Worth the Scandal by Karen Erickson Read Free Book Online Page B

still standing in the center of her room, irritated at the bossy way he commanded her about.
    Yes, she was his employee but he fairly demanded she do what he asked. Actually, there was no asking where Alex was involved. What he said, went and he didn’t deal with any sort of argument.
    But what did freshen up mean? She’d love to take a shower, perhaps wash her hair but she couldn’t do it all in twenty minutes. And what was she supposed to wear?
    Precious minutes wasting, she hurried into the bathroom, pausing when she saw what awaited her. A sunken in tub and a glass-enclosed shower with three shower heads that could house a party of four, it was so large. The tub sat close to the floor to ceiling expanse of window that nearly took up the entire wall, offering a glittering view of the city that was positively breathtaking.
    The bathroom she’d used growing up had been small, the only one in their apartment and always a mess what with all her siblings. Her apartment bathroom was tiny, too, though at least it had a shower and a tub, which she used quite often in the winter. The tub tempted her but she didn’t have enough time so she started the water for the shower, hurriedly changing out of her clothes.
    She’d use the tub later tonight. Or maybe tomorrow. No matter, she was going to use it before they left Milan. It was too dreamy to ignore.
    Fifteen minutes later she was ready after a quick scrub down and a fresh change of clothes. She went for simple, wearing a new pair of black pants, a white T-shirt with an embellished, jeweled neck and a light gray cashmere cardigan. She wore her hair down. The steam from the shower had coaxed the curl out and simple pearl stud earrings rested in her ears, a gift from her grandmother for her eighteenth birthday.
    Glancing at herself in the mirror, she sighed resignedly. She wasn’t supermodel caliber but it would have to do. After all, Alex knew what he was dealing with. He’d seen her every day for the last six months, and she was his employee. He probably wanted to discuss what the plan was for tomorrow over dinner.
    Boring but she could endure, what with the view that would be sitting across from her at the table.
    When she opened the door and caught sight of Alex waiting for her, he didn’t disappoint. Lounging on one of the plush velvet couches, his arms sprawled on either side of him, he looked every inch the impatient man waiting for his date to get ready so they could get on with it.
    Oh, how she wished.
    “Are you ready?” He drew himself to his full height and strode toward her, his gaze intent, his steps quick. He’d showered and changed as well, wearing a simple black pullover sweater and black trousers. His hair was still damp from the shower and it curled at the ends. He hadn’t shaved either, the shadow of stubble across his jaw giving him a dangerous air.
    She trembled with desire when he took hold of her arm and started to lead her toward the door. “I need my purse.”
    “Are you going to pay tonight?” He glanced down at her.
    “I—hadn’t planned on it.” Not that she could afford a meal where he was most likely taking her.
    “Then you don’t need it,” he said simply as he reached for the door handle.
    “But my phone and my lipstick…”
    He cut her off with a look. “You don’t need your phone, and you look beautiful. You don’t need any lipstick.”
    His statement stunned Tessa silent and she remained quiet for the entire elevator ride down to the ground level, as did he. He thought she was beautiful? She found it incredibly hard to believe. He was just being kind. She couldn’t come close to competing with the beautiful women he encountered.
    “Your mind is working overtime,” he murmured close to her ear as they exited the elevator and headed toward the lobby. “I’m almost afraid to ask what you might be thinking.”
    As if she could ever confess her true thoughts. “I’m, um, overwhelmed by how beautiful everything