Rescued

By Susanne d'Bargnet

Exclusive Melbourne jewellery designer Tessa McNamara was devastated. Her husband of six months had left her for a very wealthy socialite and had rung asking for a divorce. Walking to work she was a victim of an attempted bag snatcher. As she fell to the ground Javier Garcia Arroyo, a visiting Spanish businessman came to her rescue. He fell instantly in lust for the lovely soft woman who had invaded his senses. When Javier kissed her she nearly melted at his feet, she had never felt like this ever in her life. Her entire body melded with his, her brain shut down when he touched her. For the next two weeks they were inseparable. Her best friend Alexandra had organised a charity ball which Tessa had donated some jewellery for the silent auction. Alexandra persuaded Tessa and Javier to pretend to be engaged to annoy Tessa’s soon to be ex-husband. Going along with the scheme, Javier found himself falling further and further under Tessa’s spell. After the ball Javier found himself proposing to Tessa for real. Then came the hard part, convincing Tessa to move to Spain and introducing her to the family. While they were getting ready to fly out, Tessa’s ex-husband attacked her and pushed her onto the tracks in front of an oncoming tram. After recovering, Javier got her on the plane to Vitoria-Gastiez as soon as he could. Once there he knew she would be safe. Little did he know that he wouldn’t be. His mother, tired of waiting for him to marry one of the many socialites she had paraded in front of him, had signed a contract on his behalf. He was a good son and he would do what his Mama said. Watch the sparks fly when they get there and find not only his family but his new fiancée there waiting for them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Feb 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781925595116

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Tessa stood on the tram, her thoughts in chaos. Tears of frustration threatened to spill down her cheeks but she tried very hard to keep them in check by concentrating on her breathing. As the tram slowly pulled to a stop in the city, she looked up, orientating herself and quickly alighted. She didn’t notice the people around her enjoying the summer morning in Melbourne.

How dare he? She fumed as she smoothly wound her way through the early morning pedestrian traffic. That no good ex of hers had left her six months ago and now he wanted to meet for dinner and a chat. Ha she thought, no way in hell was she meeting with that loser, especially on her own. If they did actually meet, she was going to make certain that Alexandra would be with her. There was no telling what she might do when next they met. Though at the moment a very large knife featured heavily in her daydreams.

Tessa grinned wryly to herself, she knew she would never hurt anyone let alone someone she thought she had loved. She also knew she wasn’t strong enough to resist him anything that he wanted, she just had to get him out of her life. This time however, she decided she had to be strong to prove to herself she wasn't a walkover, that she could take charge of her life and the first thing she needed to do was get rid of him.

Divorce was too good for him but it was her only option. Though the only positive thing was that they hadn't been together long enough for a large settlement.

Looking back over the five months they had been married, she couldn't think of one good thing that had happened since she made the fatal decision to say I do. Should have listened to her best friend Alexandra she thought as she turned into the alley behind her building.

Crying out Tessa felt pressure on her back and she landed against the rough stone wall slumping to the ground, her hands and knees scraping against the rough pavement. Her bag had been ripped from her arm.

Leaning against the wall she took stock. Her heart was pounding in her ears, her palms were bleeding and she could feel wetness from her knees. Unsteadily she used the wall to stand upright, her head was spinning as she rose, bending over she tried to gather herself, her whole body felt shaky and she had trouble breathing properly.

Her hands were trembling as she tried to loosen the gravel imbedded in her palms. Looking up she saw a very tall dark haired man striding his way towards her with her bag in his hand, his face grim. Tessa shivered. He was very good looking, even with the sparks flying from his dark eyes and his mouth tightened into a slash across his face as he realised that she was hurt.

¡por Dios! the man exclaimed, You are hurt, do you need a doctor? his accent wrapping its way into her brain.

No thank you, my office is just over there, she pointed up the alley towards the bright blue door at the back of an old two story red brick building.

Taking her arm he started to lead her to the door, Tessa softly moaned as she stumbled against him, her knees hurt when she tried to take a step. The next minute she found herself being lifted up into the arms of the stranger. With a squeak she held onto his broad shoulders.

You don’t have to do this, Tessa exclaimed.

He just nodded and walked to the door and waited as Tessa input the security code and they heard the click of lock opening.

Tessa couldn’t believe the rush though her body as he held her. Shyly she looked up at him, he had dark wavy hair that curled around his ears. Her hands just itched to smooth it back. She noticed his strong aquiline nose, his dark eyes framed with long eyelashes. His forehead creased as he concentrated on getting her through the doorways. Tessa sighed and leant against his chest. He was strong and seemed impervious to the world and all its worries.

Now where? he asked as he leant against the door to open it and strode through to see several more doors in the corridor.

To that door, she indicated to the large door with opaque glass and the words Tessa Ryder Designer etched in gold on it. Tessa punched another set of security codes and the door opened at her touch.

As he let her down in the doorway Tessa felt every inch of him as her feet met the floor. Shivering she put her hands on his chest to steady herself and found her heart beating faster, not just because of the fall. She felt his strength as she tried to move away. Clearing her throat Tessa looked up at her saviour, her hands splayed across his chest, and enjoyed the view. Just looking up at him caused a fluttering in her chest, her mouth dried and she felt dizzy with some kind of instant lust. She had never felt this before. OMG he was very handsome, she thought. Tessa felt bereft of his warmth when she moved away from him.

Thank you so much for helping me, she said in the open doorway, her voice breaking with tears. Her day, though it was still early, really sucked, she thought.

Tessa found herself being gently moved out of the doorway into her workroom and the door was closing behind them.

Do you have a first aid kit? the man asked as she moved away from him.

Nodding she moved into the bathroom, pulling it from the cupboard she sank onto the closed toilet. Pulling up her pants to inspect her knees she gasped as she noticed the holes in her linen pants. Tessa ran her shaking fingers over her eyes and tried to stop the tears from falling.

The man sat on his haunches in front of her. Taking her hands in his he gently wiped the blood and gravel from her palms, sterilising and covering them. He did the same to her knees.

Tessa sat there quietly while this stranger attended to her injuries. She kept her eyes on his hands as he worked. They were large strong hands, suntanned, and she noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but she did notice the swollen knuckles.

Standing up and trying not to wobble Tessa looked up at the man who had helped her. My name is Tessa McNamara, thank you for your kindness.

The man nodded and led her back into her workroom. I am Javier Garcia Arroyo, his Spanish accent fluid and soft against her senses.

Looking up at him Tessa motioned for him to sit down on the couch that was set against the far wall, next to it there was a low table with coffee and tea making accoutrements and a small refrigerator How did you get my bag?

I heard your scream and as I turned I saw this la escoria running in my direction, his anger clearly displayed. I stepped in front of him and persuaded him to give me your bag, he smiled. Will you be ok or can I call someone for you?

Tessa nodded, shocked as she realised the kind of persuasion he had used. No one had ever defended her before and she found it very revealing. She caught her breath as she felt tingles move up her arm and grow softly like starlight through her body.

Moving away she looked at her bag by the door. I wasn’t worried about my bag as everything in it can be replaced I just wanted my design book. It has all my current work in it.

Javier looked around her workroom, noting the glossy pictures on the walls of models wearing her jewellery as well as the two workstations and the rather large safe in the far corner.

"You make jewellery?’ he nodded to the photos.

Yes, she smiled standing up straighter, she was very proud of her work.

Just as the silence was getting awkward he held out his hand and as though it was the most natural thing in the world Tessa placed her hand in his.

Let’s get a coffee, I am sure that you need some sustenance and a bit of time to relax after such a trauma, he smiled as he pulled her towards him.

Stumbling a bit because of her sore knees she was pulled in close and could feel his heartbeat, smell his cologne, a hint of citrus and him, as it wrapped around her. Sorry Carina for a moment there I forgot about your injuries. Do you want me to go and get the coffee rather than you walk?

I would rather not go out in torn clothes if it is all the same to you. I can get something delivered later. Thank you so much for helping me but I’ll be fine. Tessa moved towards the door and opened it.

Javier got the impression that she was trying to get rid of him. He smiled to himself, he was really hard to detach from if he had a mind to stay. She was being very brave and he thought that he had detected tears in her voice earlier but now she was getting stronger.

When he saw her bruised and battered leaning against the wall he badly wanted to hit something but he had already knocked out the scum who had accosted her. He wanted to go back and do it again.

He let her draw him to the front door and ultimately onto the street. He was surprised at the street scape, realizing it was Elizabeth Street he had stepped into.

Bowing he raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of it, turning her hand he breathed on her injuries wanting to ease her pain.

Tessa, I hope you recover quickly and that we can meet again in better circumstances. He smiled his most devastating smile, turned and walked away. Noting as he did so exactly where her building was.

Tessa leant against the closed front door of her building, if it hadn’t hurt so much she would have slid to the floor. Boy, she shivered, he was devastating to her very soul. His smile melted the marrow in her bones. It was all she could do to stop flinging herself on him and breaking down. She hadn’t reacted to anyone like that ever. Not even her damn ex-husband, and she wasn’t about to start now she thought.

Three hours later Tessa wearily answered the buzzing at the main door. Opening her office door she noticed the delivery guy from the café down the road. "Hi there Jim what brings you here?’ she queried puzzled knowing that she hadn’t ordered anything.

Well Miss, he smiled as he thrust the parcel at her hands, I have some coffee, lunch and a cake just for you, as well as this parcel. Then with a jaunty wave he was off.

Tessa looked at the boxes in her hands and made her way back to her workroom. She thought about who would send her lunch and came up blank. Oh well, she opened the food and was greeted by her favourite salad sandwich and a large piece of cheesecake. The oversized coffee that accompanied the order was sending wafts of aroma around her workspace. Tessa hummed as she breathed in the coffee, tasting it was even better, perfect.

Sitting on the couch she enjoyed her lunch and relaxed. She obviously wasn’t going to get much work done for the rest of the day with all the distractions that had happened she thought as she studied the parcel that accompanied her lunch.

The parcel was covered in a local department store logo wrapping, when she opened it she saw a new pair of linen pants much like what she was wearing, minus the holes of course, and a silk shirt. On top lay a black business card with gold embossed writing on it announcing Mr Javier Garcia Arroyo, CEO Garcia Global Enterprises along with several phone numbers and addresses for a couple of offices in other countries. Turning it over she saw that he had written his mobile number and a message in fluid sloping handwriting hope these are suitable.

CHAPTER TWO

Sitting in his office in Collins Street, Javier mused over the happenings this morning. He hadn’t believed it when he saw that scumbag running towards him.

Hearing a scream he had turned quickly, seeing a woman on the ground next to a wall and the youth dashing through the crowd, gave him a clear picture of what had happened. Tracking the lad with his eyes he worked out where he would be when he got closer. Javier moved slightly to his right and swung the youth around towards the gate behind him. Pressing up against him he growled Give me the bag.

The youth looked at him with contempt and barked out a laugh. No way man.

Javier shrugged his shoulders the wisdom of youth he thought and promptly hit him on the chin, holding back his strength he meant to just surprise him and get the bag back. To his consternation the youth slumped to the ground, out cold. Alarmed he checked his pulse and making sure that he was ok, Javier then picked up the bag and quickly walked towards the woman who was now leaning against the wall.

Looking closely he noticed the pallor of her face and the blood on her trousers.

¡por Dios! he exclaimed as he drew next to her You are hurt, do you need a doctor?

The closer he got the more aroused he felt. She was beautiful despite the paleness of her face, though with her red hair she probably was naturally pale he thought quickly. She wasn’t tall, about five foot four, a slight body with small breasts and waist. She smelt delicious and he was a starving man. It had been a long time since he was attracted to anyone like this.

Noticing her wincing he stepped nearer and quickly lifted her into his arms. Oh man was he in trouble, up close she was perfect, her freckles stood out against her pale skin with her red hair falling out of the messy bun and around her face.

After ascertaining where she wanted to go, he strode to the building and when the security locks were opened he kept her in his arms until she was safe inside her workroom. Sliding her down his body was a grave mistake he thought with a wry smile. He felt every inch of her and now he needed her in the worst way. Trying to remember that she was injured, he followed her into a small bathroom that smelt of her, filling his nostrils with her perfume making sure that he would never forget her. He knelt down in front of her and attended to her injuries. They looked painful and he worked quietly and slowly as not to hurt her any more than was necessary. She sat still while he tended to her injuries, watching him, her eyes tracking his hands as he worked.

Moving back into the workroom Javier and Tessa sat on the couch. He wasn’t sure what they were talking about because all he could do was stare at her mouth, it was beautiful, her bottom lip was full and he badly wanted to pull it into his mouth and use his tongue to explore her, to taste her.

Being dumbstruck was a new feeling for Javier. He had never felt like this before. Usually women fell all over him in their haste to express their desire. He understood it was only his money that drew them to him. In this circumstance it was so very different from anything he had ever experienced. He knew he wanted her, his whole body was reacting to every word, every breath, every movement that he tracked with his gleaming dark eyes.

Standing up he pulled her to him, so they could go out, Tessa fell against him and he wrapped his arms around her to keep her safe. Sorry Carina I forgot about your injuries. Do you want me to go and get the coffee rather than you walk? he called himself all kinds of stupid.

To find himself being pushed out the door was a novel experience for Javier. He chuckled to himself letting her lead him outside. She would soon be very aware that he left only because he wanted to, not because she pushed him.

Walking away from the building Javier carefully planned his next step. She needed new clothes and food. He always found with his sisters, that after a trauma no matter how slight, being spoilt was a good thing and he would stick in her mind.

He worked his way through the streets of Melbourne and found himself in one of the large the Department stores in the City Mall. Getting an assistant to help wasn’t ever an issue for him. In no time he had a pair of linen pants and a silk shirt similar to those that she was wearing, now to get them to her.

Finding the cafe that she used wasn’t difficult either, he chuckled to himself. Using his extraordinary powers of deduction he found that it was the closest one to her building and they admitted to making regular deliveries to her. Once the manager had ascertained that he was no threat to Tessa, he ordered her usual lunch and paid for them to deliver her clothes along with the food. Then he just had to sit back and wait for her to ring, because she would, her good manners would not allow her to do otherwise, he thought with a smile as he made his way to his temporary office. His Company used it when he was in Australia, the serviced offices were very well appointed and he found it convenient.

He and his Chief Financial Officer with his team were in Melbourne to work out a merger. His brother was also in Australia to check out the rehabilitation of mining sites. They had purchased an old mine in the Alps near their home town of Vitoria-Gatiez in Spain and Raúl had suggested that they rehabilitate the site and turn it into a tourist attraction. So he was working his way from Queensland to Melbourne and they would discuss the outcome in the next week or so.

Walking into his office he noticed that his CFO Roberto Cavallero was standing near the windows.

Good Morning Roberto, how are you today?

Roberto turned and looked at his boss, he was impeccably dressed as usual though there was an air of distraction around him.

Morning Javier, I thought we were meeting at 9?

Yes we were, however I had something I had to attend to. I am here now so let’s get on with it shall we? Javier motioned for him to sit at the conference table that already had a heap of files on it.

Roberto looked surprise at the curtness of Javier’s voice. His boss was usually affable and worked well with him, however for the next two hours the men worked solidly in getting the information together for the merger. It was one of the largest his Company had put together and Javier wanted everything in place and correct before they met with the solicitors and representatives of the family of the Company who were going to merge with his.

The best part as far as Javier was concerned, was that there were no board members to fight or appease, only family members that made up the shareholders. As they put together the deal, Javier kept looking at his watch and mobile phone.

Roberto couldn’t help but notice. Waiting for a call?

Javier growled a yes, disappointed that Tessa had not rung yet though he knew she would eventually and that they would be dining together tonight.

Let’s get back to it, he nodded to the paperwork.

After another hour Roberto sent the contracts and agreements to the business hub for copying. Javier called for lunch to be delivered and the team got together to discuss any issues and go over the paperwork again. Javier never let anyone miss out on the opportunity to have a say in the business. He encouraged everyone to comment about every aspect of the contracts. Sometimes the newest person on the team would come up with something that had been missed by those more experienced. This meant that they had a low turnover of staff.

Walking away from the group Javier pulled out the card for the cafe from his pocket and rang.

E Street Cafe how can I help? a chirpy voice said at the other end.

Hello, I organised for lunch to be delivered to Tessa McNamara, can you please tell me if it has been delivered?

Yes Sir, Jimmy took it about twenty minutes ago.

Javier looked at his watch, twenty minutes ago would make half past one. Why so late?

That is the time that Ms McNamara usually takes her lunch.

Fine gracias, he growled into the phone and disconnected.

Frustrated, he ran his hand through his hair, apparently it was all in the timing he thought. His body flared hot when he remembered what she felt like when he carried her to her workroom and held her as she slid down his body. His eyes closed against the feeling of need that coursed through his body. Suddenly realizing where he was, he opened his eyes and looked onto the street scape below. There on Collins Street he watched people scurrying around busy with their own tasks.

Roberto watched Javier from the conference table where his team had assembled for lunch and to discuss the merger. There was definitely something off with him today. Was he having second thoughts? Was something wrong at home? He knew that Javier took his responsibilities seriously which included his family, comprising of his mother, brother and two sisters.

Just thinking of Aina was enough to make Roberto groan. He knew that Javier wouldn’t mind him courting her but he was ten years older and Aina didn’t think of him as a suitor just yet, but when they got home from this trip, he would seriously pursue her until she succumbed and said yes to his proposal. He had wanted her since he had met her when she was fifteen and he was twenty five.

He‘d had waited eight years for her to grow up. Now he felt it was well and truly time for him to convince her of his love. He would discuss it with Javier when they got back to Vittoria-Gastiez he thought, in the meantime he needed to get Javier back on track.

Javier walked back to the table and looked at everyone. They had worked hard over the last few days after landing in Melbourne. A couple of the junior staff had not visited Australia before and they were excited about flying on the corporate jet to another country.

Clearing his throat to gain their attention, You have all worked hard on this merger and I thank you, he waved his hand towards them. I think that you should have the afternoon off to explore and we will meet again at 9 o’clock in the morning with fresh eyes, nodding to them he walked off.

Roberto quickly followed Javier out of the room Javier wait.

Si Roberto, Javier sighed, he knew exactly where this conversation was heading.

I am concerned, what is wrong with you today? You are not acting your normal self. Roberto spoke in Spanish to make sure there were no misunderstandings.

As your CEO, Javier smiled, I would say it was none of your business Roberto, it has nothing to do with the merger so don’t concern yourself. He turned to walk away.

Robert placed his hand on Javier’s shoulder. As your friend, he said softly. Not your CFO, I am concerned, you don’t normally give the staff a half day off.

Javier sighed knowing that Roberto