The following morning when Tessa got to work, Keri came beaming into her office on cloud nine. Tessa shook her head and just laughed at Keri.

'Oh congratulations,' Tessa offered Keri an affectionate hug. 'Wow, it's official,' Tessa lifted Keri's hand and admired the spectacular diamond on her ring finger. 'It's gorgeous.'

Keri giggled. 'You have to help me and thank you.'

'What do you need help with exactly and what are you thanking me for?'

'Bentley told me,' she gushed. 'You offered to pay for our wedding.'

'There are many things my husband supports me in wholeheartedly Keri. This is one of them.'

Keri touched her heart, 'thank you. Bentley and I graciously accept. I need your help with everything,' Keri laughed. 'Wedding co-ordinator, my gown,' she looked up dreamily, 'and Bentley came home with an armful of brochures last night for me to choose where we would honeymoon.'

'Let's start with a shortlist for the honeymoon. We have to get our priorities right,' Tessa laughed. Keri nodded in agreement and joined in the laughter delightfully.

'Why don't we discuss it over coffee in the cafeteria?' Tessa invited.

'Sure,' I'll get one of the executive staff to man the office,' Keri picked up Tessa's phone to call for somebody to relieve her.

'I know just the person to contact for a list of wedding co-ordinators,' Tessa mentioned the name of a leading magazine editor specializing in weddings.

'You know that editor?' Keri exclaimed. Tessa shrugged modestly. They were both in the print media and occasionally ran in the same circles.

'I know you've not come down to earth yet,' Tessa grinned as they took the lift to the cafeteria. 'You need to get a notepad, glued to your hip. Jot down ideas about themes, colour coding, cites where you and Bentley would prefer to get married.'

'Oh this is getting so exciting,' Keri laughed. 'I'm happy to inform you, Bentley says he will leave all the details to me. He requested that I only give him a ten minute report once a week,' she emphasized, 'and he pleaded with me not to ask his opinion about colours, he says he has no clue whatsoever, so I should decide for him.'

'You have homework then,' Tessa smiled as they sat down in the cafeteria. 'Make a list of churches, towns, menus, music you want played, floral arrangements, etc. Look through magazines. We will set up a meeting with the co-ordinator next week, by then you should have enough information to start with.'

'Yes, I think that's enough time to come up with an initial plan.'

'I have one small request,' Tessa pleaded.

'Anything,' Keri nodded.

'I don't want to look like a baby elephant at your wedding,' Tessa pleaded. 'Please tell me you will consider a date, after I give birth.'

Keri laughed. 'That was the first thing Bentley told me. He said if we schedule the wedding before the baby arrives and you go into labour, Mr. Blakely will not leave your side and Bentley very much wants Mr. Blakely at our wedding.'

Tessa smiled. She lowered her head, thinking about her last labour. She never wanted a repeat of that situation. She prayed daily, this pregnancy and labour will be trouble free. For Brad's peace of mind, she wanted it to happen quickly and without incident. She did not want her husband burdened with undue anxiety. She cared too much for him. Brad must never be in that dark and lonely place by himself ever again. Tessa could tell he had been severely traumatized. She knew she and their children were Brad's only weakness, she meant to protect her husband. It was her wifely duty, one she considered an honour.

'Tessa?'

'Sorry?'

'You were miles away,' Keri smiled.

'Just thinking about my last pregnancy,' Tessa smiled with no trace of her troublesome thoughts.

'So I promise, our wedding will be after you give birth,' Keri grinned.

'Thank you,' Tessa laughed.

Brad strolled rather leisurely into Tessa's office. She looked up from the filing cabinet she was sifting through.

'What do you want?' She narrowed her eyes at his rather laid back stroll into her office. He can't have waltzed in for business purposes.

'Is that the way to greet the Chairman?' Brad questioned, his tone was relatively patronizing.

Wasn't she thrilled the chairman was her husband, her confidant and ... her lover?
'You've come to take me for a ride in the limo?' Her tone was seduction personified.

Brad laughed. When his wife said "ride in the limo" - she was not talking about admiring the scenery out the limo window. 'That's the problem with you attorney types. Once a precedent is set, you want to exploit it.'

Tessa laughed softly, she sauntered up to Brad, fiddled with his tie. 'In the case of Blakely versus Blakely,' she murmured, 'I put it to you that the said precedent was mutually exploited. I cannot be accused alone,' her eyes locked with Brad's.

'I was seduced,' Brad accused defensively.

'What!' Tessa stepped back, ready to unleash her weapons. 'You started it, remember.'

'No, I don't,' he pretended to rack his brain.

'Selective amnesia huh?' Tessa narrowed her eyes. Brad thought she looked irresistibly gorgeous.
'Let me refresh your memory Blakely. I was not even looking at you. You slipped your hand under my dress.'

'Oh,' Brad played as if he could not remember. 'And then what happened.'

'And then ___ I kissed you,' she confessed.

'Shame on you,' Brad scolded. 'Do you kiss every man that puts his hand under your skirt?' He backed her against the cabinet, his fingers feathered over the smooth sexy flesh of her upper leg.

Tessa moaned softly, 'Let's just say I'm a very happily married woman and only my husband gets to enjoy that privilege,' her hands wrapped around his neck. 'I quite liked that particular limo experience, it was exhilarating and ___ fruitful.'

'Fruitful indeed,' Brad eyes held amusement. He lowered his head. His lips captured hers in a tantalizing kiss.

'How about an encore?' her voice was a whisper in his ear.

'It's broad daylight,' Brad protested.

'The windows are tinted,' she reminded him.

'You are a seductress,' Brad held Tessa away. 'I came here to talk to you.'

'We are talking,' she pulled Brad's head down 'and ___ kissing.'

Brad groaned, 'it's a good thing I'm married to you. I don't know if I would be able to resist your flirtation,' he lifted Tessa and carried her to her desk and dumped her unceremoniously into her chair. He walked away and pulled out the visitor's chair.

'Brad!'

'I told you, I came here to talk to you.'

So much for not resisting her when he'd done exactly just that, sometimes he could be as cold as ice, with as much sensitivity as a bloody crocodile.

'What about?' She was incensed. 'Make an appointment with my secretary, damn you.'

Brad laughed. 'I did. She tells me you're free for the next two hours.'

'Well I'm busy,' Tessa slapped a file from one spot on her desk to another.

'You're busy!' He grinned.

'Yes,' she glared at him rather furiously. Again he thought his wife looked so adorable.

'So___ if I wanted to take you on a ride in the limo, you would be too busy?' he challenged.

Tessa forced her eyes up to Brad's. She swallowed nervously. Was he tricking her? Should she call his bluff? She was so turned on. She wanted that limo experience one more time. Her eyes darkened, exhibiting all the lust and passion soaring through her body.

'What did you want to talk about?' She dragged out, feeling totally deflated, sexually speaking that is.

Brad's eyes widened. Clearly he was shocked. He thought his wife was going to beg him to take her, literally and figuratively speaking, in the limo. He could tell from her glittering emerald eyes that were so dilated, that she was on a knife's edge. Infact he was quite certain she would not even make it as far as the car park, she would climax right her on her desk, if he just used his fingers.

'We need to short-list candidates to stand in for me, when we go on leave.'

Tessa smiled inwardly. Brad's voice held about as much enthusiasm as a weather reporter.

'Whoever the said candidate is,' Brad kept his eyes off Tessa, pretending to dust off some imaginary fluff of his very expensive designer trousers. 'We need to start empowering him from about now.'

'Why does it have to be a "he?" Tessa questioned.

'It's a figure of speech,' Brad waved his hand dismissively. 'Besides, I think you are sexist,' he accused. 'You made sure the new editor in Sydney was a female.'

Tessa stood up. She walked to her door and locked it and walked back to Brad. 'Says the man who has a male P.A.' she countered.

'I told you previously, he was hired on merit.'

'Defensive, aren't we?' Tessa knelt down. Brad's eyes followed her curiously.

'What are you doing?' His husky voice betrayed him too easily as his eyes fell to her luscious lips.

'What do you think?' Tessa unbuckled his trousers. Brad blinked. He was speechless as his wife unzipped him, shamefully exposing the evidence of his equally aroused state. Tessa straddled her husband. 'Just as I thought,' she grinned triumphantly.

Brad's tie was loosened. He seemed all too eager to get rid of his jacket, his arms hung loosely behind the chair to ease the jacket off. Tessa could not believe her luck. With lightening speed, his tie was used to strap his hands to the back of the chair.

'What are you doing?' Brad groaned, shutting his eyes, fearing the worst.

'Didn't you just ask me that question?' she chuckled mischievously. With painstaking slowness Brad's shirt was unbuttoned. Tessa leaned forward, her tongue trailed down his throat. Her teeth nibbled, not too gently.

'Tessa ___'

'Yes?'

'Unbutton your shirt for me.'

'Okay,' Tessa undid the buttons. 'Is that fine?' she smirked, torturously keeping a distance away from Brad. His tongue ached to lave over her nipples through her black lace bra. He tried to free his hands, but clearly his wife was an expert at these things. The tie did not budge an inch.

'Come closer,' he demanded.

'No,' she taunted.

'Please---.'

'Since you ask so nicely,' her soft laugh, wrung provocatively in his ear, Tessa leaned over Brad's face.

His tongue suckled over the lace bra erotically. Tessa felt the heated desire even though his tongue made her bra all moist. The combination of her body heat and the wet bra sent her temperature spiralling.

'Don't be a tease. Remove your bra.' He was burning with desire to capture her erect nipples.

'Oh okay,' Tessa sighed. She unhooked her bra. Her beautifully rounded breasts spilled out as she inched closer to Brad. She stood up. Her breasts brushed his forehead. Brad lifted his mouth to capture one aroused nipple. She shifted away. His agonized moan was music to her ears. She must have newly developed sadistic tendencies. Back on his lap, Tessa leaned back. He watched as her fingers expertly caressed over the smooth ridge of his aroused velvet like shaft. Her eyes glittered deviously when his breathing became erratic and his face contorted into a scowl.

'I want you ___,' Brad hissed.

'Right here in my office?' she teased innocently.

'You started this, you wench.'

'I'd be careful, if I was you Blakely. You're at my mercy, you know,' she applied pressure non too gently around his manhood.

'Tessa don't ___' Brad was hyperventilating.

Tessa was nearing her own climax, without Brad even touching her.
'Kiss me babe,' she was hungry now for his possession. Brad's mouth closed over hers aggressively. He kissed her again and again and again.

'Untie me,' Brad urged, his lips captured her eager nipples and suckled on them. They responded instantly to his expert ministrations. Without interrupting the momentum, her hand reached behind Brad, the tie was undone, his arms were freed. Brad's hands greedily closed over her breasts. Tessa purred pleasurably. He pulled her closer, moulding her to his form.

'Touch me darling,' Tessa was aching with need.

She hoped Brad was not going to exact revenge right now. She was pleasantly surprised as he lifted her, removed her bikini down one slender leg, then the other. One finger ventured beneath the soft curls that covered her womanhood. Tessa moaned Brad's name. A second finger dipped into her heated moistness. Her head dropped backwards, her pelvis lifted suggestively. It seemed he was as impatient as she was, for in the next instant, Brad hoisted her up and guided her down over his shaft. His palms shaped her sexy bottom teasingly. Tessa clung to Brad, her fingers pierced his shoulders. As Brad plunged inside her, she met him stroke for stroke, thrust for thrust keeping with his energetic pace until they exploded simultaneously. He leaned forward, panting against her breasts. His lips feathered a soft kiss against her flesh. Tessa cradled Brad's head. Her fingers gently caressed the nape of his neck.

'I love you Bradley Blakely,' she whispered.

'I love you too,' Brad shifted slightly to look into Tessa's face. A tender look in his eyes.

'What?' Her eyes melded with his.

Brad cupped her cheek, his head bent, so his lips could press against hers. 'The one reason I never wanted to marry,' he murmured hoarsely. 'I feared ___ I would grow bored, or the lady I married would get bored with me, but you stimulate and challenge me every day Tessa,' he smiled affectionately. 'I am as attracted to you today as the first day I laid eyes on you and wanted you in my bed.'

Tessa swallowed, she gazed into Brad's eyes. 'I had thought I had an insatiable appetite and that there was not a man out there who could ever satisfy me.' She lowered her head, 'I never thought I'd find love,' she smiled sadly. 'Growing up, I had wealth and everything money could buy. I was told often enough, I was not bad on the eyes,' she pursed her lips. 'I figured if I had everything else, I should not expect to find love as well but you found me, and ___ stole my heart,' she murmured.

'You stole my heart first,' Brad accused, hoping to see the light shine in his wife's eyes again.

Tessa laughed spontaneously, she wrapped her arms around Brad and hugged him.

'I nominate the New York editor,' Tessa declared.

'What?' Brad exclaimed in confusion at his wife's random statement.

She looked up into Brad's face. 'Remember the reason you walked into my office,' she bit on her lower lip.

He did not know when his wife had found the time to apply her mind to the possible list of potential candidates from each region. He knew when they were making love just now, he had her undivided attention. He should have been prepared for his wife's razor sharp mind. It clinically processed data at the speed of light.

'Right,' Brad nodded, finally recalling that fact. 'That's a woman,' he chose to point out to his wife.

'I know her gender. I'm certain she does as well.' Tessa re-strapped her bra, and did the buttons on her shirt again.

'Every region is going to raise hell and accuse me of bias towards my wife's home territory,' Brad glided his fingers through Tessa's hair.

'At the last annual general meeting, did you not single out New York as the best performing region? She rattled on. 'Highest circulation, most blue chip contracts, if I recall accurately,' Tessa smiled, 'the chairman grudgingly revealed New York's revenue was twice that of a certain region he favoured, that shall remain nameless for now.'

Brad laughed. 'Are you accusing me of bias counsellor?'

'Are you denying it?' Tessa laughed back.

'Why can't we delegate somebody from here? It's only for a month.'

'Our lady in New York is single,' Tessa re-buttoned Brad's shirt. 'I think she would relish the challenge.' Tessa picked up Brad's tie and deftly produced a perfect Windsor knot. 'Now handsome, I think you should leave my office.'

Brad just smiled at his wife.

'Do I look like I've just __. Never mind, don't answer,' Tessa only had to look into her husband's eyes to know, she looked thoroughly sexually satiated. 'Walk with me,' she sighed. 'I'm going to have to use your shower and get into these same clothes again,' Tessa wrinkled her face.

'Why don't you keep a wardrobe here like I do?' Brad draped his arm around Tessa's shoulder as they walked from her office to his.

'I work here Blakely. I make love and shower at home.'

'Could have fooled me,' he mumbled under his breath.

'I heard that,' Tessa narrowed her eyes.

'Can I join you in the shower?'

'I only have time for a very, very quick shower,' she warned her husband.

'I can't believe, almost two hours has gone by,' Brad grinned.

'Next time you come into my office, make sure you're accompanied by a note taker,' Tessa instructed.

'Don't trust yourself?' Brad taunted.

'Shut up,' Tessa peeled off her clothes and hurried into Brad's shower. He did join her, but made sure not to delay his wife for her next appointment.

If Tessa thought she could have a short day at the office and get home at the normal time, her husband had other plans. He scheduled an impromptu meeting at five, her presence was required.

Clearly, I've got to put back the time for my two hour extra-curricular actives earlier today.

Sulking, she responded to the email, called Stacy and dragged herself to the chairman's boardroom. He was there all right, alone. Tessa checked the email again. No, it was not a prank. She was not the only one. All the UK executives were copied in as well, and of course Bentley.

'Where's everybody else?' Tessa questioned.

Brad flicked his wrist and checked his wristwatch. He suspected his wife was not too pleased about being summoned late in the afternoon. She loved rushing home to the boys. He was amazed she was not firing him with her customary glacial darts when he did something to annoy her.

'You're a few minutes early, Mrs. Blakely.'

Tessa checked her watch. She was it seemed. She hoped they all got here soon enough, she did not want to spend half the evening in the boardroom.

'We won't be long,' Brad smiled. 'Thirty minutes, max.'

'Really,' Tessa was relieved. She could do thirty minutes. 'O___kay,' she smiled happily, as she seated herself on the edge of the table where Brad was reading some notes.

'Hey handsome,' Tessa ruffled Brad's hair, playfully.

'What,' he laughed. His wife seemed to be in a mood to make mischief.

'I'm just saying you're looking handsome,' she used both her hands to really ruffle his hair all out of place.

'You're having fun then,' Brad laughed.

His wife was so visibly cheerful and full of joy these days. She seemed to be in a very good place in her life. Why, it was unheard of for Tessa Blakely to engage in something as farfetched as sex in the office, but they'd done in more than once now in the past year. Previously, she would not permit anything beyond hugging and kissing.

'Just one more time,' she grinned and now Brad was having a serious case of bed hair.

The door opened and the rest of the executives streamed in one by one, followed by Bentley. If they were surprised to see their normally reserved and professional, Head of Corporate Affairs, flirting with her husband, they did not show it. They walked in to find her, casually seated on the edge of the table, with her hands playfully on the person of the chairman. Oh they did not think her a snob or prudish. She just always portrayed an image of the consummate professional.