‘I do love you, Nick,’ she said for the sheer joy of revelling in the freedom to say it.
‘Let’s see how much.’
He kissed her.
And she showed him how much, which inspired him to show her a lot more.
Even in a boatshed, the sex was good.
But it wasn’t the only good thing in their marriage.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NICK had wanted to give this party before they left for Rio de Janeiro, its purpose to publicly celebrate their marriage which he still felt was important to do. Their happiness together, he declared, would confound everyone and make it a scintillating affair, all the guests glittering madly around them, trying to shine light on cracks in their relationship and forced to concede failure because there were none.
And that was certainly happening tonight, Tess thought, secretly amused by some of the outrageous questions tossed at both her and Nick as they stood arm in arm, greeting and chatting to guests who were rolling up despite the short notice. The whole A-list of Sydney society was agog to assess the newly married couple and see what they’d done to the much envied dress circle residence at Point Piper.
The funny part was, Tess knew that only a short while ago she would have hated this kind of scene. The secure knowledge that Nick loved her made a world of difference. It simply didn’t matter how they were viewed as a couple or what anyone said to them, the happiness in her heart could not be diminished or soured or poisoned.
Besides, generally people did wish them well, and even the envy seemed reasonably good-natured. Perhaps genuine happiness was infectious. Whatever…it was easy to smile and keep on smiling, even in the face of Nadia Condor’s flaunting of the fabulous emerald necklace—her gift from Enrique Ramirez for producing such an outstanding son. Naturally she had chosen a classic black gown to show off the jewellery.
‘So you’re both travelling to Rio to collect,’ she said with smug confidence in her reading of the situation. Nadia’s beautiful golden eyes shimmered with pleasure. ‘I knew you’d take the inheritance.’
‘Actually we’re just going to meet my brothers,’ Nick drawled. ‘Should have a fun time. And while we’re there I’ll sign my share of the inheritance over to an orphanage.’
The pleasure jolted into shock. ‘An orphanage?’
‘Yes. Tess and I think that would be very appropriate, don’t we, darling?’
‘There are so many children who are alone in this world,’ she inserted, adding sympathetically, ‘You must remember losing everything yourself when you were sixteen, Nadia.’
Her head lifted in haughty disdain. ‘I’ve come a long way since I was sixteen.’
A long way…but to Tess’s mind, Nadia had never arrived where she and Nick were now and probably never would. Which was sad. Impulsively she said, ‘I was wondering—with all your experience of decorating houses, Nadia—if I could ask your advice on a few things when Nick and I get back.’
The disdain was instantly replaced by delighted anticipation. ‘My dear, I’m sure we could have a lovely girls’ time together. Just call me.’
‘I will,’ Tess promised.
Nadia sailed off with the sublimely confident air of a queen about to inspect her domain and order improvements on it in the very near future.
‘She’ll try to take over,’ Nick muttered in warning.
‘A bit of giving won’t hurt.’ Tess raised an eloquently knowing gaze to his. ‘She needs us in her life, Nick. We’re the only family she’s got.’
His mouth tilted into a wry smile as he nodded. ‘Okay, but you need to know my mother always aims to get her own way. Don’t hesitate to yell for help when she moves the line beyond what’s acceptable.’
She grinned. ‘I’ll yell.’
‘And remember you come first with me. You are not and never will be in competition with my mother.’
She laughed, blissfully sure of his support.
He lowered his head to whisper in her ear, ‘If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to have to race you off to bed and…’
‘Can’t! Here comes my mother.’
He gave a mock groan and resumed the role of party host.
While Nadia Condor’s style was regal, expecting everyone to worship at her court, admiring her unique and outstanding beauty, Livvy Curtin’s style was totally flamboyant, expecting everyone to be dazzled into courting her for her magnificent theatrical value.
Tonight she was wearing a gown in dark red and purple satin—amazing with her now strawberry-blonde hair topping it off and jet-black jewellery to provide dramatic contrast. Of course, her main accessory was the thirty-something gym-toned gorgeous hunk on her arm, and Tess had to concede her mother didn’t look much older, due to the many little surgical procedures she’d had done over the years.
Of course, she was late arriving. Livvy was always late arriving anywhere. It increased her own sense of worth to have people waiting for her—the power of a star. She descended upon Tess and Nick now as though she was bestowing a favour on them with her presence.
‘Married! With child! And home! How very domestic, darlings!’ she trumpeted at them, moving into her air-kiss routine. ‘Though I must say this house does have a brilliant setting.’
‘Nice to know something meets with your approval,’ Tess couldn’t help drawling.
‘You’re always so literal, Tessa. Actually you’re looking better tonight than I’ve ever seen you. Positively blooming.’ She batted her long false eyelashes at Nick in flirtatious appreciation of his obvious virility. ‘You must be taking good care of my baby’s needs.’
Baby!
Tess rolled her eyes. Of course taking years off her daughter’s age took years off Livvy’s own.
‘Well, she’s certainly taking good care of mine,’ Nick replied, his voice rich with warm satisfaction.
‘Really? I always thought Tessa took more after Brian than me—so uptight and inhibited and straight.’ She actually reached out and patted Tess’s cheek. ‘I’m delighted to hear you have some of my heart and soul, darling.’
Tess gritted her teeth in exasperation over her mother’s view on life and love. ‘There’s more to marriage than good sex, Mother,’ she bit out.
It was the unforgiveable sin, calling Livvy Mother, and it instantly provoked a withdrawal from family intimacy. ‘If you’re going to talk in such boring platitudes, Tessa…’