Tessa cupped his cheek in her hand, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” she whispered. “Because the best is still to come.”

He captured her hand in his, holding it in place against his cheek, his hazel eyes nearly smoldering in reaction at her fervently murmured words. “You took the words right out of my mouth, darling,” he whispered back.

“If you two are going to make out again, can you at least wait until after dinner? I’m starving over here,” joked Matthew.

His humor was greeted with laughter from the entire room, the engaged couple included, and Ian somewhat reluctantly pulled out Tessa’s chair for her as the waiters began to bring out the first course.

It was another wonderful evening, this one attended by newer but no less treasured friends, and Ian was pleased to see how much Tessa was enjoying herself. She definitely felt more at ease with this group, most of whom she’d known for some time now, and Ian forced himself not to think about the possibility that one day they might have to leave all of these friends behind. During this most recent visit to Italy and England, his father had hinted that he was starting to think more and more seriously about retiring. Hugh, of course, was next in line to serve as co-CEO alongside their Uncle Richard, but such a move would open up his very prestigious position as the Regional Director of the European division - a position that Ian would be expected to take on.

He had never discussed the possibility of moving to England with Tessa, unwilling to give her any additional reason to fret or worry or, worse, fall into depression. She’d been doing very well in regards to the latter for months now, though he admittedly kept a close eye on her moods to make sure she was happy and content.

Since returning from England, their lives had been hectic, busy, filled with business travel, social engagements, and beginning the laborious process of planning their wedding. Tessa was also occupied with her online college classes, and helping him with projects at work. He had rather intentionally been keeping her as busy as possible, worried that she might feel depressed during the day when he was at the office. But thus far his worries had been for naught, for Tessa seemed as happy and cheerful and loving as she always did.

Eventually, he would need to make some difficult decisions about their future, would have to find a way to ease her into the idea about moving to England permanently. But, for now, so long as she was content and happy and well, Ian planned to let sleeping dogs lie. There would be time enough to awaken them in the months and hopefully years to come.

Chapter Four

November – Chicago

“As much as I’m not looking forward to the day ahead of us, suddenly it just became a hell of a lot better.”

Tessa smirked knowingly at her handsome fiancé, his intensely hazel gaze raking over her body as she finished applying her makeup. She was still in her lingerie, and from the smoldering expression on Ian’s face, it was quite clear that he’d prefer her to remain that way if it was up to him.

“Like what you see, then?” she teased him lightly, carefully applying a thin line of eyeliner beneath her lashes.

Ian walked up behind her, his hands bracketing her hips as he caught her gaze in the bathroom mirror. “Like,” he growled, “is far too tame of a word to describe what I’m feeling right now, darling.”

She wiggled her silk clad buttocks against his crotch, not in the least surprised to find that he was already hard for her. “Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t argue with you about being a few minutes late for the meeting. However, given everything we have to get through today…”

He sighed, moving the strap of her bra aside so he could kiss her bare shoulder. “Don’t remind me, love. This is going to be the meeting from hell.”

Ian had been aware for some months now that operations at the big downtown hotel in Chicago had been on a gradual decline. Room occupancy rates were down, employee turnover was high, and the hotel had been receiving a number of negative reviews on travel websites. He’d sent other management teams out here - at least three different ones over the past year - but none of them had been able to achieve any real or lasting results. He hadn’t been due to visit this particular hotel until next spring, but, given the rather dire circumstances, he had re-organized his schedule so that he could put a stop to whatever was causing all the problems - not that he didn’t already have a very good idea what that was.

The manager of the Chicago hotel - a smug, manipulative bastard by the name of Martin Halloran - was in his early fifties, and had been employed by the Gregson Group for nearly three decades. His grandfather and Ian’s paternal grandfather - the founder of the company - had been the best of friends for the majority of their lives, and when Martin had graduated from university, a position had been found for him with the Gregson Group. Because of his close connection with the family, Martin practically considered himself one of them, and as such, had been taking advantage of the situation for years now. Unfortunately, his nose for business was sorely lacking, and his job performance had always been lackluster. He’d been moved around from one department to another at the corporate headquarters in London before being shipped off to America a few years ago. But the move hadn’t made a damned bit of difference in his ability to get the job done, and now the unenviable task had fallen to Ian to lay down the law to him. And knowing exactly how much of a calculating schemer Martin could be, Ian was more or less preparing himself for battle.

Reluctantly, he returned the strap of Tessa’s pale pink bra to its original position, and took a step or two away from her. She was far, far too tempting a sight in the lacy demi-bra that pushed her generous breasts up to eye-popping proportions, as well as the matching pair of silk and laced trimmed panties. The ultra-sheer stockings she’d already donned were of a very pale gray, and Ian couldn’t resist running his hand along the side of her leg.

“Every time I’m tempted to pound that arsehole Martin’s face into the table today, I’ll think about the way you look right now,” he breathed huskily in her ear. “That image should either calm me down or turn me on. Either way, it should save him a few bruises and scars.”

Tessa laughed as she began to dress. “You know it would never come to that,” she scolded gently. “You’re far too much in control of your emotions to ever lose your temper that way.”