Page 12 of The Wedding Deal

Throwing her arm dramatically over her eyes as she had laughed.

“Never let that man go!”

Making Tessa laugh, instantly relaxing with the other woman.

She had spent over three hours in the boutique as she had found the required five tail dresses that had been listed, wondering when she would be wearing the expensive and stunning garments, all of which fitted her curves so well.

Jade had shaken her head as the five were chosen, her eyes bright.

“Now, this is how I envisaged these dresses when I designed them”

She had muttered softly, her eyes appreciative of just how elegantly the material had clung to Tessa’s body, falling perfectly at the right spots, to show off her curvatious figure and long legs. Tessa had been unsure to begin with, uncomfortable seeing just how much of her the dresses showed, feeling a little undressed, as she had asked if they were perhaps not a little daring.

Jade had laughed.

“Honey, if you got it flaunt it………and babe you got it……..no, this is the fashion……….this is what they all wish they could fit into” she had giggled, seeing as Tessa had smiled shyly back at her.

She had then tried on a variety of suits and more casual clothes, along with more shoes than she had ever seen. All of the items were incredibly pricey and way out of her budget, wondering how much her shopping trip was costing him, before she had told herself that he could afford it, he could afford anything, including her.

Giving Jade a small hug, Tessa had left the boutique with the urance that all her purchases would be delivered that afternoon, including those that needed small alterations. The driver of the limousine that Alexis had insisted she use that day had then taken her to her next appointment. Tessa had never been to the exclusive salon, knowing only too well how much it cost, well outside her budget, again giving a small laugh, knowing it to be nothing to Alexis. She had spent an hour having her long hair shaped, although the consultant had admired her thick shiny locks, moving around her and lifting her hair before finally choosing only to sharpen the ends so that they sat better against her. She had also had her nails and toes buffed and coloured, a luxury she very rarely indulged in, but enjoying very much, feeling very spoiled and pampered.

Moving back into the bedroom that Alexis had taken her into earlier that day, Tessa had once more looked around. She remembered how he had seemed concerned that the room not be what she had expected, offering to show her others, as she had stood back to him, silently. He had not seen how her eyes had taken in the opulence of her surroundings, wide with amazement, until she had turned to face him, her eyes shining.

“Wow……..this is beautiful” she had managed, as he had smiled with relief, moving forward and grabbing her hand to lead her to one of the two other doors in the room, the touch of his hand on hers once more sending the strange signals coursing through Tessa. Pulling the first door open he had shown her the large en-suite bathroom, all marble and luxury, as Tessa had smiled.

“This room is bigger than my apartment” she had giggled, as he had smiled back at her before moving to the second door.

As it too had been opened, Tessa had gasped seeing the huge walk in closet with its many rows of empty rails. Looking at Alexis Tessa had chuckled as he had looked back at her.

“If you are trying to impress me, you are doing a hell of a job”

She had laughed, seeing as he had grinned back, admiring the way the room was tastefully decorated in creams and reds, the large king size bed so soft as she had moved over to sit on it, bouncing gently on the luxurious coverings.

Alexis had moved over beside her, also sitting down on the bed, his eyes once more taking in the woman at his side. Tessa completely lacked the falseness of so many of the women he had brought to his home. She was awestricken at her surroundings and had made no attempt to disguise the fact, her reaction to the large home and the beautiful furnishings like that of a small child.

“I would have thought that you would be used to houses like this” he had finally said, as she had looked back at him with surprise.

“Why?” her eyes questioning.

“Your grandfather’s house………seemed just as large as mine” he had added, seeing the flicker of a smile on her lovely lips.

“And you think that I grew up with my grandfather?” she had asked, her voice full of amusement.

“Did it look like he enjoyed having me around?” she had chuckled, before shaking her head,

“No……..Marcie did……..not me”

Before she had leapt up, suddenly aware of the closeness of Alexis on the bed beside her as she had moved away on the pretext of looking at the large dressing table. Smiling he had also risen before informing her that he had organised a car to take her to the two appointments he had made for her that day, his fingers capturing hers as he had gently kissed them.

“Enjoy, Cara” he had breathed softly, his voice once more sending little shock waves skittering down her spine.

As he had walked her back down the large grand stairway he had told her more about what would be their first official date that evening as Tessa had chucked.

“Not many women can say they are engaged before they go on their first date” she had grinned as he had laughed, flashing a return warm smile.

“Yes the things some men have to do to GET a first date with you” he had returned, the two smiling at each other.

Leading her outside, he had to her surprise pulled her to the where her old car was parked, a small yellow sports car before it really showing off how much it stood out.

“One more thing Cara”

He had breathed softly.

“I know that you might be very attached to your car, but I worry that one day it might let you down”

Flicking her a look full of humour

“One day very soon from the looks of things”

Tessa had chuckled softly, knowing how unreliable it was.

“So I had this delivered today”

As he had moved closer to the yellow sports car she had admired.

“If you don’t like it, then you can choose anything else”

Gasping loudly, she had looked at the car and then back at him, her eyes shining with disbelief.

“You bought me a car!” she had cried, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside her, her whole face shining with happiness as she had rushed forward taking in the exquisite vehicle, not wanting to touch the shiny piece of art. Stepping back she had pulled herself together, her teeth savaging her lip.

“Oh Alexis…………I can’t accept this”

She had muttered, her mind searching for the right words.

“It…it’s too…..”

“Safe?”

He had interjected with a small chuckle, before pulling her into his arms, his mouth dropping to gently kiss her nose.

“I want you happy and safe always Tessa Jones” he had said softly, Tessa once more feeling the strange warmth filling her stomach, as he had released her and stepped back.

“Unfortunately Cara, I must return to work, but I will see you tonight”

His eyes had sparkled, before he had given her a small kiss on the cheek moving to open the door of the limousine waiting to take her to her first appointment.

Looking at the time, Tessa had given a small gasp, pulled from her reverie, not realising how late it had gotten. They were due at to leave for the gala ball in just over an hour and a half, and jumping up she had wondered where Alexis was and which of the many rooms on the landing was his.

The large shower with its jets had been refreshing as Tessa had luxuriated under them, allowing them to bring her tired body back to life. She had sat at the large vanity unit drying her long hair, before pulling it up into a bun, allowing tendrils to fall sexily against her face. Smiling she had applied some light makeup, seeing how good she looked before scrunching up her nose and sticking out her tongue in mockery at herself.

Finally she had slipped on the red full length tail dress. Secured at the nape of her neck it had shimmered with the many diamantes on the bodice while being completely backless, showing off her long perfectly arched figure, the material hugging the base of her spine before once more flaring slightly over her bottom. Looking in the mirror she had pulled on the matching shoes before taking a deep breath, her eyes shining at seeing just how lovely she looked.

“Wow” she had giggled “I could even fancy you myself” her wonderful mouth once more breaking into the large smile that lit up her whole face. Finally ready she had checked the clock, happy to see that she was a minute early, and picking up the matching handbag she had moved out of the room making her way to the stairs.

At the foot of the grand stairwell, Alexis had stood open mouthed watching Tessa walk carefully down towards him. She was stunning, and he had felt every part of his body jump in excitement at seeing just how beautiful she was. Reaching the landing and him, Tessa had looked shyly over, her eyes relishing how handsome he looked in his tuxedo, the darkness of the suit only adding to his dark brooding good looks, feeling as she had reacted to just the sight of him.

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