Worth the Scandal (Worth It 1)

“I’m not hungry.” The thought of putting another bite of food in her mouth immediately made her stomach roil.

“Tessa,” Gina chastised. “You should eat.”

She’d gotten terribly skinny after what happened between her and Alex, much to her sister’s constant worry. It had become worse when she discovered she was pregnant and couldn’t keep a thing down due to morning sickness. Only during the last four months of her pregnancy had she gained weight. She still hadn’t shed the last of the baby weight and her body had somehow shifted. She had far more curves than the last time she saw Alex.

“I’ll be fine. Really.” Tessa flashed her sister a smile. “I just—I think I’m going to relax on the couch for a bit. I’ll clean up the dinner dishes when you’re done.”

“No, no, I’ll take care of it. You rest. You’ve had a bit of a shock.”

Indeed she had.

Chapter Fifteen

Alex hadn’t felt this good since he didn’t know when. The reception toward the new and risky Worthwhile Luxury store had been overwhelmingly positive, even from the London news and fashion media, who were notorious for their picky taste and downright rude editorial. The spacious store had been filled to the very brim with shoppers and they’d sold out of their predicted popular accessory items within minutes. The newly launched and exclusive women’s line also sold out.

It felt amazing, to create something completely new and visionary within the old and established Worth line and have it launch with instant success. Hunter was thrilled. He’d called him twice with congratulatory remarks. The London marketing team had literally high fived him near the end of the day and he’d offered to take everyone, including the hard working store crew, out to dinner as soon as the store closed which was within the next hour.

He was exhausted but it was the good kind. His brain had been so busy it was hard to focus on the negatives. On how much he missed Tessa. How much he still wanted her.

For whatever reason, she haunted his thoughts more so than usual. Memories of their time in London together flashed through his mind, memories drenched in visions of Tessa naked, their bodies entwined, their mouths fused. The breathy little sounds she made when he pounded deep inside her, the way her body shook with her orgasm and how she’d call his name…

Shaking himself from useless thoughts, he wandered about the store, noting the items that needed to be replenished, unusually pleased at how empty the store displays were. He’d put in an order for more inventory earlier this morning, within hours of the grand opening. It had been clear that early on the day was going to end a rousing success. He’d wanted to be prepared and requested more inventory so the store wouldn’t stand empty for too many days and lose sales.

Outside the sunlight dimmed though the sidewalks were still crowded. The morning air had been crisp and cool and the sun shone all day after a brisk storm had blown through the city last night. Deciding he needed a bit of fresh air, he let the store manager know he was taking a quick walk and he stepped outside, inhaling deeply. The cold air felt good in his lungs. It didn’t even bother him that people ran into him, their shoulders colliding with his as they passed by.

Everyone was in such a hurry. He was so full of relief, for once in his life he felt like taking a leisurely stroll.

It was completely unlike him.

He strode down Bond Street, admiring the other storefronts, paying attention to their window displays. This was by far one of the hippest shopping areas in all of London, drawing both residents and tourists alike. The original Worth Luxury location was on Regent Street and he’d checked in with them earlier in the day to check on sales.

Thanks to the grand opening, they’d had renewed interest and a surge in sales as well.

Wishing he’d worn a coat, he continued his walk, turning onto Oxford Street where the less expensive stores were. Their location was still prime, the window displays perhaps even more creative than the ones on Bond and he stopped at a window filled with a lavish display of lace and silk. Elegant and alluring, he studied the display. The lingerie was exquisite, looked expensive yet touchable.

The awning that covered the window was a broad and bold pink and black stripe, with the words Mon Amour streaked across the front in black script. Instantly he recognized the stripe from the shopping bag Tessa had discarded in her room that night in Paris. The gorgeous lingerie she had purchased with him in mind.

Without thought he walked into the store, the quiet warmth of the interior engulfing him upon his entry. It was quiet within, classical music played low in the background and the place smelled divine of sweet spices. A glass table was in the very front of the store, the top of it covered in piles of colorful lacy concoctions and the pang in his heart was suddenly so sharp it nearly stole his breath.

God, he missed her. What a damn fool he was for letting her go.

“Do you need any help, monsieur?”

The sound of a heavily accented English feminine voice caused him to glance to his left. A woman stood before him, draped from head to toe in black, black framed glasses perched low on her nose.

“I’m fine,” he reassured her, looking toward the front door. He should escape. He had no plans on purchasing lingerie—and for who? He had no one.

“Are you looking for something beautiful for your special lady?”

He shook his head. “I have no special lady.”

The woman gasped, resting her hand on her chest. “Surely you’re jesting. A handsome, successful man such as you has no special lady in his life?”

“I did. Once.” Why was he confessing this to a stranger? “But we’re not together any longer.”

“Ahh.” She shook her head, made a tsking noise. “You miss her terribly.”

“I do.” Saying it out loud made his misery that much keener.

“Then why don’t you beg her forgiveness?”

He frowned. “How do you know I did something wrong?”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Because you all eventually do something wrong. It just depends on the level of wrongness. Let me find someone to help you pick out an apology nightgown.”

His frown deepened. “A what?”

“Trust me.” She waved a hand. “You bring her a gorgeous piece of lace worth plenty of money and she’ll forgive you of all your sins. Oh, Tessa. I have a gentleman who needs assistance, please.”

He stiffened at the sound of the name Tessa, the hairs at the back of his neck standing on end. He would’ve bailed. Would’ve bolted straight out of there but upon hearing the name he planned on sticking around and at least seeing what was most likely a poor excuse for the woman he’d once loved.

Still loved, if he was being honest with himself.

“How can I help you?” asked an unmistakable voice from behind.

Alex closed his eyes, her familiar, intoxicating scent wrapping around him. His skin tingled, his heart raced as shock flooded his veins.

It was her. She was in London selling lingerie she’d once bought for his pleasure? It made absolutely no sense.

It made perfect sense.

He turned, noted the shocked expression when she realized it was him, the quick flash of happiness in her gaze before it was replaced with panic. “Hello, Tessa.”

She gaped at him, backing up so quickly she ran into a rack, causing it to plow into one of the glass tables. The colliding furniture clanged loudly, and he winced. Wished he could reach out and help her but knew she wouldn’t let him. She righted the display furniture, her movements shaky before she turned scared wide eyes upon him. “What are you doing here?”

“I really should be asking you that, shouldn’t I?”

Her expression hardened and she turned on her heel, striding toward the back of the store with determined steps. “Go away.”

He chased after her, his gaze dropping to the plump curve of her bottom. Had she gained weight? Not that he was protesting, she looked more beautiful than ever, but her curves seemed even more pronounced, her body more—womanly.

“I want to talk to you,” he said when she didn’t turn around.

“Well, I clearly do not want to talk to you. Please leave.” She slipped behind the counter and rested her clasped hands on top of the glass counter, trying her hardest to be the picture of serenity. Cool, calm, aloof.

He knew because he was a professional of that particular false front. He knew where to look for the telltale signs of fracture. The lines around her pretty dark eyes, the creases in her forehead, and the tightness of her lips when she realized he’d been staring at them, thinking of all the things he could do with those pretty lush lips. All the things he had done.

“What are you doing in London?” He couldn’t believe she was here. Across a vast ocean and in another country, he’d think the possibility of running into her was practically nil.

“I could ask you the same question.” Her sultry voice was quite possibly the best thing he’d heard in ages, despite the anger he noted in her tone.

He also noticed her deflection. She wasn’t about to give an inch. “For the grand opening of our new store.”

She didn’t ask, didn’t so much as mention any sort of intimate detail about the store, which she’d known plenty about before he’d fired her. “Congratulations. I wish you much success.” The haughty tone, the disdainful tilt of her chin, she didn’t mean a word of it.