Worth the Scandal (Worth It 1)

“What the hell do you mean by that?”

“I mean that I don’t want her to prep her answers. This interview has to come as a complete surprise, and I want her to answer straight from the gut, versus a bunch of rote crap she memorized.”

His reasoning was sound but still Alex was protective of Tessa. “She’s done nothing wrong, Hunter. You’re like a dog with a bone over this, but I’m telling you she’s not the spy.”

“Your faith is all well and good but it doesn’t mean shit to me, bro. She needs to be questioned. Just think about this.” Hunter paused for effect before he launched back in with it. “There has been no suspect inquiries on any computers within this building since the two of you left. Not a single one.”

Dread slithered down Alex’s spine, and he fought to ignore it. “You could accuse me just as much as you accuse her. I’m out of the office as well.”

“Like you’d destroy and sabotage your own family’s company after you worked so hard to build it. Think about it, Alex. Consider what I just said. Maybe you’ll change your mind.” Hunter hung up, not even bothering to say goodbye.

Alex shoved his cell into his trouser pockets and slowly turned, watching Tessa unabashedly. She was beautiful, her hair down and slightly wild, cascading past her shoulders in loose waves. Giant silver hoop earrings hung from her ears, emphasizing her striking features and he found himself speechless for a brief moment, just…staring at her.

Had he ever felt this way about another woman? Ever? He didn’t believe so. Yet it was damn hard to think about wanting to be with her, really be with her, with the sabotage bullshit hanging over their heads.

Well, more like just over his head. He hadn’t let her in on much of what was happening. No need to worry her especially because she wasn’t involved.

Shit. He hoped she wasn’t involved. How he hated that he even had a sliver of doubt. But there it was. The seed planted by his bastard brother, already taking root.

“Is everything all right?” The sound of her gentle voice coming from behind made him turn around.

Tessa stood before him, big brown eyes wide, concern written all over her pretty face. He smiled, wanted to reassure her, really wanting to yank her in his arms and kiss the worry right out of her but he restrained himself.

“Business call,” he said vaguely, dismissing it. “Are we ready to go?”

She nodded eagerly, casting her gaze first to the left, then the right before she stepped closer, a devilish smile curving her lips. “I’m ready to go back to the hotel room.”

“This is our last night in London. Wouldn’t you like to go out?” Not that he wanted to. Not when he had the opportunity to keep her in his room, naked in his bed, for the rest of the evening.

Yet he didn’t want her to miss the sights either.

“I’d rather be with you. Alone,” she confessed softly.

His cock stiffened and he tried to ignore it. “I should at least take you to dinner.”

She shrugged. “Room service works for me just as well.”

Christ, she was tempting. It would be easy to give in and agree, take her back to the hotel and make love to her continuously for the rest of the night.

She made him feel like a feral beast, ready to take her any way he could get her. So completely out of control he didn’t know if he was coming or going, she had him so tied up in knots.

Knots he’d gladly stayed wrapped up in as long as he had Tessa by his side.

“We’ve ate nothing but room service for the last two nights. I’m taking you out,” he said firmly, ignoring the flicker of disappointment in her gaze.

It didn’t matter. She wouldn’t be disappointed when he took her to one of the best restaurants in all of London. She wouldn’t be disappointed either when he finally did take her back to his suite and made excruciatingly slow love to her. He wanted to watch her fall apart, wanted to taste her, take her, lose himself in her…

“Where are you taking me to dinner then?”

“Ah, now that’s a surprise.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger. “All I ask is that you dress nice.”

“Like this?” She spread her arms wide and turned this way and that.

“A bit more formal,” he suggested, temptation making his throat run dry. He wanted to take her now. Push her against the wall and push inside her. Kiss her, wind his arms around her as he thrust his cock inside her tight yet welcoming body. She was always welcoming, always up for anything he wanted to do to her sexually and so giving

She’d fallen on her knees before him last night, sucking his cock deep inside her eager mouth, licking and stroking him into oblivion. Untried in her ministrations, she’d asked him constantly if he liked what she was doing.

He’d lost all control at her innocent questions, contrasted with the wicked way her eyes lit, as she circled the head of his erection with her tongue. He’d answered her with an agonizing groan, coming down her throat like a thoughtless ass. She hadn’t minded, licking up every last drop like it was her duty to do so.

She was damned refreshing, so unlike the other calculating women he’d taken into his bed.

If he wasn’t too careful, it would be easy to fall in love with her.

“I don’t have anything ‘a bit more formal’.” She shook her head. “And I just can’t wander off and go shopping for something more appropriate.”

He pulled her close, leaning in so his mouth was level with her ear. “Go into the back stockroom. There are sample pieces from the exclusive new women’s line. Perhaps you can find something to wear this evening.”

She reared her head back, resting her hand on his chest briefly. Her touch burned through his suit jacket and shirt. “I couldn’t.”

“You will. I insist.” He reluctantly moved away from her, already missing her warmth, the vitality that vibrated from deep within her.

“B—but, those clothes aren’t even available on the market yet.”

“Then you shall create quite the buzz if you wear items from the new women’s Worth line while you’re out tonight, won’t you?”

Her eyes lit and she smiled giddily. “I’ll go look at everything. It’s been kept so under wraps I have no idea what any of it looks like.” She practically bounced on her heels like an eager child. “I hope I find something. I hope it will fit.”

His gaze ran over her curvy body, lingering on her breasts. That would be the only problem she might run into. She was voluptuous, and he appreciated every one of those delicious curves. ”It’ll fit, sweetheart. Now go. Find something beautiful.”

Tessa felt as if she were living in a fairy tale.

First there was London. The historic buildings when they first arrived, the sight of them brought forth a flood of teenage dreams, traveling the world and settling in this most majestic city. She’d held her breath and pressed her nose to the cold window of the car when they passed Buckingham Palace, dazzled by its beauty, recalling her other even more foolish childhood fantasies. Of meeting a handsome prince and having him whisk her away on his gallant horse to a castle in the clouds.

She sat across from her fantasy prince now, mesmerized by the heat smoldering in his gray-blue gaze, gorgeous as always in a beautifully cut suit. The restaurant he’d brought her to vast, every table filled with people dressed to absolute perfection. They sat close to a wall of windows, which offered a glittering view of the city, their table rather intimate despite the crush of people nearby.

The dress she wore was beautiful in its simplicity. Black with three-quarter length sleeves and a straight neckline that covered her to her collarbone, it lay open in the back, all the way to the base of her spine, exposing her so completely she couldn’t wear a bra.

She wore no panties either, not that Alex knew that. Yet.

Her appetite came and went, the smells coming from the kitchen enticing her taste buds. Yet the man before her enticed her even more. He would reach beneath the table and rest his hand on her thigh, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of her dress so he could touch bare flesh. All thoughts of food would leave her in an instant, her mind filled with images of what he might do to her later.

He had mastered her body completely. She was so utterly tuned into him, so willing to give him whatever he wanted, do whatever he desired. He had no idea just how far gone she was over him.

“That dress is driving me insane,” he murmured, the light from the candle on their table giving his eyes a wicked gleam.

She glanced down at her front. “I’m completely covered up.”

“It’s positively sinful.” He paused, taking a sip from his wineglass before he murmured, “You’re not wearing a bra.’

Her nipples tightened to hard little beads at his comment, and he chuckled though his expression was pained. “And I can see your nipples,” he whispered hoarsely.

Tessa squirmed in her seat, his words enflaming her. Her appetite disappeared, just like that, even with the server appearing beside the table, setting their plates before them with a flourish. Tessa avoided eye contact, afraid the woman would be able to see just how aroused she was. She admired Alex’s unflappable demeanor, the way he nodded politely at the waitress and sent her away.