‘So it doesn’t mean a thing, silly,’ she told herself with a sense of relief. ‘It doesn’t mean that you don’t love Peter or that you’d ever think of cheating on him. Especially since Mr. Gregson certainly doesn’t think of you that way. I’m sure he hasn’t given you a single thought the entire day.’
Chapter Three
Ian cursed softly as he tried for perhaps the fifth time to concentrate on the report in front of him. He’d had a ridiculous amount of work that needed to get done today, starting with the speaking engagement first thing this morning, and due to wind up with a business dinner this evening. In between, he’d had reports like this one to review, phone calls to return, employees to meet with, and plans to make for an upcoming trip to visit several of the properties in his region.
But it was as if all of his brain function had become stuck in quicksand ever since the all-too-brief encounter with the constant object of his desire – Tessa.
He shut his eyes, rubbing at a tense spot at the back of his neck. Christ, what a muddled-up mess this entire situation was with the woman he’d become positively obsessed with over the past two years. Ian thought rather sourly at times that he ought to have followed his instincts the first time he’d seen her, and arranged for a swift transfer to another department where he wouldn’t have to see her every day. It might not have completely stopped his infatuation with her, but he would have had an easier time of it day to day.
But he’d been too weak – or too kind, not wanting to hurt the girl’s feelings – and as a result had condemned himself to the hell of having to see his golden girl every day and know she was not his to claim.
He’d tried to fight his attraction to her, of course, using a variety of methods – none of which had worked. Ian had dated a string of beautiful, desirable women until he’d realized that none of them interested him in the least. He kept his distance from Tessa as much as possible, relying on Andrew to delegate assignments to her. And he had made it quite clear to Andrew that he did not want Tessa filling in as his PA whenever Andrew was out of the office. Passing by her cubicle en route to and from his office was one thing – it would be beyond the limits of even his ironclad control to have her sitting directly outside his office for hours and days at a time.
Ian was quite sure that his very perceptive PA knew of – or at least strongly suspected – his attraction to Tessa. He knew that he’d given Andrew more than adequate cause for such suspicions and really only had himself to blame. In addition to his refusal to have Tessa work as his fill-in PA, Ian had also given Andrew very strict instructions to do whatever was necessary to keep that bastard Jason away from her. Fortunately, Andrew took his duties very seriously and he’d done an admirable job at subtly looking out for Tessa. However, Andrew would also be well aware that his boss had never asked him to keep a watch over any of the other female employees on this floor before, and Ian would be shocked if the sharp as a tack PA wasn’t supremely confident that his boss lusted after the beautiful Tessa something fierce. But Andrew was also wise enough to not so much as hint at the idea. The two men did not discuss personal issues, and Ian knew very little about what Andrew did after hours. Ian did know that Andrew had a longtime girlfriend, disputing the rumors floating around the office that he was gay, and that he originated from Seattle. Beyond that, much of Andrew’s life was a mystery.
Ian was usually able to keep his attraction towards Tessa well under wraps, never betraying even a hint of it to anyone. But today he’d come perilously close to letting her know just how much desired her, to dragging her into his arms and kissing her senseless. For starters.
She was wearing one of his favorite dresses today – the pale peach one with tiny white polka dots, belted at the waist, and a pleated skirt that fell to just above the knee. The silky fabric clung lovingly to her ripe breasts, the belt nipping in at her small waist, and the skirt draping softly over her gently curving hips. The color flattered her creamy skin and golden hair, and she looked as delicious as a sweet, juicy peach.
He was quite familiar, in fact, with nearly all of her outfits, especially since her wardrobe was anything but extensive. He’d overheard those two little cats – Gina and Alicia – make fun of Tessa’s inexpensive, limited array of clothing behind her back, and he’d longed to sternly admonish the nasty little gossips.
He also longed to shower Tessa with all of the things she had to do without – dress her in beautiful, expensive clothes and shoes; buy her fabulous jewelry; make sure she was as pampered and indulged as a princess; protect and spoil her to her hearts content. He wanted her with him constantly – living in his home, sleeping in his bed, traveling with him wherever and whenever he had to go. But, instead, he continued to experience the frustration of not being able to betray his feelings for her – not while she was still a married woman.