Claim
Page 129
Gen shook her head. “The boy looks just like him. And if I’m not mistaken the little girl looks exactly like her mother. See for yourself.”
The last tiny bit of hope Stacey had left vanished the second she set eyes on the tall, shapely blonde woman who was pushing a very plush, expensive-looking twin baby stroller. Seated inside the stroller were a baby boy and his twin sister, who appeared to be eight or nine months old. The woman, who looked to be in her early thirties, was dressed to kill in a red sheath dress with long sleeves and a wrapover neckline. The dress clung to the blonde’s sleek curves, revealing the long, slender length of her legs and feet that were encased in black patent Louboutin stilettos. Stacey knew without having to ask that the ruby and diamond pendant and matching stud earrings were real. The blonde was drop dead gorgeous, perfectly groomed, and looked exactly like the sort of woman Ian Gregson would have taken for his wife.
Stacey scowled. “No way did that woman given birth to four kids. I mean, come on. Not even the tiniest bulge to her tummy. And her boobs are too perfect to have ever nursed a baby.”
Gen polished off her drink. “She must have had a tummy tuck after having those twins. Maybe a boob lift, too. And money goes a long way to making a person look good. She probably works out twice a day with a personal trainer, has a full time nanny, and a private chef.”
Stacey brightened as a sudden thought crossed her mind. “Maybe she’s the nanny,” she said hopefully. “I mean, she does seem a little young for him.”
Gen and Carly gave their friend scathing looks, with the older woman shaking her head in denial.
“Honey, I’ve never seen a nanny dressed like that, and wearing Louboutins to boot,” pointed out Carly. “And what woman in her right mind would hire a nanny who looked like that? Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s not accepted behavior to French kiss your nanny in public.”
Stacey sighed in resignation as she watched the debonair Mr. Gregson wrap an arm around the blonde’s narrow waist as he pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. “I suppose you’re right. Damn,” she cursed softly. “I guess what they say about all the good ones already being taken is true.”
She finished her own drink before picking up her purse. “Let’s go, girls. Nothing like a little retail therapy to cure a broken heart.”
Gen gave her friend a look of disbelief. “How in the world can your heart be broken? You just saw the guy less than ten minutes ago. Besides, I’ve got a feeling that you’re way, way more than ten minutes too late in staking a claim. The way he’s kissing her right now, I’d say it was love at first sight with those two.”
Ian was giving her one of those smiles again – the sort that still made her pulse race, her nipples harden, and her panties to become very, very wet. But then, after being his lover for more than eight years, his wife for over seven years, and the mother of his children for four and a half years, he still managed to excite and arouse her every bit as much as he had the very first time she’d seen him. She’d been a naïve, inexperienced girl of twenty-two at the time, even though she had already been married for several years, and had nearly swooned every time her handsome boss walked pass her desk. And now, a decade later, she still felt a little dizzy whenever she was near her husband. They were more in love than ever, more devoted to each other, and were still scorching the sheets of their bed nearly every night.
“Hello, Yummy Mummy,” Ian murmured to her now. His hand rested on her hip, giving it a little squeeze. “And you look exceptionally yummy this afternoon.”
Tessa resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “And that nickname is even cornier now then it was the first time you used it.”
“Ah, but you have to admit you love it,” he teased. “And you’re even yummier now than you were after having Gilly. You certainly don’t look like a woman who’s had four children, darling. Especially nine month old twins.”
Her blue eyes sparkled. “It’s all the exercise I get,” she joked. “Running around after four kids all under the age of five. Looking after the house. Yoga and the gym when I can squeeze it in. And, of course, it helps that my very demanding husband gives me a real workout every night.”
Ian laughed. “Always happy to help out, darling. Now, let me say hello to the little ones here.”
The “little ones” were the newest - and final - additions to the family. Nine month old Adam and Ashley were fraternal twins, though they didn’t resemble each other very much. Instead, Adam and his older brother Liam had the same coloring and features as their father, while Ashley and Gilly shared their mother’s blonde hair and blue eyes.
It had been a shock when Tessa and Ian had learned that she was carrying twins, though her surprise had immediately turned to delight. Ian, meanwhile, had set his food down very, very firmly after learning the news, so firmly that she hadn’t dared to argue with him.
“No more children after this, Tessa,” he’d told her decisively. “My God, we’re going to have four little ones all under the age of four when you give birth in February. I don’t think I have to tell you what a daunting thought that is. I know you’ve always wanted four children in all, and somehow you’ve managed to get your wish. But, please, darling. No more babies, hmm? You’re the most wonderful mother in the world, but four is more than enough for you to handle. Speaking of which.”
She’d groaned, knowing what was coming next. “You want me to think about hiring a nanny, don’t you?”
Ian shook his head. “Not think about it, no. Because I’ve already made up my mind that it’s going to happen. And there’s no use arguing about it, Tessa. I’ve indulged you and given you everything you’ve asked for - which admittedly hasn’t been very much - since we’ve been together. This time, I’m the one asking for your indulgence. Please, darling, will you do as I ask? The very thought of you taking care of four small children by yourself makes me shudder. You’re a very capable woman, Tessa, extremely organized and completely devoted to Gilly and Liam. But even you aren’t Superwoman, love. So, please. Indulge your husband and at least agree to interview a few nannies, hmm?”
She had sighed in resignation. “Fine. But whoever we end up hiring needs to understand from day one that things are going to be done my way.”
The last tiny bit of hope Stacey had left vanished the second she set eyes on the tall, shapely blonde woman who was pushing a very plush, expensive-looking twin baby stroller. Seated inside the stroller were a baby boy and his twin sister, who appeared to be eight or nine months old. The woman, who looked to be in her early thirties, was dressed to kill in a red sheath dress with long sleeves and a wrapover neckline. The dress clung to the blonde’s sleek curves, revealing the long, slender length of her legs and feet that were encased in black patent Louboutin stilettos. Stacey knew without having to ask that the ruby and diamond pendant and matching stud earrings were real. The blonde was drop dead gorgeous, perfectly groomed, and looked exactly like the sort of woman Ian Gregson would have taken for his wife.
Stacey scowled. “No way did that woman given birth to four kids. I mean, come on. Not even the tiniest bulge to her tummy. And her boobs are too perfect to have ever nursed a baby.”
Gen polished off her drink. “She must have had a tummy tuck after having those twins. Maybe a boob lift, too. And money goes a long way to making a person look good. She probably works out twice a day with a personal trainer, has a full time nanny, and a private chef.”
Stacey brightened as a sudden thought crossed her mind. “Maybe she’s the nanny,” she said hopefully. “I mean, she does seem a little young for him.”
Gen and Carly gave their friend scathing looks, with the older woman shaking her head in denial.
“Honey, I’ve never seen a nanny dressed like that, and wearing Louboutins to boot,” pointed out Carly. “And what woman in her right mind would hire a nanny who looked like that? Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s not accepted behavior to French kiss your nanny in public.”
Stacey sighed in resignation as she watched the debonair Mr. Gregson wrap an arm around the blonde’s narrow waist as he pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. “I suppose you’re right. Damn,” she cursed softly. “I guess what they say about all the good ones already being taken is true.”
She finished her own drink before picking up her purse. “Let’s go, girls. Nothing like a little retail therapy to cure a broken heart.”
Gen gave her friend a look of disbelief. “How in the world can your heart be broken? You just saw the guy less than ten minutes ago. Besides, I’ve got a feeling that you’re way, way more than ten minutes too late in staking a claim. The way he’s kissing her right now, I’d say it was love at first sight with those two.”
Ian was giving her one of those smiles again – the sort that still made her pulse race, her nipples harden, and her panties to become very, very wet. But then, after being his lover for more than eight years, his wife for over seven years, and the mother of his children for four and a half years, he still managed to excite and arouse her every bit as much as he had the very first time she’d seen him. She’d been a naïve, inexperienced girl of twenty-two at the time, even though she had already been married for several years, and had nearly swooned every time her handsome boss walked pass her desk. And now, a decade later, she still felt a little dizzy whenever she was near her husband. They were more in love than ever, more devoted to each other, and were still scorching the sheets of their bed nearly every night.
“Hello, Yummy Mummy,” Ian murmured to her now. His hand rested on her hip, giving it a little squeeze. “And you look exceptionally yummy this afternoon.”
Tessa resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “And that nickname is even cornier now then it was the first time you used it.”
“Ah, but you have to admit you love it,” he teased. “And you’re even yummier now than you were after having Gilly. You certainly don’t look like a woman who’s had four children, darling. Especially nine month old twins.”
Her blue eyes sparkled. “It’s all the exercise I get,” she joked. “Running around after four kids all under the age of five. Looking after the house. Yoga and the gym when I can squeeze it in. And, of course, it helps that my very demanding husband gives me a real workout every night.”
Ian laughed. “Always happy to help out, darling. Now, let me say hello to the little ones here.”
The “little ones” were the newest - and final - additions to the family. Nine month old Adam and Ashley were fraternal twins, though they didn’t resemble each other very much. Instead, Adam and his older brother Liam had the same coloring and features as their father, while Ashley and Gilly shared their mother’s blonde hair and blue eyes.
It had been a shock when Tessa and Ian had learned that she was carrying twins, though her surprise had immediately turned to delight. Ian, meanwhile, had set his food down very, very firmly after learning the news, so firmly that she hadn’t dared to argue with him.
“No more children after this, Tessa,” he’d told her decisively. “My God, we’re going to have four little ones all under the age of four when you give birth in February. I don’t think I have to tell you what a daunting thought that is. I know you’ve always wanted four children in all, and somehow you’ve managed to get your wish. But, please, darling. No more babies, hmm? You’re the most wonderful mother in the world, but four is more than enough for you to handle. Speaking of which.”
She’d groaned, knowing what was coming next. “You want me to think about hiring a nanny, don’t you?”
Ian shook his head. “Not think about it, no. Because I’ve already made up my mind that it’s going to happen. And there’s no use arguing about it, Tessa. I’ve indulged you and given you everything you’ve asked for - which admittedly hasn’t been very much - since we’ve been together. This time, I’m the one asking for your indulgence. Please, darling, will you do as I ask? The very thought of you taking care of four small children by yourself makes me shudder. You’re a very capable woman, Tessa, extremely organized and completely devoted to Gilly and Liam. But even you aren’t Superwoman, love. So, please. Indulge your husband and at least agree to interview a few nannies, hmm?”
She had sighed in resignation. “Fine. But whoever we end up hiring needs to understand from day one that things are going to be done my way.”
