Worth the Scandal by Karen Erickson Page A

looked more handsome—and that was saying a lot considering she’d never seen him look horrible. She was starting to believe it just wasn’t possible.
    “So why do you want to take me tomorrow night?” she asked after Alex ordered for the both of them.
    “You won’t let it go, will you?”
    She shrugged. “I’m curious as to your reasons.”
    “I need your help.” His expression solemn, he reached for the glass of wine recently poured for them and took a sip.
    “My help?” Now she was intrigued.
    He nodded. “The barracudas will feast upon me if I go alone.”
    She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
    “Tomorrow night, you’re going to pretend to be my date,” his tone nonchalant, he reached for a piece of bread from the basket. Steamy warmth rose when he flipped back the black cloth and he tore off a piece, offering it to her. She shook her head, and he shrugged, biting off a piece before he further explained. “Every time I go to one of these events alone in Europe, it doesn’t matter what country, I’m propositioned all evening.”
    “Having me on your arm is going to prevent that? I doubt it.” Her stomach grumbled as she watched him eat the bread with relish. It looked so good but she couldn’t. Bread was her weakness, and it would go straight to her thighs.
    “I’m not going to let you out of my sight. They won’t be able to get me alone.”
    A thrill shivered down her spine at his words. He sounded downright possessive. “Considering the man we just met flaunts his mistress in such a public manner, I don’t think I’ll be much of a deterrent.” She stared at his hands with longing as he reached into the basket and tore off another hunk of fragrant bread.
    “Stop depriving yourself and take some,” he growled, shoving his hand—and the bread—under her nose.
    Unable to resist she plucked it from his fingers and took a bite, nearly melting in her chair when the buttery taste exploded on her tongue. “Won’t it cause unwarranted gossip? Being seen with me?”
    “I doubt it. And if anything, it’ll hit the Euro mags and that’s it.” Alex shrugged. “No one cares that much what I do.”
    He was being modest. He’d been the talk of tabloids for years. Young and successful, handsome and straight, such a rarity in the fashion industry, he and his brothers all made the tabloids and various gossip sites, especially Rhett.
    “Someone will care,” Tessa said softly. “What about Hunter? He’s in charge of marketing. What if this is a wrong move on your part? For the company vision and future?”
    “Tessa.” He reached across the table and took her hand, holding it loosely in his. “Being seen with you is the absolute right image for the company. You look—respectable. Wholesome. Trust me a sweetly beautiful woman on my arm at a charity event is a good thing. Hunter will be pleased.”
    “Are you using me for my wholesome and respectable image?” For whatever reason, his words fired her up. He thought she was sweet. She’d show him sweet.
    “I’m not using you.” He didn’t release his grip on her hand. In fact, he stroked his thumb across her knuckles, sending a scattering of tingles across her skin. “I don’t use people. I never do.”
    Her mouth went dry at the seriousness she saw in his gaze, heard in his tone. He meant what he said. But why her? Because she was easy—and convenient?
    “I don’t want to get hurt,” she murmured, expressing her biggest fear.
    “I won’t hurt you. I promise,” he vowed.
    She nodded once, her fingers curling about his. She trusted him. He would never do her wrong. “Then I’ll do it. I’ll go to the charity event with you tomorrow.”
    He smiled and squeezed her hand, dropping it when the waiter arrived with their food. “I never had a doubt.”
    Tessa bet he didn’t. Knowing Alex, he wouldn’t have let her say no. Would’ve demanded she go with him despite her doubts.
    And knowing her, she would’ve agreed despite