Splendor(50)

“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 lead 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.

“How are you today, Tessa?” he asked gently. “I’m arriving at the office a bit later than I’d planned, and I’ve been worrying about you all morning.

“You have?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, quite worried after what happened last evening. Especially since I ran out of here like the place was on fire. I can’t even imagine what you must have thought of me when I did something like that.”

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 girl, 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.”

“Why ever not? Tessa, you are beyond beautiful, enough to tempt a saint. Not to mention sweet, kind, and loyal. I can’t imagine any man not being attracted to you.” Ian gave her hand a quick kiss before releasing it. “Now, we can talk 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 are things we need to discuss first.”

At her nod, he continued. “First, I would be very pleased if you’d consent 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’s – we’re not really allowed to – ”

“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?”