Ian was about to reply, to thank Nathan for his reassurances, when he noticed the number of male heads turning, and he knew the women had returned. They made quite a contrast to the other - Julia petite and curvy, looking like a very alluring angel in her ivory dress and towering heels, and Tessa tall and shapely with those endlessly long legs, sexy black dress, and the stilettos that made her look like every forbidden fantasy ever conjured up.

Tessa was beaming when he pulled her chair out for her. “Julia just had the most wonderful ideas for me, Ian. I was telling her how I didn’t want to just sit around and feel useless until our next business trip, especially since the college classes I’d need to take don’t start until late August. And she’s thought of some ways I can keep busy and still learn something useful.”

Nathan smirked as he pushed Julia’s chair in. “Baby, tell Tessa that shopping is not exactly cultural enrichment.”

Julia rolled her eyes at him. “Seriously, Nathan? What I actually suggested to Tessa is that she ought to take some cooking courses. There’s a place over on Francisco Street that offers a whole series of one day to one week classes. The other idea I had for her was to take a course at the Berlitz Language School.”

Tessa nodded and smiled a bit shyly at Ian. “Since you offered to take me to Tuscany one day, I thought it might be nice to learn some Italian.”

Ian smiled back and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. “I think both of those ideas are absolutely wonderful. I want you to sign up for both classes.”

“I think I will,” she agreed. “In fact, Julia said there’s even a cake decorating class available. That way, I can bake you a cake next year instead of having to rely on your chef to do it for me.”

He couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight of half a dozen waiters and busboys who suddenly surrounded their table, and at the elaborately decorated cake ablaze with at least a dozen candles.

But the real thrill came after a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday when Tessa whispered to him naughtily, “You know, the real celebration begins when we get home.”

***

Simon had the weekend off so they took a cab home. Not that Ian was anywhere near being inebriated - he was as disciplined and in control about the amount of alcohol he consumed as he was with everything else in his life. But he preferred not to drive himself when he’d been drinking more than a glass or two, just in case. Besides, not having to concentrate on driving meant that he could focus all of his attention on the luscious blonde cuddled up against him.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight, darling?” he asked.

Tessa nodded, her blue eyes glowing. “It was wonderful. Julia and Nathan are good company.” She ran a finger over his mouth before whispering, “But the night is really just beginning, you know. I hope you aren’t sleepy.”

Ian chuckled, giving her waist a squeeze where his arm held her against his side. “Not in the least, my love. And it sounds as though you have special plans for the rest of the evening, hmm?”

Tessa gave him an impish grin and nodded. “I’m going to seduce you,” she announced a bit tipsily. “I hope that meets with your approval.”

He glanced up at the cab driver, who was thankfully immersed in a cell phone conversation, yakking loudly in what sounded like Tagalog. Relieved that they hadn’t been overheard, he looked back at Tessa.

“Considering that all you really need to do to seduce me is be in the same room, I can say with complete honesty that I wholeheartedly approve of your plans, love.” He captured her wrist as her hand began to slide up his thigh. “And you can seduce me all the way until dawn, so long as you wait until we’re at home to begin.”

Tessa pretended to pout, but seemed content to sit beside him rather primly and merely hold hands for the remainder of the ride.

Once inside the house, she took him by the hand and led him up the long, winding staircase. His gaze was fixated the entire time on the tantalizing curve of her ass in the form fitting dress before traveling down the long, shapely length of her legs. Her sheer black stockings had a seam up the back, and were quite possibly the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Unless, of course, one considered the sexy black and silver stilettos on her feet, with their seductive ankle strap. He really, really hoped she planned to keep both the stockings and the shoes on while she had her wicked way with him.

At the doorway to the master bedroom, she released his hand but shook her head as he would have followed her inside. “Wait. Just give me a minute or two.”

Ian hovered in the doorway with barely controlled patience. He was primed and ready for whatever “festivities” she had planned for tonight, his body already hard and throbbing just from being near her. And that wasn’t even taking into consideration the many times this evening they had touched and kissed and cuddled. It seemed, in fact, that the entire evening had been one long, slow seduction.

Tessa appeared back in the doorway, a sultry, mysterious smile on her face. She grabbed hold of his tie - a brand new, dark red Hermes that she’d given him as a birthday gift - and pulled him inside the room.

She’d lit a dozen or more candles, and they filled the room with their golden glow and subtle jasmine scent. The duvet had been turned down, and some soft jazz music was playing from the new iPod he’d given her recently where it rested in its docking station.

“What, no rose petals strewn over the sheets?” he asked in a teasing voice.

Tessa laughed softly. “I knew there was something I forgot. Maybe next time. Now, you have too many clothes on for what I plan to do to you. Let’s start with this.”

He smiled indulgently as she slid the suit jacket off his arms and draped it carefully over a chair back. “Can’t have anything happen to my favorite suit,” she chided. “In fact, maybe you should buy two or three more just like it - you know, as back-up.”

Ian grinned, loving this playful side of her. “I’ll make a note of it, love.”

Tessa deftly undid his tie, before starting on the buttons of his shirt. He gasped as she nuzzled her face against his bare chest, her hands splaying over his abs.

“What a beautiful man you are,” she murmured huskily. “And you always smell delicious. I’ll never, ever get enough of your scent.”

He groaned, his hands sliding into her hair as he attempted to kiss her, but she playfully swatted him away as she took a step back. “Tsk, tsk, Mr. Gregson. No touching until I say so. Otherwise, I might have to punish you.”