Covet (46 page)

“You don’t have to change on my account, Tessa,” he told her in a husky voice. “In fact, I’m very much enjoying the view. Mmm, someone’s been working out hard, haven’t they?”

This time she couldn’t help the quiver of alarm that rippled through her entire body as Jason traced the beads of sweat that had gathered in the base of her throat down between her breasts. She gasped in outrage when his finger dipped into her cleavage before his thumb brushed over her nipple.

“I’d like to get you even sweatier.” He bent forward to murmur in her ear. “I’ve wanted to fuck this gorgeous body of yours since the first time I saw you. Why don’t I join you in the shower and we can have ourselves a real good time?”

Now Tessa was beginning to panic a little, and struggling to control her fear as she once again tried to break free. “Mr. Baldwin, this - this isn’t appropriate. Both of us are married and you shouldn’t be saying -”

Jason interrupted her with a hoot of laughter. “I don’t give a damn about that, sweet thing. All I care about is finally seeing this hot body of yours. Especially these nice big tits.”

She cried out in alarm as his hand closed over her breast, squeezing it painfully. And then she gasped in shock as a larger, stronger hand clamped forcefully over Jason’s wrist.

“Let go of her immediately, you fucking bastard.”

Tessa didn’t know whether to be greatly relieved or completely horrified at the sight and sound of an enraged Ian Gregson. He practically dwarfed the shorter and slighter Jason, and there was no question as to which man was more powerful – or more fearsome.

She had never seen or heard him this angry before. His hazel eyes were flashing, his cheeks flushed red, and his sinfully full mouth was compressed into a tight, narrow line. Tessa could see he was almost shaking with rage as he forcibly yanked Jason’s hand away from her breast.

Jason’s fear was obvious but he foolishly still tried to make light of the situation. “Aw, come on, Ian old chap. I was just having a bit of fun with the girl. No harm done, just a little innocent flirting. Isn’t that right, Tessa?”

Tessa was shaking so badly that she had to lean against a wall to steady herself. She felt the sheen of tears in her eyes, and bit down on her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. Speech was not something she felt capable of, so she merely shook her head vehemently in protest.

Ian’s hand tightened around Jason’s wrist until he yelped in protest. Even then Ian refused to release him, his voice icy cold and filled with barely restrained anger as he bit out, “Shut your foul mouth, Jason. I want to see you in my office at once. Get your sorry arse up there right away and wait for me.”

“But – but Charlotte is expecting me,” protested Jason weakly. “We have an event to attend.”

“Then you’d best call and let her know you’ve been unavoidably detained,” retorted Ian sharply. “And our conversation won’t take long. Now get out of here.”

Jason rubbed his abused wrist as he exited, wisely not looking back on his way out.

Ian turned to Tessa, his voice and facial expression taking a complete 360° turn as he did so.

“Are you all right, Tessa?” he asked in the gentlest, most compassionate manner she’d ever known him to exhibit.

She was instantly enthralled by the tenderness in his gaze, the obvious concern in his voice, and nodded. “Yes, sir. He didn’t hurt me. I was just scared.”

Ian grimaced. “Is this the first time he’s harassed you? And be honest, Tessa. That bastard doesn’t deserve to be defended.”

Tessa hesitated for a few brief seconds before replying. “It’s – the first time he’s ever – well, put his hands on me that way, sir. But, no, it certainly isn’t the first time he’s said – um, inappropriate things.”

“I surmised that.” The stormy look was back on his face but she knew it wasn’t directed at her. “Why didn’t you file a complaint about him with Human Resources? Or bring the matter to Andrew’s attention?”

She was startled at his question. “I never considered it, Mr. Gregson. I mean, he’s a manager. And part of your family. And I – well, I need my job, sir. I would never do anything to risk being dismissed.”

He stared at her in mingled surprise and alarm. “Good Lord, why on earth would you think you’d be fired for something like that? Especially when it’s common knowledge that this isn’t the first time that weasel has done something like this.” Ian’s expression softened, and she was taken aback by the almost tender look on his face, a look he had certainly never directed her way before. “You’re my most valued employee other than Andrew, Tessa. I would never allow you to be dismissed just for speaking up for yourself. And I certainly won’t permit Jason Baldwin to put his stinking hands on you ever again, or utter one more inappropriate word. He’ll be taken care of swiftly, I assure you.”

She found herself speechless at the fervor in Ian’s voice and the ferocity of his features. She had no idea what to say in response save for a hastily stammered, “Um, thank you, sir.”

An awkward silence hung between them for several seconds, until Ian’s gaze flickered over her miniscule gym shorts and clingy workout top, and she cursed beneath her breath as she felt her nipples begin to peak. Whereas Jason’s amorous regard had made her skin crawl, her body evidently had no such problem with Ian Gregson looking at her in much the same way. Tessa just hoped he wouldn’t notice her rather obvious reaction to his proximity.

He gave her what looked like a knowing little smile before holding the door open. “You ought to go shower and change now, Tessa. You don’t want to catch a chill, after all.”

Her face flaming, she hurried past him out the door, ready to sprint for the shower room two doors down. But the almost imperceptible touch of his hand on her bare arm stopped her, and she gazed up at him quizzically. The utter kindness on his beautiful face caused something deep inside of her to ache unbearably.

“I’ll never let anyone in this office hurt you, Tessa,” he told her with complete seriousness. “I want you to come directly to me in future if anyone dares to say anything to upset you. Do you understand?”

All she could summon up in bewildered surprise was a nod, but it was enough for him to release her before striding briskly in the opposite direction.

Her legs felt like they were going to give out from under her, a condition that had nothing whatsoever to do with the grueling workout she’d just completed.

And as she stood under a hot shower a few minutes later, it belatedly occurred to her what day of the week this was – a Wednesday, of course.

Ian rarely engaged in outward displays of temper, but he could almost feel the steam escaping from his ears as he exited the elevator and headed for his office. He couldn’t recall a single time in his life when he’d felt so much rage, such an uncontrollable urge to slam his fist through the wall, or curse vividly and loudly. That prick Jason had gone too far this time, had dared –
dared
– to touch his golden girl, his beloved, precious Tessa, and the randy bastard was going to pay dearly for that very unwise act.

He felt like a caged beast as his long legs covered the distance between the elevator and his office in record time. Rage shimmered through every muscle in his body, and he clenched his fists in a futile attempt to stem his anger. Every time he pictured Jason’s filthy hand touching Tessa, or recalled the look of panic on her sweet, lovely face, he wanted to roar like a lion in the jungle. There was no punishment too severe for what that horny little bastard had done.

His anger was not diffused even a bit as he found Jason loitering around Andrew’s desk. His cousin-in-law was in the middle of tapping out a text, and didn’t look to be in the least concerned about the severe tongue-lashing he was about to receive.

Jason glanced up as he heard Ian approach, and actually had the balls to offer up a cheeky grin. “Ah, there you are, mate. I was starting to wonder where you were. Now, I managed to persuade Charlotte to be patient for a little while, but I don’t have much time. What - “

“Get the fuck into my office and keep your bloody mouth shut,” Ian spit out, longing to put his fist very capably into Jason’s smug face.

Jason almost jumped at the icy anger in Ian’s tone, but obediently didn’t say a word as he followed him inside the office.

“Close the door and sit your sorry arse down. This won’t take long.”

Jason was beginning to feel more than a little uneasy. He’d known Ian for a good ten years now and had never seen him this pissed off, the rage pouring off of him in waves.

“Take it easy there, old chap,” soothed Jason. “No need to get your knickers in a twist. I was just having a bit of harmless fun with the girl. Hot little thing like her must hear that kind of stuff all the time. That husband of hers is a lucky bloke, isn’t he? Can you imagine having someone like that to tap whenever you get the urge?”

Jason did jump this time, as Ian slammed the office door shut almost violently. And then Jason was the one being slammed, as Ian grabbed hold of his shirt and shoved him up against the nearest wall.

“I told you to keep your fucking mouth shut.” Ian ground out every word with ill-concealed malice. “Did you think I was joking, Jason?”

Jason could only shake his head, his fear rendering him suddenly mute.

“Good. Now listen and listen carefully because I’m not a man who likes to repeat himself.” Ian gave him a shake as though he were a repulsive gutter rat. “I’m sick to death of your manwhore behavior in this office. I’ve already had to transfer one employee off of my team in order to prevent her from filing a sexual harassment lawsuit. I’m not prepared to take that risk any longer, or lose another member of my team.”

Jason was wide-eyed and listening very carefully to every word as Ian continued.

“Consider this your last day in this office. Tomorrow you are to report to your new assignment – as the manager of our hotel in the Silicon Valley. Fortunately we’ve just had an opening so you won’t have to move the family elsewhere in the country.”

“Silicon Valley!” burst out Jason. “But – but that’s in bloody Scotts Valley! Do you have any idea how long it will take me to commute there and back from San Francisco every day?”

Ian smiled, but it was not a pleasant look. “I don’t give a holy fuck how long it takes you. If you don’t like it, Jason, then the other three options you have are Atlanta, Palm Springs, or – oh, yes - looking for employment somewhere else besides this company.”

“But you can’t do that!” protested Jason. “My father-in-law will never allow it. All it would take is a phone call to him.”

Jason squealed as Ian shoved him even harder against the wall, his grip on the front of Jason’s shirt tighter.

“I can do whatever I goddamn please.” He enunciated each word with careful precision. “My uncle can’t – and won’t – do a bloody thing about it. And do you know why that is, Jason?”

Jason had to look away from the ferocity in Ian’s eyes for fear he might piss his pants. “N-nnoo. I – I don’t.”

“Uncle Richard is well aware of the fact that you can’t keep your dick in your pants, but for reasons of his own he chooses to turn a blind eye to your little escapades. However, brief, meaningless flings are one thing but a permanent girlfriend is quite another. I doubt Richard would be especially understanding of the arrangement you have set up over on Pierce Street.”

The shocked expression on Jason’s face would have been priceless had Ian not been so enraged with him.

“I see you don’t even begin to deny it.” Ian shook his head in revulsion. “And it’s only for the sake of your three very small children that Charlotte isn’t being made aware of – is it Greta or Gretchen, I don’t recall exactly.”

“Greta,” replied Jason in a barely audible voice.

“Ah, that’s right. A very pretty little blonde if I recall from the photo I saw. Swedish, is she?” asked Ian mockingly.

“How did you -” began Jason.

Ian regarded him in disbelief. “Do you really need to ask me that, Jason? I know everything. Or at least the things I need to know. And for obvious reasons I’ve kept very close tabs on you over the last few years.”

Jason’s expression was sullen as Ian finally released him. He straightened his rumpled shirt and tie, and ran a hand through his sun-streaked hair. “So what am I supposed to tell Charlotte about the reason for this sudden transfer?’

Ian shrugged. “Tell her whatever the hell you want. I’m certain it won’t be the truth. But then, you must have become quite the expert at lying to her after all this time.”

Jason glared. “What I can’t quite figure out is exactly what provoked these extreme measures. With the others, they were the ones who got transferred. Why can’t you move Tessa somewhere else? She’s just a fucking secretary while I’m part of the family.”

The expression on Ian’s face was scathing. “You’re sure as hell not
my
family. At least not that I’d acknowledge. And frankly, that girl is a far more valuable member of my management team than you could ever be. So she stays – you go. Now, I’ve got a dinner to attend so you can leave now. I’ll have your personal belongings packed up and delivered to you at your new office. Best get a good night’s rest, Jason – don’t forget you’ll have a bit of a drive tomorrow.”