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insisted that if Tessa followed them to the letter that she would be successful and go far in the company.
    Considering the behavior of all five of her co-workers, Tessa doubted any of them would last a day with Mrs. C. And the stern office manager would certainly be outraged to hear the gossip being spread about Mr. Gregson. Tessa was aware that her former and current bosses knew each other but had never been told what the exact connection was. The only thing Mrs. C. had told her was that Ian was hardworking and demanding but a fair employer who prized diligence and loyalty above all else. Tessa had strived to be the hardest working and most loyal employee he’d ever had from her first day in the office.
    She only wished she had the nerve to stand up and tell her co-workers to shut up, that they were being horrible, rude people to discuss such a dignified gentleman like Mr. Gregson like he was some sleazy gigolo. Like that nasty, creepy Jason Baldwin, for example.
    Tessa shuddered as she thought of the way Mr. Baldwin leered at her every single time he saw her. She knew the other girls thought him attractive – Gina insisted he could be David Beckham’s twin – but he gave Tessa the willies. She knew he was married to Mr. Gregson’s cousin and that they had three young children. Mrs. Baldwin and her brood visited the office occasionally, and from all appearances she was a very pretty, sweet woman who certainly deserved better than her lecherous, cheating husband. Tessa had heard all the rumors and gossip about what women Jason had hit on and slept with, and she wondered how on earth he could live with himself for constantly cheating on his poor wife.
    But even if Jason Baldwin had been single, Tessa still wouldn’t have found him attractive. Oh, he was handsome enough, with his expertly cut dirty blond hair, evenly tanned features, and leanly muscled body. No, it was the predatory look in his eyes and his leering smirks that gave her the creeps. She had made it very, very clear to him – albeit in a polite, respectful manner considering that he was her superior and an extended member of the Gregson family – that she was most definitely not interested in him and was a happily married woman. But Jason persisted in flirting with her, trying to find ways to be alone with her or touch her in some manner, and making all sorts of suggestive comments.
    Fortunately for Tessa, Andrew seemed to be very well aware of Jason’s interest in her and did as much as he could to keep her away from him. He never assigned her any projects where she would have to work with Jason, even though Tessa knew Mr. Baldwin had specifically requested her on multiple occasions. And somehow, as though he had radar, Andrew always seemed to appear whenever Jason was being especially obnoxious. Jason would mutter something like “here’s your guard dog again” before slinking off. Tessa didn’t know why Andrew had quietly appointed himself her protector, but she was exceedingly grateful to him. She had heard all the stories about Jason’s past troubles with female employees – including the one with Sarah, her own predecessor – and surmised that Andrew perhaps had been given strict orders to make sure no more unpleasant incidences occurred.
    It was close to ten a.m. when Mr. Gregson arrived at the office after his morning appointment. Tessa could hear him greeting other employees before he reached her cubicle, his crisp British accent giving her a little thrill as usual. His voice was deep and cultured, and it never failed to enthrall her.
    “Ah, His Hotness is finally here,” said Kevin in a stage whisper. “It’s show time, ladies.”
    Six heads popped up simultaneously as Ian Gregson walked past their cubicles with his long-legged, supremely confident stride. He gave the team an almost perfunctory nod, greeting them with a “Good morning ladies. And Kevin.”
    There followed a rousing chorus of “Good morning, Mr. Gregson”, including