He gave her what looked like a knowing little smile before holding the door open. “You ought to go shower and change now, Tessa. You don’t want to catch a chill, after all.”

Her face flaming, she hurried past him out the door, ready to sprint for the shower room two doors down. But the almost imperceptible touch of his hand on her bare arm stopped her, and she gazed up at him quizzically. The utter kindness on his beautiful face caused something deep inside of her to ache unbearably.

“I’ll never let anyone in this office hurt you, Tessa,” he told her with complete seriousness. “I want you to come directly to me in future if anyone dares to say anything to upset you. Do you understand?”

All she could summon up in bewildered surprise was a nod, but it was enough for him to release her before striding briskly in the opposite direction.

Her legs felt like they were going to give out from under her, a condition that had nothing whatsoever to do with the grueling workout she’d just completed.

And as she stood under a hot shower a few minutes later, it belatedly occurred to her what day of the week this was – a Wednesday, of course.

Ian rarely engaged in outward displays of temper, but he could almost feel the steam escaping from his ears as he exited the elevator and headed for his office. He couldn’t recall a single time in his life when he’d felt so much rage, such an uncontrollable urge to slam his fist through the wall, or curse vividly and loudly. That prick Jason had gone too far this time, had dared – dared – to touch his golden girl, his beloved, precious Tessa, and the randy bastard was going to pay dearly for that very unwise act.

He felt like a caged beast as his long legs covered the distance between the elevator and his office in record time. Rage shimmered through every muscle in his body, and he clenched his fists in a futile attempt to stem his anger. Every time he pictured Jason’s filthy hand touching Tessa, or recalled the look of panic on her sweet, lovely face, he wanted to roar like a lion in the jungle. There was no punishment too severe for what that horny little bastard had done.

His anger was not diffused even a bit as he found Jason loitering around Andrew’s desk. His cousin-in-law was in the middle of tapping out a text, and didn’t look to be in the least concerned about the severe tongue-lashing he was about to receive.

Jason glanced up as he heard Ian approach, and actually had the balls to offer up a cheeky grin. “Ah, there you are, mate. I was starting to wonder where you were. Now, I managed to persuade Charlotte to be patient for a little while, but I don’t have much time. What - “

“Get the fuck into my office and keep your bloody mouth shut,” Ian spit out, longing to put his fist very capably into Jason’s smug face.

Jason almost jumped at the icy anger in Ian’s tone, but obediently didn’t say a word as he followed him inside the office.

“Close the door and sit your sorry arse down. This won’t take long.”

Jason was beginning to feel more than a little uneasy. He’d known Ian for a good ten years now and had never seen him this pissed off, the rage pouring off of him in waves.

“Take it easy there, old chap,” soothed Jason. “No need to get your knickers in a twist. I was just having a bit of harmless fun with the girl. Hot little thing like her must hear that kind of stuff all the time. That husband of hers is a lucky bloke, isn’t he? Can you imagine having someone like that to tap whenever you get the urge?”

Jason did jump this time, as Ian slammed the office door shut almost violently. And then Jason was the one being slammed, as Ian grabbed hold of his shirt and shoved him up against the nearest wall.

“I told you to keep your fucking mouth shut.” Ian ground out every word with ill-concealed malice. “Did you think I was joking, Jason?”

Jason could only shake his head, his fear rendering him suddenly mute.

“Good. Now listen and listen carefully because I’m not a man who likes to repeat himself.” Ian gave him a shake as though he were a repulsive gutter rat. “I’m sick to death of your manwhore behavior in this office. I’ve already had to transfer one employee off of my team in order to prevent her from filing a sexual harassment lawsuit. I’m not prepared to take that risk any longer, or lose another member of my team.”

Jason was wide-eyed and listening very carefully to every word as Ian continued.

“Consider this your last day in this office. Tomorrow you are to report to your new assignment – as the manager of our hotel in the Silicon Valley. Fortunately we’ve just had an opening so you won’t have to move the family elsewhere in the country.”

“Silicon Valley!” burst out Jason. “But – but that’s in bloody Scotts Valley! Do you have any idea how long it will take me to commute there and back from San Francisco every day?”

Ian smiled, but it was not a pleasant look. “I don’t give a holy fuck how long it takes you. If you don’t like it, Jason, then the other three options you have are Atlanta, Palm Springs, or – oh, yes - looking for employment somewhere else besides this company.”

“But you can’t do that!” protested Jason. “My father-in-law will never allow it. All it would take is a phone call to him.”

Jason squealed as Ian shoved him even harder against the wall, his grip on the front of Jason’s shirt tighter.

“I can do whatever I goddamn please.” He enunciated each word with careful precision. “My uncle can’t – and won’t – do a bloody thing about it. And do you know why that is, Jason?”

Jason had to look away from the ferocity in Ian’s eyes for fear he might piss his pants. “N-nnoo. I – I don’t.”

“Uncle Richard is well aware of the fact that you can’t keep your dick in your pants, but for reasons of his own he chooses to turn a blind eye to your little escapades. However, brief, meaningless flings are one thing but a permanent girlfriend is quite another. I doubt Richard would be especially understanding of the arrangement you have set up over on Pierce Street.”

The shocked expression on Jason’s face would have been priceless had Ian not been so enraged with him.

“I see you don’t even begin to deny it.” Ian shook his head in revulsion. “And it’s only for the sake of your three very small children that Charlotte isn’t being made aware of – is it Greta or Gretchen, I don’t recall exactly.”