Worth the Scandal (Worth It 1)

Come with me, Tessa.

She did as he asked without another word, settling her hand in his warm, firm grip, letting him pull her to her feet. She forgot about the spilled coffee, the stained shirt, the moving plane, the spiteful flight attendant. Allowed him to walk her to the back of the plane where Lora waited, Tessa’s pitiful, cheap Wal Mart suitcase in hand.

“Here you go,” Lora said snidely, handing it over.

Tessa took it, saddened when Alex released her hand and opened the door to the small yet cozy bedroom. “Change in here,” he commanded. “And hurry. We’re about to take off.”

With her heart stuck in her throat, she darted into the bedroom and shut the door, tossing her suitcase onto the bed, zipping it open quickly. The plane was picking up speed, it would probably take off soon and she didn’t want to be stuck in the bedroom when it happened.

Flipping open the top of the suitcase, she grabbed the first top she saw, a red sweater made of thin yet warm, finely knit cashmere. With shaking fingers she undid the buttons, yanked the ruined shirt off and let it fall to the floor. Her bra wasn’t stained thank goodness, most of the coffee had spilled below her breasts and she glanced around, wondering where she could put the still sopping wet shirt.

The plane accelerated, seeming to hurtle down the runway and she gripped the mattress for balance, settling herself on the edge. Still clad in her bra, she bent forward, glancing out the small window, watching the buildings whiz by at breakneck speed. Her heart lurched and her fingers curled around the luxurious fabric of the bedspread. She glanced toward the closed door, paralyzed with fear when she realized the plane was about to lift into the air.

And she was perched on the edge of a bed without a seatbelt.

Closing her eyes, she whispered a quick prayer, asking for forgiveness in her foolishness. Who else would be stupid enough to fly for the first time ever in their life without a seatbelt on?

“Tessa.”

Her lids snapped open and there he stood. Alexander Worth in all his glory, his jacket shed, his tie askew and his shirt rumpled.

His intense gaze locked on her chest.

Alex’s fingers gripped the edge of the doorframe so hard the cool metal cut into his skin. His mouth had gone dry, his heart thundered in his ears and his cock came to life at the sight before him.

A fearful Tessa sat on the edge of the bed, clad in black pants and the sheerest, most delicate bra he’d ever seen—and he’d witnessed more than his fair share of beautiful lingerie over the years. Lacy cups of the palest cream barely contained her breasts, which spilled over the top of the bra in voluptuous abandon. He caught a glimpse of rosy pink nipples through the fragile lace just before she crossed her arms over her chest in shock at his unexpected entry.

“The plane is taking off,” he said rather stupidly.

She blinked. Her dark brown eyes were so wide he felt as if he could drown in them. Her hair was neatly pulled back, but a few wild wisps curved about her face. Her skin was pale, her hair and eyes so dark the contrast was striking.

Tessa Crawford was his every sexual fantasy come to life.

She reached for a soft pile of red fabric sitting next to her on the bed as if in slow motion, shaking it out before attempting to pull the sweater over her head. He let go of the doorframe and shut the door behind him—entranced by the shape of her arms, the dip of her waist, the way her breasts rose high, pert nipples revealed above the lace for the quickest moment before she tugged the garment on, covering her beautiful body, much to his disappointment.

At the same exact moment the plane lifted into the sky, Tessa stood, tumbling forward as the plane tilted up as it gained air. She fell into his arms, a bundle of soft, warm, fragrant woman, her hair brushing against his face when she tried to right herself.

“I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Her voice was jittery, her entire body shook and he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her steady.

Holding her close, just to say he had. She felt so good, her curves fit neatly against his body almost like she was made for him and he breathed in deep the sweet scent of her hair, closing his eyes.

“Calm down,” he whispered, wanting to soothe, needing to comfort. “The plane needs to ascend. Once we reach the proper flying altitude everything will even out.”

“Y—you probably wanted to get some work done. And instead you’re stuck babysitting me.”

If she only knew how ridiculous that statement was, she would be shocked. The very last thing he thought of Tessa was as her babysitter. “Don’t apologize. If you must know, I’m not particularly fond of flying either.”

She pulled away from him slightly so she could meet his gaze. “You aren’t?”

“No.” He was used to it only because he’d been doing it for years and years. “I’m never fully comfortable in the air. It sets me on edge.”

“It sets me on edge too.” She blew out a shuddering breath. “My stomach doesn’t feel well.”

He tensed. “You’re not going to be sick are you?”

“Oh, no.” She shook her head, more tendrils of dark brown waves escaping and falling around her face. “I’ll be fine.” Tessa offered a shaky smile in reassurance.

Without thought he reached out, brushed the hair away from her face. Her cheeks flushed pink at his touch, her gaze dropping so she stared directly at his chest. He wished he knew what she was thinking, what she wanted.

“We should go back to our seats,” she finally murmured, her gaze still fixed on his chest.

“Of course.” Reaching behind him, he turned the handle and opened the door, then stepped to the side so she could walk through. “After you.”

She glided past him, her steps light, her spine straight. She fumbled a bit when she walked by him and he reached out, grasping her elbow so he could help her while she found her footing.

Her entire face flushed, she whispered her thanks then scurried to the seat, collapsing into it just before she strapped the seatbelt around her and clicked it into place.

Slowly he approached his seat, settling into it as if a man with all the time in the world. Lora started to approach but he waved her away, thoroughly disgusted by her earlier behavior.

When they arrived at their first destination, he would make a phone call and deal with Lora. He wouldn’t have her out and out fired, but she certainly wouldn’t work on their personal private jet any longer. She’d dismissed Tessa as if she hadn’t mattered, had flirted with him so overtly it had been downright uncomfortable.

Tessa deserved better than that. She mattered.

At least, she mattered to him.

Resting his elbows on the armrests, he pressed his palms together and steepled his fingers. He observed her, his gaze roaming over her delicate dark brows, the thick sweep of her lashes, her eyes downcast. The curve of her cheek still carried her flush of embarrassment, and the lush swell of her dark pink lips drew him. Filled him with the urge to kiss her. Lick and nip at her voluptuous mouth.

The red sweater lovingly clung to her curves, reminded him exactly how exquisite her body was. Fresh memories flooded him, of her beautiful breasts overflowing the delicate lace cups of her bra, the flat plane of her stomach.

The memory heated his skin, and he inhaled swiftly. What was it about her that made him feel this way? For some inexplicable reason he wanted to protect her. Teach her everything he could, hold her close, kiss her senseless, give her so much pleasure she’d never look at another.

Only want to be with him.

It was ridiculous, these foreign emotions swirling inside him. And also disconcerting. He’d never been so aware of a woman, so—afraid to make a move, give a sign that he was interested. He couldn’t make any sort of move on Tessa. She was his assistant. He was her boss. What he wanted to do to her, what he wanted from her was wildly inappropriate, considering their professional relationship.

Yet late at night, when his wicked dreams were filled with nothing but her, he thought of nothing else but calling her into his office. Ask her to shut the door. Demand she stand before him so he could bend her over the sleek, cold expanse of his desk and flip up the staid skirt she always wore. Slip inside her, hear her gasp of pleasure, followed by his moan of approval at the first sensation of her tight, wet heat…

“I’m sorry.”

Her sexy sweet voice pierced his thoughts and shifted in his seat, desperate to ignore his burgeoning erection. Every hair was in place, sleeked back from her face once again. Her eyes were wide, expression full of worry and those beautiful, lush lips that filled his fantasies on a nightly basis literally trembled.

“For what?” He crinkled his brow, confused at her apology.

If she could read his mind, he should be the one apologizing profusely.

“For what happened earlier, when I spilled the coffee. It ended up putting us into a—inappropriate position.” She pursed her lips together and blew out a loud breath, and she darted her gaze to the window.

Christ. He envisioned her pursed mouth dropping a delicate kiss on the tip of his cock. Then her lips would part, taking him into her mouth one excruciating inch at a time…

Alex cleared his throat and sat forward. “Inappropriate position?”

She nodded.” I hope you don’t think I was trying to make a move on you.” She bowed her head, as if afraid to look at him.