Covet (23 page)

Tessa told herself firmly that she didn’t care what those two gossipy cats said, laughing out loud as she realized now who Gina and Alicia reminded her of – the sneaky, conniving Siamese cats from
Lady and the Tramp
. She’d only seen the Disney movie once, probably when she was around five years old, but those two sly, scheming felines had frightened her enough to cause a nightmare or two over the years.

She perused her modest wardrobe, automatically passing over the black skirt and white blouse she’d worn for her interview with Andrew. Not only had she already worn that ensemble to the office twice since then, but it was a little too prim and proper for – what? The impression she hoped to make on Ian Gregson? Tessa shook her head, annoyed at her train of thought. Someone as busy and important as Mr. Gregson would likely only spare her the briefest of glances, maybe a quick handshake, and a few seconds for an introduction. Then he would go back to all of the far more meaningful items on his to-do list for the day, not giving his newest team member a second thought. So it really shouldn’t matter what outfit she wore tomorrow, because she had little to no chance of making an impression on her formidable new boss under any circumstances.

Still, pride demanded that she try and look her very best, so she pulled out the prettiest of her work outfits. The fitted red sheath dress with its narrow black patent leather belt was new, something she’d bought from an online retailer. It had cost less than forty dollars, but the dress fit like a glove and Tessa thought it looked far more expensive than it really was. She’d wear a coordinating pair of black patent pumps, curl her hair, take a bit more care with her makeup. And even if Gina and Alicia giggled about her behind her back, or Ian Gregson barely acknowledged her presence, at least she would feel pretty and try very hard not to care what anyone else thought of her.

It was just past seven o’clock when Ian arrived in the office, not in the least surprised to notice that no one else had arrived as yet – even Andrew, who was usually always the first to arrive. But his supremely efficient PA hadn’t spent the last two weeks on the East coast, and wasn’t trying to get his body clock re-adjusted to California time. Ian had already been to the gym this morning, putting himself through a grueling workout with weights, push-ups, sit-ups, and core work before swimming laps for a half hour. He was wide awake, and filled with energy, ready to tackle the numerous items on his agenda for the day.

Things were always especially hectic right after he returned from visiting the hotels. Not only did he have his normal daily responsibilities to get caught up on, but there were notes and reports that had to be typed from his meetings, interviews, and reviews at each hotel he had visited. He kept Andrew and the management support team on their toes for days and even weeks after these trips, and this time would be no exception.

As he powered up his computer and began to unpack his briefcase, Ian wondered vaguely how the newest team member was getting on. Andrew had forwarded her resume to him, but he’d been far too busy on this trip to look it over. He trusted Andrew’s judgment almost as much as he did his own, however, and felt assured that his PA had hired someone capable and qualified.

Just before seven-thirty, Andrew poked his head inside the office. “Good morning, Mr. Gregson,” he said in his usual polite but impersonal manner. “I trust that the rest of your trip proved uneventful?”

Ian nodded. “Aside from the issues at the Toronto property that I already emailed you about, everything else went smoothly. But there’s quite a lot that needs to be done, more so than usual given the problems I uncovered in Toronto. I assume everyone from the team is due in today?”

“Yes, sir. I rarely allow any of them to take vacation or personal days right after you return from a trip. All six of them are expected in at their usual times. Including our newest member. She’s working out exceptionally well so far, Mr. Gregson. In fact, I’m pleased to report - “

Ian’s personal cell phone rang with an incoming call, and he held up a finger to Andrew when he saw that his father was calling. “We can continue this conversation after I speak with my father. You can bring your newest protégé in to meet me at eight forty-five this morning.”

As Ian took the call, Andrew merely nodded and disappeared from sight. The conversation with the elder Gregson only took a few minutes, and then Ian was plowing right back into the considerable pile of work on his desk. He gave Andrew the slightest of nods when the PA placed a steaming mug of tea on his desk around eight o’clock, his concentration remaining focused on the report he was reviewing.

Ian considered himself an extremely disciplined man in all facets of his life – his workout regime, eating habits, personal hygiene, even his wardrobe. He rarely if ever fussed or made a scene, seldom expressed emotion, and never, ever lost control. He stuck to his routine almost religiously, and his ability to block out distractions was one of the traits that had contributed to his success with the company. It was something he had learned many years ago when he’d first begun to box, and honing that particular skill had been a major factor in his unparalleled success in the ring during his school days.

Here at the office he did not appreciate interruptions to the demanding schedule he adhered to so scrupulously, and both his administrative and managerial staffs knew better than to interrupt him without prior consent. Ian knew there really wasn’t a need for him to work such insanely long hours, or take on so much responsibility himself. Both of his brothers delegated a considerable amount of these responsibilities to their other managers, and Hugh also employed an assistant regional director to shoulder some of the work. Ian, however, with his almost paranoid need for control, was hesitant to do either. And, admittedly, the long hours at work helped to filled the emptiness of his life. He joked sometimes that he was married to his job, but that actually wasn’t all that far from the truth.

He checked several items off his to-do list for the day, satisfied at the progress he had already made. But the day was going to be a busy one, chock full of meetings, conference calls, emails to answer, and work to assign. He didn’t have more than a few minutes here and there to spare, and knew he’d be spending the better part of his weekend catching up. A quick glance at his desk clock revealed that it was nearly eight forty-five, the time he’d instructed Andrew to bring the new support team member over to meet him. Ian had no doubt that Andrew would arrive right on time, and hoped that this very brief meeting would be exactly that.

There were very few things that could rattle him these days, or threaten to disrupt the iron control he typically wielded over his emotions. If he were to explain this particular mindset, he would likely point to the years he’d spent in strict, rule-abiding English boarding schools. As a boy of ten he might not have approved of the discipline imposed on him by his teachers, but as a grown man of thirty-seven he was able to fully appreciate the guidelines that had been instilled in him so long ago.

In the high-profile position he held within his family’s company, Ian made crucial decisions, dealt with multiple levels of managers within his region, and met with patrons and potential new customers of his hotels on a daily basis. It was during these times that he was most grateful for what the years in boarding school had instilled in him – supreme self-control and the ability to mask his emotions when needed. He seldom if ever lost his temper, but it typically only took a slightly raised eyebrow or the merest hint of a frown to signal his displeasure, and those barely imperceptible gestures were often all it took to get his message across loud and clear.

But no amount of schooling or years of experience dealing with argumentative employees or difficult customers had prepared him for the very unexpected – and very compelling – reaction he had to the young woman who now stood framed in the doorway of his office.

During the years he’d boxed at Oxford, Ian had always been at the top of his game, something he credited to training extremely hard, listening intently to his trainers, eating a proper diet, and having been gifted with superior height, strength, and coordination. Very, very few of his opponents had ever successfully landed a punch, and he had been both a dominant and feared opponent. Therefore, he’d never felt the effects of a sucker punch to the jaw, or a jab to the solar plexus, or a blow to the gut. And yet, never having known how any of those physical sensations must feel, he was experiencing all three of them – and more – as he met and held the very wide, very blue gaze of the gorgeous girl who continued to hover uncertainly at the threshold.

Andrew ushered the girl inside the office, but Ian paid scant attention to what his assistant was saying. Instead, his gaze was fixated on the arresting face and figure of the stunningly beautiful blonde who was approaching his desk hesitantly, hanging back behind Andrew shyly.

“Mr. Gregson, may I introduce you to the newest member of our Management Support Team?” asked Andrew briskly. “This is Tessa Lockwood, sir. She’s just transferred here from the Tucson resort two weeks ago.”

He rose to his feet smoothly, automatically, and extended his hand across the desk. The smile he pasted on his face was, he hoped fervently, one of polite welcome and nothing more obvious.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tessa,” he told her gently. “I trust you’re settling in here without any difficulty?”

Tessa placed her slim, smooth hand in his rather tentatively and returned his smile sweetly. “Yes, sir. Everything has been just fine, thank you. I’m – it’s an honor to be working here for you.”

Her voice was breathy, a little high-pitched, and astonishingly the sound made him instantly and uncomfortably aroused. Their gazes remained locked, her hand still clasped in his, and he wondered if the noise he heard in his head could possibly be bells ringing.

Ian was shocked at his uncharacteristic reaction to this girl, and he drew his hand away almost brusquely. “Well, I’m pleased to hear that. And I’m certain you’ll be a fine addition to our team here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Gregson. I’ll do my very best, I promise,” she told him in that sweet voice that went right to his groin.

There was a somewhat awkward silence for a few moments, until Tessa glanced down at the carpet uncertainly. “Um, well, I should get back to work,” she mumbled awkwardly. “Thank you for your time, sir.”

As Andrew began to steer her authoritatively out of the office, Ian called out to him, his tone uncharacteristically stern. “Andrew. A moment, please.”

His usually unflappable assistant looked a bit rattled but merely nodded. “Of course, sir. Just let me get Tessa some data she needs for a spreadsheet and I’ll be right back.”

While Ian awaited the return of his PA – who would definitely have some things to answer for – the image of young Tessa Lockwood refused to erase itself from his mind. For a man who could easily have his pick of beautiful, desirable women around the globe, it was unheard of for him to be rendered virtually speechless by the mere sight of one. And rarer still that he was instantly and almost uncontrollably aroused after less than three minutes in her presence. Ian was as controlled and in command of his sexual needs as he was of every other aspect of his life, so it was more than a little unsettling for him to have this sort of reaction to a woman.

And Tessa Lockwood was barely a woman. ‘Christ,’ he thought in near-disgust. ‘She looks like a damned teenager.’ But the fact that he was likely almost twice her age did absolutely nothing to diminish the sudden, overwhelming attraction he felt for the breathtakingly beautiful girl who, by some rather unfortunate set of circumstances, was now working for him.

The red sheath dress she’d worn had skimmed over a tall, slender figure with curves in all the right places. A thin black patent leather belt encircled her slim waist, setting off the fuller curves of her breasts and hips. Ian knew without having to glance at the label that the dress was inexpensive, as were the plain black patent leather pumps on her feet. Ian had grown up among fashionable, well-dressed women – his mother, grandmothers, aunts, cousins – not to mention the countless number of women he’d met over the years in his business and social circles, all of whom dressed in expensive designer apparel. But it didn’t really matter that Tessa’s simple dress had likely been bought at a discount store or off a sale rack, for she had the sort of figure that would look stunning in anything she wore.

As if the lush curves of her body weren’t attraction enough, she also had a classically beautiful face – high, sculpted cheekbones; big blue eyes framed by long, curly lashes; a full, kissable mouth; and the sort of flawless, porcelain complexion that only the very young or the very rich could boast of. And the cherry on top of the most delicious sundae he’d ever seen was the thick, lustrous fall of golden blonde hair that spilled over her shoulders and halfway down her back.

Tessa was stunning – young, ripe and sexy – and yet she somehow seemed to be unaware of how tempting she was. She had been shy and uncertain, and more than a little nervous when being introduced to him just a short time ago, behavior that was not in the least bit typical for a female who was supremely confident of her looks and sex appeal. It made him wonder anew just how young she was.

‘Too damned young for you, mate,’ he told himself almost angrily. ‘You’re as bad as that bastard Jason, except at least you’re not a married father of three.’

And
that
brought up a whole other concern over the presence of young Tessa Lockwood in his office – how to keep not only the lascivious Jason but every other male in this office from panting after her. She was certain to have already caused quite a stir among them, and Ian could only wonder what in bloody hell Andrew had been thinking of to hire her for a position like this. There was no way that the girl was old enough to have much work experience, and no denying that her face and figure were going to prove a mighty distraction for any red-blooded male who came into contact with her. Including, thought Ian with a grimace, himself. The self-control that he prided himself on maintaining no matter what the circumstances was most assuredly going to come under fire if the girl remained here permanently.