ornate knocker she had allowed it to fall, the dull sound bringing back so many memories. As the imposing door had opened smoothly she had smiled at the butler so familiar to her from her youth, his surprise at her presence so clear.
“Miss Tessa……….I’m not sure that your grandfather was expecting you”
He began, his voice unsure as he had stood blocking the entrance, the sound of music filling the air. With a reassuring smile she had carried on moving forcing the older man to step backwards.
“Sure he does Mr Smithers” she had grinned, seeing how the butler had smiled with relief, accepting her answer with a small nod before closing the door behind her.
Passing by a large mirror she had checked her appearance, scrunching up her nose playfully at her reflection. At 23, Tessa was stunning. Of slightly taller than average height about 5’9, with a wonderful figure, and the grace of the dancer she was. Her long legs were hidden beneath the tail dress she wore, but her curves were clear to see in the way the dress hugged her perfect body. Tessa had been loath to wear the revealing dress, but it had been the only one her friend Clara had found that was long enough for her, and as she had to see her grandfather, who was avoiding her, she had reluctantly put it on.
Placing her fingers on the handle of the large impressive door, she had taken a deep breath preparing to enter the dragon’s lair. Pushing it full open she had moved into the large room, the music suddenly so loud along with the sound of people’s voices and laughter. Her beautiful brown eyes, so large in her creamy oval face, had regarded the scene so seriously and focussed, as she had raised her chin proudly, her long black shining hair held up within a soft bun with tendrils which tapered down her long graceful neck.
Alexis Demitri, stood beside the beautiful blonde, who was simpering and flirting outrageously with him, her beauty marred by the huffy pouting glances she would send her grandfather’s way, as he encouraged her obvious behaviour. Frowning down at the soda water he held in his hand he had once more kicked himself at letting himself be tricked into the social event, knowing instantly what was going on, wishing himself anywhere but there. Before him John Jones had looked on at the couple, a small frown crossing his harsh features, not happy with the way things were going. Marcie did not usually let him down when it came to men and looking around he had smiled spotting a young girl in the crowd.
“Angela” he had cried out, his voice booming even in the large room full of sounds. The young child, no more than six, had made her way over, her displeasure at being pulled over clear on her face. He had tried not to roll his eyes at the scene being played out solely for his benefit, as his lips twitched watching it all unfold before him.
“Angela, aren’t you going to say hello to your favourite cousin?” John had cried out, the young girl moving over to the blonde beside him.
“Hi Marcie” the girl Angela had said, her voice lacklustre at best.
Marcie had leant down pulling the girl in closer to her, hugging her, her enthusiasm for the youngster so lacking in belief.
“Oh I do so love children don’t you Mr Demitri?” she had cooed while looking so ill at ease with the child in her arms, only the small girl Angela looking more uncomfortable being there.
Smiling noncommittally, he had only nodded, wondered how quickly he could escape the awful party, and these awful people, seeing as John Jones made to move in closer, no doubt to add more to the virtues of his granddaughter. However the young girl Angela had suddenly given out a yelp of joy, pushing herself free from the blonde Marcie, John Jones eyes fixing on someone, his body tensing, his features hardening.
“Tessa”, she had cried, running forward and throwing herself into the arms of another woman who had been walking towards the group. Alexis had turned to look at the newcomer, his mouth opening in surprise at what he saw.
Tessa had laughed as Angela, her young cousin had launched herself into her arms, lifting her in the air and spinning her once. Laughing she had placed her back down on her feet, having nearly knocked over several of the crowd in the large room, apologising and smiling as the other guests had smiled warmly back at her, their pleasure at seeing her so obvious.
“Hey button” she had cried, her wonderful mouth breaking into a large smile which had lit up her whole face as she grinned warmly at the small child, who was hugging her tightly.
“Wow, when did you get so big and strong?” she had chuckled leaning down to give her a hug back.
“Mummy says I can come to your classes this term” the little girl was excitedly telling her, pushing her hand deep into the young woman’s,
“She said that I could go to any dance school I wanted, and I want to go to yours” she had continued, her eyes and face shining happily as she chattered.
Tessa had grinned back down on her.
“Wow, you will be my star pupil” she had replied playfully tweaking the young girl’s nose and dropping a small kiss on her head.
Hearing her mother calling, Angela had looked disappointed to have to let go of Tessa’s hand, and had given her another hug before running in the direction of a smiling woman. Tessa had watched her for a second, very fond of the young girl before once more moving towards her grandfather, the smile dropping from her features to be once more replaced by a look of grim determination.
She had taken in the group, her main focus being the imposing figure of John Jones, his cruel face now glaring angrily at her. To his right she could see her Cousin Marcie fawning over a tall handsome man, her eyes registering him for a fleeting second, taking in everything about the man. He was well over six feet tall, broad shoulders, tapering down to a slim waist which allowed him to look so good in the expensive tailored suit he wore. His dark hair was neatly cut around his handsome face, but it was his eyes which had made the biggest impact on her. Dark, almost black eyes, surrounded by long lashes which leant him an exotic yet dangerous look were fixed on her. His gaze was unblinking and sure, and for some unknown reason, she had felt a small shiver of awareness pass through her, before pulling her eyes from him back to her grandfather.
Coming to a halt before the older man, Tessa had smiled at him, the smile not reaching her large lovely eyes, seeing the coldness reflected in his.
“What are you doing here?” he had asked the anger in his voice only barely controlled.
Tessa had pulled herself to her full height.
“Well I knew that you were having a party” she had breezed lightly.
“And I umed that my invitation had just got lost………..so I just turned up……….didn’t want to make a fuss”
She had smiling over at Marcie, who was scowling seeing her there.
“Nice dress Marcie” she had offered brightly, holding back the laugh as her spoiled cousin had glowered back at her.
“There was no mistake, nobody invited you Tessa” her grandfather had spoken, his tone harsh, as she had looked back at him, her eyes suddenly very serious.
“Sure you did John” she had spoken softly, anger now in her voice, “when you wouldn’t answer my calls”
Suddenly very aware of where he was John Jones had taken her arm, looking at the man standing silently watching the scene unfold.
“Please excuse me Alexis, I need to talk quickly with my granddaughter” he had spoken, before roughly grabbing her arm to pull her away.
Tessa had turned towards him also.
“Yes, apologies” she had quipped in a tone that held no apology.
“But it was a pleasure meeting you Alexis” she had thrown, quickly seeing how his mouth had twitched as she was dragged away into a far corner.
As the annoying blonde had continued to try to hold his attention with her inane chatter, Alexis had watched as the two seemed to be locked in a fairly heated argument. John Jones had finally stepped away from her, his expression stony as he had moved back towards them, seeing how the woman, Tessa, had looked deflated. Her sassy composure now gone as she seemed to be trying hard to pull herself together, her hand stroking her forehead in defeat, as she had moved back towards the exit.
“Forgive, me Alexis” John had gushed.
“Unfortunate intrusion, but I’m sure Marcie here has been looking after you” he had cried, seeing how Marcie was indeed trying her best to drape herself over the younger man before him. Alexis had smiled politely, gently freeing himself from the blonde.
“Thank you John…….. but I really must be going” he had spoken softly, his eyes still following the woman who had finally made it to the door.
“But…but…surely you can stay a little longer” the older man had blustered, the blonde pouting her sexiest, trying to once more wrap herself around his arm.
