Crave (Splendor Book 2) (6 page)

“Thank God.”

And with those fervently uttered words, he took her mouth in a hungry, possessive kiss, his arms banding about her so closely that she could hardly breathe. She slid her arms inside his suit jacket, holding on to him tight, and a groan rose up from her throat as he continued to plunder her mouth with his seeking tongue.

She heard him give a soft chuckle as he finally released her mouth and murmured in her ear, “Easy, darling. We don’t want the whole office to hear you.”

Tessa gazed up at him in bewilderment. “What?”

Ian smiled at her tenderly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re very vocal when you’re aroused. You didn’t know?”

She was horrified, not realizing how loud her moans of pleasure must have been, and shook her head. “No, I had no idea. Oh, God, I’m sorry. How embarrassing.”

He threaded both of his hands into her hair, holding her head still as his eyes bored into hers. “I’m not complaining, love. In fact, those little sounds you make are extremely sexy and a tremendous turn-on. And when I take you to my bed, with all of this beautiful hair spread out on my pillow, you can moan as loudly as you like. In fact,” he added huskily, as he kissed his way down the side of her neck, “I look forward to exploring a hundred different ways to make you moan in pleasure.”

“Mmm.” She sighed with delight as he kissed her again, his mouth moving on hers more slowly this time, lingering, savoring the taste of her. She was very quickly becoming addicted to his masterful kisses, loving the way he held her so tightly in his strong arms, and the hunger he displayed with each embrace. She hadn’t had the opportunity as yet to process the mindboggling notion that this dynamic, brilliant man was actually attracted to her. But for now, Tessa didn’t let herself think about that, and instead gave herself up completely to Ian, kissing him back with every pent-up ounce of passion in her body. She was wild for him, desperately needy, clutching the fabric of his shirt in her hands as she tried to get even closer to him, almost crawling up his body as she held on to him fiercely.

Ian was gasping for breath as he gently eased her away from him a few inches, his eyes wide with astonishment. “Christ, Tessa. Have a care, darling. I’m a lot older than you are, after all, and not at all certain that I’ll be able to keep up with you.” He ran a long finger over her trembling lips. “What a passionate little thing you are. I would never have guessed that someone as shy and sweet as you was really a tigress in disguise.”

She felt her cheeks flame in embarrassment and glanced away. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just - been a long time for me. I didn’t mean -”

“Hush.” He placed two fingers over her lips, silencing her. “I wasn’t complaining, love. Far from it. My God, you’re probably going to wear me out very quickly but it will damned sure be worth it. And,” he added severely, “I don’t ever want you to apologize for anything. Especially not for wanting me. Understood?”

She nodded and he removed his fingers before taking her hand in his.

“Let’s sit over here, shall we? In separate chairs, I think,” he said dryly. “We have a few things to discuss, and if you’re within arm’s reach talking is going to be the very last thing on my mind.”

Ian led her over to the sitting area in one corner of his expansive office, urging her to sit in one of the large leather chairs while he took a seat a safe distance away on a sofa.

“The first thing I need to do,” he began, “is apologize for the way I ran out of here last evening like the place was on fire. That was completely inexcusable of me, Tessa. I can’t even imagine what you must have thought when I left without a word.”

Tessa picked nervously at a piece of lint on her skirt. “I thought - well, that you probably regretted what had happened and -”

“No.” His denial was emphatic. “Not even the slightest regret. What happened, Tessa - it’s what I’ve wanted for a long time now.”

Startled, she glanced up at him. “How long?”

“Forever, it feels like. Specifically, though, two years and four extremely long months. In other words, darling, I’ve wanted you from the first moment we met. You’ve been my obsession, my one desire, ever since you started working here. And I never imagined that I could be in a position to tell you how I felt. Not when you were a married woman.”

Tessa stared at him in disbelief. “All this time? I can’t - I mean, I never even thought you noticed me, I always assumed I was just one of your employees. And not a very important one at that.”

Despite his vow not to touch her, Ian reached over and grasped her hand firmly in his. “I noticed you every damned day. Too much. I’ve memorized almost every article of clothing you own, noticed that you drink the same blend of tea that I do, and that you tend to wrap a strand of hair around your finger when you’re trying to concentrate on something. I think it’s gone far beyond noticing you, darling, and moved into obsession.” He raised her hand to his lips. “And in my opinion, you’re the most important employee I’ve ever had.”

She was dazzled by his impassioned speech, and by the almost desperate way he gripped her hand. “I don’t know what to say. I just never imagined a man like you would ever be attracted to someone like me.”

He pressed a kiss to her palm. “And
I
can’t imagine any man
not
being attracted to you. You’re beyond beautiful, Tessa, enough to tempt a saint. You’re also sweet, kind, hardworking, loyal - well, the list goes on, love. Now, we can continue talking about my no longer secret infatuation with you a little later. I have to be on a conference call in a few minutes and there’s more we have to discuss.”

At her nod, he continued. “First, I would be very pleased if you’d agree to have dinner with me this evening. Around seven o’clock?”

“I’d love to have dinner with you,” she replied in delight. “But should we? I mean, aren’t you afraid someone might see us together? That is - we’re not really allowed to see each other outside of the office, are we?”

“Well, that’s another matter entirely. But don’t worry about anyone from the office seeing us out together tonight. I’ll make certain our privacy is guaranteed. So, it’s a yes then?”

Tessa smiled. “It’s a definite yes.”

Ian beamed at her. “I adore how you never play games, how honest you always are. It’s a refreshing change from all the pretense and social niceties I usually have to navigate through. But since you’ve already mentioned the subject of our working together, it goes without saying that for the time being at least we need to keep our – er, attraction for each other strictly between us.”

She nodded emphatically. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of saying anything to anyone. I’m usually pretty closed-mouthed about my personal life anyway. That’s why it took me so long to tell anyone here about my divorce.”

“I know I can count on you to be discreet, Tessa. And we’ll discuss the matter in more detail over dinner, hmm? Now, two last things and then afterwards I’d like for you to order a quick lunch for both of us, then help me set up the conference call. Are you on birth control?”

She blinked, a bit taken aback by the question, and more than a little startled by his forthrightness. “Um, yes. I have an IUD.”

Ian seemed relieved by her answer. “Good. I’m - well, I’ve always been extremely careful over the years in my relationships, not that there have been all that many. I get tested every year when I have my annual check-up, and I can promise you that I don’t have any nasty communicable diseases I could possibly pass on to you.”

“I wouldn’t have even imagined it,” she told him earnestly. “And I know you’d never lie to me.”

He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Christ, you’re sweet. So damned sweet. And you’re absolutely right - I will never, ever lie to you, Tessa. But if you’re protected and you trust me - I’m hoping you won’t mind if I don’t use a condom when we’re together.” He whispered huskily in her ear, “The first time I make love to you, I want to feel every delicious inch of you bare against me.”

She gulped, feeling her nipples peak at the sensual image his words evoked. “Oh, God. I want that, too.”

Ian shut his eyes tightly and groaned. “You are the most tempting, irresistible – Jesus, let me finish before I do something to make you moan again.” He sat back on the sofa, his hands clasped firmly together. “Now, one final thing, love. The reason I was late getting back to the office today was because I made a stop at Neiman Marcus.” He paused to fish a business card out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

Tessa glanced at the card, which bore the name and title
Marlene Brennan, Personal Shopper
. “I don’t understand.”

“I’ve used Marlene’s services several times since moving to San Francisco. Strictly to buy gifts for the female members of my family,” he clarified. “I’m not in the habit of purchasing personal items for the women I’ve dated in the past. You’ll be the first.”

She frowned. “You bought me something?”

“No. At least, not yet. I took the liberty of selecting a few things for you, things I would very much like you to wear to dinner this evening. But,” he added firmly, “it’s entirely up to you, Tessa. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, I’ll understand.”

Suddenly self-conscious about her inexpensive, well-worn clothing, especially when compared to his elegant designer suit, she plucked at a pulled thread on her skirt. “It’s not that. It’s just, well, no one has ever really given me things before.”

Ian regarded her quizzically. “Not even your parents? Or your husband?”

Tessa shook her head. “Money has always been something of a problem. So I’m not used to receiving gifts.”

He smiled. “Well, then, I will definitely look forward to spoiling you frequently and thoroughly. Starting with tonight.”

She gave him a shy smile in return. “You don’t have to buy me things. I don’t expect or need that.”

“I know that, darling. That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be pampered a bit, though. I’m guessing from the little I know about you that you’ve had a rough go of it. Let me take care of you, Tessa. Care, not control,” he emphasized. “The choice will always -
always -
be yours.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes at how good he was to her, how kind. “I don’t know what to say.”

“The word is yes, darling. At least to this one small thing. Just go see Marlene and look at the things I had her set aside. If you don’t like them then you’re more than welcome to choose something else. Or nothing at all. I just want to spoil you a little bit, all right?”

She noticed how the heel of her black pump was scuffed and starting to wear away. “All right, I’ll go look. I don’t want to embarrass you at dinner tonight with what I’m wearing. But you really don’t need to buy me anything. I can just go home and change, I’m sure I have -”

“Stop it.” His voice was firm and she didn’t dare argue further with him. “You could never, ever embarrass me, Tessa. You’re likely to be the one embarrassed by me. Everyone is sure to wonder what a gorgeous young girl like you sees in an old man like myself.”

“No!” she burst out. “You’re not old at all! And you’re so handsome and wonderful and - and splendid.”

Ian looked extremely pleased at her outburst. “You think I’m splendid?”

“Yes,” she told him earnestly. “And - thank you. For arranging whatever it is you did.”

“You ought to leave the office a bit early today,” he suggested. “Say around three o’clock or so. I’ll plan to meet you at the store at six-thirty and we’ll go to dinner from there.”

Tessa frowned. “That seems like a lot of time just to try on a few clothes.”

He winked at her. “Well, perhaps there might be another small surprise or two involved. Now, we need to get back to work, darling. Though I have no idea how I’m going to get a damned thing done when all I can think about is spending time with you tonight.”

“I’ll order lunch.” She stood and started towards the office door. “Would you like some tea, sir?”

The title slipped automatically from her lips, as used as she was to calling him that after more than two years. Ian chuckled and caressed her cheek.

“If you keep calling me that,” he teased, “I’ll start to think you want a very different sort of relationship than what I have in mind. Not that the idea isn’t enticing in certain ways.”

Tessa blinked. “What idea?”

Ian pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “You are beyond adorable. And surprisingly naïve for a woman who’s been married. I’ll explain it to you another time. And yes, love, tea would be perfect.”

She beamed at him. “I’ll go brew it while ordering lunch, then I’ll get your conference call set up.”

He grinned. “You’ve been taking excellent care of me this week, Tessa. So much that I’ve barely noticed Andrew isn’t here. In fact, maybe I ought to suggest he extend his vacation since I like having you around so much.”

Impulsively, she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Same here.”

Ian growled, then held her head still for another deep, hungry kiss. When he finally lifted his head, it was to mutter in her ear, “How in hell have I kept my hands off of you all this time?”

***

Marlene Brennan had worked as a personal shopper for going on twenty years, and in the retail fashion business for even longer. She had assisted socialites, businesswomen, politicians, and celebrities, nearly all of them well dressed and well groomed, and many of them very beautiful women.

She had also provided assistance to quite a few male shoppers who needed gifts for their wives, girlfriends, or other women in their lives. One of those men was Ian Gregson, whom she’d first met when he moved to San Francisco several years ago. Marlene may have been a dozen or more years his senior, and a happily married woman, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fully appreciate what a magnificent man he was - tall, powerfully built, with ruggedly handsome features and the ability to wear a suit like it had been made for him. Which, considering several of his suits were from Savile Row, was an entirely accurate observation.

Over the years, Marlene had helped the debonair, charismatic Mr. Gregson select gifts for his mother, grandmother, aunts, and sisters-in-law. But she had never been asked to help him choose a gift for any of the women he dated. Until this morning.