The sound that Ian emitted was practically a snarl, the look in his eyes deadly. “I am not having this discussion with you, Colin,” he stated flatly. “My relationship with Tessa, and in particular our physical relationship, is entirely private. Understand?”

Colin held up his hands in surrender. “Got it, mate. And I didn’t mean any offense, Ian, truly. She’s just - not exactly your usual type, you know? Not that you actually have a type, or have had very many women in your life over the years. But - and I mean this with the utmost respect - your fiancée is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. She’s also hot as hell. And,” he added teasingly, “I’ve got zero idea what she sees in a stuffy old bastard like you.”

Ian’s mouth quirked up at the corners, his good humor slowly returning. “I have to agree with you there. But, well, since I’ve met her I’ve, ah, loosened up a bit. To the point where you’d have a tough time calling me Professor Prude any longer.”

Colin was instantly intrigued. “Do tell, big brother. Are you going to give me an example, or am I just supposed to take your word for it?”

Ian threw him a truly terrifying glare. “I’d like to give you an example of what it feels like to get punched in the gut,” he muttered. “But you’d have a difficult time explaining to your son why Daddy is hobbling around like an old man, so I’ll refrain from any physical violence. And,” he added a bit sullenly, “much as it pains me to admit it, I’ve, ah, found myself borrowing a few of your old moves.”

Colin’s jaw dropped open in astonishment for long seconds, and then he burst out laughing. “My God, I don’t believe it!” he guffawed. “So, what you’re telling me is that all those times you were chastising me for being the worst sort of manwhore, you were actually taking mental notes? I’m beginning to think you have a dark side to you after all, old man. Though I suppose if you’ve been using some of my moves in the bedroom, I can’t call you that nickname anymore either, can I?’

Ian smiled in spite of his better instincts. “Tessa gets very incensed when anyone dares to bring up the age difference between us, so I’d advise you to retire that particular form of address. At least around her.”

Colin winked suggestively. “She’s been good for you, Ian. In a whole lot of ways. I can’t ever remember seeing you this happy, and certainly never this carefree. And I think Selina almost choked on her manicotti last night when you actually gave Tessa a kiss on the lips right in front of everyone. Maybe you should have robbed the cradle years ago if this is the effect it has on you.”

Ian’s smile was swiftly replaced with a scowl. “And you should definitely not use that term in front of her, either. She’s very protective of me, and I’ve been upping her training in the gym as of late. She’s got a mean upper cut, nearly broke that bastard Jason’s nose a couple of months ago.”

Colin grimaced. “Bastard is too good a word for him. Tessa should have finished the job, and cracked a couple of his ribs for good measure. But I’m guessing he’s hating life right about now, being watched over like a hawk in Uncle Richard’s domain, so there is some justice in this world. Now, forget about that wanker. Tell me - what old moves of mine in particular have you used?”

Ian rolled his eyes in revolt. “You do have a one track mind, don’t you? And since you’re also like a dog with a bone at times, you’re not going to let this one go, are you? Very well, let me think. Ah, I know. I believe you might have rather crudely referred to the position as the Big V?”

Colin hooted in approval. “Christ, yes! She must be incredibly flexible to have managed that one. And with those long legs of hers, I can only imagine. Where were you when it happened - bathroom, kitchen, dining room? C’mon, Ian, I want details, man.”

Ian shook his head firmly. “Not on your life. I shouldn’t have told you that much, you horny bastard. Speaking of which, since you rather rudely interrupted us just now, you’ll understand if I excuse myself to, ah, finish what I started. You’ve got the pool to yourself.”

Colin grinned wickedly. “Suddenly, a swim doesn’t sound very appealing. Maybe I’ll just walk back into the house with you. I can, ah, loiter outside in the hallway for a bit in case you need any pointers.”

Ian growled in disapproval. “Like hell you will. And I assure you, little brother, that I can figure this out all by myself.”

“I’m sure you can,” joked Colin. “Especially with your very sexy fiancée for inspiration. But I honestly don’t mind tagging along, Ian. I promise to cover my ears if I hear anything really juicy and - shit!”

Colin was caught completely off guard - and balance - as his brother gave him a very firm shove into the pool. He surfaced quickly, being nearly as accomplished a swimmer as Ian, spluttering as he shoved a wet hank of hair from his face.

Ian was smirking in satisfaction. “You looked a little hot there, Colin, figured you’d welcome the opportunity to cool off a bit. See you at breakfast. And don’t you dare say a word to Tessa about anything we’ve just discussed. Otherwise, I’ll have her give everyone a demonstration of her boxing skills, and you can be her sparring partner.”

Colin’s annoyance at having been rather unceremoniously dumped into the pool quickly disappeared as Ian strode away briskly, and he smiled in satisfaction instead. ‘Never thought I’d see the day when you were this crazy about a woman, old man,’ he thought to himself as he began to swim laps. ‘Though I’m going to have to dream up a new nickname or two for you now. Can’t very well call you old or a prude when you’ve got a sexpot like Tessa waiting in your bed, can I?’

Tessa was still seething as she turned on the taps in the shower, and then waited for the water to reach an acceptable temperature. To say that she was greatly annoyed by what had just happened out by the pool would be a severe understatement; royally pissed off would be a much more accurate description of her emotions right about now.

Ian had warned her more than once about his younger brother, but she’d dismissed all of his cautionary words as a bit of overkill. After all, she’d reasoned, Colin was a married man now and a father besides, so surely he would have given up his rakish ways?

Ian had rolled his eyes at her innocently murmured words. “I wouldn’t be so sure, darling,” he’d cautioned her. “He may be a family man now, but I sincerely doubt his roving eye doesn’t - well, rove every so often. Not that he would actually cheat on Selina, of course, but it’s hard to imagine a natural born flirt like my brother completely mending his ways.”