Tessa tried to brush past him without being too obvious. “I’ve actually just finished, Mr. Baldwin. If you’ll excuse me, please.”

He wrapped a restraining hand around her bare upper arm. “What’s the rush, sweet thing? You’re always running away from me when I’m just trying to be friendly. Or else that damned guard dog Andrew is hovering somewhere in the background like he’s your nanny or something.”

She attempted to pull her arm free but Jason’s grasp was unrelenting. “Please let me go, Mr. Baldwin. I – um, need to change clothes and then get home. My – husband will be expecting me.”

But he refused to release his grip, and instead raked her up and down with his heated gaze. She tried not to quiver in fear at the very obvious lust she saw in his eyes, and wished fervently that she hadn’t worn such skimpy workout attire – tiny gray terry gym shorts and a bright pink racerback tank that clung a little too closely to her breasts.

“You don’t have to change on my account, Tessa,” he told her in a husky voice. “In fact, I’m very much enjoying the view. Mmm, someone’s been working out hard, haven’t they?”

This time she couldn’t help the quiver of alarm that rippled through her entire body as Jason traced the beads of sweat that had gathered in the base of her throat down between her breasts. She gasped in outrage when his finger dipped into her cleavage before his thumb brushed over her nipple.

“I’d like to get you even sweatier.” He bent forward to murmur in her ear. “I’ve wanted to fuck this gorgeous body of yours since the first time I saw you. Why don’t I join you in the shower and we can have ourselves a real good time?”

Now Tessa was beginning to panic a little, and struggling to control her fear as she once again tried to break free. “Mr. Baldwin, this - this isn’t appropriate. Both of us are married and you shouldn’t be saying -”

Jason interrupted her with a hoot of laughter. “I don’t give a damn about that, sweet thing. All I care about is finally seeing this hot body of yours. Especially these nice big tits.”

She cried out in alarm as his hand closed over her breast, squeezing it painfully. And then she gasped in shock as a larger, stronger hand clamped forcefully over Jason’s wrist.

“Let go of her immediately, you fucking bastard.”

Tessa didn’t know whether to be greatly relieved or completely horrified at the sight and sound of an enraged Ian Gregson. He practically dwarfed the shorter and slighter Jason, and there was no question as to which man was more powerful – or more fearsome.

She had never seen or heard him this angry before. His hazel eyes were flashing, his cheeks flushed red, and his sinfully full mouth was compressed into a tight, narrow line. Tessa could see he was almost shaking with rage as he forcibly yanked Jason’s hand away from her breast.

Jason’s fear was obvious but he foolishly still tried to make light of the situation. “Aw, come on, Ian old chap. I was just having a bit of fun with the girl. No harm done, just a little innocent flirting. Isn’t that right, Tessa?”

Tessa was shaking so badly that she had to lean against a wall to steady herself. She felt the sheen of tears in her eyes, and bit down on her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. Speech was not something she felt capable of, so she merely shook her head vehemently in protest.

Ian’s hand tightened around Jason’s wrist until he yelped in protest. Even then Ian refused to release him, his voice icy cold and filled with barely restrained anger as he bit out, “Shut your foul mouth, Jason. I want to see you in my office at once. Get your sorry arse up there right away and wait for me.”

“But – but Charlotte is expecting me,” protested Jason weakly. “We have an event to attend.”

“Then you’d best call and let her know you’ve been unavoidably detained,” retorted Ian sharply. “And our conversation won’t take long. Now get out of here.”

Jason rubbed his abused wrist as he exited, wisely not looking back on his way out.

Ian turned to Tessa, his voice and facial expression taking a complete 360° turn as he did so.

“Are you all right, Tessa?” he asked in the gentlest, most compassionate manner she’d ever known him to exhibit.

She was instantly enthralled by the tenderness in his gaze, the obvious concern in his voice, and nodded. “Yes, sir. He didn’t hurt me. I was just scared.”

Ian grimaced. “Is this the first time he’s harassed you? And be honest, Tessa. That bastard doesn’t deserve to be defended.”

Tessa hesitated for a few brief seconds before replying. “It’s – the first time he’s ever – well, put his hands on me that way, sir. But, no, it certainly isn’t the first time he’s said – um, inappropriate things.”

“I surmised that.” The stormy look was back on his face but she knew it wasn’t directed at her. “Why didn’t you file a complaint about him with Human Resources? Or bring the matter to Andrew’s attention?”

She was startled at his question. “I never considered it, Mr. Gregson. I mean, he’s a manager. And part of your family. And I – well, I need my job, sir. I would never do anything to risk being dismissed.”

He stared at her in mingled surprise and alarm. “Good Lord, why on earth would you think you’d be fired for something like that? Especially when it’s common knowledge that this isn’t the first time that weasel has done something like this.” Ian’s expression softened, and she was taken aback by the almost tender look on his face, a look he had certainly never directed her way before. “You’re my most valued employee other than Andrew, Tessa. I would never allow you to be dismissed just for speaking up for yourself. And I certainly won’t permit Jason Baldwin to put his stinking hands on you ever again, or utter one more inappropriate word. He’ll be taken care of swiftly, I assure you.”

She found herself speechless at the fervor in Ian’s voice and the ferocity of his features. She had no idea what to say in response save for a hastily stammered, “Um, thank you, sir.”

An awkward silence hung between them for several seconds, until Ian’s gaze flickered over her miniscule gym shorts and clingy workout top, and she cursed beneath her breath as she felt her nipples begin to peak. Whereas Jason’s amorous regard had made her skin crawl, her body evidently had no such problem with Ian Gregson looking at her in much the same way. Tessa just hoped he wouldn’t notice her rather obvious reaction to his proximity.