And her head was definitely still spinning from the swiftness and ease with which Ian had arranged for everything - the clothing and salon treatments at Neiman Marcus, reserving the private dining room at Le Mistral, and now taking her to see his home. He was sweeping her off her feet and spinning her around in circles, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to get off the ride or have it continue without end.

Tessa knew that simply agreeing to see his house didn’t necessarily mean she’d consented to sleeping with him. Instinctively, she knew Ian would never dream of forcing or coercing her - he was too gallant, too much a gentleman to do such a thing. He was also so incredibly handsome and overwhelmingly male that he would never need to sweet talk a woman into his bed. Rather, they would line up eagerly for the privilege. So why was she even thinking about refusing him?

She turned her face into his broad shoulder, liking the feel of his fine wool overcoat against her cheek. His clean, masculine scent filled her senses, and she couldn’t resist nuzzling her nose against the warm skin of his throat. She couldn’t recall how many times over the past two plus years that she had longed to do just this - inhale deeply of his scent while being held closely against his powerful body. And the real thing was proving to be so much more arousing than any dream or fantasy could ever hope to be.

Ian slid his hand to the back of her head, tilting it back for his kiss. Tessa gave a little “mmm” of pleasure as his tongue swept through her mouth, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, urging his head even closer towards hers. He gave a low growl and then hauled her onto his lap. He tasted of brandy and chocolate, and Tessa quickly lost herself in his devouring kisses as they continued for long minutes.

“God, what you do to me,” he whispered in a raw voice. “You make me forget my own name with just a kiss.”

“It’s the same for me,” she whispered back.

Ian kissed her again, but this time quickly, gently, and then he reluctantly eased her back onto the seat.

“Not here, darling,” he murmured in a low voice. “If this car had a privacy panel it would be a very different matter. But we don’t want to shock poor Simon, or give him a show.”

Under cover of the dark interior of the car, he slid his hand up beneath her coat and dress until he reached the lacy top of her stocking. She gasped as he caressed her thigh, and then realized belatedly just how aroused she was, how wet. She squirmed restlessly beneath his hand, longing for him to slide it further up her leg until he was cupping her aching sex.

Instead, he slowly withdrew his hand, his voice low against her ear. “Shh. I have no intention of making you moan when we have an audience, even one as discreet as Simon. Your pleasure is going to be for my eyes and ears only. We’ll be at my home very soon now.”

Tessa was trembling in arousal as he stayed a safe distance away, merely linking their hands together casually. To distract herself from the growing need for physical release, she looked out the window, trying to determine where they were headed. It was obvious from the size and elegance of the houses they drove by that they were in a very affluent neighborhood, and Tessa was fairly certain from the names on the street signsshe glimpsed that it was the exclusive Pacific Heights area.

Two blocks later, Simon was pulling through a set of wrought iron gates that he’d used a remote control to open, and parking on the side of a stately red brick mansion. Because it was so dark and cloudy outside, Tessa couldn’t make out too many exterior details, but there was little doubt that Ian’s home was a multimillion dollar residence.

Ian helped her out of the car, then went around to the driver’s side to speak to Simon briefly. Then he was taking Tessa by the hand and leading her up a short flight of steps to the wide front door. He drew out his phone and punched in a code, explaining that he was disengaging the alarm system. He unlocked the door and ushered her inside, and Tessa could only stare at her surroundings in stunned disbelief.

The foyer of his home was nearly as large as her entire apartment, and she swiftly took in as many details as possible - from the high ceilings to the polished oak floors to the wide staircase that led to the upper and lower floors of the grand house. There was beautiful artwork on the walls, and a plush Persian carpet covering part of the floor. She had never been inside such a magnificent, elegant home before, and she had barely begun to see any of it.

“Let me take your coat, Tessa,” offered Ian, as his hands went to her shoulders. As she unbuttoned it and he helped her remove it, he added teasingly, “I promise to return it to you, despite my jealousy.”

She gave a nervous little laugh as he opened an entryway closet and hung both of their coats inside. She left her purse on a long, low table that held a fabulous floral arrangement inside a porcelain bowl with an Oriental design.

She had feared she’d feel cold without her coat, but Ian’s home was blissfully warm and cozy, a far cry from her old, drafty apartment. To save money on her heating bill, she usually kept the heater turned off these days, choosing instead to bundle up in multiple layers to keep warm.

“Here, we’ll give you the grand tour,” said Ian as he took her hand and began to lead her from room to room.

His house reflected his vibrant, charismatic personality in each and every room - from the living room with its dark furniture and huge stone fireplace, to the more intimate library with more books than a person could ever hope to read in one lifetime, to the enormous kitchen with its state of the art appliances, brick wall oven, and black granite countertops. There were windows everywhere, and Tessa imagined on a sunny day that the house would be flooded with natural light.

And as she followed him from room to room, trying very hard not to feel dazed or intimidated by the obvious luxury that surrounded her, Tessa also began to feel a sense of calm and security. She knew somehow that this was a house where she would always feel safe, would always be welcomed and cared for. In some strange way, this beautiful house - with all of its character and warmth and charm - was calling to her, inviting her in, and she realized that she’d never felt this sort of instant connection with a place before, as though she’d finally found somewhere to truly call home.

Still inside the kitchen, Ian flicked on an outdoor light, and she peered out through the wide French doors that led to the yard and grounds.

“The views from the back terrace are incredible, even at night, but since it’s just begun to rain I’ll have to show you the exterior another time,” he told her regretfully.