His right hand curled into a fist as he waged an internal struggle to remain calm. “You should, ah, discuss that with her, Julia.”

Julia smiled brightly, looking too much like a cat who’d swallowed the canary to put him at ease. “I believe I will. Oh, there she is. Oops, better go rescue her from Jake the Snake. God, that man does not understand the concept of taking no for an answer, does he?”

Julia actually had the audacity to give him a saucy wink just before sauntering off in search of Tessa. Ian’s steely gaze followed her progress, his mouth tightening in mingled annoyance and anger as he noticed how closely Nathan’s associate architect Jake was standing next to Tessa. And when the prick actually dared to put his hand on Tessa’s lower back as he murmured something in her ear, Ian was about five seconds away from losing it.

“Nathan.”

Nathan was at Ian’s side in an instant, a look of concern on his face. “Is there a problem, Ian?” he asked.

“Two of them actually.” Ian inclined his head towards the back of the room. “You need to call your boy Jake off. At once. And tell him I have a very strict hands off policy when it comes to my - employees.”

Nathan gave a curt nod. “I’ll take care of it. What was the other problem?”

Ian glared at Julia, who was even now approaching Tessa with a perky smile. “Your very charming but extremely nosy fiancée. Tell Julia that if she persists in playing with fire that someone besides herself might get burned.”

Julia waved at both of them cheekily before returning her attention to Tessa, elbowing Jake aside at the same time. She had an extremely satisfied smile on her face.

Nathan sighed. “Aw, hell. I think I’ve got to go shoe shopping with her after work.”

Chapter Twelve

Tessa couldn’t hide her awestruck reaction as Ian drove up beneath the porte-cochere of the hotel. The mountain lodge in Lake Tahoe was of a much different design than either the opulent high-rise hotel in San Francisco, or the sprawling Mission-style resort in Tucson, the only other two Gregson properties she’d ever set foot in. Situated high on top of a mountain, the lodge was majestic and grand with its stone façade and high windows. Pristine banks of carefully groomed snow surrounded the property on all sides. Tessa had read on the lodge’s website that it offered ski-in/ski-out accommodations, as well as a ski valet and highly rated ski shop on premise. She knew Ian was an accomplished skier, and that he had plans to get her out on the slopes this weekend, a prospect that she was admittedly a little nervous about.

The drive up from San Francisco had been smooth and relatively traffic-free. Ian had rushed home from work as soon as his meeting had ended, and was behind the wheel of his sturdy, four-wheel drive Range Rover by late morning. It had been just past three o’clock when he’d exited the highway for the lodge.

Tessa was more than a little amazed at the way the hotel staff mobilized so swiftly, evidently having been informed to expect Ian and his guest. In quick succession, a valet had taken his car keys, a bellhop was unloading their luggage, and the doorman rushing to hold the massive front doors leading to the lobby open for them. Ian kept a hand on the small of her back as they walked through the sprawling lobby with its vaulted, wood beam ceilings, flagstone floors, and imposing stone fireplace. Tessa didn’t miss the way almost every single person passing through turned and stared at him, the admiration evident on both female and male faces. She was beginning to get used to the effect her handsome, debonair lover had on people, how he attracted attention no matter where they went, and also how he seemed to be so completely nonchalant about it. For her part, she couldn’t help the thrill she felt at knowing this magnificent man was really hers, and that for reasons she still couldn’t fathom as yet, he’d chosen her out of the thousands of other women around the world who’d give anything to be by his side right now.

The pretty brunette desk clerk who checked them in appeared to be as susceptible to Ian’s charm as anyone else, staring up at him with unabashed interest as he signed in and took the card keys to the owner’s suite. Tessa gave the brunette a tiny frown before sidling up closer against Ian’s side, silently staking her claim. He smiled down at her, dropping a kiss on top of her head, and sliding an arm around her waist. Tessa’s frown quickly changed to a very satisfied smile, and she was pleased to note that the clerk was suddenly all business, averting her gaze as she finished the check-in process.

Tessa’s jaw dropped open again as the private butler assigned to their suite opened the double doors and ushered her inside. She could hear Ian speaking to the man in a low tone as she stared in disbelief at the splendor of the lavishly appointed rooms.

Here, too, were the vaulted wood beam ceilings, and a huge stone fireplace, though these floors were covered in a thick, plush carpet. Floor to ceiling picture windows offered a breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountains outside, and French doors opened out to a private patio where she could see a fire pit and hot tub. The furnishings were a combination of rustic comfort and understated luxury.

A quick inspection of the suite revealed a spacious living room, separate formal dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. There were two bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom. The suite was easily large enough to live in comfortably for days or weeks at a time, and it suddenly dawned on her that this was exactly the sort of opulent lifestyle she could expect to enjoy when she moved in with Ian permanently. And as thrilling as that idea was, it also gave her renewed cause for concern, bringing to the surface all of her fears and insecurities that she just didn’t fit into this world of privilege and extreme wealth.

“Does this meet with your approval?”

Tessa turned to face Ian, who was just now closing the door to the suite. Her heart caught in her throat as she thought of how handsome he looked, how mouthwateringly sexy. He was more casually dressed than usual, clad all in black - wool slacks, a turtleneck sweater, and a heavy leather jacket worn in deference to the cold weather. He looked dangerous and sophisticated at the same time, an irresistible combination.

At his urging, she’d dressed in a similarly casual manner - dark skinny jeans, black cashmere sweater, black ankle boots, and a black knit cap pulled over her ears. She had set her own black leather jacket and purse down on a chair upon entering the suite.

She walked over to Ian now, sliding her hands up his chest to clasp around his neck. “Are you referring to this room or to yourself? Because if it’s the latter, I would have to say a very emphatic yes.”