“Do you like it here?” asked Ian after they had been shown to their table - the best in the room - and handed menus.

Tessa nodded enthusiastically, her blue eyes glowing nearly as brightly as the decorative lights. “It’s so lovely, Ian,” she told him, giving his hand a squeeze. “Have you been here before?”

“Just once. I had dinner here with my parents last year right around this same time. And,” he added, drawing her hand to his lips, “I knew then that I would bring you here one day, that it would be someplace you’d like. I even decided on this exact table.”

She glanced around the packed room, where there was not even a single table available. The other rooms of the restaurant were equally as crowded. “You must have made reservations months ago,” she murmured.

Ian grinned. “More like a few days ago. It helps, you see, when one of the partners happens to be the son of one of Mother’s oldest friends. And especially when I made arrangements for him to use the owner’s suite at one of our hotels in Florida earlier this year.”

Tessa’s voice sobered a little. “You know a lot of important people, don’t you?” she asked quietly. “Back home in San Francisco I never really paid much attention to that, but here in London everyone seems to know who you are, who your family is. Did - Davina know all of these people? Did she know most everyone who’s going to be at the party tomorrow night?”

He sensed the uncertainty in her voice, could almost see the wheels beginning to spin in her head as though this idea had never occurred to her before now. “I’m not sure that everyone is an accurate description,” he replied off-handedly, trying to sound as casual and unconcerned as possible. “But she would have known a good many of them, yes. Why do you ask, love?”

She glanced downwards, and he could see the way she was worrying her bottom lip dejectedly. “Because all of your friends are going to wonder why you broke off your engagement to her, someone who’s one of them, who’s from the same sort of background and social class as they all are, and asked me to marry you instead. I’m -”

“Perfect,” he interrupted. “You are the most perfect woman I’ve ever known. Perfect for me, at least. And I don’t give a damn what any of my so-called friends might think, Tessa. We’ve had this discussion several times already, darling, and nothing has changed. Mine is the only opinion that should matter to you, and my opinion is that you and I were made for each other.” He pressed a kiss to her palm. “You’re the love of my life, Tessa. My only love.”

She beamed at him, her blue eyes softly glowing once again. “And when you say things like that, it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. And you know I feel the same way, Ian, that you’re the only man I’ve ever truly been in love with. That’s why I’m so afraid of embarrassing you tomorrow night, of disappointing you.”

He gave her a look of mock severity. “Now, you know that the chance of either of those things happening is downright impossible. It’s just a party, darling, attended by a lot of people I barely know and won’t see again until the same time next year. You’ve already met my brothers and my closest friends, and all of them adore you. So don’t worry about any of the rest because they simply aren’t worth it. And,” he added gently, “if the idea is truly upsetting you, we’ll just skip the party. I can think of at least a dozen different things I’d rather do anyway. All of which involve you, a bed, and the complete absence of clothing.”

Tessa giggled at the rather lecherous grin he gave her, and shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I know that Victoria would be upset if we didn’t attend, and she’s been so kind to me. And it would break my heart not to be able to wear that gorgeous dress we picked out, so we have to go.”

“You’re the one who’s going to be breaking hearts when everyone sees you in that gown, my love,” he assured her. “You will definitely be the belle of the ball, and everyone is going to be enchanted by you. Just like I was the first time we met.”

She was the one to kiss his hand this time. “There you go again,” she whispered. “Saying such romantic things that I feel like weeping with joy.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” teased Ian. “So I suggest we order a drink instead.”

He tactfully didn’t bring up the subject of tomorrow night’s party again during their meal, and somewhat intentionally plied her with a bit more alcohol than usual to help her relax. His actions fortunately had the desired effect, and she turned her attention instead to the fabulous meal they enjoyed, and excitedly recounting all of the wonderful sights they had seen over the past couple of days. Her cheeks glowed rosily, her blue eyes sparkled, and she laughed and smiled throughout the duration of the meal.

And during the cab ride back to the townhouse, he discovered that the extra glass or two of wine had also made her rather amorous. She was snuggled up so closely against him that she was practically sitting on his lap, and hugging his arm flush against her breasts. He smiled down at her, only to be taken by surprise as she tugged his head down to hers, kissing him eagerly. Ian returned her kiss with answering hunger, but then quickly stilled when he heard the unmistakable sounds of her moans begin to increase in volume. A brief sideways glance from his peripheral vision confirmed that their driver had heard Tessa as well, given the knowing grin on his face as he looked back at them.

Ian gently eased her away from him, keeping her hand firmly clasped in one of his, as he raised a finger to his lips.

“Shh,” he mouthed silently. “We have a very interested observer.” He inclined his head towards their driver.

Tessa’s eyes were twinkling impishly. “Who cares?” she mouthed back. “I say we give him a little thrill.”

He shook his head. “Not here,” he whispered urgently. “We’ll be back at the house in just a few minutes. Then you can thrill me all night long, love.”

She stuck her bottom lip out in a playful pout. “What if I can’t wait that long?” she teased, deliberately rubbing her leg against his.

Ian smiled, dropping a quick kiss on her forehead. “Of course you can,” he replied lazily. “And you know how much better it always is when you have to wait for it a bit.”

She ran her tongue enticingly around his ear before biting down gently on the lobe. “But I want you now,” she purred. “I’m already wet for you, Ian.”