Worth the Scandal by Karen Erickson Read Free Book Online

you’re trying to start.” He arched a brow.
    Her face fell, her mouth curving into a frown. “I’m being inappropriate aren’t I? Gosh, I’m such an idiot. I’m so sor—”
    “Don’t say it,” he interrupted, his voice lethal. The very last thing he wanted to hear was another damn apology from her. “You apologize too much.”
    “Habit I guess.” She shrugged.
    “You need to learn how to break it.”
    Her gaze met hi,s but she didn’t say anything for a long moment and neither did he. They merely watched each other, the gentle hum of the plane’s engine growing distant, the interior of the jet growing narrower until all he could focus on was her. Her beautiful, expressive face, the soulful, deep brown eyes...
    “Perhaps you could teach me.” She spoke so softly he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly.
    But once he realized what she said and the assumed connotations beneath her words, he very nearly launched himself out of his seat so he could grab her. Toss her over his shoulder and carry her to the bedroom where he could teach her a thing or two.
    Jesus. Alex frowned. Spending nearly two weeks with her day in and day out was going to kill him.

Chapter Four
     
    The hotel was amazing. Tessa got a crick in her neck from staring up at the ceiling for too long, her breath lodged in her throat as she drank in the beauty of the intricately painted murals, the chandeliers that shone and sparkled like diamonds. Floors made of smooth white Italian marble, the surface so shiny she could see their reflection as they walked, Alex striding forward, Tessa falling behind. They were greeted warmly by their own personal concierge, the woman a tall, exotic beauty who spoke English with a light Italian accent.
    When Alex spoke fluent Italian answering the concierge’s inquiries, Tessa wanted to swoon. The man had so many hidden talents. He reminded her of an onion—constructed of infinite layers. With every intriguing layer she peeled back, she wanted to learn more.
    She wanted to learn all of them.
    The concierge checked them in personally and then whisked them over to an exclusive elevator that led only to the penthouse. Tessa remained quiet as the gorgeous woman and Alex spoke to each other in Italian, curious by what they said. Were they flirting? The woman’s eyes sparkled with interest and she kept tossing her long, dark blonde hair over her shoulder. She had the prettiest blue eyes Tessa had ever seen, and she was dressed impeccably in a sleek black suit that accentuated her slender curves. It wouldn’t surprise her in the least if Alex was interested.
    Tessa wanted to smack herself. She was silly worrying over who Alex might be interested in. It was futile. She couldn’t compete with any of the women he encountered on a daily basis, not even the rude flight attendant. It didn’t help that she felt so klutzy and foolish around him. Saying the dumbest things, tripping over her feet, spilling hot coffee all over herself, he turned her into a jittery mess, especially when they were alone.
    Heaving a big sigh, she cocked her head, waiting for the elevator to come to a stop. Alex glanced in her direction, perhaps hearing her sigh and the corner of his mouth kicked up in the slightest smile.
    A smile that lightened her heart, made her stomach flutter.
    The concierge led them out of the elevator once the doors slid open and revealed the most beautiful hotel suite Tessa had ever seen in her life. Not that she’d stayed in many hotels. It was large, bigger than her entire apartment and she walked around the living area as if in a daze, drinking in her surroundings.
    It was too much to take in. Arrangements of fresh flowers sat on every available table space and glittery chandeliers on a smaller scale than the ones in the lobby hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow in the room. The rug beneath her feet was plush, the design intricate and fanciful. Everything about the suite screamed the best money could