Page 86 of California Dreaming

“Are you very tired?” he asked her, hoping she’d say no, that she was as energized as he was, wanting to make love for what remained of the night and greet the dawn with her beautiful body wrapped around his.

She slipped off the earrings his mother had lent her and placed them carefully in their box. “I’ve never had my photo taken that many times in my entire life.”

Not completely the response he’d been hoping for. But he understood how she felt. “I’ve been in this world so long, I never thought about the photographers. But they loved you. You look as good as the biggest stars out there. Better, because you’re not playing a part. You’re you.” Then he kissed her, loving the feel of her lips softening under his. “I’m sorry if it was all too much for you. I just wanted you by my side.”

She tilted her head back. “You’re forgiven. And you know what? I had a good time. Much more than I thought I would. You were right—once you get past the hype and the glamour, they’re all people doing work they love.”

“I’m used to the whole Hollywood machine by now, but I remember how exhausting it was the first few times on the red carpet. You did great, Tessa.” A wicked glint shone in his eyes. “Come on, let’s get to bed.”

He hoped she’d join him in his room and was beyond happy when she took his hand and drew him that way. Then he turned her away from him. “Let me help you with that zipper.”

He slid the zipper slowly down her back, so slowly it was a caress. The sound of the enclosure opening, revealing her naked back, had him roaring to full arousal.

How did she always do this to him? And from the very start? From one simple hello on the beach all those weeks ago?

No woman had ever made him feel this intense need.

He’d be a gentleman if she was exhausted and would let her sleep, but based on the way her skin was warming as his fingers slid slowly down her back and the way her breathing was changing, he had a suspicion she was as aroused as he.

He slid the dress off her shoulders and let it slide down her body to puddle on the floor. He turned her slowly to face him and stepped back. She looked as though she were standing in a pool of moonlight. A goddess in nothing but a whisper of silk.

“Take your clothes off,” she commanded in a husky tone that had him aching for her even more. She would never have given him such a sensual command in their early days. But now, she was bold. And so damned beautiful it made everything inside of him marvel that she was here with him.

He took his time, hoping it would only inflame her arousal. He stripped slowly, letting her watch as he removed jacket, bow tie, the studs, then the shirt, his socks… and finally his trousers.

She eyed his crotch and raised her brows as though to say, You’re not done yet.

Sweet Lord. She was making him half crazy. No, not half. Completely crazy!

But he complied, slipping off his boxers over his raging erection. When she saw it, she gave a sharp intake of breath, and it was like a spell broke as they sprang to each other.

His cane fell to the floor as she pushed him back onto the bed.

She kissed her way down his body, loving him with her mouth until he couldn’t hold back. He wanted to be inside her beautiful, hot body too much. He could barely stand to take the time to put on protection. He pulled her up so he could kiss her hungrily, and then she slid onto him, slick and so hot he could barely control himself. He thrust up, up, up—and she rode him until she dropped her head back with a cry, her body gripping him, causing his own cry of release as they came together.

For a long time, they lay entwined, waiting for their hearts to slow down, both spent and happy.

Arch wished the moment could last forever.

* * *

Arch wasn’t surprised to hear from his agent the next morning, given that Jay always monitored the news and social media after an event that Arch attended. However, instead of giving him feedback, Jay’s first question was, “Who’s this new woman on your arm? Is she an actress I should be signing? Because she looks great on camera.” Almost as an afterthought, he said, “Oh, and you were great last night. The silver-topped cane was a nice touch.”

They’d eaten breakfast, and he and Tessa had been enjoying an unusual lazy morning, lingering over coffee, so she was sitting beside him. Though his cell phone wasn’t on speaker, she could likely hear every word Jay said. He was not a quiet man.

He glanced at Tessa, who wasn’t even pretending not to be listening. “She’s—”

He couldn’t lie and say they were just friends. It wasn’t true, and he didn’t want to pretend anymore. Tessa belonged beside him on the red carpet. And in every other place he’d ever walk, he wanted her by his side.

In the silence, Jay said, “What do I tell reporters about her? If she’s not a starlet, they’re going to think she’s your new girlfriend.”

“I’ll call you back,” he said and ended the call. He turned to Tessa. “You heard him. Everyone’s dying to know who the mystery woman is.”

“But people weren’t looking at me. They were looking at you.” She seemed genuinely puzzled.

He pulled out his laptop and within seconds found footage of the red carpet last night on every entertainment website. In every shot, Tessa was beside him, looking as though she belonged there. He clicked through several sites, and there they were, always together.

“I love this one,” he said and turned the laptop so she could see better. It was a still photo where he had his arm around her, and they were both smiling for the camera.

---