Tessa peeked into Brad's diary on Bentley desk. She was hoping he had plans for the evening. He'd had a golf game two days ago.

She flicked through his pages for the next few days, nothing was scheduled for the evenings and damn it they were leaving for Sydney in three days time.

'Something wrong Mrs. Blakely?'

Tessa spun around to see Keri looking at her rather curiously. 'Could you stick to either Tessa or Mrs. Blakely? You confuse me.'

'Oh, sorry,' Keri mumbled.

'Call me Tessa ---'

'Okay, I'll stick to Mrs. Blakely---.'

They both spoke then laughed simultaneously.

'What are you doing at Bentley desk?'

Tessa looked up from the diary pages, 'protecting your interest?'

'I-no. Of course not. What do you mean "my interest?"

'Oh, don't get all defensive on me now,' Tessa taunted with a grin.

Keri peeked quickly in the direction of Brad's closed door, then turned back to Tessa. 'Stop it,' she instructed softly. 'It's not like that between Bentley and I.'

'I see,' Tessa pursed her lips, trying hard not to smirk.

'Please---there is nothing going on between Bentley and I,' Keri held Tessa's gaze, 'besides, I'm not over Max,' she murmured.

'You're over Max,' Tessa placed her hand on Keri's shoulder. 'I've seen the way you look at Bentley,' Tessa added with a sympathetic smile.

'It's too soon,' Keri sighed. 'I can't get involved with Bentley, besides, it's awkward. We work together.'

'My husband and I work together. Perfectly.'

'Well, you two are perfect and unique,' Keri stammered. 'What happens if we have an argument and it affects our work?'

'Brad and I argue all the time.'

'No you do not. I have never once seen the two of you argue. How do you do that by the way?'

'Oh we argue,' Tessa grinned, walking towards Brad's office. 'And I sulk, big time,' Tessa opened Brad's door and walked in. She found Brad dictating to Bentley, who was sitting in front on Brad's desk scribbling away at breakneck speed.

Tessa slid into the soft cushioned leather chair at the visitor's table. Wanting to appear unobtrusive, she opened up the latest glossy quarterly report of GR's performance. The inside cover had a half length smiling photo of her handsome husband.
The last quarter's results had been outstanding. Tessa did not know how her husband held it all together. He'd turned her father's company around and made it a market leader in the States, and GR was doing exceptionally well everywhere else in the world as well. He had good reason to smile, Tessa thought, as she unconsciously smiled back at the photo.

'He has that charming effect, doesn't he?' she heard the soft voice in her ear.

Tessa looked up to see Brad smiling down at her. Bentley was nowhere around. She had not even heard him depart.

'"Charming?"' Tessa stood up. 'Oh I don't know about that,' she raised an eyebrow, mockingly. Her fingers deftly loosened Brad's tie, she slipped it into his pocket.

'Don't you?' Brad pretended to scowl, his hands on his hips.

With practised ease, her hands undid the top three buttons on his shirt. 'Oh I heard in the market place that Bradley Blakely is a cold, ruthless business man, feared by many.'
Her fingers slipped through his shirt. Brad tried to remain unaffected by the magnetic touch of her fingers, but his contorted face gave him away.

'Don't you have any plans with the boys tonight?' Tessa murmured, as she dipped her head, pressing her lips to his bare flesh. Hearing his gasp, she allowed her tongue to trace over his chest, until it met his aroused nipple.

'Are you trying to seduce me?' Brad hissed. His fingers raked through her hair, moulding her head to where he wanted her mouth. Why was she asking him if he had plans with his friends? More importantly why was she seducing him in the office? His wife was totally against PDA in the office environment. Why did she want him out of the way tonight?

'Are you having an affair?'

'What?' Tessa stepped away from Brad in shock.

'I'm just wondering why my wife wants me out off the way. Perhaps you want to entertain somebody at our home tonight? Brad rebuttoned his shirt.

'Don't be ridiculous! Why would I be ---making love to you now, if I was interested in somebody else? Honestly, do you really expect me to take another man to our home, with Lyndon there?'

'You tell me,' Brad glared at Tessa. 'As far as I know, my wife does not like me touching her in the office.'

'I never said that,' Tessa denied.

'Silly me,' Brad pulled Tessa into his arms. He kissed her, his lips soft, teasing, yet demanding. Involuntarily, her lips parted, her fists clung to his chest. Brad grinned inwardly. Had they been in their bedroom, her hands would be around his neck. She would be relaxed in his arms. Now she was all tense. He deepened their kiss, pulling her closer. Tessa's palms opened, her fingers pressed against his flesh, but remained on his chest. Brad's hand went to her blouse to unbutton it. Tessa's hands fell. She stepped back.

'I thought you needed convincing,' there was a triumphant gleam in Brad's eyes.

Tessa's head flung up towards Brad, 'you mean you were kissing me now, just to prove a point?'

'I knew you'd brush me off.' She was always subtle, but she never allowed Brad to go further than just kissing in the office. She always rather tactfully withdrew from the embrace.

'I kissed you back,' she defended.

'You also pulled away,' Brad traced his index finger down her throat, hesitating over her chest.

'I'm ---not afraid to make love to you here,' she tendered unconvincingly.

'Prove it.'

Does everything have to be a challenge?
'I---,' Tessa swallowed, 'could we at least lock your door?'

'No.'

'Why?' she exclaimed. 'Somebody could walk in.'

'The only person who would walk in, is Bentley.' Brad boldly began undoing the buttons on her blouse. 'He's out of the office for the next hour.'

Tessa dipped her head, watching Brad's fingers undoing her. She lifted her eyes and found his eyes challenging her.

What the hell? I only came in here to entice him to go out with the guys tonight.

'Very well,' she mumbled. 'Let's make love,' she lifted her hands up to Brad's body. Again it rested on his chest. Tessa initiated the kiss, her mouth closing over his, tantalizing him, seductively drawing a response. Brad responded fervently, pulling her closer, moulding her to his body. Tessa continued to kiss him. Her clenched hands remained restlessly on his chest. The kiss went on and on and on. Eventually Brad's lips shifted away to caress her throat.

'Are we going to progress further than just kissing?' He'd deliberately not taken the lead, but he wondered for just how long she was going to string him along.

Tessa stopped, her fingers flexed on his shirt. Her eyes met his briefly. 'I---I can't do this. I'm sorry,' she shut her eyes.

'Told you so,' Brad gloated. Her eyes flew open.

'How'd we end up with this stupid challenge anyway? That's not the reason I came to your office.'

'Admit it, you are a prude.'

'Am not!' she denied vociferously. 'You know I'm not.'

The only response she got was one raised eyebrow. Damn she was not going to fall for his challenge. Not when she'd come to purely entice him to go out.

'I'm not calling your bluff,' Tessa shoved Brad against the wall, but her eyes lit with desire, like a guiding lighthouse.

'Off course you won't,' Brad continued to provoke her.

'Damn you,' she ripped at his shirt. Buttons went sprawling in all directions. Her hands captured his head as she kissed him. Her aggressive attack aroused him. She saw the blatant desire in Brad's eyes. He pinned her tightly in his arms.

'Lucky for you, I have a wardrobe here,' he grinned, yielding to her lips.
Unlucky for her she did not have a change of clothes, but right at this moment, she blew caution to the wind. She wanted Brad now, right there against the wall. Her hand slipped below his shirt and unbuckled him. He hastily unbuttoned her blouse, and removed her bra spilling her beautifully rounded breasts free. His hands cupped her breasts. They fitted perfectly into his palms. Tessa shut her eyes, her head dropped backwards as Brad captured one nipple between his lips. She cried out softly. Wanting closer contact with his body she freed his erect form, her fingers expertly massaging his elongated shaft, stoking it against her pelvis. Brad groaned at her expert ministrations.

'Tessa,' she heard Brad's husky moan in her ear. Her skirt was unzipped. It fell on her stilettos. She kicked it away. Brad's hand dipped inside her lace briefs, caressing her moist flesh. He was whispering his delight at her arousal. She was hot and ready for him. Tessa lifted his head. She wanted his lips on hers, and his tongue embracing hers. Her eager pelvis lifted to meet his discerning hand. Brad sunk one finger inside her moistness. She purred, contracting her inner muscles, enjoying the little tremors that made her shudder.

'I want you now.'

'Yes, yes,' Tessa pulled Brad closer. She reached behind him and turned the key in the lock.

Brad lowered her briefs. He was still kissing her, when he turned them around, propping Tessa against the wall. He lifted her stiletto clad legs around his waist and immersed himself inside her.

'Oh darling,' Tessa cried out. Her hands raked through his hair. She moulded her hips to him to take him in deeper. Her hands slipped through his button less shirt and cradled his shoulders. Her teeth gently bit at the flesh on his throat. Brad's tongue sought hers. She almost choked on the pleasure of his tongue dancing with hers and his continuous thrusting that was pushing her to her peak.

'Darling---don't stop,' she whimpered, lifting herself and pressing closer to him. Only when he felt the explosive tremors inside her did Brad let go and join her in their climax.

Limp and satiated, she clung to Brad. 'I don't believe we did this,' she panted.

Brad let his head fall on her chest as he fought to regain his breath. He lifted his head and pressed a kiss to her lips.

'Wow,' he exclaimed, removing himself. 'You never cease to amaze me,' he lovingly entangled his hands through her glossy hair.

'Really? I thought I was a prude!'

His eyes met hers. Even though she knew he had deliberately taunted her, she had gamely responded.

Brad lifted her into his arms and twirled around with her. 'You're not going to hold that against me are you?'

'Perhaps I will. Now let me get dressed.'

'I'll just lock the door,' Brad lowered her to the floor again.

'Don't bother. It's done already,' Tessa grinned.

Not believing her, Brad tried the door. 'How---when?'

'Get dressed Blakely,' she opened his closet where he kept a change of clothes and threw a shirt at him. Tessa used Brad's glass cabinet as a mirror to make herself look presentable.

'I can't believe what you just made me do,' Tessa mumbled half to herself, but she heard his delighted chuckle.
'So---' she started speaking a little louder, making eye contact with Brad through the glass cabinet. 'Some of the girls want to go out tonight.'

'Ah, now I see,' Brad wagged his index finger in the air, as he slipped the shirt on and zipped himself. 'You want me to make plans, because you have plans.'

'Anything wrong with that?' she smiled guiltily.

'No. I could always babysit our son.'

Tessa turned around and walked towards Brad. 'No,' she draped her arms around him. 'I could be out the whole night. Why don't you do something with the guys?'

'I don't mind,' Brad cupped his arms around her waist. 'Go ahead, enjoy your girls' night out. It is only girls right?' He sat down with Tessa on his lap.

'Yes,' she laughed. 'Do you want to come and verify that?'

He did not need to. She had twenty four hours security. He would get reports, visuals, if he asked for it. Tessa crossed her arms around his neck. Not that she wanted Brad gate crashing her girls night. She knew if he did , he would become the star attraction. There were a few single ladies amongst her friends. She was keeping her husband far from them. Not that she did not reasonably trust her friends, Tessa had ensured that the select group of friends within her inner circle, were ladies with high moral fibre.

'So what's wrong with making love in the office?' Brad smiled, not responding to her invitation. As he waited for her to answer, his lips trailed soft kisses on her neck. Tessa sighed, arching her neck, to allow Brad better access.

'Why can't we make love in our home? Isn't that the place to do it?'

'Perhaps,' he laughed softly, 'but you and I are not conventional,' his lips meshed with hers in a lingering kiss.

'You're crazy Blakely,' she stood up. 'Just so you know,' she spoke over her shoulder. 'I was not responding to your challenge. I wanted you.'

'Right,' he grinned, standing up as well. 'Shall we go home? We could both do with a shower.'

'Did you remember to pack a swim suit?'

'What?' Keri stopped typing. She glared at Bentley across her desk.

He smiled lazily. 'It's summer in Australia.'

'What has the weather in Australia got to do with the price of eggs in the market?'

Bentley threw his head back and laughed. Keri allowed herself a self indulgent smile.

'You're pretty when you smile,' he teased, observing her eyes were more azure, than the steely grey, when she was in defence mode.

She blushed, and looked down at her keyboard, but her mind went blank. She forgot what she was typing.

'Don't you have work to do?' she demanded. She noticed he'd loosened his tie. His hair was always immaculately combed. For a P.A. he was always elegantly dressed, and he smelt divine too, if she was to be honest.

'The boss is out and so is Mrs. Boss,' he relaxed back in his leather chair, swinging it gently.

Keri knew Bentley shadowed Brad whilst he worked. When Brad retired for the day, Bentley was left to his own devices. "Mrs Boss?" she laughed softly.

'Mr. Blakely's the boss. Naturally Mrs. Blakely is Mrs. Boss,' he elucidated.

'Tell me about Sydney?' Keri smiled, turning her chair to face Bentley.

Bentley came forward in his chair. 'It has all the hustle and bustle of New York and Honk Kong, but it's appealing because of its diversity. You must walk across the harbour Bridge. If you love the outdoors, the Blue Mountains is a haven, not to miss. Then there's the night life---.'

'Stop,' Keri laughed. 'It's no use telling me. We're only going to be there for two days.'

'That should not stop us,' Bentley smile dreamily.

'Excuse me!'

'I meant you,' Bentley stood up. 'It should not stop you,' the smile left his face. 'I'll print you some of Sydney's attractions,' he turned back to his laptop.

'I'm sorry,' Keri offered quickly. All she got was a nod as Bentley continued with his laptop.

'Um---can I make you some tea?' she offered.
Bentley turned to Keri and flashed her a smile. Her beautiful eyes had become dark grey.

'It's okay Keri.'

'I did not mean to offend you. You were just ---.'

'Getting carried away,' he completed, flashing her a smile. He looked rather youthful when he smiled.

'Not my choice of words,' she returned the smiled.

Ah the sky is azure again. 'How about a drink?' Bentley offered.

'But it's Mr. Blakely's drinks.'

'We back to that are we? I won't tell him, if you don't,' Bentley looked over his shoulder as he opened Brad's liquor cabinet.

'Okay then,' Keri relented. 'I will have a glass of sherry thank you.'

'So why are you still working when Mrs. Blakely's gone home?' Bentley handed her the sherry.

'Thank you. Well I did have this budget report to finish typing and I did not have anything to do in the apartment, so I figured I'd just finish it.'

Bentley joined her drinking the sherry. He placed the bottle on his desk, and instead of resuming his seat, he plonked his neat behind on his desk.

'We could always go out to dinner,' Bentley swallowed his drink and poured himself another.

'Bentley ---I.'

The lift opened and Keri quickly put her glass down. She was also saved from declining his dinner invitation.

'What are you two still doing here?' Brad asked with a smile. He had showered and changed into casual chinos and a sweater. Keri looked nervously at Bentley. He remained seated on his desk, and cheekily took a sip from his glass of Brad's sherry.

'Keri is just finishing up typing a report,' Bentley answered.

'Keri,' Brad stopped at her desk. 'You know if Tessa closes shop for the day, there is no reason for you to remain here. Bentley should have informed you of that,' Brad directed an accusatory look at Bentley.

'He did tell me,' Keri lied. 'I don't mind doing it.'

'Okay you two enjoy the evening,' Brad walked into his office and was out again with his laptop.

'Need help Mr. Blakely?' Bentley stood up.

'No, I've just come to collect my laptop. My wife is having a girl's night out.'

'Enjoy your evening then,' Bentley smiled.

'Bentley, I want you to see Keri home. Use the limo. I don't want you driving, seeing that you guys are enjoying drinks.'

'Will do sir.'

'Good night Keri,' Brad waved, as he stepped into the lift again.

'I'm not supposed to remain here when Te---Mrs. Blakely retires for the day!' Keri stood up and stabbed her index finger at Bentley. 'Why didn't you tell me?' her stormy grey eyes accused.

'How else could I keep you here?' he laughed, nursing where her finger had poked into his chest.

It was a very nice ---feeling chest, Keri thought.
'He did not mind about the drinks.'

'He never does,' Bentley chuckled.

'You are devious!' she glared at him. 'I thought we would be fired on the spot for consuming alcohol whilst on duty.'

'During office hours, Mr. Blakely is a slave driver, after hours, he cares not and his resources are generously at our disposal,' Bentley smiled. He was remembering when he commandeered the Blakely jet to highjack Tessa Blakely from New York and bring her to his boss in London. He was eternally thankful to God, that Tessa Blakely loved Brad Blakely enough to pack up her lucrative life in New York and move permanently to London.

Keri studied Bentley. There was a distant look in his eyes. Did he want to be alone? Perhaps she should leave.

'Um---thank you for the drink. I think I'll go home now,' she stood up and picked up her handbag.

Bentley dragged his eyes back to Keri and smiled. 'Have one more drink with me. We're going home with the limo.'

'Not so much,' she held up her hand at Bentley's more than generous allowance.

'It's only sherry,' he laughed. 'I'm sure there's something to nibble on here,' he went back to the cabinet. 'You said you have no plans. Let's take our time shall we?' He grinned sneakily as he raided the cabinet.

'I---guess so,' Keri sat down again.

- end chapter twenty two-