A/N- In case you're wondering I'm using Natalie Zea as the model for my Gwen in this fic because I think she brought more vulnerability and depth to the character. Liza plays the sanctimonious, psycho Gwen really well but that's not how I wanted Gwen to come across in the fic so I'm using Natalie instead.

Chapter 8

Crane Mansion

"Gwen, sweetie if you don't hurry we are going to be late," an impatient Ethan muttered as he fiddled with his tie.

He was taking Gwen to the symphony and then out for a late dinner and he was in a rush to leave because he had plans for later that night. His secretary Jayme was waiting for him at her apartment and he didn't want to be late. Jayme was absolutely gorgeous, with flowing dark hair, soft brown eyes, and a body that wouldn't quit. But she was also smart, smart enough to know that he got a hard on whenever she was in the room and that spreading for legs for him would help advance her career. If they didn't get caught, that is. And he had no intentions of being caught. Marrying Gwen had been the best decision of his life but that didn't mean he couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

"I'm ready sweetheart," Gwen murmured breathlessly from the door.

She had pinned her strawberry blonde hair up and her simple blue dress highlighted her blue eyes and her peaches and cream complexion. Thin spaghetti straps bared her creamy shoulders and the tight fitting silk showed her curves to advantage.

"You look beautiful," Ethan told her and he meant it.

"Thank you sweetheart, now let's get going before they bar us from entering."

"Hmmm, we have plenty of time before the musical starts and I've got a sudden yearning to..." Ethan murmured suggestively in her ear and Gwen grinned.

"So long as you don't mess up my hair," she replied shimmying out of the dress and helping him undress.

"Your wish is my command," Ethan responded, tumbling them both to the bed.

Carmichael Estate

"Good evening Carmichael residence, how may I help you?" a flustered Teresa murmured over the phone.

"No, Mrs. Fairchild, Mrs. Carmichael isn't in right now. She and Samantha went to the club for a late dinner. Can I take a message?" she inquired, one eye on the clock in the corner of the room and the other on the monitor in front of her. "Yes, ma'm I'll be happy to pass along the message. Have a wonderful evening."

"Guess being a secretary isn't all it's cracked up to be isn't it Resa?" a masculine voice murmured behind her and Teresa nearly jumped out of her skin at the intrusion.

"Fox," she yelled. "How many times have I asked you not to sneak up on me like that?" she chided when she had regained her equilibrium.

"Sorry," he whispered penitently but the flash of humor in his brown eyes negated his words. With a slightly mischievous smile he handed her a bouquet of lilies and Teresa laughed because Fox always found a way to charm his way out of trouble and it was impossible to stay mad at him.

"Want to go to the movies?" he asked when she rose to look for a vase.

"Can't. Big bio exam tomorrow. Kay and I will be hitting the books all night," Teresa explained and Fox sighed.

Teresa took her classes seriously and whenever she wasn't studying she was doing something for his mother or helping out at the B&B. It had been three weeks since the night of the opera and he hadn't managed to get her alone in all that time. He was losing his touch.

"Ok, but clear your calendar this weekend cause I have a surprise planned," he told her and Teresa's brow rose.

"A surprise?" she parroted and Fox nodded.

"Now come on, it's almost eight and your mother will be wondering where you are. I'll drive you home," he added and Teresa went to shut down the computer and grab her things.

When she was ready Fox escorted her to his car and when she had buckled her safety belt he started the engine.

"Want to stop for some ice cream?" he offered and Teresa's eyes lit up. She had a weakness for ice cream and Fox knew it.

When he pulled over in front of the prestigious club he and his family were members of her eyes widened with surprise.

"I thought it might be more fun if Mother and Samantha tagged along. Mom is forever complaining that I hog up all your free time," he explained and Teresa laughed.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone," he added helping her out of the car and Teresa looked down at the bargain suit she wore self-consciously.

"You look gorgeous Resa," Fox told her, pushing a strand of her dark hair over her ear and linking their hands together.

Teresa looked around her in awe. The country club was huge with two pristine pools glistening in the fading sunlight and the green hills of the golf course beckoning. Small round tables were set up in the courtyard so members could cool down with a drink or enjoy a snack as they waited for family and friends. Waiters in starch black and white bustled everywhere.

As she and Fox made their way to where Olivia and Samantha sat enjoying tall glasses of iced tea, she felt keenly aware of the inquisitive glances coming their way. But Fox seemed impervious to the stares and murmured whispers and presented her to everyone who stopped them with a smile and a possessive gleam in his dark eyes that had more than one person carefully looking her over.

"Teresa, Fox, how sweet of you to drop by," Olivia murmured when she looked up and saw her son and her most valued employee towering over the table.

"I offered Teresa a ride home when she was done for the day and conned her into stopping for ice cream. Would you ladies like to join us?" Fox asked.

Olivia and Samantha nodded happily and quickly gathered up their things. As the foursome made their way to the back of the club where Fox's car was parked a tall blonde in tennis whites blocked their way.

"Fox, how sweet of you to drop by. I missed you baby," Audrey murmured and before Fox could reply Audrey lifted her head and caught her mouth with his.

Teresa watched the buxom blonde kiss Fox with the familiarity of old lovers and her fists clenched in anger. Without stopping to think, knowing only that she couldn't stand to see that bimbo clinging to Fox as if she owned him, she grabbed a glass of water from a passing waiter and dumped it on the blonde's casually mussed hair.

"Oh, my how clumsy of me. I'm so sorry," she gushed when the blond let out a shriek.

Olivia and Samantha tried to contain their laughter but Fox felt no such restraint and Audrey's wild shrieks only heightened his amusement.

"You did need to cool off a bit Audrey. Now if you will excuse us, my girlfriend and I have things to do and people to see," Fox told his former lover with a smirk. Teresa lifted her chin and tossed Audrey a seething glance from over her shoulder as Samantha and Olivia hastily offered their excuses and followed Teresa and Fox outside. Knowing that the couple would appreciate some privacy, they made their way to Olivia's car to wait.

"Your girlfriend?" Teresa murmured when they were alone.

"Well, Resa, that wasn't how I pictured this moment but what the hell?" he replied cupping her face in his hands and pressing a warm kiss on her mouth. "I'm crazy about you Resa. I've made no secret of my interest in you. Will you consent to being my girlfriend?" Fox asked in a low throaty voice.

Teresa looked up at him from shining eyes and nodded. An ecstatic Fox pressed her tightly against him and kissed her breathlessly.

A few feet away an enraged Audrey watched them with hate filled eyes.

"You stupid bitch no one humiliates Audrey Banning and gets away with it. Fox may be infatuated with you but I'm the one he'll marry. There's no one in hell I'll let the Crane heir slip through my fingers. So enjoy your time with Fox while it lasts," she murmured spitefully.

Oblivious to everyone around them Fox and Teresa continued to kiss until the blare of Olivia's horn brought them back to the present. Laughing like giddy teenagers they saluted Olivia and piled into the car

Life was good.