Worth the Scandal Read Online Free PDF

for takeoff.
    “My God, are you all right?” Alex shoved the table back into its slot and reached for her, plucking the mostly empty cup of coffee out of her hand and handing it to Lora. “Why didn’t you help her?”
    Lora wiped the smirk off her face and took the cup with a solemn nod. “I’ll get some napkins.”
    Tessa pulled the shirt away from her as best she could, tried to keep the coffee from seeping into her bra or onto her skin. She felt a sticky mess, completely embarrassed Alex would see her like this. A man so impeccable, who demanded perfection everywhere he turned. What would he think of her with her stained shirt and klutzy ways?
    He stood, taking the proffered bunch of napkins from Lora, not remotely affected by the moving plane’s increasing speed across the tarmac. “Get a wet washcloth,” he demanded. She hurried away to do his bidding, and Tessa watched with complete amazement as he knelt before her and started to wipe at the front of her shirt.
    “I’ll take care of it.” She tried to jerk away from his ministrations but he reached out, his fingers locking around her shoulder, strong as steel and completely immobilizing her.
    “Let me help you.” His eyes were a potent mix of blue sky and gray smoke, his fingers gentling about her shoulder. “You didn’t burn yourself did you?”
    She shook her head. That he was concerned touched her deeply. “I don’t think so.”
    With his free hand, he rubbed the bunched napkins across her stomach, her belly fluttering at his impersonal touch. He never, ever touched her, minus the first time they met when he had shaken her hand and earlier when his knee had brushed against hers.
    She wasn’t sure she’d be able to take it much longer. It was completely impersonal, meant absolutely nothing besides offering his help. Yet she’d never reacted so strongly, had never wanted a man to touch her as much as she wanted him.
    It was the most ridiculous, most futile thing she’d ever wished for in her life.
    “The coffee was hot,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to where his hand rested on the bottom of her shirt, his index finger flicking at a button. “You should check for burns.”
    If he unbuttoned her shirt, she didn’t know what she would do. “I’m fine, really.”
    His gaze met hers once more, smoldering with an intensity she’d never noticed before. “You brought a change of clothes.” It was a statement, not a question.
    “Um, I don’t know where my suitcase is.” She shrugged, held her breath when she felt his fingers again messing with the last button on her shirt.
    As if he wanted to undo it.
    Lora appeared with a damp white washcloth and handed it to Alex, the look on her face contrite. “We’re preparing to takeoff within the next ten minutes. I suggest you sit in your seat and get your seatbelt on, Mister Worth.”
    “As soon as we find Tessa’s suitcase,” he answered, removing his hands from Tessa so he could turn and glare up at Lora. “Where is it?”
    She visibly swallowed, her gaze cutting to Tessa briefly. “I’ll grab it.”
    The plane slowed, rounding a bend that caused Tessa to sway in her seat. She still wasn’t buckled and she fumbled for the seatbelt, clicking it into place. Alex reached and undid the belt. “That won’t be necessary.”
    She watched with disbelief as he stood and offered his hand. “Come with me.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “I’m taking you to the private bedroom.”
    Her jaw dropped. “This plane has a private bedroom?”
    “You can change in there.” He thrust his hand in front of her. “Come with me, Tessa.”
    Come with me, Tessa.
    She did as he asked without another word, settling her hand in his warm, firm grip, letting him pull her to her feet. She forgot about the spilled coffee, the stained shirt, the moving plane, the spiteful flight attendant. Allowed him to walk her to the back of the plane where Lora waited, Tessa’s pitiful, cheap Wal Mart suitcase in