Free Worth the Scandal by Karen Erickson Page B

overwhelming need to comfort her, to sweep the sadness from her eyes and make her smile, well he couldn’t think about that now. Nor worry about the consequences.
    Tonight, this entire trip, he just wanted to be with her.
    “Why did you do that?” she asked once he drew away.
    Ah, his straightforward Tessa. He appreciated her for it. Most of the time. “You look like you needed it.”
    She lowered her lids, her thick, dark lashes obscuring her eyes. “You’ve never kissed me before. Now you do it twice in the span of a half hour.”
    He’d do more than kiss her by the end of the night if she let him. “I’ll stop if you want me to.”
    She opened her eyes wide and slightly shook her head. “I don’t want you to stop.” Immediately she bit her lower lip, looking as if she wanted to take back the words.
    Chuckling, he stroked her cheek. She had such baby soft skin. He didn’t want to stop touching her. “We probably shouldn’t keep doing this. I’m your boss.”
    “I know.”
    “Yet every time I think of you I…” He let the words trail off, distracted by the heat in her eyes, how her skin warmed beneath his touch. She was responsive, not afraid to let her feelings show. Other women he’d been with were so calculating, so cool, never wanting to reveal what they might really feel for fear they’d give him the upper hand.
    Tessa exposed herself, allowing him a raw glimpse. Making him want more.
    So much more.
    “You what?”
    “I shouldn’t say another word.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her adorable nose and released his hold on her, turning so he faced the table. Her disappointment palpable, she did the same, scooting her chair in before she reached for her water glass and took a sip.
    Others joined their table, a couple he’d met the last time he was in Europe and a business associate of Giorgio’s. He didn’t know any of the rest though they were all friendly and seemed to know of him. He introduced Tessa to everyone, never clarifying who she might be to him and no one was rude enough to ask. She smiled politely and greeted them in her soft, seductive voice.
    The entire table conversed in Italian, and he knew Tessa didn’t know a word of it. She sat quietly, pretending interest though he could see the distance in her gaze. Two waiters came to their table and presented their first course, which she seemed grateful for and he watched in silent amusement as she devoured her salad.
    “Hungry?” he asked, leaning in close so she was the only one who could hear.
    Her cheeks flushed a becoming pink and she nodded, setting her fork carefully upon her now empty plate. “Starved.”
    “And bored?”
    “Oh, no.” She turned, their faces so close it would be incredibly easy to kiss her yet again. “Never bored. Tonight has been an—enlightening experience.”
    He held himself in check. Just barely. “I warned you it would be swarming with barracudas.”
    She smiled. “You were right. I ran into Bianca earlier.”
    “Who?”
    “You know. The woman who was with your friend Giorgio that night at the hotel.” She leaned in close and lowered her voice. “His mistress.”
    “Ah.” He hadn’t seen her. Was surprised Giorgio would have his mistress in attendance at his wife’s charity ball. “Was it awkward?”
    “It was so odd. She was equal parts rude and kind.” Tessa sighed. “I think she’s a very sad woman.”
    “Really?” Tessa was so softhearted. He found it endearing—and also dangerous. If she didn’t watch out, someone could take advantage of her.
    Alex frowned. Like himself.
    “Oh, yes. Can you imagine? Being here tonight, watching the man you love be with the woman he’s married to? I mean, I know it’s not right, your friend indulging in an affair and at first I felt so sorry for his wife when I met her. But now I feel sorry for Bianca too. She looked so sad, so resigned.” Tessa shook her head. “I couldn’t stand by and watch the man I want to be with more than any