Worth the Scandal (13 page)

His brother’s reckless behavior made Alex wonder where he went wrong. Their mother had died when Rhett was so young, only thirteen and their father died over five years ago. Alex had tried to take over and help guide Rhett as he grew up, but his brother constantly rebelled against him.

Alex was ashamed of his relationship with his brother, ashamed of the way he somehow screwed up in raising him. That’s why he didn’t want Tessa involved, didn’t want her knowing just how awful Rhett was. Just how awful their relationship was, too.

It embarrassed him. It was humiliating. Tessa didn’t need to see that though she’d already heard and knew plenty, what with how close they worked together.

After taking a long, hot shower he found himself striding down the hall toward Tessa’s room, anticipation making his blood hum. Despite the utter exhaustion and irritation that wanted to take over and knock him out, he was keyed up and not about to refuse her. She’d offered, after all.

He desperately needed comfort. And no other woman would do.

They could order room service, he thought as he stopped in front of her room and knocked on the door. He’d realized it was late, far after the normal dining hour. After they ate, if things led them—elsewhere, he wasn’t going to protest. He’d been waiting for this moment for days. Almost had it too, if he hadn’t been such a jackass and screwed it all up.

Thank God she’d given him another chance.

The door cracked open and there she was, her head peeking around the edge of the door, the rest of her hidden. A tremulous smile curved her lips, and he frowned. “Are you all right?”

“You were faster than I thought you would be.” She bit her lower lip.

He waited, but she didn’t open the door any further. “Are you going to let me in?”

“Um, hold the door open but close your eyes.”

“What?”

“Just do it.” She lowered her eyebrows, a little scowl on her face. “And don’t open your eyes or come in until I say so.”

With a not so patient sigh he slapped his hand against the heavy door to keep it partially open and closed his eyes. She took off, her bare feet slapping against the wood floors of the mini-suite, and he heard a door slam. “You can come in now,” she called.

Opening his eyes he pushed the door the rest of the way open and entered her room, figuring she’d gone into the bathroom since the door remained closed. He glanced about the room, noting how neat it was. Everything was in place, not a single piece of clothing strewn about. The only thing he noted out of sorts was a pink and white broad striped shopping bag with the words
Mon Amour
etched in black script across the side.

Intrigued, he peeked inside the bag but it was empty.

The door opened and he turned to find her standing there clad in a robe made entirely of thin lace. He blinked once, shook his head but she was still there. An absolute vision straight out of his sinful fantasies, she looked nervous. Unsure of herself.

She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

“Come here,” he said gruffly. She did as he asked, stopping mere inches before him.

Reaching out, he tested the front of her robe with two fingers, rubbing the delicate lace. “I found this little shop earlier,” she explained, her voice shaky. “Full of beautiful lingerie so I went inside.”

“You bought this tonight?” For his enjoyment? He was pleased, surprised.

Honored.

Slowly she nodded, inhaling sharply when his fingers brushed against her collarbone. “What I have on beneath I bought there too.”

He greedily drank her in, not sure what to look at first, there were so many wondrous things happening. The robe stopped mid-thigh, giving him an uninhibited view of her long, shapely legs. The lace was beautiful, sexy yet demure and he grabbed the ends of the belt, wrapping the thin fabric around his hands once, twice. “You’re like a present. One I can’t wait to unwrap.”

His anger, his frustration about his brother, all of it melted away. That she’d done this, bought lingerie with him in mind, was incredibly arousing.

“You’re taking an awfully long time unwrapping your present,” she said breathlessly.

Smiling, he tugged on the lacy ends of the belt, pulling her in so close she nearly stumbled and fell against him. He held her there, dropping his gaze to his hands covered by the lace. He undid the belt, pulling it from her waist and letting it fall to the floor.

The front of the garment gaped, offering him a glimpse of skin. He caught a flash of pale blue covering her breasts, the same sheer blue wrapped around her hips, and his cock came to full attention at the bounty before him.

“Take off the robe, Tessa,” he murmured.

She shrugged out of the robe and let it fall off her. She was gorgeous. Her skin like cream, dark hair tumbling over her shoulders, the delicate bra she wore barely containing her full breasts. Lifting her chin, she watched him watch her. “I wanted to take your mind off your troubles,” she admitted.

He smiled, lust coursing through him. “It worked.”

She smiled in return but the corners of her mouth trembled. “I’m glad.”

Unable to take it any longer, he yanked her into his arms, a needful shiver moving throughout his entire body when it made contact with hers. Wrapping his hand around the nape of her neck, he thrust his fingers into her hair, pulling lightly so her head tilted back and her eyes met his. They were so dark, so full of secrets and he wanted to discover each and every one of them.

Her lips parted, damp and inviting and he moved so his mouth hovered above hers. So close he could feel her warm breath waft across his lips. “So sweet.” He traced the delicate line of her jaw with his index finger, drew across her chin. “So innocent.” Brushing his thumb against her lower lip, he dipped just the tip of it in her mouth, closed his eyes when she wrapped her lips around it and sucked him deep.

He started to laugh when she nipped at him with her sharp teeth, causing him to withdraw from her. “My kitten has claws.”

Her eyes darkened even more, if that was possible. “Bianca said that.”

“Who?” The creamy texture of her skin was a distraction, as was the rest of her. He found if he kept his gaze focused on her face, he could control himself. One more glimpse of her luscious body and he’d probably throw her on the bed, rip the brand new and probably very expensive bra and panties from her and screw her senseless.

He wouldn’t do that, not tonight. She deserved more. He wanted to take his time. Learn her body. Learn what she liked. Savor every moment with her because he knew deep down inside this wouldn’t last.

It couldn’t.

“Your friend Giorgio’s mistress.” She sounded completely exasperated. But how could she blame him for not remembering? He couldn’t focus on anything else but her. “She said those exact words to me the night of the ball, just after she thoroughly insulted me.”

“How dare she insult you.” He wrapped his other arm around her and splayed his hand across her lower back, his fingers sliding beneath the waistband of her panties.

“She lashed out at me because she was really upset with Giorgio.” She bit her lip when he slipped his hand further, cupping one plump buttock.

“A rather forgiving kitten too.” He brushed a brief kiss to her proffered lips. “And why are we talking about Giorgio again?”

He didn’t let her explain, capturing her lush mouth in a longer, more thorough kiss instead. Thrusting his tongue inside the velvet warmth of her mouth, he groaned when her tongue tentatively touched his.

Her sweet innocence would be the absolute death of him.

It turned hot fast. She melted against him, her breasts pressed against his chest and she wound her arms around him, her hands sliding up and down his back in a soothing gesture.

But her touch didn’t soothe. It burned him up, as if little sparks shot from the tips of her fingers. His temperature rose with her every simple caress. She grasped hold of his shoulders, her leg winding around his and he wondered if she was trying to climb on top of him.

As if she couldn’t get enough of him.

Regret suddenly hit him, swift and deep. How stupid was he for denying the two of them from being together? He’d had his chance and let her go. Thought he was doing what was best for both of them.

Clearly, the attraction they felt for each other couldn’t be denied.

“I’m a damn fool, letting you almost slip out of my fingers,” he whispered against her neck after he broke their kiss. He pressed his lips to the spot where her pulse beat rapidly.

“Well, you have me now.” She tilted her head back, offering him better access. He kissed a path up her neck, licking at the edge of her ear and she shivered. “So what are you going to do with me?”

Reaching around, he carefully undid the snap of her bra and the cups loosened. “I’m going to finish what I started.”

And then some.

Chapter Nine

Alex had her undressed and sprawled across the bed in no time, his hands lightning quick as he removed her bra, then pushed her panties off her hips and down her legs. A flash of disappointment lanced through her for a brief moment, mourning the loss at the chance to really flaunt her body in the sexy, expensive lingerie she bought just for him.

But the disappointment left Tessa in a rush when she felt Alex’s mouth on her breasts for the first time. Soft and hot, he kissed her chest, the valley between her breasts, his hands cupping her flesh, driving her wild. His velvety hot tongue circled one nipple and she nearly shot off the bed. When he drew the nipple into his mouth a second later, she cried out in agony, sliding her fingers into his hair to hold him there.

Never wanting to let him go.

She knew it would be good. Knew he would be a master at seduction but she wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming emotions his touch brought forth. Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes at the gentle way he touched her, kissed her, looked at her.

Almost as if he might really care.

Foolish thoughts, but she couldn’t help them.

When he withdrew from her she reached out, her hands grappling for him and he chuckled. She opened her eyes to find him standing close to her, tugging the pullover sweater over his head and tossing it on the floor. Her entire body tingled as she drank him in. Bronzed skin stretched over tight muscle and sinew, impossibly broad shoulders and a wide chest covered with a light dusting of black hair. Rippling abs that tapered to narrow hips, standing there in only his jeans, he was absolute masculine perfection.

And for tonight, he was all hers.
 

She loved that he’d come to her dressed casually. His usual elegant and expensive suits were gorgeous—but screamed untouchable. In a sweater and jeans, he was much more approachable. Simply Alex versus Alexander Worth, CEO of Worth Luxury and her boss.

Tessa frowned. She wanted to be with him in every sense of the word but would this one night ruin everything? Would he treat her differently tomorrow? Or worse, would her greatest fears come true and he would ignore her once they returned to New York? Pretend what they’d shared never happened? He was capable of such a thing. What had just happened between them this last week more than proved that.

How she hated that she doubted him. How she hated even more that she was so weak when it came to him.

Because she was—terribly weak.

He kept his gaze locked on her as he undid the button fly of his jeans and shoved them off his hips. Her mouth went dry when she saw his rather large and imposing erection straining the front of his black boxer briefs.

Swallowing hard, she couldn’t stop staring at that telltale bulge. Even covered up, he looked scary yet—intriguing. Maybe she needed to tell him the truth. That her lack of experience might be something to consider before they carried on…

“You keep looking at me like that and I can’t be held responsible for what I’ll do to you.” He joined her on the bed, covering her completely with his big, hot body. The tension slowly eased out of her as he kissed her, his damp lips blazing a trail of fire on her skin. She writhed beneath him, wanting to get closer, wanting to feel his hard shaft brush against her belly though she wished he would get rid of the underwear…

Curling her fingers around the waistband, she tugged the offending boxer briefs off, tentatively stroking his hard buttocks. He groaned, low and guttural and wrenched away, shucking his underwear quickly before he rejoined her.

Their mouths locked, limbs entwined, their soft, encouraging whispers and moans filled the room. She absorbed it, trying to focus, desperate to memorize every inch of his skin, the taste of his lips, the texture of his hair. But he kept distracting her, touching her in places she never thought would arouse her, kissing her until she grew dizzy. Anxious and needy.

He slipped his hand down the slope of her belly, his fingers tangling in her pubic hair before he slipped lower, parting her with his index finger.

She gasped against his lips, and he smiled. “So wet,” he murmured, his finger sliding in further. She was incredibly wet, embarrassingly so and her cheeks heated when he slipped his finger lower, touching her intimately.

Alex rolled to his side so he could watch her as he continued to stroke between her legs. She closed her eyes, losing herself to the blissful sensations his touch brought forth. He searched her folds with his index finger, circled gently around her clitoris again and again until wave after wave of pleasure rippled over her skin. She lifted her hips and arched into his hand, her breath coming in frantic little puffs as he increased his speed, slipping one thick finger deep inside her.

“Oh God,” she whispered brokenly, reaching for her climax, so achingly close she could almost taste it.

“Come for me, Tessa,” he growled and it was as if his words were infused with magic.

She broke apart, crying out as the orgasm slammed into her. Tremors consumed her entire body and she shook in his embrace, his fingers slowing until finally the climax subsided and she lay there panting in his arms.

“Beautiful.” He kissed her, stealing her breath, her thoughts and then he was looming over her once more, miraculously with a condom in hand. Sheathing himself quickly, he rested his palms flat on the mattress on either side of her head, the broad head of his erection nudging at her entry.