THE Media Baron's Heiress (BOOK 2)

CHAPTER 38

 ‘Tessa?’ Brad spoke softly, seeing Tessa seated on the sofa in Daniel’s nursery.

‘Brad, why are you out of bed?’ she scolded.  He had hastily pulled on a pair of boxers.

He knelt down in front of Tessa.  His eyes fell to her luscious cleavage visible, under the gown loosely wrapped around her naked body.   Using his good palm, he cupped her face.

‘Don’t look at me like that,’ she groaned.  ‘You had a feast,’ she suppressed the grin that was threatening. 
Brad had loved her ministrations with the chocolate body paint so much he had demanded a repeat performance of her seduction.  Even after two showers, there was still a feint tinge of peppermint about him.

‘I reached out for you and you weren’t there,’ he accused.

Tessa looked away.  ‘It is Daniel’s nursing time, but he hasn’t woken up yet.’

‘You’ve been here a while,’ he stated.  Tessa knew he would have discerned that when he reached out for her, and found her side of the bed ice cold.

‘I guess so,’ she mumbled.

‘You want to tell me what’s troubling you.’

Tessa dragged her eyes back to Brad.  She inhaled deeply.  ‘I’ve been running so many different scenarios through my mind,’ she whispered.  ‘All starting with me allowing you the opportunity to explain what I saw when I walked into your office,’ her eyes looked in despair. 

‘Forget it darling.  It’s over,’ his fingers brushed over her lips.

‘I wish I could,’ Tessa laced her fingers through Brad’s.  She drew his fingers to her mouth, and pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand.  ‘I switched the television on, about thirty minutes ago.’

Damn, I thought I had that covered.

‘It is still all over every news channel,’ her eyes became glassy.  ‘I can’t believe how out of control I was.  I was so irresponsible,’ her voice faded.

Brad lifted Tessa up.  He sat down and drew her onto his lap.  ‘I agree,’ Brad’s voice was tender. ‘When I saw your car wrapped around the fire hydrant, I feared the worst,’ he sighed.  ‘Then I saw movements, and you trying to kick start the car again and relief washed over me,’ Brad pulled Tessa against his chest.  ‘You don’t know the fear you had put in me,’ he murmured against her ear.         

‘I’m so sorry,’ Tessa clung to Brad.  ‘I have humiliated you.’

‘It’s all water under the bridge now,’ his voice soothed her. 

‘My mom called me just now.’

Brad inhaled sharply.  He had instructed his PR people to do damage control.  Clearly they were not quick enough, if the incident had already crossed the Atlantic.  No wonder his wife was wide awake at this god forsaken hour in their son’s nursery.

‘Doesn’t Charlotte know what time it is?’

‘You know mom can never keep track of the time difference,’ Tessa laughed.

‘I don’t want you admonishing yourself anymore,’ Brad instructed.  ‘Our PR team are on it.  We’ve already called the Traffic Department to bill us for all the damages.  They were gracious and promised to be discreet with the investigation, seeing we’re accepting liability.’

‘You are an amazing man,’ she complimented her husband.

‘So are you,’ he grinned.

‘I know I’m pretty selfish,’ Tessa sighed.  ‘I don’t ever want to lose you to another woman,’ she confessed.