CHAPTER FOUR

When Brad came into the bedroom, Tessa pretended to be asleep.  She thought about the strained atmosphere over dinner.  Brad had tried to chat with her but she had given him monosyllabic answers.  She was still upset with him for going to lunch with Darya.  It must have been a very enjoyable lunch.  Tessa knew when she left at five, he had still not returned from his lunch.  She had been seething in her office.  Livid and unable to work, she'd hastily left the office.    

 Her bedside lamp was off.  She was facing her side off the bed, her one arm under the duvet, the other casually under her pillow.  She made sure to breathe slowly, evenly and to keep her eye lids relaxed.  When the bed sank as Brad slipped in next to her, she let out a soft breath, continuing her pretence.  Brad leaned over.  He smelt deliciously fresh of soap and his signature cologne.  The mat of fine curly hairs on his chest caressed her shoulder.  She was unaware of her erratic breathing.  His fingers brushed the loose strands of hair away from her cheek.  Brad kissed her on the cheek and her neck lingeringly, then he turned and his hand stretched out and switched off his light.  He lowered his head onto his pillow with his back to Tessa.

As soon as she sensed the darkness, Tessa opened her eyes.  She blinked, trying to accustom her eyes to the night.  She wanted to shift her leg away that was too close to Brad's body, but if she moved, he would know she was awake.  She cursed softly.  He was too close to her.  Tessa watched the clock ticking.  It was a few minutes past midnight now.  She'd come to bed two hours ago.  Brad had come to bed an hour ago. 

It was difficult to restrain herself when she longed to reach out and curl her arm around his waist.  The scent of his body called out to her.  She wanted him.  She could taste his lips on hers,  feel his fiery kisses on her wanton flesh.  She ached for Brad to make love to her.  The fever in her blood raged like a consuming fire.  Even as she shut her eyes tightly, she could see the defined contours of his body, his muscular chest, those sensuous hypnotic eyes.  Desire flooded through her body like spasms down her spine.  She quivered with debilitating need.   Only this man lying next to her, her husband, was ever able to arouse her to the point where she completely lost control in his arms.  Hah, she was not even in his arms right now, just the heat of his naked body next to her was stimulating her.    No other man had ever wielded such magnetic power over her before.  She should know, she'd been with more than a few.  She craved Brad's loving now with an aching need.  Her fingers clenched tightly under the sheets, begging to reach out to him.  Her lungs felt constricted. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.

Damn it why can't she touch him?  He was hers, her husband.   It hurt so much to breathe, she must be hyperventilating.

'Say it.'

Tessa's eyes flew open.  Did Brad just speak?  She knew she had not imagined it, those compelling two words bellowed repeatedly in her ears.  Slowly, Tessa turned around and faced Brad.  He was wide awake with his eyes trained on her.

'You're not asleep?'

'As you are not for the past two hours, now say it,' he demanded.  She did not pretend not to know what his instruction was about.  She gazed at his handsome face, her eyes now fully accustomed to the darkness.

'I... I.  She swallowed convulsively.   Moisture filled her eyes.  Brad watched as she feebly stammered.  He refused to meet her half way, refused to make things easy for her.  He waited patiently whilst she did battle with her pride.  His one arm rested comfortably on his hip, the other between them, not touching her.   

'I ... I want you.'

Her eyes, like polished emerald stones meshed with his dark hazel ones.  Brad's head drew closer.  His fingers slid into her hair.  His mouth captured hers in a gentle kiss, which she returned with impatience.   She swallowed a sob.  Her hands curled around him, clinging to him.  Her lids were lowered hiding the moisture there, but a tear slid down her cheek.  Brad pressed his lips to it, kissing the tear away.  Her mouth moved and captured his lips, tasting the saltiness of the tear.  She inhaled deeply, whilst they indulged in the tender kiss.  Her neck strained, his name was an urgent whisper on her lips, welcoming his erotic caressing.    She pulled his head closer, inhaling the musky scent of his skin. 

 'Take me ... please,' she sobbed.  Tessa cried out his name again, something she did not often do as the explosion, like shattering glass brought them to a climatic pause. 

Brad rolled onto his back, hauled Tessa onto his chest and cradled her to him.  Tessa clung to him tightly, not saying a word, but her body communicated her insecurity, her fear of the thought of betrayal.  She would never voice those fears, but her body spoke it loudly. 

Brad wished he knew how to communicate his faithfulness to her, for his attempt to assure her with words had not been successful.  Tessa lay in the comfort of Brad's protective arms.  Her lips and her fingers spoke what she found difficult to voice.  Fully sated, she peacefully fell asleep.

As daylight trickled into the room, Tessa stretched and snuggled up closer to Brad.  She sighed contentedly, resting her cheek comfortably on his chest.   His lips pressed a kiss to her forehead.  Tessa cooed happily, slid her thigh over her husband's and tightened her arms around him.

'Tessa,'

"Yeah,' she murmured sleepily.

'It's ten past six.'

'I know,' she mumbled making no attempt to release Brad or leave the bed.  Brad pressed the back of his fingers against her forehead.

'Why are you feeling my forehead?  I am not sick.' 

Tessa has a rigid routine.  He could set the clock by his wife's routine.  Every morning she got up at five forty five.  Monday to Thursday she subjected her body to a strict exercise routine downstairs in their gym for two hours, from six to eight.  Today was Wednesday, and she was still in bed.

'Let's play hooky today,' Tessa whispered.

'What?' he laughed. 
Tessa lifted her head and smiled, she cupped his cheek. 
'I don't think I've ever bunked work in all my life,' Brad murmured.

'Neither have I,' she murmured.

'I have meetings.'

'Reschedule them, or delegate them,' she did not want to know with whom he had meetings today, and she would love, if he delegated certain responsibilities.

'What about your diary?'

'I don't have any meetings.'  She was giving Darya's proposal her undivided attention.  That file and her laptop were in her briefcase, if she needed to work today.

'Okay darling.  I'm all yours today.'

'Good, I'm going to shower.  I don't want you to leave the bed,' she instructed as she got out of bed.

'Are you going to gym?'

'Perhaps much later,' she laughed.  Tessa opened Brad's closet and took out a pair of boxers. 'Cover up Blakely,' she threw the boxers at him.   'I'm bringing Lyndon in after I shower.'

'It's not Saturday,' he complained, catching the boxers neatly with one hand.  On a Saturday Tessa generally brought Lyndon to their bed, and the family enjoyed breakfast in bed, with Lyndon snuggled between mummy and daddy.

Tessa came back to Brad's side of the bed, 'I know,' she grinned, kissing him.

'I want you,' he demanded.

'You had me last night,' she smiled, raking her fingers through his hair.

'I want you again,' he drew her hand under the duvet, to examine the evidence.

Tessa sighed loudly.  'Lyndon has a mid morning nap,' she whispered.

'Hurry with that shower,' he kissed her lips and smacked her bottom as she leaned over him.  Tessa laughed softly and called the kitchen to prepare a breakfast trolley for three.   When she was done with her shower, she slipped on a white towelling gown and hurried to Lyndon's room.  He was still asleep.   She picked him up, pressed him to her chest and walked back to their bedroom.

'I thought I told you not to get out of bed,' she found Brad pacing the room in his boxers, his mobile phone was clipped to his ear.

'I just washed my face and called Bentley,' Brad kissed her lips and took the sleeping Lyndon from her arms.  Her husband smelt delicious of minty toothpaste.  Brad slid back into bed and cradled his son in his arms as Tessa went to the front room of their suite to receive the breakfast trolley.

'Good morning Hastings.  How are you this morning?' she smiled, politely greeting their butler.

'I am very well thank you, Mrs. Blakely,' Hastings replied with his shoulders ramrod straight, and his head nodding as he spoke.

'Please tell Stacy, Lyndon is with us and that she has the day off.'

'Certainly Mrs. Blakely.'

A few minutes later Lyndon stirred in his daddy's arms.  'My daddy!  Good morning,' Lyndon flung his arms around his daddy's neck.

'Good morning son,' Brad laughed, hugging his son.

'I love you my daddy,' Lyndon folded his knees over his daddy's tummy and bobbed up and down.

'I love you too son, but you're killing me,' Brad tried to still Lyndon.

 'Good morning my angel, you're awake.'  Tessa smiled, wheeling the trolley in.

'Momma!' Lyndon dived one more time over his daddy's tummy as he turned around.

'Ouch!' Brad groaned, gripping his son's dainty little feet, so he didn't tumble over.

'Be careful darling.  You're hurting daddy,' Tessa lifted Lyndon into her arms.'  'How are you my sunshine?' Tessa hugged her son.

'I'm fine thank you momma,' his little palms lovingly patted her forehead, and her cheeks and her mouth.

'Okay, you sit there next to daddy,' she placed Lyndon against the propped up pillows.  Tessa removed a tray, piled on bacon, sausages and scrambled eggs for Brad on a plate and served him the tray.

'Thank you darling.'

'It's a pleasure,' her eyes locked with his.  It seems they were both awaiting the time when Lyndon would have his mid morning nap.

'Momma,'

'Yes honey.'  Though Lyndon called to her, his eyes were fixed on his father.  Tessa walked to her side of the bed, sat down and lifted Lyndon onto her lap.

'What is it?' her palm patted the back of his head. 

Lyndon moved closer to his mother's ear and whispered, 'I don't want cereal.'

Tessa grinned,' would you like what daddy is eating?'

'Yes, thank you momma,' he clapped his hands enthusiastically.

Brad put his tray down, lifted a tray for Lyndon, and served him a helping of exactly what was on his own plate.  Tessa propped Lyndon back against the pillows.  Brad carefully placed the tray over Lyndon's lap, ensured the tray legs were firmly on the bed and handed him a knife and fork.

'Enjoy your breakfast son.'

'Thank you my daddy.'

'Coffee?' Tessa offered Brad.

'Yes, please.'

'Lyndon, I have apple juice for you.'

'Thank you momma,' Lyndon reached out thirstily for the bottle.

Tessa helped herself to a plate of seasonal fruit and slid in next to Lyndon.  She tried to feed him a slice of melon, but he pursed his lips.

'Okay, have your breakfast,' Tessa grinned.

'Darling will you ask Lauretta to fix a picnic lunch for us.  We shall walk down to the lake.' 

Tessa's eyes lit up enthusiastically, 'oh that's a wonderful idea.'

'My daddy can I feed the ducks and take me on the boat please.'

'Yes son you can feed the ducks.  I'll see about hauling out the row boat,' Brad chuckled.

After breakfast, Tessa brushed Lyndon's teeth and bathed him in her bath tub whilst Brad showered in his ensuite.  It was a beautifully hot sunny day.  Tessa put on a pair of shorts and a casual sleeveless shirt.  Brad was in denims and a figure hugging T shirt.  Tessa walked up behind Brad and curved her hands around his chest. 

'Just so you know, 'Tessa whispered in Brad's ear, 'I have not reneged on my promise.  You have changed our plans, though I'm not complaining.'

'I'm not complaining either,' Brad turned around, cupped his fingers at the nape of her neck and kissed her.  'I shall collect tonight,' his eyes promised.

'I'm looking forward to it,' she breathed heavily against his cheek.

'Can we go my daddy?  Can we go?' Lyndon pushed his way in between his mommy and daddy and lifted his arms to his daddy.

'Yes we can,' Brad hauled his son into his arms as they walked downstairs.

The door bell chimed, and Tessa was closest, 'I'll get it,' she cast a curious glance Brad's way, but her husband's face had a blank expression. 

'What are you doing here?' Tessa almost wanted to slam the door shut when she saw Bentley standing there, all smartly dressed in his posh suit.  'You better not be bringing any work for my husband.'

Bentley swallowed sharply as he saw his boss's wife looking rather sexy in shorts, revealing  her  slender, rather shapely unending legs.  He only ever saw Tessa in formal attire and designer day suits.

'Good morning Bentley,' Brad greeted from directly behind Tessa.  He was close against her shoulder.   She could feel his breath on her neck.  'Stop looking at my wife's legs,' Brad instructed.

'Sorry sir,' he dragged his eyes to his boss, 'I have the package you requested Mr. Blakely.'

'Package?  What package?' Tessa glared at Brad angrily.

'Bentley?' Brad extended one hand, the other hand was clasped to Lyndon's standing next to his father.

'Good morning Bentley,' Lyndon greeted.

'Good morning Lyndon, 'Bentley smiled, ruffling Lyndon's hair.

Bentley took a step outside.   He reached for something against the wall.  'There you go sir,' Bentley handed Brad three fishing rods.

'Oh,' Tessa murmured sheepishly.

'Sorry Bentley,' Bentley prompted with a grin.

'Sorry Bentley,' she smiled contritely.

'I'm going to get some bread for the ducks,' Tessa left the males at the door.  Lauretta had packed them a sumptuous picnic basket filled with delicious grilled chicken pieces, cucumber and cheese sandwiches, fruit, a green salad and a container of olives for Tessa, a bottle of wine for the adults and fruit juice for Lyndon.

'Momma can we feed the gooses too?'

'Geese darling.'  Tessa handed Lyndon a packet containing a loaf of bread.

'Where is my daddy's bread momma?'

'In the basket,' Tessa leaned forward to rub sun block on Lyndon's cheek.  He giggled and hid behind the sofa.

'Lyndon Blakely, you are not going on the boat without sun block.'

'You can't catch me,' Lyndon peeked from behind the sofa.

'But I can,' Brad easily scooped Lyndon into his arms and marched him to his mommy.

'I don't want make up mummy,' Lyndon climbed up his daddy's chest and hid his face.

'This is not make up angel.  The sun is too hot.   This cream will protect you from getting burnt.'

'Okay momma,' Lyndon grinned, angling his cheeks so his mummy could rub on the lotion.

'Put some on daddy too momma.'

'Sure,' Tessa smiled and plastered Brad's face with sun block.

'Are you having fun Tessa?'

'Yes, and I'm done,' she laughed softly.  'Oh wait I need to take a picture.'

'That shall not be for public consumption,' Brad warned.

'It won't.  I promise,' Tessa smirked.

Brad secured a life jacket around Lyndon.  The lake was only about knee deep.  He and Tessa were excellent swimmers, but he exercised caution with Lyndon.  The Blakely estate boasted a thriving eco system.  There was abundant fish life in the lake.  It was heaven for any discerning picnic lover.  Brad helped Tessa into the paddle boat, then handed Lyndon to her.  He stood in the boat and paddled it deeper into the water.  The ducks and the geese sensing a meal arriving noisily greeted the visitors.

'Can I feed the go---geese now daddy?'

'Yes son, just throw it as far as you can.'

The birds came speeding close to the boat, eager for a meal.

'Help me momma,' Lyndon urged when he was not fast enough to get his bread to the birds.  Tessa took a second loaf of bread from the basket, broke of chunks and aimed it a distance away from the boat.

'Oh look momma,' Lyndon stood up, pointing to two geese fighting.

'Sit down,' Brad and Tessa spoke simultaneously. 

'Keep your cap on,' Tessa placed the cap Lyndon discarded back onto his head. 

It was serene watching nature.  Out in the boat, it smelt fresh as if one was in the country.  Tessa had loved this about her home back in Scarsdale, the fauna, the flora, the tranquil setting.  Only here together with Brad, and on a much larger scale, she thought Brad's Surrey home was like being in paradise  In moments like these, she was thankful to God, for her life partner.  Tessa leaned closer to Brad.

'I love you,' she whispered.

'And I love you too,' he smiled handsomely.

'Lyndon loves you too, my daddy,' he raised his hands appealingly up to his daddy.  Heeding his parents call, he remained seated.  Brad handed the oars to Tessa and lifted his son into his arms.

'Daddy loves Lyndon very much too,' Brad held his son against his chest, and planted a kiss on his cheek.  'Okay hold me tight, whilst I set up your fishing rod.  Brad handed the smallest one to Lyndon.  He knelt down next to Lyndon, and guided him on how to cast the line into the water.

'Look momma.  Lyndon is fishing.'

'I see darling.  I guess I know what's for dinner tonight,' Tessa teased.  Brad generally threw the fish back into the water, when he caught them.  Tessa and Lyndon were yet to make a successful catch.  Brad suspected his wife deliberately cast her line away from where the fish were biting.  To their pleasant surprise Lyndon's rod was reeling noisily. 

'My daddy...' 

Brad had heard it and quickly dropped his rod and knelt down next to Lyndon.

'Okay son, just reel in the line like daddy showed you.' 
Tessa watched in amazement as Brad murmured encouragingly to Lyndon, not touching his son's rod.  Guiding Lyndon and teaching him how to reel in his own catch.  Tessa longed to hold the rod and help Lyndon, but she marvelled at Brad's patient tutoring.

'Oh honey, you are doing well,' Tessa clapped.  'You can do it mummy's angel.'

'I have him my daddy.  I have him,' Lyndon whispered excitedly.  When the reel came in, a fish about the size of Brad's palm, was wrestling unsuccessfully with the tackle.

'Okay son, very carefully lift the line into the boat.'  Brad's eager hands wanted to help his son, but he wanted his son to have his moment of glory.  As soon as Lyndon's line landed safely with said fish into the boat, Tessa clicked away with her camera.

'I did it my daddy,' Lyndon flung his arms around Brad.

'Yes my son, you have. Congratulations,' Brad laughed proudly.

'Can I take him home my daddy?'  Brad looked at Tessa, she nodded.

 'I want to show grandpa.'

'Oh darling, grandpa is so far away.  The fish won't keep,' Tessa clicked away more photos of Brad, Lyndon and their victim.

'We can clean him up,' Brad suggested.  'And we can keep him in the refrigerator.' 

'Phone grandpa, momma.'

'I did not bring a phone.  We will call him when we get home.'

'Are you hungry son?' Brad teased.

'No,' Lyndon pursed his lips tightly.  'Don't eat my fish daddy.'

'Darling, don't be so cruel,' Tessa admonished Brad.

'I did not mean your fish son,' Brad laughed.  'Lauretta packed us a basket with food.'  Whilst Tessa distracted Lyndon feeding him some lunch, Brad slit the fish down its belly removed all its inner organs, rinsed it in the water and placed it in a container to store in the refrigerator.

'Blakely you better make sure that is thoroughly clean before it goes in my refrigerator.'

'Yes ma'am,' Brad winked.

After an enjoyable lunch, an hour later, Brad paddled his family back to home.  The sleeping Lyndon was cleaned, changed and put into bed for his daily afternoon nap.

                 -end chapter four-