She had the volume of the iPod cranked up so loud that she didn’t hear the door to the fitness room open. It was only when she turned away from the water cooler that she realized someone else was in the room, and gulped in alarm when she saw who it was.
Jason Baldwin was smiling at her in what he likely thought was a seductive manner, but to Tessa it more closely resembled a leer. Reluctantly, she turned off her iPod and removed the earbuds, all too aware of how close he was standing. A shiver of alarm traveled rapidly up her spine, and she instinctively took a step or two backward.
But Jason wasn’t easily deterred and merely moved even closer, enough that she could smell the lingering scent of alcohol that clung to him. Tessa belatedly remembered that there had been some sort of cocktail reception on the schedule today, with most of the management team in attendance. In addition to the fitness room and showers, this floor held the employee lunch room, a few smaller conference rooms, and a large reception room complete with its own kitchen and bar that was used for entertaining clients.
“Well, if I had known the most beautiful woman in the office was in here working out alone, I would have left that god-awful party a long time ago and joined you,” Jason told her in a deliberately seductive voice.
Jason was also British, as were quite a few of the upper management team, but his accent had no effect on Tessa whatsoever – not in the least like Mr. Gregson’s smooth, cultured tones. The only effect it had was to give her the creeps, and make her very anxious to get out of this room as quickly as possible.
Tessa tried to brush past him without being too obvious. “I’ve actually just finished, Mr. Baldwin. If you’ll excuse me, please.”
He wrapped a restraining hand around her bare upper arm. “What’s the rush, honey? You’re always running away from me. Or else that damned guard dog Andrew is hovering somewhere in the background like he’s your nanny or something.”
She attempted to pull her arm free but Jason’s grasp was unrelenting. “Please let me go, Mr. Baldwin. I – um, need to change clothes and then get home. My – husband will be expecting me.”
But he refused to release his grip and instead raked her up and down with his heated gaze. She tried not to quiver in fear at the very obvious lust she saw in his eyes, and wished fervently that she hadn’t worn such skimpy workout attire – tiny gray terry gym shorts and a bright pink racerback tank that clung a little too closely to her breasts.
“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 isn’t appropriate. Both of us are married and -”
Jason interrupted her with a hoot of laughter. “I don’t give a damn about that, honey. 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 little bastard.”
Tessa didn’t know whether to be greatly relieved or completely mortified 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 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.