ALASKAN FIRE

by Alaskan Fire (NCP) (lit)

  Jess chewed her bottom lip. It was ridiculous to row with Sam. It was stressful and she decided her energy could be much better spent. She caught Sam’s arm and stepping close, held his face with her hands, pressing her lips against his in a heated kiss. She could feel Sam’s hesitation before his arms went around her.

  “You are an extraordinary woman,” he breathed as he drank from her lips, his tongue invading her mouth as they clung together in a storm of passion.

  A knock at the cabin door drew them apart. Jess touched Sam’s face again. “And you are a magical man,” she whispered back, her heart lightening as he rewarded her with a rueful grin.

  Later, Jess was to reflect on that impulsive kiss which carried her through the exhausting day. Fortunately, the weather cleared enough for good footage to be shot but it was still bleak and bitterly cold. Chief Notaki drove them to the mines and Sam spent the morning filming the mine areas while Jess talked further with the Chief. Bearing in mind Sam’s comments, she tried to be more circumspect in her interviewing technique this time but still felt a huge surge of sympathy for the Inuits. She felt angry for them as the Chief explained how the Ortis Corporation had swept aside the tribal peoples' concerns and invaded their quiet and peaceful existence with an army of vehicles and drilling equipment.

  In the afternoon Chief Notaki, with his shot gun at the ready in case of bear attacks, lead them further into the wilderness and Sam captured images of the wild life of the region including a herd of magnificent caribou framed against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. Jess helped by carrying equipment and generally acting as his assistant. At the end of the day she felt cold and weary and barely able to move. With relief she staggered through the door into the warmth of their cabin. One last night in their cabin haven before the Chief drove them to the small airfield to catch their charter plane to Anchorage.

  Jess stood in front of the fire warming her frozen limbs while Sam removed her anorak and rubbed her sore shoulders and neck muscles with gentle hands. “You were great today,” he said softly. “You must be exhausted. Come into the shower with me so I can massage all that tiredness away.” His voice was low and inviting. Jess turned and laid her head on his chest, breathing in the cold smell of his clothes. Her smile was shy when Sam peered into her face and he laughed with satisfaction as he led her towards the bathroom, undoing her clothes as they went.

  * * * *

  Jess disliked Kevin Harris on sight. After Sam’s lecture on being objective and without prejudice, she knew instinctively she didn’t like him, or trust him.

  They met Harris at a pre-arranged time at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage. Jess and Sam had flown from Markson that morning in a small, sturdy aircraft that coped well with the buffeting winds and distinctly changeable weather. Jess wistfully watched Markson disappear beneath them thinking she would never be able to recapture those magical moments shared with Sam in their Wilderness Lodge. She knew it was foolish to live in hope of any kind of stable and loving relationship with Sam. Yet, even though she had been so angry with him, she had stupidly allowed herself to be coaxed again into his arms and indeed, had largely taken the initiative herself last night. The hours of lovemaking had exceeded Jess' wildest dreams and her confidence had grown rapidly as Sam taught her to be proud of her body, telling her time and time again how beautiful she was. But not once, even at the height of their passion, did Sam say he loved her, or even cared for her. Jess had consequently buried her feelings deep inside. It was something she was very practiced at.

  “My dear boy, it is good to see you again,” Harris enthused, giving Sam a bear hug when they met in the hotel lobby. Harris was a big, burly man with a florid complexion and piercing blue eyes. With him were his managing director and public relations manager, who both stayed in the background watching proceedings.

  “So you are the little girl who has stolen my son-in-law’s heart?” Harris said to Jess as he vigorously pumped her hand, a beaming smile on his face. Jess met Sam’s cynical expression and gave Harris a broad smile of her own.

  “I hold his heart in the palm of my hand, Mr. Harris,” she said cheerfully.

  “Well, let’s do this story, shall we?” Harris said brusquely. “The Inuits are making a tremendous fuss about something that is entirely their fault and I’m sure, little lady, you will put the correct message across. This debacle will cause harm to the reputation of my company so I would like you to report how wrong they are.”

  Jess tensed at Harris' patronizing manner but, as Sam set up the equipment, she encouraged Harris to talk openly about his difficulties. Jess realized Harris had blatantly accused the Inuits of reneging on the agreement made with the Ortis Corporation. And yet the Inuits denied making any agreement and said they knew nothing of Ortis' intentions until the Company personnel invaded their land and began mining operations.

  “Okay. I’m about ready. Jess, use the hand mic, will you?” Sam said, with a brief pat on her shoulder as he took his position behind the camera.

  Jess took Harris through the story background although Harris hardly paused for breath as he smoothly made his way through the explanations and aggressively accused the Inuits of cheating and taking his money under false pretences.

  The hackles rose on the back of Jess’ neck. She was sure Harris was lying and yet couldn’t prove it. After allowing Harris free rein for some ten minutes, Jess plunged in at the deep end. “Mr. Harris, you do realize Chief Notaki denies signing a contract granting permission for mining rights?”

  “That’s rubbish! Here is his signature.” Harris waved the agreement in front of Jess and jabbed a stubby finger at a scribbled name. “Besides, he gladly accepted the half a million dollars down payment paid for the rights, didn’t he?” Harris said, with a smirk.

  “Chief Notaki appears to know nothing of this money, Mr. Harris. When I made inquiries I understood the money was placed in a bank account under your name, not Chief Notaki's tribe.” Jess leaned forward pushing the microphone closer to the now very red-faced man. “In fact, you had no intention of paying the Inuits anything, did you?” she said forcefully. She watched fascinated as Harris spluttered with sudden anger.

  “I resent your accusations,” he exclaimed. “What about the Chief’s signature on the contract?”

  “I believe it is a forgery, Mr. Harris,” Jess said, gripping the mic tightly praying her trembling voice wouldn’t let her down. She knew Sam was still filming although she could see from the corner of her eye that Harris' staff were moving forward to surround their boss.

  Harris laughed without amusement. “Really, this is absolutely ridiculous, Sam,” he said, appealing to his ex-son-in-law with a shrug of his huge shoulders.

  Jess pressed on sensing she was near to cracking Harris' story. She thrust the mike under Harris' nose. “Before I left Markson, Mr. Harris, Chief Notaki gave me his signature. It will be no trouble to have a handwriting expert compare this with the signature on your contract but I think we already know, don’t we, that you planned to cheat the Inuits out of their land and pay them nothing in compensation. You have planned an elaborate cover up, haven’t you?” Jess almost shouted the last words as Harris fought to keep his temper under control.

  “You need to understand what you're talking about, young lady. And you don't."

  “You have tried to destroy their land, their livelihood, Mr. Harris,” Jess said, leaping up as Harris heaved himself out of his chair, a smooth smile on his face.

  “I think we can end this interview right now and I am sure when you understand the full facts you can present the truth to your audience." He looked at Sam. "I'm sure you agree with me, Sam?"

  "This is Jess' interview, Kevin and I am still filming," Sam replied.

  Harris turned once again to Jess. "Young lady," he said with a sickly charm. "Don't you understand that Australian shareholders will loose millions of dollars if this investment falls through?"

  "You mean your company will loose millions, Mr. Harris."

>   A look of disdain crossed the man's florid features as he suddenly pushed the mic away causing Jess to loose her balance. She fell heavily at Sam’s feet hitting her head against the camera tripod and from then pandemonium broke loose. Jess wasn’t sure what had happened as she slumped on the floor in a daze. She was dimly aware of hotel security staff running in and a good deal of confusion.

  “If you run this story, Sam, I will withdraw my shares in World Watch and sue you for everything you have,” Jess heard Harris shouting as his staff tried to lead him away.

  “Go right ahead because I intend to expose you in no uncertain terms for what you have tried to do to these people and Ms Seymour will sue you for assault.” Sam’s clipped, steely voice threatened a reprisal. Jess closed her eyes as reaction set in and a wave of nausea gripped her.

  Sam leaned over her. “Jess, are you alright?” His hands urgently felt over her scalp and she winced as his probing fingers encountered a large lump caused by the fall. “The skin’s not broken, but it’s a nasty bump, sweetheart,” he said, and she opened her eyes at last to look into his concerned face.

  “It’s okay, they’re gone, Jess,” he said, cradling her in his arms. "I’ll make him pay for this,” he said, pressing his lips against her forehead.

  Jess let stressful tears flow down her cheeks as she turned and hid her face in Sam’s jumper. The ugly scene had taken its toll and she clung to Sam as she relived the dreadful interview.

  “Come on, my love,” Sam whispered. “I’ll take you to our room and get a doctor to check you over, just in case.” Jess waited quietly as Sam spoke to the hotel manager who had arrived at the scene. Hotel staff helped Sam pack his equipment and holding Jess around the waist, he helped her to their room.

  Jess' head was pounding and it was with relief she lay on the bed. Sam sat beside her and smoothed the hair from her forehead.

  “You were great, Jess. I’m very proud of you,” he said, with a tender smile.

  “Sam, I lied in the interview.” Jess blurted out the words, her eyes filling with more tears as she watched Sam’s bewildered expression.

  “What do you mean -- you lied?”

  “I didn’t have the Chief’s signature, but I was so sure Harris was lying about everything. I thought it was worth trying on. Chief Notaki had sworn to me he had never sighted a contract and I believed him.” Jess watched anxiously as Sam frowned and pursed his lips.

  “We need to get back to Australia as soon as we can. Whatever we do, our legal people will have to look in to it. There is likelihood we may not be able to run the story after all.”

  Jess struggled to sit up, a look of dismay on her face. “What do you mean? Not run it? Harris admitted he cheated those people. He committed fraud,” she gasped, clutching Sam’s sleeve.

  “And it could land World Watch in the middle of a diplomatic incident or a huge law case. The whole thing has to be handled extremely carefully and it will either be a worldwide coup or we will have to bury it--particularly if you have fabricated any evidence. Why didn’t you tell me what you were going to do? We could have re-directed the questions.” Sam’s face was drawn and angry as he stared down at Jess.

  “Because I didn’t know what I was going to ask, that’s why. It just happened,” she cried, flinging herself back on the pillows in frustration. Her eyes sparked with sudden fire.

  “This is impossible. I have done three stories for World Watch and you haven’t been happy with any of them. You told me off for going to Adelaide for the gene story--you accused me of being unethical with Todd Carmichael and now you say I have blown the news story of the year. I can’t please you, can I? Well, I’m not putting up with it, Sam. You would never treat another journo the way you treat me. Now things are even worse. You think because you have got me into your bed I will be at your beck and call and you can use sex to keep me under control. Well, I am not your sex play thing and I am certainly not cut out for stardom, as you call it, either. So, I quit! I quit as your employee and your dolly bird as from now!” Jess stopped to draw breath, her face flushed and her breasts heaving with emotion.

  “Quite finished?” Sam said quietly in his clipped voice. Jess nodded, unable to speak, her eyes feverishly bright.

  Sam leaned forward and covered her mouth with a hard kiss that miraculously softened as her lips responded. Their mouths' clung as Sam’s fingers threaded through her hair and gently massaged her sore bump.

  At last they drew apart both breathless. Jess looked astonished at this sudden outcome. Sam pressed a kiss into the soft curve of her breasts and then, his brilliant eyes holding hers, he said evenly.

  “Okay, I accept your resignation.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Jess breathed a sigh of relief as the plane dipped its nose in preparation for landing at Sydney airport. It was early evening after an exhausting thirty hours. As well as the fatigue from jet lag, Jess was sure she was in shock after everything that had happened.

  She meant what she had said to Sam about resigning from World Watch. She deeply regretted the lost opportunity and wondered how easily she could pick up another job after this debacle. Sam could make things difficult for her. She couldn’t understand why he hadn’t threatened to sue her for breach of contract but on reflection, realized she had played right into his hands. He had wanted to get rid of her from the very beginning--and he had got his way. Her heart sank at what he must think of her as a competent journalist. She had tried so hard to live up to his standards.

  She smiled bitterly as she tightened her seat belt. Her hand inadvertently touched Sam’s thigh encased in casual designer jeans as he sat next to her, eyes closed, his dark head resting against the seat exposing his strong throat. Jess sighed. How many times had she lovingly caressed and kissed Sam’s golden skin in the past few days. She had given him her heart and he had casually thrown it away.

  Turning to look out of the window, but seeing nothing, Jess considered the situation. She hadn’t known what to expect when she had offered her resignation but had been perversely shocked and then humiliated when Sam accepted it without question. And as for their sexual activities … Jess couldn’t bear to think of it. How Sam must be laughing. He had enjoyed his fling with his new television presenter and now it suited him to have a clean break, no fuss, no embarrassment. I’m such an idiot, Jess thought. Sam has proved he doesn’t care for me one jot and all I’ve done is made a fool of myself.

  Not that Sam hadn’t been kind to her since their surprise agreement. He made sure Jess was examined by the local doctor and other than the bump on the head and a couple of large bruises, she was fine. Sam had examined the bruises showing vividly against the white skin of her shoulder. She had angrily twisted away from his close scrutiny, hating herself for the treacherous feelings his nearness evoked within her.

  He had been true to his word in getting back to Australia as soon as possible having booked two seats on a charter plane to Los Angeles for later that afternoon. On arrival in L.A., their other luggage was delivered from the Century Plaza Hotel to the airport and then they waited for four hours for an international flight to Sydney. Jess felt terrible. Her eyes burned from lack of sleep and her head ached either as a result of her fall or from tiredness, she wasn’t sure. She didn’t know how Sam kept going. He hardly spoke on the long journey but kept busy working on the program. In L.A. he made several phone calls to Bill Parsons in Sydney and Jess was aware World Watch’s solicitors were ready to check the Inuit story.

  “You know you can stay at my house as long as you like, Jess.” Sam’s velvety voice broke into her thoughts.

  “That’s kind of you, Sam, but I think I should move out as soon as possible,” Jess said politely, keeping her voice level.

  “Will you come to work with me tomorrow?”

  “Yes, probably. Just to clear out my desk,” Jess added an edge to her voice. “How will you get out of the hype of launching me as your new presenter?” she asked despondently.

  “That�
��s not a problem. There’s been no official publicity on you with regard to the program. Your gene story is due to go to air this week and we will introduce you as a free-lancer.”

  Jess could have hit him for the relaxed manner in which he ended her career and without him, her future happiness.

  “I hope your ex-lover has settled back in the South East. The last thing we need is any hassles from him.” Sam lifted her hand to his mouth.

  Jess snatched it away. “Don’t … don’t touch me, Sam,” she hissed. “You know, in your own way you are more dangerous and crueler than Tom,” she said. “At least he didn’t toss me to one side like an old rag.”

  Sam unbuckled his seat belt as the plane stopped at the terminal. “Don’t give me that, Jess. You are the one who chose to end our affair. If I had my way I would take you to bed right now.” His laughter didn’t reach his eyes as he tossed the careless words at her. Jess turned away not trusting herself to answer.

  At Sam’s house, she sat on the lounge uncertain of what to do. She suddenly realized she had no job and nowhere to stay. What a mess she’d made of things.

  “Why don’t you go upstairs to bed … to sleep,” Sam said, sitting beside her. “You look exhausted and surprisingly, things often look better in the morning.” Jess stared at his handsome face. Why did I have to fall for you? I’m never going to be happy again.

  “You should stay at World Watch until you find another job,” Sam added, a worried frown crossing his face.

  Jess sprang up and turned to face him. “Sam, please don’t be kind to me. It’s out of character. I can manage very well on my own. I don’t need your help,” she said defiantly.

  Sam stood also and Jess hesitated at the intent look on his face. His hands reached for her. “Jessica, I…” He stopped abruptly and swore as the door buzzer sounded.

  When he answered the intercom, Jess heard Pauline’s low, melodious voice. “Sam. Darling. Let me in.”