“It’s beautiful.” She turned and glanced up at him. “I think it’s my favorite store so far.”
“It’s always been my favorite store,” he confided, his expression serious. The matching red lipstick marks on either cheek ruined the look.
Rising on her tiptoes, she wiped off first one smudge, then the other with a slow sweep of her thumb. This up close, she could stare into his beautiful eyes, savor the feeling of his warm skin beneath her fingertips, watch his lips part in surprise at her gesture.
“You were wearing her mark,” she explained. At his blank look she continued. “When Cecily kissed you.”
His eyes darkened and he rested his hand lightly on her waist, capturing her to him. “I’d rather wear your mark.”
Slowly she pulled out of his touch, her heart fluttering wildly. “You don’t mean it.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked, and he pressed his lips together. “We need to talk.”
“No, I think it’s best if we don’t.” She glanced about, making sure no one else was around. “I already told you I can’t do this,” she repeated, her voice low.
“I’m not about to push myself on you, force you to do something you don’t want.”
She would enjoy it far too much if he forced himself upon her and ravished her where she stood. Not that he needed to know that. “I know you won’t. That’s why I’m asking you to respect my wishes and leave it be.”
He pulled her in an inch closer, allowing her to feel his hard, warm body pressed so intimately to hers. She inhaled sharply and bent her head down, her gaze locked where his big hand rested on her hip, his long fingers splayed possessively.
She couldn’t look at him. Knew she’d be a goner if she stared into those brilliant blue eyes for too long. “Let me go, Alex.”
“So you don’t feel anything for me.” It was spoken as a statement, not a question.
“I—can’t.” To do so would be dangerous, for both her head and her heart.
“You can’t or you won’t? There’s a distinct difference.” His fingers pressed into her flesh and she closed her eyes for a brief moment, savoring his touch, the way she molded to his body so easily, as if they fit.
Perfectly.
She shouldn’t give him one ounce of hope, not after the way he treated her. It would be idiotic on her part and yet…
“I can’t.” Still unable to look at him, she kept her head bowed.
He remained silent, analyzing her words, no doubt. He was terribly good at that.
Slowly, he released his hold on her and took a step back. “I can accept that.”
Of course he could. He hadn’t lost yet. Glancing up, she saw the look on his face, the way he assessed her. She’d somehow become a challenge to Alex.
He was one to never give up without a fight. And he always won.
Was she about to become his grand prize?
The Paris reopening went perfectly which Alex had predicted. Cecily had been the manager of the location for what felt like forever, had worked for Worth for over twenty-five years. She was both a valued and valuable employee who knew and understood what the Worth label stood for. With her at the helm, leading her employees and chatting easily with the media, Alex hardly had had to do a thing.
And then there was Tessa. She was at her best during stressful moments. Efficient, professional, she always kept on task. He couldn’t take his eyes off her when she buzzed around the store, her hips swaying with a feminine grace that nearly had him salivating like a dog. She wore that skirt that fit her like a glove, the one his brother had noticed, damn his hide. A fitted button up shirt that accentuated the voluptuous curve of her breasts and a rope of pearls that was doubled and rested on her chest.
Drawing his gaze there again and again, wishing she would undo just one more button and offer him a glimpse of forbidden cleavage…
She made him feel like a randy teenager and last week, hell, since the moment he met her, he didn’t like it. Had constantly fought his urges, telling himself it was wrong, a waste of time, the last thing he needed to be thinking about in regards to his employee.
After spending a week with her, most of it in absolute agony under his own doing, he realized he wanted her more now than he ever did before.
Not just for her wicked body and that angelic face, but because she was truly sweet. Interesting, efficient, curious and wise, she had a natural ability of reading people, seeing to their needs, making sure everything was running smooth no matter how chaotic the situation.
She was a balm to his hectic soul. A reminder that though there was nothing wrong with hard work, a man needed to relax and enjoy life once in a while.
He wanted to relax with her. Spend more time with her and learn what made her tick. Discover more of those unique traits she kept carefully hidden and her sweet personality. He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh, watch her writhe in pleasure as he brought her to climax. Hear her whispery sighs after he kissed her, feel her body move beneath his as he entered her.
There were a lot of things he wanted from Tessa. And she wasn’t willing to give any of it to him. He’d blown it. Ruined his chances by running scared and ignoring her, believing he did the right thing while secretly he’d watched her. Looking for a clue she might be the one. The spy. The traitor.
But her loyalty never wavered. Hunter had called a few times with no new major leads, perplexed as to who it might be after endless rounds of questioning his entire marketing department. The sneak inquiries on both his computer and Tessa’s computer had stopped. Hunter blamed it on everyone knowing there was an investigation, further proving it was an inside job.
After that particular conversation, Alex had lain awake in bed for far too long, playing Hunter’s words over and over again in his mind. Had the hacking activity stopped because Tessa wasn’t in the office?
He hated even thinking it. Couldn’t imagine her turning on him or on the company like that.
So he pushed it from his mind.
They left the store together. They were always together, a form of torture he put himself through. She’d been so angry with him at first and she’d had every right. Earlier, in the car he’d almost had her convinced. Again, when they arrived at the store and spoken privately, he’d gotten her to admit she can’t feel anything for him versus she didn’t.
A significant difference between the two words, can’t gave him hope. At the moment, he was running on hope and nothing else.
He’d given the driver instructions prior to their departure to take them to the Eiffel Tower, unbeknownst to Tessa. She gazed out the window, her back to him, ramrod straight and proud even though she had to be exhausted. He knew he was running on empty, but he’d do anything to put a smile on her face. Give her a moment of pleasure, even if it was standing on the Eiffel Tower with her and not bringing her pleasure in his bed.
“Where are we going? This isn’t the way back to the hotel.” She turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed and full of wariness.
“I’m taking you somewhere.”
“Tell me where.”
He shook his head. “It’s a surprise.”
“You don’t like surprises.”
What? “What do you mean?”
“You don’t like surprises. I organized a surprise birthday celebration for you last year and though you thanked us all, I could see it in your eyes. You weren’t pleased.”
She was right. He’d appreciated the gesture but hated being in the spotlight. “I don’t like being caught unprepared.”
“That’s the whole point with a surprise.” She frowned. “And I don’t like being caught unprepared either.”
They were more alike than he originally thought.
“Are you trying to coax me into telling you where we’re going?”
“Yes.” She smiled sweetly. Too sweetly.
He smiled in return and leaned across the seat, getting closer to her. “Well, I won’t.”
Recoiling, she scowled and he wondered
if she might blast him with words. Instead she turned away and gazed out the window quietly, giving him the cold shoulder, which he found worse. He rather enjoyed an angry Tessa. She was such a passionate little thing when worked up, which he found infinitely arousing.
When the Eifel Tower finally came into view, she sent him an accusatory look. “I told you I didn’t want you to take me.”
“And I told you I would.”
She continued to glare. If she wanted to have a staring match, it was fine by him. He was far more patient than she realized. “I’m not backing down, Tessa,” he finally said. “Let me do this for you.”
“This isn’t making up for all the other things you’ve done.”
Ouch. “I’ve already admitted I’ve been an ass.”
Her dark eyes lit with humor. “Indeed you have.”
“What else do you want from me?” He’d be willing to give her just about anything just so he could spend some time with her. Worry-free and without the responsibilities of work hanging over their heads.
“Hmm.” She tapped a slender, elegant finger against her pursed lips. Heat coiled in his gut and he clenched his hands together to keep from reaching for her. She was so naturally sexy and she didn’t even realize it. “I’ll have to think about it as we go along.”
“At least this is a start?”
“Oh, it’s definitely a start.” She smiled though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
The car pulled to a stop, and Alex glanced out the window. They’d arrived, the driver already hopping out of the car and rounding to the passenger side so he could open Tessa’s door first. She stepped out of the car. Alex’s gaze locked on her long legs, emphasized by the black tights she wore.
He’d had his hands on those legs that night of the ball. If all went as he hoped, he’d have his hands on those legs again. Tonight.
She was sassy as they made their way up the tower, first by stairs, then in a crowded elevator. Offering teasing remarks, giving him a hard time, completely unlike the Tessa she normally was. Usually she was so quiet, so reserved, almost meek, though always with an underlying strength ready to rise to the surface when needed.
Something happened to her to send her into this—mood. Flirtatious, sparkling, her cheeks flushed by the cold wind that whipped about them as they made their way across the observation deck, her hair blowing wild around her face. She’d donned a black sweater while in the car, hiding her inspiring curves from his view though he could still appreciate the lush bounty of her backside.
He lagged a few steps behind to appreciate that particular view when she stopped in her tracks, glancing at him from over her shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Enjoying the view?” It wasn’t a lie.
A wicked smile curved her dark red lips and she shook her head, making her way to the edge of the observation deck. He followed, his heart jerking when he saw her lean over the wrought iron fence, drinking in the awe-inspiring view much like a child would.
“It’s amazing,” she breathed when he stood next to her.
“You’re making me nervous.” Pulling gently on the back of her sweater, he tugged her off the fence, earning an irritated sound for his efforts.
“I wasn’t going to fall.” She kept her gaze glued on the city spread out before them. “I can’t believe I’m on the Eiffel Tower seeing this. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever be here.”
He’d first visited the tower when he was six and had been here many times throughout the years. So much so that the last time he went, he’d barely noticed the view. Spent his time focused instead on the icy blonde he’d taken to the restaurant nestled within the tower. That had been two years ago and he’d taken that woman to bed that night.
Funny, he couldn’t remember her name or if the sex had been any good.
He pushed the unpleasant memory aside. “You like the view then.”
“I love the view.” She turned to him, her entire face lit up. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“Does that mean I’m absolved of all of my sins?” He cocked a brow.
She smirked. “No. But you’re close.”
A fierce wind blew up, causing her hair to fly across her face. Reaching out, he brushed the wayward strands away, his fingers lingering on her warm, soft cheeks. His gaze locked on hers, held for what seemed like forever until he leaned in close. The urge to kiss her so overwhelming he couldn’t think of anything else.
Their lips met. Clung. Broke apart only to meet and cling again. He held her face with his hands, lightly, gently, as if she were a precious, fragile thing and a wistful sigh escaped her when they finally ended the kiss, his hands falling away from her face.
Staggering. Such a simple, innocent kiss yet it had been filled with more meaning than any other kiss he’d ever experienced. From the looks of her stunned expression, Tessa felt the same.
“You confuse me so much,” she whispered.
Alex pressed his forehead to hers. “You confuse me too.”
She drew her brows together. “How?”
“You’re like a different woman this afternoon. Bold. Determined.” Shifting, he dropped a kiss on her temple before he moved away from her. “Sexy.”
Her cheeks reddened and she looked away from him, seemingly embarrassed. “I think it’s all the excitement of being in Paris. I’ve always wanted to come here but I never thought…”
“That it could happen,” he finished for her.
“Yes.” Her eyes met his once more. “I owe it all to you. Everything, really. The tour of Europe, staying in the best hotels, the entire experience is thanks to you.”
“You do a good job, Tessa. You deserve it,” he said gently. Though her job performance only made up part of it. He wanted to give her this and more. He wanted to take her on a European vacation, a real one, not a working one. Not as his assistant but as his lover.
Something flickered in her gaze, a dark emotion that was there and then gone in an instant. “I appreciate the opportunity, Alex. More than you could ever know.”
And just like that, she shutdown, pulled away from him, both figuratively and literally. She walked to the other end of the observation deck, staring out at the city, her expression pensive. He watched as he quietly approached her, pissed when his cell started to ring. Striding toward a more private corner, he answered, shocked to discover it was Rhett on the other end.
With news that put a frigid damper on his good mood.
Chapter Eight
Tessa’s head spun. It had been spinning from the moment they approached the Eiffel Tower, when she first caught sight of the magnificent view and especially when Alex kissed her so softly she thought her entire body would explode with need.
She’d been so overwhelmed by that deceptively simple kiss she’d needed a few minutes alone to gather her bearings. Alex had let her go without question, which she appreciated, and ended up taking a call.
Whoever had been on the other line had ruined his mood completely.
The ride back to the hotel was deathly quiet. Tessa afraid to utter one word in innocent conversation for fear Alex would bite her head off. His face constructed into an angry scowl, his gaze hard, his entire body tense. He vibrated with barely contained fury.
She wondered who in the world could’ve put him in such a terrible state.
Her hopeful plans were shattered. She’d wanted to suggest they go out to dinner, but no way would she do so now. Not with the way he practically growled at the driver when the poor man asked if they’d like to go anywhere else.
So she remained quiet sitting next to him, her hands in her lap, her gaze locked on the window and the passing scenery. Her dreams dashed, her lips tingling from his potent kiss. Her mind filled with romantic thoughts of the two of them in an embrace on the Eiffel Tower, the city of Paris spread out before them like an intricate blanket.
Alexander Worth would be the absolute death of her. At the very least, he would drive her stark raving mad and she�
�d end up in a loony bin somewhere, babbling incoherently and rocking back and forth in a strait jacket.
“I have some calls to make,” Alex muttered upon their return to the hotel after they climbed out of the car. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Do you need my help?” she called to his already retreating back.
He stopped and turned, the expression on his face one of frustration and…was that hurt? “I appreciate the offer but it’s—a personal matter.”
“Oh.” She pressed her lips together, feeling ten times the fool for offering. “I see.”
A rueful smile curled his lips and he shook his head. “No, you don’t see, but that’s all right. I can’t—it’s private, Tessa. Family matters and I don’t want to involve you. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take, and I had all of these plans for tonight. Plans that included you.”
Her heart fluttered. “What sort of plans?”
He glanced around, people pushing past them in the busy, crowded lobby. “Plans I can’t discuss in public for fear of embarrassing you.”
Her cheeks flushed hot. “They sound interesting.”
“Much more than interesting, trust me.”
“I can wait.” Hope rose within her as she waited for his reply.
“It’s late. Already close to dinnertime,” he reminded.
She shrugged. “I’m not hungry.” It was a lie. She was starving. But she’d wait for Alex, especially after hearing about his mysterious plans.
“I’ll call you when I’m finished.” His eyes were bleak. He looked stressed.
She wanted to take care of him, offer him comfort, anything to wipe the sadness from his expression, his eyes. “Just come to my hotel room,” she suggested, her voice soft, her intention clear.
His eyes darkened to steely gray and he breathed deep. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She paused, trying to communicate some sort of meaning to him even with the distance between them, the strangers around them, the elegant music playing in the background. “I am.”
Worth the Scandal: Worth It, Book 1 Page 9