He had yet to share his plans with her, and wasn’t quite sure how she’d react. She always went to him eagerly - more than eagerly, if he was being completely honest. Her desire for him, her hunger, seemed to be increasing the more time they spent together, and Ian sensed it would only be a matter of time before she followed his instructions and took the initiative in their lovemaking - a thought that aroused him tremendously.

But as passionate as Tessa was in his arms, he guessed that she would be a bit shy about actually having sex with other people in proximity. Not that the flight crew - pilot, co-pilot, and flight attendant - would be able to hear anything, of course. Besides the noise of the plane itself, the bedrooms were exceptionally well insulated so that one could be assured of a sound sleep on long flights. Not to mention the fact that his flight crew were far too loyal and discreet to ever betray the slightest indication that they knew exactly what would be going on behind closed doors.

Tessa was still going to be reticent about it, though, he sensed, and he’d have to seduce her into the idea. He longed to have her now, this very instant, spread out here against the limo seat, and he had to fight a little harder with each passing minute to control that particular urge. Instead, he merely brushed his thumb over her lips, smiling when her blue eyes widened at even such a light touch.

“You look lovely, darling,” he told her in a husky voice. “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to tell you that until now.”

Tessa returned his smile, gently holding his hand against her cheek. “But you did tell me. All day long, every time our eyes met. And I hope you know I feel exactly the same way. You’re always so handsome I can’t seem to tear my gaze away from you for even a minute.”

Her heartfelt words pleased him tremendously, as did the feel of her soft skin beneath his hand. “The way you look now - beautiful, classy, pampered - it’s what I’ve wanted for you ever since that first time we met.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “How do you mean?”

Idly, he took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. “I knew you couldn’t afford to buy expensive things,” he told her gently. “And I couldn’t have cared less what you wore because you always looked beyond beautiful to me. But I’d overhear those evil witches Gina and Alicia and even Shelby on occasion make some unflattering comment about you - speculating on what clearance rack your dress came off or how cheap your shoes were. They were very obviously jealous, of course, wildly so, because you were so much more attractive than they could ever hope to be. But it bothered me to hear them talk that way about you. Bothered me that you had to do without nice things.”

Tessa shook her head. “It shouldn’t have, Ian. I mean, I always knew they talked about me behind my back. It’s what the pair of them do - gossip constantly and criticize everyone they know. And, well, after so many years of having so little, I never allowed myself to hope for anything beyond the basics.” She rested her head on his shoulder with a little sigh as she clutched his arm against her side. “And I certainly never allowed myself to hope for someone like you.”

Ian groaned, just before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “It’s the same for me, my love. You are so much more than I ever thought I might have, more than I ever thought it was possible to have. And seeing you looking like this - being able to give you the things I longed to shower you with for so long - it feels like a dream I hope to never wake up from.”

Her slim hand caressed his darkly stubbled chin, her blue eyes shining. “Let’s keep dreaming together, then. I love you, Ian. And I - I missed you this morning, missed, um…”

He chuckled, even as his hand slid down her ribcage to her hip and back up again. “Missed waking up to me ravishing you?”

She gasped as his thumb brushed over her erect nipple, her head falling back onto the padded leather seat. “Yes. Ah, God, yes. Please, Ian.”

“Shh.” He nuzzled the side of her neck, his fingers splaying open over her full breast and giving it a squeeze. “I know, love. I’m just as starved for you. All I could think about during that bloody meeting this morning was you in the shower, and how I wanted nothing more than to join you there. To press you up against the wall and slide inside you, to touch you everywhere.”

Tessa whimpered as his hand slid beneath the hem of her skirt, caressing her silk-covered thigh and drawing tantalizingly close to where he knew she’d be wet and hot and ready for him. “Please. I need - can’t we…”

He gave her a lingering kiss on the lips before shaking his head regretfully. “Not here, love, no. First, we’re less than ten minutes from the airport, and I’m not certain ten hours is going to be enough to satisfy me tonight. And second.” His hand caressed her rosy cheek. “I realize we have privacy back here, but I didn’t like the way our chauffeur was looking at you earlier. I’m not sure I’d trust him to be discreet enough not to gossip with other employees.”

Tessa gave him a little frown. “But the privacy panel is up and um, aren’t all of the hotel limos soundproofed?”

Ian chuckled. “That’s not what concerns me, love. I’ve little doubt we could be quiet enough that Carlos wouldn’t be able to hear anything. However, as far as the look you get on your face afterwards - well, there’s no disguising it, I’m afraid. Anyone seeing you, including Carlos, would know exactly what went on back here.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks grew even pinker and she glanced away shyly. “I, um, didn’t realize it was that obvious.”

He gave her an indulgent smile, his fingers massaging the nape of her neck. “Very much so, love. Don’t you remember the way you looked after that night in front of the mirror?” At her low moan of arousal, his smile deepened into something far more lascivious. “Mmm, the look you get in your eyes after you’ve just come - like you’re in a daze, like you couldn’t speak no matter how hard you tried.” He cupped her cheek tenderly. “And your skin flushes the most beautiful shade of pink, just like it looks now, and it’s almost impossible for you to take a breath. No, darling, there’s no way in hell I’ll ever allow another man to see that particular look on your face. So, as much as I’m dying to be inside of you right now, we’ll need to wait just a bit longer.”