Covet (Splendor Book 1)

by Janet Nissenson

  Ian watched from beneath his lashes as Tessa made her way towards his end of the table, carrying a cup and saucer. The fleeting scent of her light perfume – or possibly just her soap or shampoo – wafted his way as she carefully set the fine china down at his place.

  “Your tea, Mr. Gregson,” she murmured in that soft, breathy little voice. She kept her eyes downcast as she spoke, as though she was too intimidated to meet his gaze.

  “Thank you, Tessa,” he replied in a rather brisk, impersonal tone. He was determined to keep his reaction to her severely under wraps, never betraying for an instant that he was attracted to her – not to mention incredibly, achingly aroused from having her this close. “I trust that everything is ready for the meeting?”

  She raised huge blue eyes to his, the expression in their sapphire depths more than a little terrified. “Yes, sir. The PowerPoint presentation is all set, and the reports and other handouts you asked for are in the packets at each person’s place. Will there be anything else you need, Mr. Gregson?”

  Her question was phrased in an entirely professional manner, without even a hint of innuendo or sly suggestiveness, and Ian doubted she would know how to flirt even if she wanted to – unlike some of the others like Alicia, Gina, or Sarah.

  He shook his head as he reached for his cup of tea. “There’s nothing else at the moment, no.” He sipped his tea tentatively, his eyes widening in surprise to realize that the beverage was hot, strong, and had just the right amount of sweetness. Despite his resolve to treat Tessa impersonally, he couldn’t help giving her a pleased smile. “I don’t believe I’ve had a cup of properly brewed tea like this since I left England. Thank you, Tessa.”

  She blushed furiously, and glanced down at her shoes. “My pleasure, Mr. Gregson,” she replied softly before returning to her seat at the back of the room.

  ‘Yes, darling’ he thought to himself as he continued to watch her unobserved. ‘It would most definitely be your pleasure if you belonged to me. I would pleasure you for hours at a time, and in ways you could never imagine.’

  But before he could begin to fantasize about all the many ways he would give his golden-haired beauty the utmost in bliss, the meeting began and Ian forced himself to divert his attention to the business at hand. Tessa remained quietly in the background, taking diligent notes and then starting up the PowerPoint presentation at the appropriate time. He couldn’t resist, however, making frequent but discreet glances in her direction over the course of the meeting, always being exceedingly careful that no one else in the room observed his interest – especially Tessa herself.

  She was not the sort of woman who fussed, he noticed, either with her appearance or her mannerisms. She was subdued and rather introverted, and didn’t even attempt to make eye contact or converse with any of the other employees present. He appreciated her professionalism and dedication to her work, and knew that he had Mrs. C. to thank for the rigid training she had undoubtedly put Tessa through. Tessa was a model employee, and if it hadn’t been for his unwilling attraction to her he would very likely be working more closely with her on various projects – rather than relying on Andrew to delegate out the assignments. He simply couldn’t take the risk that he might betray his infatuation with her, an infatuation that was forbidden for too many reasons.

  Ian had been furious with himself at not being able to firmly put the young, innocent, and very married blonde out of his head over the past few weeks. He’d been acting like some moonstruck adolescent schoolboy with an unrequited crush on the prettiest girl in his class. And Ian Gregson simply did not have crushes, or pine for a woman, and he most certainly did not permit a shy, naïve office assistant to unwillingly occupy his thoughts. Even if she hadn’t been married – an inescapable fact that in itself was more than enough reason to keep his distance – Tessa worked for him, and there was no possible way he would violate the very strict company policy prohibiting such a relationship. She was also far too young for him – fifteen years, he’d calculated – and Ian could just imagine the good-natured ribbing he would receive from friends and family for “robbing the cradle”.

  He was a man used to being in control of every aspect of his life, and it annoyed him to no end that for once he didn’t seem capable of controlling his reaction to this – this – girl. She was barely older than a teenager, for God’s sake, and with her wide-eyed stares, her tendency to blush furiously at any given moment, and her shy, introverted manner, she reminded him of a skittish fawn. Definitely not the sort of woman he had dated in the past, he thought drolly, as he briefly compared Tessa to Davina, his former fiancé. For all of Davina’s perfect manners, ladylike behavior, and posh education, there had been nothing the least bit shy or uncertain about her. She’d been extremely confident, completely sophisticated, and very much at home at social functions.

  That was the sort of woman he ought to be dating, he’d scolded himself on more than one occasion as of late – one who was refined, sophisticated, and socially adept. In fact, in an all-out effort to stop daydreaming about a certain blushing blonde, Ian had gone out with several different women over the past weeks, going so far as to permit some friends of his to set him up with a date – something he never allowed under normal circumstances.

  But it had all been for naught, because he hadn’t felt a damned thing for any of the women he’d dated. Every one of them had been beautiful, sophisticated, intelligent, and well-educated – on paper, at least, a perfect fit for someone like himself. He had spent an enjoyable evening with each woman, conversing easily over dinner and then enjoying the symphony or the theater. But then, when it had come time to take his date home, he’d felt no urge whatsoever to take things further than a chaste goodnight kiss, despite the eager promise in the woman’s eyes, or her bold attempt to seduce him. There had been nothing there, not even a flicker of physical attraction, and he’d cursed anew beneath his breath at the realization that his obsession with the breathtaking blonde in his office had well and truly done him in.

  He wasn’t prepared to give up quite so easily, though, and had a couple of other dates set up over the next weeks. And when he flew to England in December for the holidays, he had vowed to look up a former lover or two in the hopes that he could reignite the flame between them. Something – anything – needed to happen soon in order for him to get over this ridiculous fixation.

  Ian remained behind once the meeting wrapped up to chat with a few of the others present. Out of the corner of his eye, he could observe Tessa begin the tidying-up process, and tried very, very hard to keep his lusty gaze from lingering on the delectable curve of her ass. He’d thought more than once that she truly had the perfect figure – at least, in his opinion – and wouldn’t want to change one damned thing about the sensual body that was both curvy and toned at the same time.

  As she bent over to retrieve a napkin from the floor, Ian had to resist the urge to gulp – or stare – or, even worse, drool. The motion unwittingly caused the wrap front of her dress to gap away from her skin, exposing a tempting amount of cleavage. Fortunately for her sake no one else seemed to notice, and equally fortunately for his sake she stood up quickly, and he released the breath he’d been holding for several long seconds.

  But when she began to clear empty plates and cups off the conference table, it didn’t take long for Keegan Whittaker – the newest member of Ian’s management team – to take notice.

  “Now, that’s a damned pity for sure,” he commented wryly. “And such a waste, don’t you think, Ian?”

  Ian frowned at Keegan, who was also the youngest member of the management staff. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Keegan shook his auburn head. “Your new girl over there. Tess, I believe her name is? She’s got every man in this place panting after her, but what’s the use when she’s already spoken for? Some of us have a bet going on that her husband is some sort of big, buff athletic sort or a male model. He’d have to be something special to have
snagged a prize like her.”

  Ian struggled mightily to keep his raging temper from boiling over. “Her name is Tessa,” he replied in a taut, strained voice. “And I would strongly advise both you and every other male in this office to treat her with the utmost respect. Not only is she a married woman, she’s also a member of my support team and I won’t stand for any of them to be harassed. Do I make myself clear, Keegan?”

  Keegan gulped, visibly intimidated by both the icy tone of his boss’s voice and what Ian surmised must have been an equally stern expression on his face. “Of – of course, Ian. And I, ah, meant no disrespect, sir. It’s just – well, there’s no denying that she’s a beautiful woman. Every one of us envies that husband of hers.”

  ‘Including me,’ thought Ian sourly. ‘But give whoever the man is some credit for snatching up a prize like Tessa before someone else could. I just hope he realizes how lucky he is to have her, and that he treats her like a queen.’

  If she was his, he would lavish her with anything and everything her heart desired – clothes, jewels, cars, luxurious vacations. She would be pampered and cherished, waited on hand and foot, and would certainly not have to clean up after other people as she was doing now.

  But she wasn’t his, and for the first time in many years Ian felt helplessly out of control, realizing that his money and power and authority wouldn’t be enough to get him what he wanted. Always before he’d found a way to make things happen according to his plans, had never been denied what he wanted, and it was a frustrating, rather humbling experience at this point in his life to have reached such an insurmountable stumbling block.

  He’d been back in his office for several minutes, going over some notes for an afternoon conference call, when there was a tentative rap on his office door. He glanced up, startled to see Tessa hovering uncertainly in the open doorway, a nervous expression on her face.

  “Um, I’m s-sorry to disturb you, Mr. Gregson,” she said haltingly. “An-Andrew isn’t at his desk and I thought you might need this, sir. You – you left it behind in the conference room.”

  She was holding out the black leather portfolio that he always carried with him. It had been a gift from his parents when he’d first begun working for the company right after graduating from university. The well-worn portfolio was embossed in gold with his initials, and held both a writing pad and the classic Montblanc fountain pen that was his favorite.

  Ian stood and held out a hand as Tessa walked over to his desk. “My thanks, Tessa,” he replied smoothly. “I’m not normally so forgetful. I suppose I was just distracted when I left the meeting.”

  He didn’t add, of course, that she was the reason he’d been so distracted, and likely why he had rushed out of the conference room willy-nilly.

  Tessa nodded as she handed him the portfolio. “I expect you’re very busy, Mr. Gregson. Is – is there anything in particular I might be able to help with?”

  Once again her offer was completely innocent – and genuine – and not some immature attempt to flirt with him. Ian wondered wryly if Tessa even knew the meaning of the term double entendre, much less how to use one. He gazed across his desk at her, taking a moment to fully appreciate her youthful beauty, to stare into the fathomless depths of her enormous blue eyes before dropping to the lush fullness of her glossy pink lips.

  He wrenched his gaze away as he took the portfolio from her, shaking his head. “I appreciate the offer, Tessa, but there’s nothing at the moment. Which reminds me.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I’ve been meaning to commend you on the very fine work you’ve done on all of the spreadsheets. Andrew and I had nearly given up hope that we would ever find someone capable of handling that particular job. The reports are a tremendous help to me, so thank you for your hard work.”

  Predictably, Tessa blushed furiously and stared down at her feet shyly. “I’m, um, glad to be of help, Mr. Gregson. I’d, ah, better get back to work now, sir.”

  She practically scurried off like a frightened rabbit, or the skittish fawn he’d compared her to earlier, and he wished like hell he had the nerve to call her back. He sunk into his oversized leather chair, leaning into the padded headrest, and closed his eyes as he imagined all of the naughty, dirty things he longed to do to her, right here in his office.

  Tessa glanced over at the office door uncertainly. “Aren’t you afraid that someone will hear us? Or suspect what we’re doing?” she whispered.

  He smiled as he pulled her into his arms. “No, to both of your questions, love,” he purred, his hand rubbing her back soothingly. “The door is securely locked, which means no one will dare disturb us. And the way I’m feeling right now – as much as I want you – I think I’d try and kill anyone who even dares to knock on that damned door.”

  He kissed her then, swallowing up any further protests she might have made beneath the firm pressure of his mouth. Her lips parted sweetly, and he didn’t hesitate to thrust his tongue boldly inside of her warm, wet mouth. His hands roamed freely up and down her back, then slid slower to squeeze the high, firm cheeks of her ass. Tessa groaned beneath the fierceness of his kiss, and he could hear the little gasp of surprise she made deep in her throat when he began to grind his enormously swollen erection against the hot, welcoming notch of her thighs.

  “Like this,” he murmured huskily, turning her around and walking her over to the wide expanse of his mahogany desk. She didn’t resist as he bent her over the desk before unfastening her wrap dress and tossing it aside. He hissed sharply as the seductive curves of her body were revealed to his hot gaze – her big, round breasts spilling out of a low-cut bra of black lace, and her perfect derriere barely covered by a pair of sheer, lacy black panties.

  “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined,” he whispered hotly in her ear, deftly unhooking her bra at the same time. His hands cupped her firm breasts, his fingers tugging on the hardened points of her nipples. “And I’ve imagined you many times, darling, exactly like this – willing, eager, and very, very aroused.”

  Tessa whimpered as he slid his entire palm inside the low-cut waistband of those sexy little panties, his fingers finding her wet and more than ready for him. He swore softly beneath his breath as she began to thrust her hips in conjunction with the slow, steady pump of his fingers deep inside her pussy, and with each back and forth motion her breathing grew more ragged.

  “Please,” she begged in that high, breathy little voice that turned him on like crazy. “I need you, Ian. Please don’t make me wait any longer.”

  He nuzzled his face against the side of her neck. “Your wish is my command, darling,” he rasped. “And you aren’t the only one who can’t wait a moment longer.”

  He stripped his clothes off in record time, tossing each item heedlessly around his office until he was as naked as she was. His legs were unsteady, shaking a bit as he stepped directly behind her, and his cock was harder and thicker than it had ever been before. But then he had never coveted a woman the way he did now - the beautiful, sexy blonde bent over his desk in a most submissive posture, the tempting curve of her ass sticking straight up.

  Ian caressed her buttocks, savoring the feel of her soft, warm flesh, before slipping his hand between her legs. She moaned as he opened her, obediently spreading her legs a bit wider as he slowly began to work his cock inside of her body. He grit his teeth as she gradually took a bit more of him with each slow, careful thrust. God, she was tight, her sweet, slick pussy sucking him deeper inside of her until he was finally buried to the hilt, his achingly full balls slapping against her flesh each time he moved. Ian closed his eyes as he began to fuck her harder, the pleasure building and building until it was all he knew. He could hear Tessa’s unsteady breathing, the little gasps she made each time he rammed his cock a little deeper inside of her, and in some vague, shadowy corner of his brain he hoped that no one was walking past his office at this moment, that no one would overhear the sounds of their wild, frantic coupling. He was –

&
nbsp; “Mr. Gregson? Are you all right, sir?”

  Ian started, his eyes flying open guiltily as he gazed over at Andrew. His PA was studying him with concern, and he was quick to reassure him.

  “Fine, just fine, thank you,” he mumbled almost incoherently. “Just, ah, deep in concentration is all. I must have drifted off there for a moment.”

  He shifted in his seat a bit awkwardly, the bulge at his crotch more than a little uncomfortable, and he was grateful that the lower half of his body was well hidden beneath his desk. He dealt with Andrew swiftly, sending the PA off rather brusquely.

  It was only when Andrew had disappeared from sight that Ian buried his face in his hands, shaking his head in mild disgust.

  ‘Jesus, mate,’ he scolded himself. ‘You have damned well got to get control of this situation immediately. You’re too bloody old to be having wet dreams, and especially here at the office. No matter what it takes, you’ve got to stop salivating over that girl. She’s never going to be yours, so just man up and deal with it.’

  After a few long, painful minutes, his throbbing erection finally subsided to the point where he could concentrate again. But Ian feared it would take a great deal longer to completely banish his foolish obsession with young Tessa Lockwood.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Tess,

  Just found out that the airport over here in Bangkok is staging a forty-eight hour mechanic’s strike. Almost every flight is grounded, including mine. I’m trying to figure out another way to get back to California, but it’s not looking good right now. So, unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though I’ll be home until Saturday night at the earliest. Sorry, Tess, I know we’d made plans to go for a hike together. If I get home on time maybe we can still try and make it for Sunday. Hope you’re doing okay and not working too hard. I’ll keep you updated.