Chapter 15

A smile curved his lips as he continued to stroke her quivering stomach. He was still intimately joined with her, and the feeling of her being pressed against him gave him a strange and startling peace that had been missing from his life since he left her that fateful day.

He had been torturing himself for nothing, thinking that he was going to hurt her. But the lovemaking had been so beautiful that it had touched his soul.

"What are you thinking?" She whispered, her hands clasped around the one he had at her waist.

"How much I love being with you."

"Really?"

"Yes, my suspicious one." He kissed her temple gently. "And I should not have allowed the separation for so long."

"Does that mean it's the end? We get to sleep in the same bed from now on?"

"Try and keep me away."

"I want something from you."

"Anything."

"I need to hear you say you love me."

She had twisted her head around, and he bent to look at her. "I thought it was always implied."

"Let's just say that after going through what I went through, my self-confidence has taken a beating."

Bending his head, he brushed his lips against hers tenderly. "I adore you, love."

"When you say it in your beautiful British accent, it sends shivers all over my body."

"Is that so?" He kissed her again and could feel his penis rising. "Now look at what you have done."

"What is that?" she asked him impishly.

He pushed into her to give her the answer.

"Oh, Landen." She whispered.

"You make me hot." his hand drifted up to cup her breast, and she moaned when he started to tease her nipple.

"What about your mother?"

"What?" He jerked his head up to stare at her with a frown. "Sweetheart, if you were planning to douse my passion, you did a bloody good job of it."

She smiled at him. "I know you called."

"I called my sister to tell her where we are and to inquire about my father."

"And I know he is out of the coma."

His jaw tightened. "He is."

"I also know she called you darling. Are you going to call her back?"

"No."

"Landen-"

"The topic is not up for discussion. So, either you are going to allow me to make love to you again, or we go to sleep. Those are the only two options."

"The first one." She acquiesced with a sigh. "We will have to talk about it sometime."

"Just not tonight. We just finished making up with each other; I would hate to think you are trying to undo what was done."

"I am not."

"Good." he pushed into her and felt her stomach quivering. Tucking his hand beneath her chin, he seized her lips as he drove into her.

*****

Landen eased himself out of her embrace and climbed off the bed to ensure he did not wake her. He had worn her out; he thought guiltily as he stood there staring down at her sleeping form.

After the second bout of lovemaking, they had fallen asleep with him still buried deep inside her, and in the early hours of the morning, he had woken her up by pushing his rigid shaft deep inside her. She had started moving, bringing them to such a fever-pitch passion, one he had been unable to control or stop.

Now, she was sleeping. With a sigh, he pulled the covers over her and went about taking a shower and getting dressed. He took one last look at her leaving the room before closing the door behind him. He had some phone calls to make.

He had turned off his phone last night and realized he had missed some calls when he turned it back on. His father was at home with a full-time nurse who would monitor his condition.

But Landen was not ready to see him yet. He was not prepared to see any member of his family at all. The housekeeper had already left, and the scent of sausages, fried mushrooms, and beans permeated the air.

He was happy to know that the woman was being discreet. She would come early in the mornings to prepare the meal and then go on about her business.

A glance at his watch showed that it was almost half of ten. He would grab some breakfast and then return the calls. He had carried his laptop with him and would be doing some meetings via video links.

He had just poured a cup of tea when he heard the doorbell ring. Putting the cup down, he hurried to get the door so it would not disturb Tessa. A frown touched his brow when he pulled the heavy oak door open and saw his mother standing there.

"What an unpleasant surprise." Stepping out, he closed the door behind him, making it clear she was not welcome inside. "What are you doing here?"

"You were not answering my calls."

"Then that should have given you the hint that I did not want to talk to you. Is it something to do with father?"

"No. It's chilly-"

"You are wearing an insulated jacket.' He looked out towards the gate and saw the car. "You flew here?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see how the young lady is doing." He watched as she gathered her woolen jacket around her to ward off the chill.

"Her name is Tessa, and she is coming along. Anything else?"

"I would like to make amends."

His eyebrows shot up. "Why?"

"I know you hate me-""

"I don't. Surprisingly, I am not feeling anything right now."

She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. "I am not leaving until I speak with you."

"Tessa is sleeping-"

"If you invite me for tea, I promise we will not disturb her." There was a pleading look in her eyes that had him relenting. With a curt nod, he opened the door and allowed her to precede him.

"The housekeeper prepared breakfast." He gestured to the table tucked into one corner of the room. "I don't feel like setting the table with a linen tablecloth and the proper utensils for dining."

"Just tea will do, thank you."

Turning to the pot, he poured the tea and reached for the lime and honey, handing them to her. "You caught me just as I was about to have breakfast."

"Please go ahead." She murmured graciously.

Taking his meal from the warmer, he brought it and the tea over to the table and sat across from her. "Why are you here?"

"I told you I want to make amends."

"How?"

"I did something terrible the other day, and I am here to apologize."

His thick, dark brows winged up. "Why this change of heart? Tessa is still an American, and she is still black."

She winced at that as she took a delicate sip of her tea. "I am not prejudiced." She told him quietly.

"You just think that people of color belong in the kitchen or with a broom."

She blanched, her face whitening. "I said that once in anger."

"And I never forgot it."

"I never meant it."

"Mother, I happen to know you." he smiled grimly as he dug into his meal. "You and Father will never accept Tessa, but that does not matter to me. I am unapologetically in love with her. That's never going to change."

"We know."

He looked at her sharply. "And as soon as she can, I am marrying her."

She took another sip of the tea.

"We would like to meet her officially."

"No."

"I am trying-"

"I am not putting her through another ‘encounter' with you. You went to her place of work and attacked her viciously. I am still bloody upset that you added to her stress, and I also have a feeling that was one of the things that caused her to"

"I don't mind hearing what she has to say."

They both jerked their attention to the voice in the doorway. Putting down his utensils, Landen lunged to his feet to go to her. "What are you doing up?"

She had obviously showered and was wearing hunter-green leggings, a matching sweater, and a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her thick dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, making her thin face look hauntingly beautiful.

"I was hungry." She told him, eyes going to the woman who had stood up when she came in. "Lady Chapman."

"It's foolish for you to be so formal when you carry my grandchild, and my son told me that congratulations are in order."

"Did he?" Lifting her head, she looked at the man beside her as if protecting her.

"Come and sit. I will get your plate." He guided her over to take the seat that had been his.

"You are a long way from home." Tessa eyed the woman who had caused her so much grief when she came to the gallery that day.

"I came to apologize." Lady Margaret firmed her lips as she stared at the girl across from her. She had seen the look on her son's face and how he jumped up to go to her. She had also noticed the fierce, protective look on his face.

Her husband was fighting to be his usual self, and Elizabeth had greeted her with the news that she was infertile. And she badly needed a grandchild. They both do. She had discussed it with her husband at length, and he had agreed to let her come here and make amends.

She would have preferred her son to be with someone in their exalted circle, but she was willing to compromise.

"Please, don't let me stop you," Tessa said graciously, inclining her head with a regality that brought a reluctant smile to Margaret's lips and a proud grin to Landen's.

Putting the loaded plate in front of her, he pulled a chair next to her and ensured she ate everything.

*****

"What do you think?"

"This drive is nice, and the air is clean and fresh. I am happy you suggested we get out."

He cast her a wry look. "You know that was not what I was referring to."

She flashed him an impish smile. "I know. You wanted my opinion on your mother's rather flowery speech."

"And?"

"I doubt we will ever like each other, but it's a start, and she has come all the way here and back." She glanced at him. "You could have asked her to stay."

"My forgiveness did not extend that far. And she did have an ulterior motive."

Tessa sent him a glance in query.

"Elizabeth is infertile."

"Oh. I am sorry to hear that. How is she handling the news?"

He shrugged as he switched lanes. "Rather well, considering. But it means it is left up to me to carry on the precious Chapman name." There was a tinge of bitterness in his deep voice that did not escape her.

"You sound as if you loathe the name."

"Sometimes I do." He shrugged again. "There is too much to live up to. When I was growing up, the standards were so high that my sister and I had to be careful what we say or do. We never had an informal meal. Breakfast was eaten in the smaller dining room, but no less rigid.

We had to use the proper utensils, or you would think we were committing a felony if that was not the case. Not to mention supper. It would be served precisely at eight in the formal dining room, and God forbid it if you are even a minute late. "He drove into a deserted road and killed the engine.

Leaning back in the seat, he stared at the trees waving in the breeze. "I was ill one evening, puking my guts out and as weak as a kitten. A maid was sent up to remind me that it was time to go downstairs for supper, and I told her to tell my parents I was not well."

"What happened?" Turning in her seat, she stared at his bleak profile and wanted to wrap him in her arms.

"She was sent back to my room to tell me that even if I had to creep, I would be in the dining room in two minutes." Turning his head, he gave her a vague smile. "I decided to defy them because I was feeling rotten."

"And?"

"The next day, I was feeling much better, but when I went downstairs for breakfast, I was told that because of my disobedience, I would not eat a meal for the entire day."

"No!"

He nodded.

"How old were you?" Tessa felt the anger churning in her stomach and wondered if she could ever tolerate the people who had made his life so miserable.

"I was seven," he told her grimly.

Reaching out, she took his hand, her eyes swimming with tears. "I hate them!" She whispered passionately.

The impassioned statement loosened the tight grip around his heart and dissolved the bad memories. "I love you for that, but it doesn"t matter anymore." Lifting her hand, he kissed the back of it, jade green eyes smoldering. "When I met you, I did things I never thought of doing before."

"Like eating out of cartons?" She teased tremulously.

"And eating in bed, going on a picnic, and eating at the kitchen counter. Simple things like that. You have brought me so much joy that I cannot thank you enough. That's why I would like you to marry me."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Because I got you doing things you never did before? Isn't that a little extreme?"

He grinned at her. "It might also have to do with the fact that I knocked you up."

"Oh. That." She nodded. "That might just be a very good reason."

"And I love you more than I have ever loved anyone." His voice had deepened. "That's the main reason."

"That's good because I adore you, Landen Chapman." She whispered. "There is a question of where we will live?"

"Where do you want to live?" He asked her gently. "I already told you we have houses all over the world. There is a chalet in Switzerland, a flat in Paris, a cottage in Scotland, several flats and cottages in London, and not to mention the villa in Tuscany."

She stared at him wide-eyed. "Are you trying to scare me?"

"By giving you options?"

"By reminding me that you are not a regular guy." She heaved out a breath. "I am a simple girl, and the transition to being your wife-"

She shook her head. "I don't know if I can do it."

"Of course you can." He brushed that away. "I have seen the way you behave at that gallery of yours. The way you deal with those rich and pampered assholes who come in and expect to be catered to."

"You are aware that you are one of them, right?" She asked him dryly.

"I am not an asshole," he told her loftily. "And I have never been pampered in my life."

"Poor little rich boy."

He gave her a wintry look that had her laughing.

"You haven't said yes."

"To what?"

"My proposal."

"Oh, was that a proposal? I was under the impression that it was a done deal as far as you are concerned."

"I am the one who knocked you up, so it is necessary for me to do the decent thing." sliding over so he could be nearer, he clasped her face between his hands. "Tessa- What's your middle name?"

She laughed softly, realizing they had never gotten as far as that. "Nicole."

"Nicole." He turned it over in his mind and nodded. "I like it. Tessa Nicole Chambers, will you honor me as my wife?"

"That depends."

He lifted an arrogant brow. "On?"

"The size of the ring."

"So size matters, does it?"

"Of course it does." Her eyes drifted to his lap where to his wry amusement, his penis was already swelling.

"We have to go back to the cottage."

"Why?" she asked with sham innocence. "I thought we were enjoying the beautiful day."

"We will enjoy it much better while in bed, naked and with me sinking my impressive appendage inside you."

"Cocky, aren't you?"

"You would know," he said with a grin.

*****

"I don't think Glenda expected us back this early." Her fingers were tangled in his chest hairs, her body still warm from the frenetic coupling a few minutes ago. He had all but hustled the woman out of the cottage while she had been trying to finish the laundry.

"And I believe she knows exactly why you told her to get lost."

Tipping his head down, he gave her a smug smile. "I would never be that rude, especially to a woman caring for our needs."

"You told her to stop what she was doing and go."

"I said it politely."

"She was folding the laundry, and you told her to leave it."

"I wanted to be alone with you, and you were the one who started that sexual journey while we were on the road. I almost took you right there in the car."

"Why didn't you?" She asked huskily.

"Because I have to be mindful of your condition. You are still recovering, and I behaved like a damn animal just now."

"It was fine. I loved it."

He bent a wry look at her. "I am serious, love. I don't want to undo what the doctors did, and I think we should try and control our passion from now on."

Her eyes blazed at him. "If you are thinking of taking yourself off to another bedroom, which is not a damn option."

"I was thinking that it might be wise to give you some space." he winced as she dug her blunt nails into his chest.

"Just try it."

"Tessa-"

"I don't want to hear it. You went away for weeks and left me, and I suffered as a result. I couldn't sleep, and I was so miserable that I found myself crying every damn night. You are never doing that to me again."

"I am thinking about you." He felt the pain of her words and brought her closer to him as if he could absorb what she went through when he was not there.

"Then you are going to stay in this bedroom with me."

Tipping her chin up, he studied her face. She was still too thin, and her ribs were still poking out. But she was eating much more now, and he was highly grateful. The rest and quiet were doing her a world of good, and he was thinking of extending their trip to several weeks.

"I might have to take a run into London in a day or two. And no, I am not taking you with me."

"Why not?"

"Because I will try to wrap up what I have to do in the day and be back here at night. It will be a hectic schedule to accomplish that, and I am not putting you through that.

There are some meetings I have to take face to face, and since Dad is out of commission, it's on me." He traced the outline of her lush bottom lip. "It's a trial being away from you even for a second, but it's something I have to do."

"Will you go and see your dad?"

His expression became ominous. "Yes. I have spoken with him over the phone, and he has requested a meeting."

"It might be his attempt at making things right." She ventured.

Looking down at her, he smiled slightly. "He did mention something like that. We'll see."

"And I would like to meet him. I would not want to start our lives as husband and wife being at odds with your parents."

"I wouldn't mind it one bit. But I am willing to try for your sake."

"And our baby's."

"That too."