irrelevant (and sometimes questionable) ramblings

Copyright Kris Starr 2007

Readers under the age of 18 are requested to leave this page immediately

Chapter Four

Frustrated, Tessa hung up the phone. She’d been trying for hours now to get through to Richard, but to no avail. She opened up her email program to dash off another quick note, and was startled with D’arcy’s sudden appearance in her doorway.

“T., you’ve gotta come see this. Quick.” The brunette gestured madly.

Puzzled, Tessa rose and followed the woman down the hallway, picking up her pace to keep up. “What is it, Darce?”

D’arcy glanced over her shoulder at her, her expression strange. “CNN just started running a short news clip that you need to see. The TV’s on in the boardroom.”

Irritated at the interruption, Tessa rolled her eyes. What in God’s name could be so important?

Entering the boardroom, Tessa noticed several fellow employees all glued to the screen. Almost as one, the heads turned, and Tessa froze at the expressions of shock and sympathy.

Whatever this was, it definitely wasn’t good.

“—and now we return to one of the day’s breaking stories,” the perfectly coiffed Talking Head continued. A segment of video began rolling, and Tessa blinked at the sudden appearance of Richard’s face on screen. She glanced quickly at D’arcy.

“What–?”

D’arcy inclined her head toward the TV. “Just keep watching. I’m sorry about this, T.”

The shot widened, showing Richard with his arm around an exotic-looking, dark-haired woman. Amid the barrage of flashbulbs, he leaned over and soundly kissed her. Tessa fumbled for the back of the chair in front of her, grasping the backrest for support.

“In a surprising press conference earlier today, it was announced that Richard Taylor, CEO of Manhattan’s Lakewood+Cross, has defeated local favourite Jacques Brisebois in the race for chair of the new French economic advisory board,” the Talking Head continued. “Mr. Taylor plans to relocate to Paris to make himself fully available to the board, whose funding is partially provided by the Desmarailles family.”

Interview footage of Richard began then, with Richard flashing his politician smile to the camera. “Yes, it’s been a long road, but I’ve had the luxury of a strong support group behind me all the way. My fiancée, Veronique Desmarailles, has been more than instrumental in this success, and I’m even more thrilled to announce that we’re five weeks pregnant. We are definitely blessed.”

The room spun, and darkness began to creep in at the edges of Tessa’s vision. Her knees faltered, and she felt herself begin to fall, when a strong pair of hands grasped her arms.

“Come with me.” Brett’s voice was a mere whisper.

Tessa could do no more than nod, as Brett led her into his office and deposited her gently into one of his visitor’s chairs.

Numb, Tessa stared at him. Brett’s eyes were dark, his hair wild, as though he’d repeatedly raked his fingers through it.

“Did you know about this?” Tessa was momentarily surprised that her voice still worked. She’d been certain it was going to fail her as well.

Brett shook his head abruptly. “Not until just a few minutes ago. I was on my way to find you when I learned you were already in the boardroom. I’m as speechless as you are.”

Fury began to boil in her gut, replacing the shock and surprise. “I want to know what this is all about.”

Brett nodded and picked up his telephone. “I was trying to reach Richard earlier myself, but now’s as good a time as any to try him again.” He dialed the number and switched to speakerphone.

“Taylor here.”

“Richard.” Brett’s voice was like flint. “We just caught an interesting little clip of you on CNN.”

“Yes, Richard,” Tessa added. “It was interesting, all right. Who is she?”

“Well. If it’s not Brett and Tessa. What a surprise.”

“Knock it off, Richard. Who the fuck is she?”

Richard tsked. “Language, Tessa. I’d hoped you’d made more progress than that. Of course, it simply illustrates that Veronique is better suited to the position. You cleaned up well, and I could have passed you off as something worthwhile, but you know how it is – once a stripper, always a stripper.”

The blood rushed from Tessa’s face.

“Besides, as I’m sure you both now know, Veronique has exquisite political ties, and is also extremely fertile. I got the best of both worlds, I think.” There was a short pause. “However, Tessa, the boys on the committee here wanted me to let you know they really enjoyed your photos. I’m guessing that Brett did, too.”

Tessa felt dizzy, her brain unwilling to process this new information. She grasped the last tidbit. “You passed around—” She glanced at Brett, who wore an uncomfortable expression. “You saw my pictures?”

Brett nodded slowly, then turned to the telephone, his jaw tight. “You fucking bastard. I knew you’d sunk low before, but I never imagined depths like this.”

Richard’s voice held a smirk. “That’d be the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t it, Brett?”

Brett’s expression grew black with anger. “Not in my world, Dick.” Tessa watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists. “I want to know why you didn’t tell me about the money.”

“Why would I? Lakewood+Cross is mine. I fronted the startup capital, built it from the ground up. Took it to where it is today. And,” he added, clearly savoring his news, “as of this afternoon, we’re no longer fifty-fifty. I have a controlling interest. So whatever little scheme you and that slut sister of yours are planning is over. The memo will be on your desk tomorrow morning.”

Brett’s expression had calmed, and he seemed completely in control. “No it won’t, Dick, because I won’t be back in the morning. I quit. You no longer have any say in what either of us does.”

Richard snorted derisively. “Frankly, I don’t care. Congratulations, Tessa. You’re the new Managing Director of Lakewood+Cross.”

Finally able to make her limbs move, Tessa rose and put her hand on the telephone. “I have only one thing to say to that, Dick.” She paused. “I quit, too. Go to hell.”

She disconnected the call.

Tessa turned and slammed her way out of the room. Fury coloured her vision red, and she stormed blindly down the hall toward the elevator.

Jabbing at the Down button, she blinked back tears of anger. Ironically, she realized it wasn’t Richard who was the target of her infuriation—it was Brett. Richard had revealed himself for the controlling ass that he really was. But Brett…

The doors hissed softly hissed open, and Tessa stumbled into the car, leaning wearily against the wall.

Brett had known all along. Had wanted nothing more than to screw around with the ex-stripper. And that hurt more than any betrayal of Richard’s.

The elevator doors began to slide shut when a hand slipped between them, stopping their progress. Tessa frowned as Brett pushed his way into the car.

“Go away,” she muttered.

“I’m not going anywhere, Tess, except back to my office. Come with me.”

“No, thank you,” Tess sniffed. The last thing she wanted right now was to be alone with Brett.

Warm fingers gently grasped her chin, and he turned her face up toward his. His eyes were concerned, his expression troubled. “Yes, you will. This has been a very rough afternoon. You’re coming back with me so we can talk.”

Tessa exhaled, suddenly overcome with weariness. “Fine, Brett. Whatever you say.”

“Besides,” Brett continued, a wry grin quirking the corners of his sensuous mouth, “I know where ol’ Dick hides the key to his mini-bar. I say we empty it.”

An unintentional bark of laughter escaped Tessa’s throat. “I’ll drink to that.”

* * * * *

Brett watched Tess nurse her Scotch and soda, her gaze flitting around the office, landing everywhere except on him. The remaining Lakewood staff had all left some time ago, and the floor was inordinately quiet.

“You all right?” Despite asking the question, he already knew the answer. But he needed to start the conversation somewhere.

She nodded, her expression closed. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not, sweetheart.” He cocked one eyebrow questioningly at her.

Tessa was silent for a heartbeat, then frustration exploded from her. “Why can’t we do something? Shouldn’t we go after him?”

“And give him what he wants? No. Not to worry, Tess. He’ll get what he deserves. I promise you.”

The answer seemed to satisfy her, because when she spoke again, the subject changed.

“I didn’t know you have a sister.”

“Half-sister, actually. After our mom died years ago, our dad had a brief relationship, and the woman died when their little girl was only three, with no other family. Dad felt responsible for the toddler, and took custody. Richard never liked her, though. Thought she wasn’t ‘good enough’ to be a Taylor. That didn’t bother the rest of us. Meredith is smarter than all of us combined.”

Tessa blanched at his words, her surprise visible on her face.

Intrigued by her expression, Brett continued. “I’ve been helping Mer through school, and she recently decided she wanted to have a baby, so she also asked me to support her with that, too. Needless to say, Richard hasn’t liked either decision.”

Tessa watched him, confusion blending with dismay on her features. “Brett… what does Meredith look like?”

He pulled a shrug. “About your height, skinny, long, red, curly hair. Why?”

Tessa’s eyes shut, and she brought one hand up to rub at her temple. “Oh, hell,” she muttered. Glancing up at him, her expression sheepish, she said, “I saw the two of you outside WSC on Thursday. I… I thought that you were lovers.”

Brett shook his head, his mouth curving into a slow grin. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? After what happened in your office, and then seeing Meredith and I together?”

Tessa nodded, then exhaled loudly. “I’m sorry, Brett. I made assumptions first about you and the money, and then about Meredith. I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t fair of me.”

He had to give her credit—she wasn’t trying to weasel her way out of what she’d said, nor was she making excuses. Straightforward and no-nonsense. He liked that.

“It’s all right, Tess. Everyone makes assumptions once in a while. The difference is in those who try to find out the truth, rather than just be taken in by something that may or may not be the answer.”

She raised her glass and studied it intently. “It’s not just that, Brett. I… I used to be a stripper. That’s where I met Richard. Everyone judged me right from day one. I didn’t let it bother me then, and I always prided myself on giving people the benefit of the doubt.” She frowned, swirled the liquid. “I don’t know when that changed. Probably when I gave that job up to be with Richard.” She met his gaze, her eyes thoughtful. “Not very respectable of me.”

A twinge echoed through Brett’s chest. “I don’t think that’s true.” He hesitated for a moment. “Were you that unhappy in your old life?”

Tessa shook her head, a faint smile crossing her lips. “Believe it or not, there were aspects of that life I really enjoyed. Things I find that I actually miss.”

Brett cocked his head slightly, watching her. “Like what?”

Some sort of decision seemed to ripple through Tessa. Her shoulders straightened, and her eyes began to glow a brilliant emerald. She placed her glass on the desk, then rose and crossed the short distance between them. Leaning over, she placed her palms on the top of the other visitor chair’s backrest and lowered her glossy mouth so that it hovered over his.

“Once upon a time I was uninhibited, Brett. I loved to be naked, loved anything and everything to do with sex.” She flicked her tongue delicately over his lips. “I want to be uninhibited again. With you.”

* * * * *

If the world handed out rewards for making major mistakes, Tessa would be a grand-prize winner. Because she’d made some doozies, all right. It wasn’t her fault that the evidence had pointed to specific conclusions, but she shouldn’t have jumped right to them.

She’d never done that before. Apparently, she’d spent too much time listening to Richard, rather than making her own informed decisions.

Damn. She used to despise hypocrites, and she’d become the very thing she hated. That was going to have to stop immediately.

Focusing her attention on Brett, Tessa exhaled softly. She’d misjudged him, all right. So what if he wasn’t entirely ambitious in terms of business? He was certainly caring and concerned where his sister was involved, not to mention supportive and loving. That counted for a lot.

And damned if she didn’t still ache for him.

Breath escaped Brett on a short hiss. “Baby, I want you to do whatever you want.”

She brushed her lips over his, featherlight, then straightened, moving to the small stereo she’d spied earlier. She selected a CD from the shelf and inserted it into the machine.

The heavy, rhythmic beat of a rap single began to thump through the speakers, and she turned back to Brett.

His gaze feasted on her, the glow of his eyes and rapid rise and fall of his chest belying his otherwise cool exterior.

Sauntering slowly back toward him, Tessa added a definite swing to her hips, running her palms along her sides and up to her hair, letting the beat of the music soak into her skin. Her blood began to pump in time with the music, and for a moment her whole body tingled.

Oh, yes. She hadn’t felt this alive in such a long time. Suddenly, everything felt right. She was no longer trying to be someone she truly wasn’t. She slipped her blazer off, dropping it onto the seat she’d just vacated, and licked her lips in anticipation.

Straddling Brett’s chair, her skirt riding high on her thighs, Tessa dipped her hips low, swirling her pelvis in alternating circles and figure eights, her legs barely brushing against his. Reaching up, she yanked the pins out of her twist, tangling her own fingers in her hair.

Her lapdance was having the intended effect. Brett’s fingertips were digging into the armrests of his chair, and his breath puffed hot and fast on the bare skin of her cleavage. And yet he maintained control.

Dropping her hands again on the seat’s backrest, Tessa leaned forward, nuzzling a path from his temple to his cheek, down along his jaw, her nose barely brushing his warm skin. She flicked the very tip of her tongue along his neck and Brett let out a rough groan. Tessa chuckled, low and dirty, continuing to brush a path down his shoulder and over his chest. The heat of his skin radiated through the smooth cotton of his dress shirt.

Sliding her hands down his arms, Tessa stroked his biceps with her fingertips, watching a shudder ripple through him at her touch.

He let go of one armrest, his hand hovering over her thigh, and Tessa smirked.

“No touching, Brett. Not until I tell you.”

Straightening, she continued her shimmy, turning her back to him to offer up her ass, eliciting another strangled groan from him in the process. Apparently gyrating her hips backward like this pushed Brett’s hot buttons, because he shifted in his chair, his iron-clad control beginning to slip.

“I wanted to fuck you that night,” he said, his voice a mere growl. “I wanted to take you from behind, up against that window.” He moaned. “And then again, on your desk.”

Tessa’s eye fluttered closed, the image incandescent on the backs of her lids.

“Oh, Brett,” she whispered. “That’s exactly what I want.”

Letting go of the armrests, Brett’s hands landed on her thighs, and he gently tugged her backward, until she sat on his lap. Squirming slightly, she pressed against the solid ridge that was his cock and sighed appreciatively. Leaning back against him, she twined her arms around his neck, digging her fingers in his hair, and turned her head to flick her tongue along his jaw.

Brett’s hands slid around her waist, his palms hot. One hand slid upward, cupping her breast through her silk tank and bra, and the other hand dipped lower, his fingertips slipping beneath the waistband of her skirt.

Tessa groaned, and Brett turned his head, bringing his lips to hers, his mouth devouring hers. His kiss was hot; wet and hungry, and Tessa’s pulse skyrocketed. She met each thrust of his tongue with her own, and arched her back, pressing her breasts more firmly into his hand.

Brett’s hands grew rougher, more desperate. He grasped her breasts roughly, tweaking her aroused nipples through the layers of fabric, sending shooting spikes of pleasure straight to her pussy. Yanking the material upward, he pushed her tank over her breasts, following it quickly with the lace of her bra.

Tessa gasped, the cool air of the office a dramatic contrast to the heat of Brett’s fingers. Plucking and twisting her nipples, he fingered the distended flesh until Tessa thought she might faint from the desperate pleasure.

She ground her ass more firmly into his hips and was rewarded with a throaty growl. The hand at her waistband found the hem of her skirt, pulling it up higher on her thighs, his fingers landing on the bare skin above her thigh-high stockings.

Tessa let out a squeak as Brett’s fingers slid onto the lace of her thong, stroking her through the damp fabric.

“So wet, Tess,” Brett murmured between kisses, pressing harder with his fingertips. Seeking out the edge of the garment, he pushed it aside, baring the sensitive surface of her pussy. Agonizingly slowly, he began to stroke her, dipping the tips of his fingers inside her, moistening her skin with her own essence.

Unable to stay still, Tessa writhed, driven by pure need.

“Is this how you felt in those pictures, Tess? So hot, so ready? Waiting to be filled by a hard cock? How badly did you want it?”

Tessa stiffened, unsure how to respond. “You liked those photos?”

Brett groaned. “Baby, those pics damn near sent me over the edge. I already wanted you before that, but then seeing those…”

Relief swept briefly through her. “You wanted me before you saw them?”

“Hell, yes.” Brett punctuated his sentence by thrusting two fingers deep inside her.

Bucking her hips, Tessa encouraged him farther, clenching tight around his digits. Heat expanded in the room, the scents of aftershave and sex mingling heavily around them. Perspiration beaded her forehead, and the precipice appeared before her.

“Harder, Brett. Fuck me hard with your fingers,” Tessa breathed, raising and lowering her hips to meet his assault. Squeezing her eyes shut, she focused on the pinpoint of pleasure rapidly expanding in her core. God, he felt fantastic.

With a sharp exhalation, Brett rose, half lifting her, half walking her over to the window. “You’re not coming yet, Tess,” he rumbled. “Not without my cock in that wet pussy of yours.”

Despite the heat of the room, the sudden absence of Brett’s hands left Tessa feeling cool, empty. She gripped the narrow window ledge, her pulse crashing through her veins.

But before she could really miss Brett there was the rasp of a zipper, a quick tearing of plastic, and then he was there, his hands stroking her, igniting her skin. Pushing her hair to one side, he nibbled her neck, kissing and licking along her shoulder, his fingers slick along the crack of her ass.

“Do you want me?” Brett muttered, his voice low in her ear.

“God, yes. Now.” The words came brokenly from her throat.

There was a heartbeat, a moment; then he was there, deep within her, rocking her to her very core.

Tessa gasped, feeling so full, so right, so perfect. Brett belonged in her, and in that shocking moment of clarity, Tessa wanted him inside her forever.

And then he began to move, pistoning in and out of her with sleek, smooth movements, and she felt the world around her ready to fracture, shatter, be blown apart.

“You’re incredible, Tess,” Brett said softly.

She closed her eyes. “You are, too,” she replied.

He picked up his pace, his cock pumping harder, faster. “Now come for me.” Lightly biting her neck, he lowered a hand again to circle her clit, pressing with his fingertips. Waves of satisfaction eddied through her, the electric crackle of orgasm building within like lightning before a storm.

Abruptly, pleasure spiked, and the bolt struck, a savage climax that ravaged Tessa from the inside out.

With a sharp exclamation, Brett thrust once more into her, finding her center, her nucleus, and marking it with his own orgasm.

Unable to support herself, Tessa collapsed against the wall of Brett’s chest, and he slowly lowered them both to the carpet. They lay, spooned, Brett’s arms wrapped tightly around her, and Tessa felt every drop of anxiety within her evaporate like mist.

For however long this lasted, she would savor it, savor him.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind.

“Brett?” She asked softly. “Why aren’t you upset about losing your job? Doesn’t that bother you?”

Brett exhaled, imbuing the sound with complete male satisfaction, and a low chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Not at all, sweetheart. You know why? Because what ol’ Dick doesn’t know is that three days ago Meredith and I closed a deal for funding to start Taylor and Associates. My brilliant sister is going to be our CFO, and I’ve already convinced JD, Kelly Winston and D’arcy to join us.” His fingers traced lazy circles on her arm, and her skin thrilled where he touched her.

Tessa grinned. This proved that there was more to Brett than met the eye. She thought of her own joblessness, and a small pang twinged in her chest, but she ignored it. She’d worry about her own future later. “That’s great, Brett. That’ll show the asshole.”

“And that’s not even the best part. Over the last few months a number of Dick’s clients have approached me, wanting me to handle their accounts. So when Taylor and Associates officially opens its doors next month, two-thirds of his client list will be coming with me.”

“Wow. Congratulations.” A flutter of nervousness struck her. Perhaps she wouldn’t see Brett anymore once his new business got off the ground. Her heart clenched at the thought.

“There is one problem, though, Tess.”

“What’s that?”

“Taylor and Associates needs a co-director. Think you might be interested?”

Tessa laughed and turned her head to look into Brett’s face. “Absolutely! On one condition, though.”

Brett cocked one eyebrow at her. “And that would be…?”

“I want a dancer’s pole installed in my office.”

He blinked, seemingly taken aback. “You do?”

She nodded. “Of course. I’ve got dozens of other tricks I learned that I want to show you.”

A grin curved Brett’s lips. “Brass or stainless steel?”