'Darling wake up, we're almost home.' Tessa patted Brad's knee.

She smiled to herself as she watched Brad lounging on the recliner. His head against the back rest, eyes shut. She wanted him to rest, he hardly ever rested in the day, but then, she wanted Brad to share her enthusiasm. They were about to land at JFK.

'Home?' he smiled lazily. 'I thought Surrey was our home.'

Tessa lifted her eyes to Brad's teasing ones. 'Okay then, my home before I married you.'

'We could live here in New York, if it's your wish,' Brad's palm closed over her hand on his knee. He would do anything for his wife. If his money could buy it, it would be his pleasure to shower his wife with whatever her heart desired.

'No, never!' She responded immediately.
She loved their home in Surrey. She could not wait for Lyndon to start horse riding lessons and was looking forward to introducing their new baby to their Surrey home's tranquil and picturesque garden. Instinctively her hand reached her tummy.

'Everything okay darling?' Brad's voice was filled with concern.

'Yes,' she smiled reassuringly. 'No problems at all. I love our home in Surrey,' she laced her fingers through Brad's. 'That's where I want our children to grow up.'

Brad's eyes filled with pride. 'I will make it the best home possible,' his tone was husky.

'Want to know a secret,' she whispered, her palm cupping his face.

'Yes.'

'I think you're going to have a daughter.'

'Really? How do you know?' Brad was ecstatic. He would want nothing more than that, considering they have a boy.

'I don't,' Tessa smiled. 'Just a feeling,' she shrugged her shoulders.

'We will love our baby no matter,' Brad promised.

'Yes.' Tessa whispered in agreement. She leaned towards Brad and exchanged a gentle yet passionate kiss with him.

Neither heard the warning light sensor alerting them to buckle up. Tessa pulled Brad closer, her fingers caressing the nape of his neck.

'Er---excuse me. Mr. Blakely; Mrs. Blakely, please buckle up.'

'Lyndon!' Brad murmured hurriedly and stood up. 'I'll check on him.'

Still smarting from their passionate embrace, Tessa needed a few moments to regroup. She managed a nod before Brad dashed off.

'Hey son, you want to sit with mummy and me?

'Yes my daddy,' Lyndon's eyes brightened. He reached his hands out expectantly.

'You better hurry Mr. Blakely,' Stacy urged. 'You don't have much time.'

'Thank you Stacy,' he acknowledged her helping Lyndon out of his seatbelt.

'There you go tiger,' Brad buckled Lyndon in, next to Tessa.

'Hi momma,' Lyndon offered Tessa a bright smile, clasping his hand into hers.

'Hi my baby,' Tessa kissed his chubby cheek. She patted his curly hair lovingly.

'I'm going to see my grandpa momma.'

'I know' Tessa smiled. She suspected her son was going to forget all about his mummy and daddy, when his grandpa was around.

'I want to buy grandpa a present momma. Will you give me some money please?'

'Sure,' a wicked smile splashed across her face. She reached into Brad's pocket, removed his credit card from his wallet and gave it to Lyndon.'

Brad raised an eyebrow. A smirk hovered about his lips but did not completely form.

'What can I buy with this?' Lyndon flipped the card around in confusion.

'Oh lots of things my angel,' Tessa bit on her lower lip. 'You could buy a jet like this.' She was certain the bank would approve it within thirty seconds flat.

'But my grandpa has his own jet.'

'Oh that's right,' Tessa's lips twitched again

'You could take mummy's credit card,' Brad suggested and buy grandpa one of those super yachts that sails around the world.'

'Yes, grandpa loves boats and he does not have one. 'Give me your card momma.'

'Er---I left mine at home,' she could barely contain herself as Brad threw his head back and roared with laughter.

'So how are you going to buy me food in New York momma?'

'We will have to eat carrots and spinach from grandma's garden.'

The look on Lyndon's face suggested he'd like to throw up right at that moment.

Carrots are good for---.'

'Yes I know momma. They make me see better and spinach gives me strong muscles.'

'See what an intelligent son I have,' Tessa grinned, draping her arm around Lyndon.

'Can we go and stay with Fabian?' Lyndon pleaded, 'maybe he will have chicken and steak.'

Brad and Tessa laughed. 'We have some money to feed you son,' Brad kissed the top of Lyndon's head.

'I will share it with you and my daddy momma.'

'Thank you my angel,' Tessa hid a developing smirk.

The phone next to Brad buzzed. When he answered, it was the captain announcing it was two minutes to landing time.

It was late morning, Tessa agreed when Brad asked if they could go straight to the GR office. Brad was in a formal day suit. Tessa was dressed in a chic dress shirt that she played down to look smartly casual.

Tessa poked her head into the boardroom. She had expected Brad to be sitting at the head of the boardroom table, but it was the New York regional manager occupying that chair. She cast a cursory glance around unsuccessfully trying to locate Brad. There were close on twenty staff with their heads bent, perusing some document. A few of the heads lifted, when they heard her knock. She did not want to go in and distract them.

'Good afternoon everybody,' Tessa smiled politely. 'Brad,' she shrugged apologetically, 'please wave at me.'

'Here,' Brad waved his hand to get Tessa's attention. He was seated about left of centre amongst some of the marketing and advertising staff. He stood up and extended his hand for Tessa to join him. The others stood when Brad did.

'Please sit down,' she indicated with her hand. 'I'm not Her Majesty or something,' Tessa smiled. Laughter from around the room filled the air as they took their seats again. She felt loathe to disturb Brad, his face had been a sea of concentration, though his eyes looked tired.

'Could I steal you for two minutes please?' she looked pleadingly at Brad.

'Take five everybody,' Brad walked out to Tessa.

'What's up sweetheart?' Brad placed his palm at Tessa's lower back.

'Where can we go?' Tessa wanted privacy.

'In here,' Brad pointed to an office adjoining the boardroom. He allowed Tessa to precede him, then locked it.

'I'm sorry to disturb you,' Tessa lifted her face up apologetically.

'You know you can disturb me anytime,' Brad curved his arms around her and rested his forehead on hers.

'You look tired darling.'

'Attempting a new marketing strategy,' Brad sighed. 'No consensus yet.'

'Seth called me,' Tessa smiled. 'Apparently a television channel filmed our arrival at JFK.'

'Your ex boss?'

'Yeah. He invited me to their office for drinks. Seeing you're going to be busy for probably another three hours, I thought I'd accept his invitation.'

'It's no problem,' Brad kissed her cheek. 'You could have just sent me a text.'

'I wanted to kiss you,' she draped her arms around him. 'You know you started something on the jet.'

I think it was you that started it,' he murmured against her inviting lips. Tessa deepened the kiss. She purred her pleasure, but she would have to wait till evening. Brad could not tear himself away.

'I'll see you at home then?' she murmured against his throat.

'Yeah.'

'Don't be too late,' she pleaded. Brad knew she did not want to be with her father, without him there as back up. He had reassured her very subtly that she had nothing to be concerned about where Joseph was concerned, but his wife was still unconvinced.

'I'll be home before you know it. I promise,' Brad hugged Tessa, and walked her to the elevator.

Bentley was finishing the report he was typing for Brad on the Australian leg of their tour. Keri was on her laptop, busy with a financial report the newly installed Australian editor-in chief had forwarded for Brad's attention.
He and Keri had not spoken much since they left Singapore and it was all his fault. Keri had repeatedly apologized to him. She had tried to engage in conversation with him. He had either given her monosyllabic answers or had been so annoyingly polite that she had totally stopped trying to reach out to him.

He cast a quick look at Keri curled up on a sofa. She was distractingly at the periphery of his vision. Hard as he tried not to, his eyes constantly strayed in her direction. Warmth unfurled deep inside him at the sight of her. Keri had striking eyes. They were a blue-grey, interchangeable like the raging ocean on a stormy day.

Today Keri's eyes were more azure, as if in defence mode, than the steel grey when she was angry. He smiled to himself. Not that he saw her angry much. She was generally a happy person who smiled often. He had to confess, she had not smiled much in the last twenty four hours and he was totally to blame. He discreetly studied Keri trying to make head or tail of the financial report Kim St Claire had forwarded. He held back the grin as he watched her teeth worry over her lower lip. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

'Keri are you done with the financials?' Bentley's face was grave. 'I'd like to attach it to my report.'

'Almost,' Keri looked up and smiled good naturedly. Bentley swallowed, as their eyes met. She looked so adorable when she smiled. He wanted to reach out and crush her in his arms.

'Except I am not balancing something here,' Keri sighed. 'She's projected thirty percent more expenses than she's supposed to and I can't figure it out.'

'Oh,' Bentley stood up and walked to Keri. 'I know why,' he seated himself on the armrest of Keri's sofa.

'Why?' Keri asked suspiciously.

He found it difficult holding the gaze of those sparkling blue eyes.

'Kim St. Claire requested a thirty percent capital top up for advertising and some market research she intends to undertake. Mr. Blakely okayed the shifting of funds from head quarters.'

'Now you tell me!' Keri sighed happily. It was the first sentence Bentley had spoken that was actually more than five words.

'She is the new boss there. Mr. Blakely wants to give her a wide enough berth to ensure she can be successful.'

'I see,' Keri held Bentley's gaze. She wished Bentley could be as accommodating with her, as Mr. Blakely was with his new editor-in-chief in Australia. Keri knew she was staring. When she wanted to look away, Bentley's dark mesmerising eyes were luring, locking into the depths of her eyes and she was drawn by the magnetic pull. She could swear Bentley's head lowered a fraction towards her. Boldly Keri angled her mouth closer to his. She heard his soft groan. His mouth moved another few inches to hers. Keri decided it was now or never. She reached out for him. In that instant, he came back to his senses and stood up.

'Er---I need that financials,' Bentley spoke, killing the mood.

'Bentley---,' she gripped his arm. 'Have dinner with me tonight---please.'

'Are you asking me on a date?' His eyebrows quirked.

'Yes,' her fingers tightened around his wrist. Her thumb provocatively caressed a sensitive spot on his arm.

'Mr. Blakely could need me.' His eyes bulged, he tried to shift away.

'You don't work twenty four seven.' She reminded him. His eyes darted away and weakly returned to her eyes.

'Fine, I will meet you in the lobby at eight,' he offered.

They were staying in one of the fancy hotels in New York. Tessa had offered them accommodation at her home in Scarsdale. Stacy had accepted because she needed to be near Lyndon. Keri and Bentley had politely declined, wanting their bosses to have some private time with their family. Bentley had booked them accommodation, separate bedrooms off course.

'Thank you,' Keri beamed happily.

'The sooner you give me that report, the quicker we can leave here,' Bentley's eyes darkened with unmistakable desire.

'Right,' Keri rushed back to her laptop to print the wretched report for him.

Bentley held his breath as Keri exited the hotel elevator. She looked sensational in a figure hugging cream evening dress. The plunging neckline was going to cause him cardiac arrest. Her skin glowed. Her attractive hair was tied up. The dress allowed Keri to show off the platinum earrings she had retrieved from the bin. A warm fuzzy feeling rushed through his blood. He knew the platinum would look good on his lady.

'I never did thank you for my exquisite earrings,' Keri gushed as she drew up next to him.

'No you did not,' Bentley smiled mischievously.

'Allow me to remedy that.' Keri rose on tip toes. Her fingers clutched his bulky upper arms as her lips brushed his tenderly. 'Thank you,' she whispered. 'Nobody has ever given me such an expensive gift.'

'I just knew platinum needed to be on you, to look that good,' he tried to pull it off brashly, but his tone was more gruff than he would have liked. Keri warmed at the compliment. Self consciously she laughed; delighted that Bentley seemed in an affable mood.

'I'm paying our dinner bill,' she remarked. Bentley's eyes widened a fraction, but he remained non committal as he led her into the hotel's dining room. There seemed to be an unspoken truce tonight. They chatted amicably, bantering with each other lightly, the conversation on occasion, scintillating. Bentley was curious as to why she was staying in a hotel in her home town. Reluctant to divulge too much about her private life, she informed him her father was late. Bentley offered his condolences. She thanked him. Her mother was enjoying living in a rustic senior citizens retreat which Keri was paying an arm and a leg for. Her parents had been poor. She had worked as a waitress to pay for her own college tuition. Her mom loved the friends she made, all around her own age. Keri called her mom once a week.

She was always delightfully in good spirits. Keri had given up, the apartment she had been renting, before she moved to London. She had no other accommodation in New York, hence her stay in the hotel, unless she called on Max, her scheming, louse of an ex fiancé. Keri would rather sleep on the street than knock on the door of that two-timing snake.

After their delicious main course, Keri did not think she had any space for dessert, but Bentley ordered the most sumptuous, malva pudding. It just melted in Keri's mouth. She was surprised when she was scraping every last bit from her plate. After a lengthy coffee, Bentley enquired if she wanted anything else, when Keri smiled lazily, declining, Bentley nodded at the waiter and stood up to help Keri out of her chair.

'But we've not paid the bill,' she protested.

'It's taken care of,' his eyes met hers.

'I was supposed to pay,' Keri sulked.
'You're not going to make a scene now are you Keri,' he murmured in her ear, as his palm cupped her lower back. She forgot what they were arguing about. His fingers were like a high voltage sensor, triggering a response from her body.

'I---no,' she stammered, their eyes locked.
Their bodies were feeding off each others' heat. Momentarily their surroundings were forgotten. Only when Bentley gently ushered her forward, did Keri realize she had been openly drooling over him. Caught up in her own thoughts, she was silent as Bentley pressed the elevator button. Would he go to her room? Would he invite her to his room? Keri did not want the evening to end. She did not want Bentley to say good night to her just yet. She wanted more time with him.

'Are you coming in?' Keri held her bedroom door open expectantly. Bentley shook his head. Keri sighed disappointedly. Even though he shook his head, his eyes settled on her lips, sending her a different message altogether. Keri placed her palm on his arm. 'Are you sure?' She questioned hopefully.

'No---. I mean yes. I'm sure. I have to be up early tomorrow. Good night,' he turned and hurried into his own room. Keri wondered why he needed to be up early. Neither of them had received any instructions for tomorrow morning. Keri suspected he just wanted to get rid of her. Clearly he has lost interest. It was her after all that had instigated their meal together tonight. It meant nothing to him obviously.

Bentley shut his eyes and leaned against his door. He was mad to walk away when he wanted to stay with her. And she wanted him. He saw the disappointment in her eyes when he had declined her offer. Should he have stayed? He did not want her playing games with him. Either she commit to him one hundred percent or not. He could not have Keri leading him on, turning him on, then switching off when he wanted to go to the next level. If she had issues with her ex, best she sort them out before she and him could think of a relationship. He did not want her coming to him with baggage, and he certainly did not want to be with a woman who was still pining for her ex. The last time he held her in his arms he was not convinced, she was ready for them to begin a courtship. If and when Keri was ready, he would know it. Tonight he would have to settle for a cold shower.

Brad was busy with his executive team, when he received a text message from Tessa informing him she was going to JeTag. Immediately Brad's antenna shot up. He did not want Tessa visiting a bar filled with testosterone. When she had been single there had been no boundaries, but damn it she was his wife now.

You're not drinking now. What is the point of visiting a bar?

It was not just any bar. It was the one singles bar, his wife had favoured before they married. Never mind that it was an upmarket, very classy bar. Three quarters of a riveting book could be filled of her adventurous life at JeTag, if his wife ever consented to a biography.

Tessa had spent the day with Aunt Bertha. She had used one of the golf carts on their property and had driven Aunt Bertha around their scenic gardens. She showed her, her favourite spot at the river she had loved so much. Aunt Bertha, Lyndon and Tessa had, had a picnic lunch by the river. Tessa had told Aunt Bertha of the many hours she had spent at the river when she was growing up. It had been a source of solace. Bertha now understood why Brad and Tessa had such a solid and loving relationship. Both were only children, with scarred upbringings. Tessa's was a little different from Brad's, but lonely and traumatic nonetheless.

Tessa knew Brad would be home late that evening. She was keen to meet Marco and some of her old mates who used to hang around with her at JeTag. It was more than six months since she and Brad had last visited New York. Their previous trip was a short rushed one. At least on this trip, she could visit at her own leisure.

Brad had intended dining with his executives that evening. That had been the plan. Now that dinner outing had lost its appeal, especially since his wife was dangerously making an appearance alone at JeTag.

'Take your hands of my wife!'

Tessa's head swung around. 'Brad? You were supposed to be at dinner!'

'You heard me,' Brad ignored Tessa. 'Don't touch my wife.'

'Brad,' Tessa laughed. 'This is Marco, remember?' She leaned her arm on Marco's shoulder as he gently lowered her back to the floor.

'Excuse me,' Marco stormed into the private inner office of JeTag.

'What is wrong with you?' Tessa glared at Brad and followed Marco into the office that was "off limits" to JeTag's patrons.

'Marco, I'm sorry,' Tessa rested her hand on his arm apologetically.

'What the hell are you apologising to him for?' Brad was right behind Tessa.

'You are right,' Tessa hissed angrily. 'It is you that should be making the apology to Marco.'

'I will apologize, if he tells you he's not in love with you.'

Marco turned his head away. He was not meeting Tessa's or Brad's eyes.

'Brad you are being ridiculous. This is Marco,' she repeated.

'He's in love with you,' Brad repeated. 'He has been since before we married.'

'No--- tell Brad,' she looked at Marco appealingly. 'You were always having a go at me,' she smiled, 'and saying nasty---. OMG Marco!'
It suddenly dawned on Tessa why Marco had always disapproved of every man she had had a liaison with.

'Oh dear lord, Marco. I never knew.'

'It would not have made a difference right,' Marco pursed his lips. 'I am just a barman, out of your league, right?'

'You're not just a barman,' Tessa touched Marco's shoulder.

'Tessa,' Brad warned.

'See who you married,' Marco waved his hand in Brad's direction.

'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' Brad took a threatening step towards Marco. Tessa quickly stepped in front of Marco.

Damn why the hell is she so protective over other men? He remembered her coming to Bentley's defence in his London office.

'I could never compete with the likes of him,' Marco's tone was not very complimentary. 'And he was not the only one. You were always attracted to the powerful men.'

'Marco, I was never attracted to any man's wealth.'

'You drew the wealthy and powerful ones like a magnet Tessa,' Marco spoke gravely.

Did I?

She did not want to debate with Brad or Marco about the men she had relationships with. That was in the past.

'Look, I think that is all irrelevant right now.'
Tessa spoke to both Marco and Brad. Unconsciously, she linked her hand into Brad's. 'Four years ago, I chose Brad and ---I am very happy,' Tessa submitted. 'We're expecting our second baby.'

'You're pregnant again!' Marco exclaimed.

Tessa heard Brad's angry sigh next to her. She ignored it. 'You make me sound like a mass producing rabbit,' Tessa laughed. 'Our son is four. We have been trying to have another baby for almost a year.'

'It's none of his damn business Tessa! Let's get out of here.'

'I'm staying,' Tessa's eyes challenged Brad. 'You leave if you want to.'

'Why? You're not even drinking?' Brad yelled, knowing his wife hated him raising his voice at her.

'Blakely, leave if you want to, if you plan on staying, stop nagging!'

'I'm not leaving you here with these ---vultures,' Brad waved his hand around the crowded bar.

'I'm surprised your marriage has lasted this long,' Marco stated. 'I knew it was doomed before it started. Excuse me, I have work to do,' he went off in a huff.
Tessa watched as Marco's back retreated. He was so wrong. She and Brad had an amazing relationship, when her husband was not displaying his jealous streak.

Brad followed his wife to the seat she had selected before Marco had spontaneously lifted her into his arms when he'd laid eyes on her. She had just innocently come in to say "hi" and chill with their old buddies. She had not expected her husband to go berserk.

Tessa made a point of ignoring Brad as she settled in her stool again and began chatting with one of the ladies next to her. Tessa was a little peeved the woman could not keep her suggestive eyes of Brad. She glared at Brad who just grinned annoyingly.

'So you still have it Tessa,' the friendly lady next to her shook her head.

'What!' Tessa laughed softly.

'You always attract the hot studs,' she whispered in Tessa's ear.

Tessa looked over her shoulder. Brad was hovering just behind her. His foot was perched on her stool, rather possessively she noted.

'If you don't want him---,' the lady seductively licked her lower lip, invitingly at Brad. Tessa was madder because Brad had heard the comment. He raised his eyebrows at Tessa as if implying the ball was in her court.

Tessa leaned over and murmured to the lady softly enough so that Brad could not hear 'I want him,' she stood up.

'Damn,' the lady sulked disappointedly.

'Let's dance,' she dragged Brad onto the tiles.

'When you're finished with him Tessa---,' the lady hinted loudly. Tessa looked over her shoulder, pursing her lips.

'So when will you be finished with me Tessa?'

Purposefully she stepped on his toes, as she placed one hand carelessly on his shoulder. The other was at her side.

'Ouch, my toes,' Brad winced, as they danced to a waltz.

'I'm so sorry,' Tessa smiled sarcastically, her eyes were glacial. He did not like dancing. It was a long time since they danced publically. Amazingly he covered the floor with considerable expertise.

'Is that punishment?' Brad pulled her closer. He coiled her free hand behind her back and laced his fingers through it.

'What are you doing here?' She hissed. 'You were supposed to be having dinner with your executives?'

'I've spent as much time with them as I needed to,' Brad was evasive.

'There was no need for you to pitch up here,' she accused him furiously.'

She did not mind her husband pitching up somewhere, where she was, to be supportive. But when that jealous streak of his was evidently visible, it annoyed her, especially when he knew she would never be unfaithful to him.
Brad could hardly accuse his wife of mischief. Whilst every other lady there was in evening dress and stilettos, his wife looked adorable and striking in figure hugging designer denims, and a very chick evening blouse. She was not even trying to attract attention in her sensible pumps. But he knew Tessa Blakely turned heads wherever she went and whatever she wore. He had known that disturbing fact from the very first day he'd laid eyes on his stunning wife, four years ago, right here at JeTag.

'I'm hungry. Could we leave?' Brad murmured in her ear.

She was peckish too. She had been looking forward to having a familiar light meal at the bar. 'Why do I have to leave if you are hungry?' Tessa goaded him.

'I'm not leaving you here,' Brad was adamant. She knew he would not leave without her. He would also stay and be infuriating like a thorn in her flesh.

'I want you to leave with me,' Brad instructed.

'Why did you come here and ruin my evening ---you bastard?' She was spitting mad, even as they waltzed around the room.

'Our baby heard that,' Brad's eyes were dark with anger.

Sorry honey. I will explain when I am not in your daddy's arms.

'Say you're sorry,' Brad demanded.

Tessa's emerald eyes lifted up to Brad's charcoal ones defiantly, 'to you or to my baby?'

'To me,' he pulled her flush, against his masculine chest, 'and it's our baby, unless you are going to make a ridiculous pronouncement to the contrary.'

Heat coiled within Tessa just thinking about her and Brad making love in the Paris elevator that resulted in her conceiving their much awaited second baby. She remembered the elation in Brad's eyes the second she realized she was pregnant. How could she even contemplate denying his parenthood? Brad placed his index finger under her chin to get her attention.

'I'm waiting for my apology.'

Tessa looked around the dance floor. Only a few couples were dancing. More were just hanging around, or encamped around the bar. The song had changed and they were still waltzing. It was a good thing then that the current song was still fitting for them to be in each other's arms.

'I'm sorry,' she whispered, her hands automatically snaked around his neck.

'Did you hear that baby,' Brad grinned, his palm caressed Tessa's flat stomach.

'Shut up,' Tessa instructed softly.

'Now kiss me,' Brad ordered.

'You are so demanding,' she sighed, but her hands were pulling his head down to submit to him. Her eyes locked with his, her lips brushing against his teasingly. His husky groan was encouragement enough to deepen the kiss. Her tongue pushed through his lips and danced erotically with his. Tessa's breathing became erratic. She pulled Brad closer. Their tongues choreographed a harmonious duet.
Glass crashed behind her at the bar. Tessa heard nothing. She felt Brad's erect manhood piercing against her pelvis. It incited her own arousal.

'Is he trying to get your attention?' Brad hissed.

'What?' Tessa's eyes were dilated. She was pulling Brad's head down again to continue the thrilling kiss she had been enjoying.
'Take me home darling.'

'Your barman is throwing his toys out the cot,' Brad stated.

'Excuse me!' Tessa finally realized her husband's mood was disturbed.

'Have you not heard the glass crashing behind you?' Brad grinned.

'No,' she bit on her lower lip.

'I'm getting dagger looks too, when I'm kissing my own wife,' Brad's eyes were amused.

Tessa sighed, 'please let me speak to him without you hovering over me,' her fingers feathered the hair at the nape of his neck.

Brad did not pretend not to know what she was talking about. 'Five minutes, that is all I'm allowing,' Brad warned. 'And I am starving,' he groaned, as he led Tessa back to Marco.

'I don't know if you're going to get any dinner at home,' she smiled up at Brad. 'I informed the kitchen you and I were not going to be home for dinner.'

'You can rustle up something, can't you? He pleaded.

She nodded.

'Five minutes,' Brad reminded Tessa, before he walked away.

'Hey Marco, can we speak for a few minutes please?'

'In here,' he pointed to the office they had earlier been in. Tessa groaned inwardly as she observed his eyes bulging angrily, the muscles on his face contorted involuntarily. He shut the door. His fingers clenched at his sides as he waited for Tessa to start speaking.

'Marco, I don't know where to begin, but I'm sorry, I had no idea,' Tessa sighed. He remained silent, not meeting her eyes.

'Marco the reason Brad and I are still married is because we love each other.'

His eyes finally met hers. There was disbelief there.

'I know you may not want to hear this,' Tessa murmured. 'But Brad is an amazing man.'

'So why were you two arguing earlier?'

'Which married couple does not?' Tessa raised her hands into the air. 'Marco, Brad loves me. He just has challenges controlling his ---jealousy.'

Brad paced up and down outside the JeTag office. He wanted to yank the door open and go inside. Only an iron will kept him outside, that and his wife's reassuring voice from inside.

'So he keeps you on a tight leash. Tells you when to sneeze and when to cough?'

'No Marco. Brad respects me. I do not need to report to him.'

'I suppose you two did look rather cosy on the dance floor,' he admitted grudgingly.

'I am very happy Marco. I love my husband and I have no desire to leave him or end my marriage whatsoever.'

'Well if there is one thing to be said about you Tessa, you were always brutally honest,' Marco finally smiled. 'Then I am happy for you,' he relented.

'Thank you. Now I better get out there,' Tessa looked at her watch. 'My husband only allowed me five minutes, and he's not a tyrant,' Tessa laughed.

'I believe you,' Marco opened the door, to find Brad standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

'We all happy?' Brad raised his eyebrows questioningly, looking from Marco to Tessa.

'You better take care of her,' Marco pointed a threatening finger at Brad.

'Let's go home,' Tessa quickly laced her fingers through Brad's. She did not want to see Brad responding to Marco's threat. Nor did she want to stay and look at his long face, everytime a man looked in her direction. And she had lost count of the number that had given her more than a once over

'You're leaving ---with him,' the lady complained unhappily.

'Yeah,' Tessa smiled at the woman and whispered in her ear. 'Sorry, he's mine, all mine.'

'Remember me in the future,' the lady sighed disappointedly.

Tessa lifted her eyes to Brad's. Not this one. I will never tire of him.

'What did you whisper to her?' Brad wanted to know.

'Your private number?' Tessa lied.

'You don't mind her flirting with me?' Brad teased.

'Should I?' Tessa challenged, yet she sensed a green eyed monster suffocating her heart when she thought of her husband making passionate love to another woman, or any other woman in Brad's arms for that matter. She would never allow that. He was hers exclusively. It would remain that way for eternity.

         -end chapter twenty seven-