Crave (Splendor Book 2) (40 page)

Tessa couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed to admit the truth. “Um, well, yes.”

Julia laughed. “Well, they do say that still waters run deep. Underneath all that proper British decorum, our Mr. Gregson has a naughty side, doesn’t he? And I’ll just bet he’s a real tiger in bed. Though he’d have a hard time keeping score with Nathan. That man is - well, let’s just say stamina is never a problem for him.”

Tessa couldn’t help giggling at her friend’s bawdy talk. “Well, Ian is pretty, um, enthusiastic, too. Even though he always jokes about trying to keep up with me, it’s really the other way around.”

Julia smirked. “Sounds like we’ve both got our hands full with horny men, hmm? Trust me, it’s a good problem to have.”

***

Tessa’s co-workers showered her with empathy and support when she arrived back at the office on Friday. In addition to the rest of the team, almost every other employee on their floor, from the receptionist to the highest level executives, made it a point to stop by her desk and extend their sympathies for what had happened. She was deeply touched by all the offers of help that were given as well - did she have a place to stay, did she need clothing or shoes or blankets, did she need any financial assistance? Tessa was almost in tears by the outpouring of kindness and support, and assured everyone that yes, she was fine, that she was staying with a friend, and had enough clothes and other supplies. She almost felt remorseful at having to hedge around the truth, but while she was still employed by the Gregson Group no one could know that the “friend” she was living with was really their boss, and that he had already showered her with more clothes than she knew what to do with.

The other members of the team had already taken the initiative to gather up some things for her. Marisol, ever the practical one, handed Tessa a bag filled with basics like toothpaste, deodorant, razors, and shampoo. Gina had gone through her closet and picked out a few blouses, sweaters, and scarves that she thought Tessa could use. Shelby and Kevin had pooled their funds to buy her a gift card so that she could purchase some of the things she needed. Only Alicia was empty handed, though she did tell Tessa in a falsely sweet voice to let her know if she needed anything.

Tessa felt guilty accepting the things but realized it was necessary in order to keep up the charade, so she merely thanked all of them profusely.

Getting back to work a day earlier than planned turned out to be the best decision she could have made, for it was so busy that she didn’t have time to dwell on her recent trauma. With both Ian’s and Andrew’s blessings, she had elected not to tell the rest of the team about her impending resignation just yet. Word would get out soon enough, since Andrew was already hard at work searching for her replacement.

It was so busy, in fact, that Gina and Alicia didn’t have time to indulge in one of their usual gabfests until mid-afternoon, when the frantic pace of the workday had finally begun to ease up just a bit.

“Oh, my God, it’s been so crazy today that I forgot all about the news my mother gave me this morning,” Alicia began breathlessly. “She and my father were out at dinner last night with some friends from their club when they saw His Hotness. They were all at Harris’ Steakhouse and evidently the Boss Man was there with his new amour.”

Tessa’s fingers froze in midair poised over her keyboard, and she forced herself not to betray even the slightest reaction to Alicia’s gossip. She’d been dreading this moment of revelation all day, and had expected Alicia to bring up the subject long before now. Ian had warned her that it was extremely likely the news would travel very quickly to Alicia, once her parents had spotted him at the restaurant last night.

She’d been instantly concerned when he had rather casually mentioned that Alicia’s mother and father were seated a few tables away with two other couples.

“Aren’t you worried?” she’d whispered urgently. “Alicia talks to her mother every single day and the subject is sure to come up.”

Ian had shrugged, not seeming in the least concerned, and had merely taken a sip of his wine. “Not especially, no. They won’t have the nerve to actually walk over here and say hello, particularly if I continue to ignore them. And you’ve never met her parents, have you?”

She’d shaken her head. “No. Alicia meets her mother for lunch quite a bit but she’s never brought her back up to the office.”

“Then there’s no problem,” he’d replied in a calm manner. “All she’ll be able to tell Alicia is that she saw me here with a young, beautiful blonde who I appeared to be extremely taken with. Alicia is such an egotistical little witch that she’d never begin to imagine that you were the woman I spent the entire evening staring at like a lovesick boy.”

He’d taken her hand in his, bringing it to his lips, and smiled fondly as her cheeks had flushed rosily. He had insisted on taking the seat next to hers, instead of across the table, and so their shoulders had brushed up against each other continually during the meal.

The pre-dinner cocktail and glass of wine she’d already consumed had given Tessa a heady sensation of boldness as she leaned closer against him.

“Maybe we should really give her mother something to gossip about then, hmm?” she’d murmured in his ear, sliding her hand up his muscular thigh beneath the table.

He’d hissed as her fingers brushed teasingly against his crotch before clamping his fingers around her wrist. “Not just her but the entire restaurant,” he’d growled. “And you are entirely too tempting, my love. Especially since I know what you’re wearing underneath that dress. Did Julia help you select what to wear?”

Tessa had nodded. “She said to tell you that you have wonderful taste in clothing, a gift in fact.”

“Did she?” He’d leaned over and given her a soft, lingering kiss on the lips. “I agree that I have exceptional taste - after all, I chose you, didn’t I?”

Gina and the others were all ears at Alicia’s big news, instantly clamoring for more details.

“Another brunette, I take it?” asked Gina. “He does seem to favor them.”

Alicia shook her head. “Uh, uh. A blonde this time. And young. My mother said she’s at least ten to fifteen years younger than he is, maybe more.”

“Ooh, His Hotness is doing some cradle robbing, is he?” cooed Kevin. “Well, he’s such a stud it’s little wonder he needs a piece of sweet young ass. An older woman probably doesn’t have the stamina to keep up with him.”

Tessa couldn’t help the flush that seemed to spread throughout her entire body at Kevin’s ribald comment. At fifteen years Ian’s junior, she was constantly amazed at his sexual prowess and at the way he wore her out in bed.

Last night had been a revelation. Given free rein to take her any way he chose, Ian had twisted and contorted her body into sexual positions she hadn’t dreamed existed. Tessa fidgeted in her chair and felt her panties grow damp when she remembered how he’d dragged her to the edge of the bed - her back on the mattress, her long legs locked at the ankles around his neck, as he’d fucked her while standing on the side of the bed. He’d been so deep that way, had been able to thrust into her so hard, that she’d very nearly blacked out for a few moments.

Gina waved a hand in dismissal at this bit of news. “Probably just a quick fling. I doubt he’d be serious about a much younger woman.”

Alicia made a little sound of displeasure. “Not according to what my mother said. Apparently the Boss Man was completely enraptured by this woman, and totally ignored everyone else in the place. My father wanted to go over and say hello, but when he saw thepair of them were - how did my mother so charmingly phrase it, ah, yes, “canoodling” - he decided he’d better stay put.”

Shelby giggled in her high, chirpy manner. “What does that even mean - canoodling? Were they eating noodles or something?”

Kevin rolled his eyes and gave Shelby an indulgent pat on the head. “Can you really be that dumb?” he muttered, half under his breath. “No, sweetie pie, they weren’t eating noodles. More like eating face. You know, kissing, cuddling, that sort of thing.”

“Oh.” Shelby nodded in understanding. “I get it now. But - really? Somehow I can’t picture Mr. Gregson actually, uh, engaging in PDA.”

Tessa, too, had been in something resembling disbelief when Ian had seemed to be touching her constantly during their meal - caressing her cheek, holding her hand, giving her a series of sweet, soft kisses. He’d acted very much like a man in love, and one who didn’t give a damn if the entire world was watching. His affectionate, attentive behavior had made Tessa almost swoon with desire, and made her fall even deeper under his spell.

Kevin grinned wickedly. “She must be some real hot piece of booty to get him to loosen up a little. Lucky bitch.”

Alicia grimaced. “You said it, I didn’t. And to top it off, my mother said Blondie was dressed to kill. Louboutins, that lavender Moschino dress I was coveting at Barneys last week, a triple strand pearl choker. Whoever she is, the girl’s got great fashion sense.”

‘Or a rich boyfriend with great fashion sense’ added Tessa to herself. But it gave her a great feeling of satisfaction to realize that the beautiful dress she’d worn to dinner last night had been on Alicia’s own wish list. Almost maliciously, Tessa wished she had the nerve to wear the dress to the office one day and flaunt it in her co-worker’s face.

She heard her cell phone ping, signaling an incoming text, and gave it a discreet peek, knowing it had to be from Ian.

Hello, luv. Sorry I’ve been so busy today. Just wanted to say I love u and that last night was amazing. I’m still recovering.

Tessa bit down hard on the inside of her cheek to stifle a knowing smile. If Ian was still in recovery mode, she couldn’t even imagine what to call her own condition. Upon waking this morning after a night of true rapture in his arms, she’d been a little dismayed to discover not only the whisker burns all over her breasts and belly, but her reddened nipples, a dark purple hickey on her right hip, and a soreness between her thighs that went way beyond tenderness.

She tapped back
Ur not the only one. Might B a day or 2 b4 I can walk straight.

His reply came quickly.
Poor baby. I know I was too rough with u. That’s what u get when u unleash a wild beast.

Tessa was glad to see her co-workers were all distracted by Alicia’s news and were nosily trying to figure out who Ian’s mystery blonde was. Their preoccupation allowed her to focus on sexting back and forth with her very lusty lover.

It was worth it. Tho a hot bath might help. And we might have 2 stick to oral only for a day or 2.

She slapped a hand over her mouth to suppress a giggle at his response.
Well that would be just terrible wouldn’t it. But u can always use more practice.

She stole a glance at the group, satisfied that they were still yakking away.
FYI, the cats out of the bag. Alicia’s mom told her all about u and your mystery blonde.

Ah, no surprise there. Is Alicia in super bitch mode?

Tessa’s shoulders shook with barely suppressed mirth.
More than ever especially since she wanted the dress I had on last night.

She couldn’t begin to do it justice. Lavender is one of your best colors. Especially that very fetching bra.

Glad u liked it. Oh, apparently we were spotted canoodling over dinner.

Good thing no one noticed how I was canoodling u under the table.

She stifled a groan as she recalled
exactly
how he’d done just that - his long fingers slipping up under the dress and then beneath the crotch of her panties. She’d had to dig her nails into her palm to keep from moaning right there in the restaurant.

Maybe I’m not 2 sore 4 a repeat performance 2night after all.

There was a longer than usual delay before his reply.
But I might need a transfusion first. U wiped me out, luv. Especially that last time.

Tessa bit down on her lip and tried very hard not to squirm as his text called forth the very pleasurable memory of the third and final time he’d taken her last night, or - in actuality, about three a.m. this morning. He’d flipped her onto her belly, keeping her torso pressed into the mattress with a hand against her lower back, before urging her onto her knees with her ass in the air. Kneeling behind her, he’d slid so deep inside her body that she’d cried out in half pleasure, half pain. He’d been relentless, commanding, the dominant lover she’d enticed him into being, and she had shattered into a thousand pieces from the orgasm he’d wrung from her body.

A smile played about her features as she slowly tapped out her reply.
U can do that again anytime. Carte blanche whenever u like.

But it was his response a moment or two later than brought forth a burst of laughter, one that caused her co-workers to look over at her in surprise. Red-faced, Tessa tried valiantly to shrug it off. “Uh, just a friend of mine trying to cheer me up by sending me a dirty joke. But don’t even ask - I’d be way too embarrassed to share.”

When she was certain they weren’t paying attention to her, she snuck another peek at Ian’s most recent reply and grinned.

Calling the doctor’s office now to schedule that transfusion. Maybe a Viagra prescription 2. U r going to kill me u know.

She couldn’t resist tapping out one final retort.
At least we’ll have fun trying.

Chapter Seventeen

April – Naples, Florida

The smartly uniformed chauffeur tipped his cap as he held the back door to the limousine open for his passengers. “Good evening, Mr. Gregson. Madam”.

Ian nodded at the slim, dark-haired Hispanic man who looked to be in his early thirties. “Good evening, Carlos.”

All of the Gregson hotel employees were required to wear name badges, and Ian always made it a point during his visits to address everyone by their first name. He had learned way back when he was a young boy to treat every employee with respect and gratitude, and never as though they were beneath him.