Crave (Splendor Book 2)

by Janet Nissenson

  She laughed. “I know it’s hard to believe, but - yes. In her own gruff way she was good to me, Mr. Gregson. I, well, I was just a teenager when I lost my own mother, and Mrs. Carrington would always give me advice when I needed it.”

  “I’m very sorry to hear about your mother,” he replied gently. “As for any advice that old witch might have given you, I hope that she never recommended you buy a tweed suit like hers.” His hazel eyes twinkled as they flickered over her sweater and skirt. “I much prefer your own fashion sense.”

  Tessa’s heartbeat fluttered erratically at his compliment, a compliment that sounded a whole lot like flirting to her. But that had to be her imagination, she scolded herself, because a man like Ian Gregson simply did not flirt. Ever. And especially not with someone like her.

  “I, um, thank you,” she stammered awkwardly, unable to think of a wittier reply.

  Ian smiled at her reassuringly, undoubtedly sensing her uncertainty. “Did you have an enjoyable Christmas, Tessa? At least,” he added gently, “as much as you were able to do given the circumstances.”

  She knew he was referring to her imminent divorce. “It, ah, was a very quiet holiday, Mr. Gregson,” was all she offered in the way of a reply.

  His smile was quickly replaced by a frown. “Surely you didn’t spend it all alone?” he asked in concern. “Your family…”

  Tessa gave a quick shake of her head, hoping that Mr. Gregson wouldn’t press the matter further. “No family,” was all she said in response. “And I was invited to spend the day with some friends, but I just preferred to be by myself this year. I - I hope that you enjoyed your visit with your family, sir.”

  Ian nodded briefly. “Very much, thank you. And I’m sorry that you had to spend the holidays by yourself, Tessa. No one should be alone at this time of the year. But I have a very good feeling that next Christmas will be a much happier one for you.”

  She regarded him curiously. “Why do you say that, Mr. Gregson?”

  He gave her another of those mysterious smiles. “Let’s call it a hunch, shall we? Or perhaps it’s just time for something good to happen in your life. You deserve it, after all.”

  Tessa stared back at him in bemusement, but before she could question him further, his cell phone buzzed with an incoming call and she retreated back to her desk to afford him some privacy.

  It was an extremely busy day, just as she’d known it would be after Mr. Gregson’s return from a two-week vacation. But despite the rather frantic pace she found herself operating at throughout the morning and then well into the afternoon, Tessa couldn’t help replaying those last snippets of conversation, and wondering why Mr. Gregson had sounded so very, very sure of himself when he’d declared that next Christmas would be a much happier one for her. What sort of “hunch” could he possibly be basing such a confidently uttered statement on?

  Tessa shook her head, annoyed at herself for allowing her thoughts to keep drifting back to that conversation. It had only been, she told herself firmly, Mr. Gregson’s attempt to make her feel better, and she was being ten kinds of a silly goose to even try and read anything else into things. There was no possible way he could even guess at what her life might be like at this time next year, especially since she didn’t have the slightest clue herself.

  ***

  Ian leaned back in his plush leather desk chair, resting his head against the padded headrest for a minute or two. It had been a tiring but productive day, a day that was surprisingly almost over. Things were always especially hectic after he’d returned from a vacation or one of the frequent business trips he took, but for once he hadn’t minded the many demands of his workday. And the sole reason for his change in attitude was sitting right outside his office.

  He couldn’t prevent the wide grin that caused his mouth to turn upwards at the corners, just as he wasn’t able to suppress the tiny chuckle of satisfaction that escaped his throat. Everything was unfolding just as he had planned, exactly how he had envisioned his slow, careful seduction of the beautiful woman he’d been obsessed with for over two years taking place.

  It had been just over three weeks ago when he’d heard the news - from Tessa’s own lips - that she and her husband were divorcing. And he hadn’t wasted any time in putting his plans to finally claim her for his own into action. He couldn’t rush her, of course, especially since she was most likely still sad and vulnerable over the break-up, and wasn’t emotionally ready to start seeing anyone new. But, at the same time, Ian was determined not to let her slip through his fingers, would make very, very sure that no other man was given the opportunity to get close to her. He’d waited for this particular moment for a long time, after all, and nothing and nobody would prevent him from making Tessa his.

  But he had to be patient, he reminded himself now. Small steps, slow, steady progress. It would probably drive him half-mad, he thought wryly, to have to exercise so much self-control, when all he could think about was pulling her into his arms and kissing her senseless. There had been at least a dozen times just today, in fact, when he’d had to clench his fists to stop himself from acting on his nearly uncontrollable instincts.

  ‘Take it down a notch or two, mate,’ he told himself sternly. ‘The last thing you can afford to do is scare her off. You’ve waited this long, surely you can hold off another couple of months.’

  After the office holiday party, Ian hadn’t wasted any time in beginning his campaign of seducing Tessa. He’d started on the first day back to work after the party, in fact, when he had asked her to come to his office under the pretext of explaining a particularly complicated spreadsheet he had needed her to do. She had clearly been taken aback by this summons, for it had always been left up to Andrew to assign these sorts of tasks to the support team, but she hadn’t questioned him about the matter any further.

  And he had gone out of his way to encounter her in the hallway or the elevator lobby or some other section of the office, and to make sure he spent a few minutes conversing with her each time. Such encounters, brief though they had been, were all part of his master plan to get closer to her, and when the time was right, to make her aware of his attraction towards her.

  The timing of Andrew’s vacation - a week spent visiting his family in Seattle - had coincided perfectly with Ian’s plans for Tessa. And if his straitlaced PA had been startled when he had specifically requested that Tessa fill in during that week, Andrew had been far too disciplined to betray any emotion. He’d merely nodded, said something in reply like “Very well, Mr. Gregson”, and gone on about his routine. But he could only imagine what sort of thoughts must have gone through his quick-witted PA’s head - especially since Ian had always been adamant that Tessa was not to be considered as a temporary replacement.

  All of that was different now, though, given her soon to be single status. Ian didn’t have to struggle with the moral dilemma of lusting after a married woman, didn’t have to avoid her or treat her with his usual distant formality. He could finally allow himself the luxury of having her close by, of smiling at her, talking to her, and subtly, carefully, make her aware of his true feelings.

  Though the need for discretion, of course, would still be more important than ever. No one in the office, except for Tessa herself, could ever guess that he was so attracted to her. And if things unfolded according to all of his carefully laid out plans, the two of them would have to be extremely secretive about the relationship he fully intended for them to have. Eventually, she would need to leave the company so that they could be together freely.

  But he was getting ahead of himself here, he realized. He was still weeks, if not months, away from such an occurrence. In the meanwhile, he was intent on making the most of this all-too-brief week with Tessa, and he wasn’t going to waste even a moment of it.

  It wasn’t in his reserved, formal nature to actively flirt with a woman, and the few times in his life he had actually tried to do so he’d felt silly and more than a little embarrassed. But he had rather delibe
rately flirted with Tessa all day today, albeit in discreet, subtle ways. He chuckled now as he recalled the way her blue eyes had widened in surprise at a few of his lightly teasing comments, or how her cheeks had flushed whenever he’d given her a wink or a warm smile. She was so adorably shy that she’d been visibly flummoxed by this uncharacteristic behavior from him, and had only been able to stammer or stare most times in response.

  And if the rest of the week went according to his plans, Ian was going to take a leap of faith on Friday afternoon and invite her out for drinks after work. He had never invited one of the support staff out before, whether on a personal or professional basis, except for a few times when he’d taken Andrew out to lunch for his birthday. Such an offer would be certain to shock Tessa, since she would be well aware of his strict hands-off policy when it came to dating employees, and would definitely give her cause to wonder about his intentions in issuing such a request.

  “Mr. Gregson?”

  Ian glanced up at the sound of her sweet, high voice, taking in the very tempting, delectable picture she made framed in the doorway of his office. On most any other woman the classic black pencil skirt would have merely looked professional, and completely in keeping with the conservative image he preferred all of his employees to present. But on Tessa, the wool fabric emphasized the seductive curve of her hips and high, firm buttocks, and he wondered if her sheer black hosiery was pantyhose or a far more alluring pair of stockings.

  And while the ivory sweater certainly wasn’t snug, it nonetheless didn’t fail to call attention to the lush roundness of her breasts. His hands clenched into fists as he imagined running his palms over the firm, ripe globes, just before sliding up beneath the hem of the sweater until they encountered the lace of her bra. He felt tiny beads of sweat form along his upper lip, at the same time that his cock began to harden and press insistently against the zipper of his trousers.

  “Yes, Tessa?” he asked, smiling at her warmly.

  Her cheeks pinkened yet again, probably the tenth or twelfth time today he’d seen her blushing. “Um, I just wanted to see if there was anything else you needed, sir,” she mumbled, looking down at her shoes uncertainly. “That is, I’m more than happy to stay longer if -”

  He glanced at his computer monitor, visibly started to realize how late it was. “Good Lord, is it really that time?” he asked in amazement. “You should have left half an hour ago at least. And no, there’s nothing else I need. You’ve done an astounding amount of work today, Tessa, and done all of it exceptionally well.”

  Tessa raised those enormous blue eyes to his, the smile that lit her beautiful face revealing how much his praise had pleased her. “It was my pleasure, Mr. Gregson,” she replied softly. “I - I hope everything was up to your standards, sir.”

  “Very much so,” he assured her in a gentle voice. Relieved to notice that his erection had subsided enough for decency’s sake, Ian rose to his feet and walked around the side of his desk until he was standing right in front of her. He couldn’t resist touching her, just for a moment or two, and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. The brief touch, however, was more than enough to arouse him anew, and also to cause Tessa’s eyes to widen in surprise.

  “Now, you should head home and enjoy the rest of your evening,” he told her, removing his hand reluctantly. “It’s going to be an extremely busy week, I’m afraid, and I don’t want to wear you out after the first day.”

  She shook her head, making him all too aware of how long and soft her blonde curls were, and how he wanted nothing more than to bury his face in all of that glorious hair and inhale her sweet, seductive scent. “You won’t. I promise,” she assured him. “I’m not afraid of hard work, Mr. Gregson. I’ll be ready for whatever you ask of me.”

  Ian’s mouth quirked up at the corners, wondering if she had any idea, any idea at all, of exactly what he wanted to ask of her. “Nonetheless,” he admonished, “it’s been a very long day and well past time for both of us to head home. Do you have any plans for this evening?”

  He asked the question with forced casualness, not at all certain what his reaction would be if - God forbid - she admitted to going out on a date, or to a club with some friends.

  But to his great relief, Tessa merely gave a small shrug and replied, “Nothing except hitting the employee gym downstairs for an hour or so, and then heading home.”

  Ian was pleased that her plans didn’t involve spending time with another man, but at the same time he couldn’t help but be concerned for her safety, especially since he was well aware of the rather dicey neighborhood she lived in. “Are you sure that’s a wise idea, Tessa?” he inquired, not particularly caring if he sounded worried. “It’s already past six p.m., and you wouldn’t be leaving the building until seven-thirty or so. Do you have a ride home?”

  She shook her head. “But the bus doesn’t leave me off very far from my apartment, sir. It’s just a short walk.”

  He scowled as the image of her walking through the dark, rather menacing streets of her community filled his head. “I’d be worried sick about you all night if you took a bus home at that hour,” he told her. “And since it’s my fault that you’re here at the office so late, I’m going to arrange for a car service to drive you home. You go along and enjoy your workout, and the car will be waiting for you downstairs when you’re finished.”

  Tessa’s soft pink mouth fell open in surprise at his announcement. “Mr. Gregson - really, sir, that isn’t at all necessary. I’m used to taking the bus home even at this hour. And I’m always careful. I promise.”

  Ian shook his head authoritatively. “I insist, Tessa. Tonight and for the remainder of the week you’ll be driven home each evening, especially if you’re going to be working this late. As my PA, temporary or not, you’re my responsibility, and I take such things very seriously. So, no more arguments, hmm?”

  “I’ll just skip my workout, Mr. Gregson,” she offered. “It’s not that important. That way I’ll get home much earlier and there won’t be any need for you to worry.”

  “No.” He was aware that he was starting to sound like something of a dictator, evidenced by the way Tessa’s eyes widened in response, but her stubbornness in accepting a favor was a challenge he hadn’t anticipated.

  “You deserve to spend some time on yourself today,” he added in a softer tone. “I’m guessing you arrived in the office at - what time? Seven-thirty? Seven?”

  The guilty look on her face was almost comical, and thoroughly adorable. “Um, six-thirty, actually,” she mumbled. “I, ah, wanted to make sure I had everything ready.”

  Ian gave her a look of mock severity. “All the more reason, then, why you shouldn’t skip that workout. You owe it to yourself after such a long day. I’m very disciplined about my own fitness regime, and rarely skip a day.”

  Tessa nodded, her gaze flickering over his body. “I - I assumed you worked out a lot. I mean, not that - um, well, I mean -”

  He gave her another of those deliberately flirty winks, and followed the gesture up with a knowing smile. “I know what you mean,” he assured her teasingly. “And I’ll assume the same about your own workouts. You appear to be very, very - ah, fit.”

  This time Ian was half-afraid that Tessa would faint dead away, given the thoroughly shocked expression on her face as he gave her tall, shapely figure a very assessing look. He took pity on her after a few more seconds, though, well aware that he was flirting with her rather outrageously and that she had no idea at all of how to respond.

  “Off with you now, Tessa,” he bade her firmly. “Enjoy your workout and don’t worry about getting home. I’ll rest much easier knowing you’ll get there safely.”

  She gave a little sigh of resignation before nodding. “All right. And - thank you, Mr. Gregson. It’s very kind of you, sir, and I appreciate it. Have a pleasant evening.”

  “You, too. See you in the morning.”

  Ian didn’t add that his evening would be a far more pleasant one were she t
o be spending it with him. After all, he reminded himself, he’d already made a considerable amount of progress in his all-out quest to claim Tessa Lockwood as his own. He couldn’t afford to get greedy, to push his agenda along too aggressively, and risk scaring her off.

  But as images of how Tessa might look in her workout gear flooded his rather dirty mind - wearing shorts that bared most of those incredibly long, toned legs and cupped the most spectacular ass he’d ever seen, and perhaps a T-shirt or tank top that clung to those awe-inspiring breasts like a second skin - Ian had to wage a mighty battle with himself not to follow her down to the employee fitness room three floors below.

  So before he lost what little control he still had remaining after a full day in her company, he powered down his computer, grabbed his briefcase and coat, and headed out the door. Tomorrow, after all, would present him with additional opportunities to put all of the plans he had for Tessa into play.

  Chapter Two

  Tessa was usually glad to realize it was Thursday, with only one more day remaining until the weekend. But on this particular Thursday, she found herself wishing that the week was just beginning since it meant that tomorrow – Friday - would mark the end of her temporary assignment as Mr. Gregson’s PA. Andrew would be back in the office on Monday, Tessa would return to her cubicle out on the main office floor, and these past few days would only be a pleasant memory for her.

  She’d loved every minute of the past four days, relished each and every assignment she’d been given, and felt a true sense of accomplishment in the job she’d done. Mr. Gregson had lavished praise on her, had expressed his thanks and appreciation for her hard work, and for perhaps the first time in her life Tessa hadn’t felt stupid or unworthy. Surely a man as intelligent and accomplished as Ian Gregson wouldn’t have gone out of his way to compliment her if he hadn’t truly believed she deserved it. She had seen first hand how exacting he was, what high standards he set not just for himself but for every employee under his direction. And the thought that a little nobody like herself had been able to live up to such lofty expectations made her feel warm all over.