“Jesus, you feel so tight this way,” he groaned, continuing to hold her legs apart in a spread eagle position. “Is this all right, love? I’m not too deep, am I?”

He gazed down at Tess anxiously, belatedly aware he might be hurting her in this position, especially as hard as his dick felt at this moment. But she only shook her head, her blue eyes huge and round, and with an expression that could only be described as spellbound. She emitted a long, low moan as he pulled out of her slowly, nearly to the tip of his cock, before sliding back in with a calculated deliberation. Ian repeated these actions several more times, until both of them were near frantic for more. Groaning, he readjusted her long legs until they were wrapped around his hips and he began to thrust more aggressively. Roughly, he reached down and threaded a hand into her hair, making a mess of its neatly coiled knot, and pulled her head up to meet his wet, open-mouthed kiss. He felt the telltale convulsions of her vagina clenching around his rampaging cock, heard the almost desperate way she was gasping for breath beneath the incessant demand of his mouth upon hers, and noticed how her arms were locked fiercely around his neck as he fucked her with unrepentant, ravenous need.

When he came, it was with deep, racking spasms, every muscle and tendon in his big body shaking with the force of his climax. With one final groan, he collapsed onto the bed beside his beloved, pulling her sweat-dampened body against him tightly and tucking her head beneath his chin.

It was several minutes before he could summon the ability to speak, and when he did his voice was still ragged, as though he’d just run a mile at world class speed.

“So how was that for an initiation?” he murmured, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

In answer, Tessa cupped his cheek, turning his head slightly to meet her soft kiss. Her blue eyes were luminous and more than a little dazed, her lips swollen and red from his brutal kisses. Her otherwise flawless complexion was chafed from whisker burn. But the words she spoke next belied any fears that he’d been too rough with her.

“It was amazing,” she murmured in awe. “And I, um, hope we can make more visits to this particular club.”

Ian laughed. “As many as you like, love. And no time like the present, I always say.”

Tessa ran her hands over his sweat-slicked chest before leaning over to lick a bead of perspiration from the base of his throat. “I was hoping you’d say that,” she purred in a low voice, just before he tumbled her back into the pillows.

Chapter Eighteen

San Francisco

“Nathan and I are really looking forward to seeing the two of you tonight. And we’re so flattered to be celebrating Ian’s fortieth birthday with you. I have to say, honey, that he is the hottest forty year old I’ve ever seen. Whatever he’s doing to stay in shape, tell him to just keep it up.”

At Julia’s comment, Tessa could hear Nathan in the background, sounding very indignant at the way his fiancée was complimenting another man. Julia called out to him, “But you know I love you best, baby. Besides, the birthday boy is only interested in one girl and it’s not me.”

“Sorry.” Julia offered an apology as she resumed their phone conversation. “Some men just get so bent out of shape at the littlest thing, you know? Just because I can admire another man’s goods doesn’t mean I want to sample them.”

“Good,” retorted Tessa teasingly, “Because my man isn’t giving out samples to anyone but me.”

Julia laughed. “That’s the attitude, girl. You guard that man like a tigress. Not that you’ll ever have to worry about Ian noticing other women. He’s head over heels about you, it’s very obvious.”

“I’d better let you go,” offered Tessa. “I know how busy things are for you these days with the wedding only two months away. I’m just glad you can make it to dinner tonight.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. You and Ian are two of our very favorite people. Before I go, tell me - what dress did you finally decide on?”

Julia had stopped by the house last weekend and helped Tessa set aside two different dresses. She’d assured her that either one would be equally suitable, and equally stunning, for the very elegant restaurant where they would be celebrating Ian’s birthday.

“The black one,” replied Tessa. “He, um, likes me in black.”

“Yeah, I’ll just bet he does,” teased Julia. “Especially that very sexy set of undies you bought to go with it. That’s the nice thing about buying lingerie - it’s really a present for both of you. Nathan calls it the gift that keeps on giving.”

Tessa couldn’t help giggling in delight before bidding her friend good-by. As she ended the call, she was still laughing, even as Ian strolled leisurely into the kitchen.

He smiled at her inquiringly. “Someone is in a very good mood this afternoon. Any particular reason?”

She set her phone down before flinging herself into his arms. “I’m always in a good mood these days. And especially today, when I have a very special birthday surprise planned for you.”

Ian grinned, his strong arms banding about her waist. “It’s not one of those singing telegrams, is it? Because I do tend to embarrass easily.”

Tessa ran a finger over his lips and shook her head. “That’s definitely not it. This surprise is more, um, private. And I doubt anything can really embarrass you, especially not what I have planned.”

He raised a brow. “Well, if it’s anything like the surprise you gave me earlier today, I’m very, very sure that I’m going to like it. A lot.”

She cupped his cheek in her hand. “That wasn’t a planned surprise. I just couldn’t help myself after seeing you at the gym this morning. God, I’m getting hot all over again just thinking about it.”

Today was Saturday, and they had just returned to San Francisco in the wee hours on Friday morning after Tessa’s first official business trip as Ian’s PA. With the trip’s packed schedule, they had skipped a couple of workouts, so they’d spent more than two hours at the gym this morning making up for lost time.

After swimming laps - Ian of course had managed nearly twice as many as she could do - and some weight training, he’d strapped on his boxing gloves and sparred a few rounds with one of the trainers. Tessa had watched him in action for the very first time, and hadn’t been able to tear her eyes off of him. His sleeveless T-shirt had bared his powerful, beautifully defined shoulders and biceps, and it was evident even to her - who knew next to nothing about boxing - that he was extremely skilled at his chosen sport. He’d made the trainer - a fit, well-built man at least a decade younger that he was - work hard, and Ian had seemed in complete control the entire time.