“Come on, Sam. We were all just doing our jobs.”
“Some people were, that’s true. Then there were those who chose to go the extra mile. I’ve learned to value those people because they’re so rare.”
The kitchen was suddenly filled with people, all laughing and talking at the same time.
“Well, hello,” Trish said to Sam. Her smile sparkled. “I hope you’re not leaving now, are you, not when we just got here!”
Sam smiled at her and said, “’Fraid so.”
“Do you ski?” she asked hopefully.
“Very poorly, I’m afraid.” Sam looked over at Nick. “It was great seeing you again. Keep in touch now, you hear?”
Nick nodded. “I’ll do that. You do the same.” He watched as Sam walked down the pathway, waved at Ron who was locking up the van, before he got into his sedan and drove away.
“You missed a great time,” Erin said to Nick. “We had fun.”
“Did you see a movie?”
She shook her head. “Nobody could make up their mind which one to see. Besides, we can see a movie anytime. We’re in Colorado. I’ve never been this far west before. I bought a bunch of souvenirs to take home.”
Nick happened to turn and catch Ashley’s eye. She smiled at him, a truly engaging grin without artifice, the first he had ever received from her. She was inviting him to share in the humor of the moment. It hit him that, personality conflict aside, Ashley Sullivan was a truly nice person. She didn’t deserve to be caught up in whatever was going on back in D.C.
It was up to him to protect her. Not only was it his job, it was becoming a personal issue with him.
That thought scared the hell out of him, every bit as much as Sam’s news today. He had no business getting emotionally involved with her.
He could remind himself of that fact from now until old age set in, but it didn’t change any of the facts.
He was falling for the president’s daughter.
Chapter 6
Tuesday, December 29
“There’s going to be a live band at the lodge tonight,” Joe said, joining the group in the kitchen.
“How did you hear about that?” Derek asked.
“I have ESP, didn’t you know?”
The girls laughed at the look on Derek’s face. Erin patted his shoulder in a consoling gesture. “There was a sign on the guard’s hut at the gate. Didn’t you see it when we came back from town?”
Ashley and Trish answered together, “He was too busy talking,” and Everybody laughed—including Derek.
Craig looked over at Joe, slightly raising a brow. “ESP?”
Joe shrugged and grinned disarmingly. “It was worth a shot. Anyway, I think we should plan to stay for some dancing after dinner. Anybody up for that?”
Nick looked at Ron, who rolled his eyes and shrugged. Where did they get their energy?
“I think it’s time I relieved you for a few hours,” Nick said, pulling Ron aside.
“I hope you got a nap. These guys don’t ever stop.”
“No, but I had a nice visit with Sam. I hadn’t seen him in a few years.”
“Glad you had the opportunity.”
The group, as he tended to think of them, had already charged upstairs by this time, the guys loudly discussing shower order while the gals discussed what to wear for the evening. He and Ron returned to the room they were sharing.
Ron walked over to his bag and began to pull out clean clothes.
Nick watched him for a moment, cleared his throat and said, “Sam mentioned something this afternoon that has me concerned.”
Ron glanced around at him. “What’s that?”
“He said there’s talk that Colin’s death was not an accident. I’m curious to know what you think.”
Ron met his gaze squarely, but didn’t answer right away. “Maybe,” he finally admitted. Then he added, “I wish I knew.”
“So you’ve had some doubts?”
Ron looked down at the floor, obviously trying to decide how to answer. Nick could understand his hesitation. This was serious stuff they were dealing with here. If what Sam had told him was true, there was no telling how many agents were involved.
Was Ron one of them? If he was, would Nick be able to discern that? He had to trust that he’d be able to figure out Ron’s position. For that matter, Ron was in the same situation where he was concerned.
Who could they trust?
“Colin and I were in the habit of having coffee together after we got off work every night,” Ron finally said quietly. “Neither one of us had anyone waiting at home. It gave us a chance to visit. In the course of our conversations, we shared a lot about ourselves that had nothing to do with our job assignments.”
“You were friends,” Nick murmured.
Ron sighed. “Yeah. We were friends.” He rubbed his hand over his head. “That last night we met at an all-night diner as usual. Colin was excited. Nervous. Tense. He started telling me things he’d never discussed with me before. Not much detail, you understand. Just that he thought he was close to gathering proof.”
“About what?”
“Some kind of conspiracy.”
“A conspiracy? Against who or what?”
Ron sighed. “Hell, I don’t know. We’re all paranoid to some degree. To listen to Colin, you’d think there was a group trying to overthrow the government. In the past he’d made comments about not knowing who could be trusted anymore. That night he suggested that it went all the way to the top.”
Nick could feel a knot forming in his stomach. “That sounds pretty paranoid to me, all right. He thought it might touch the Man?”
“From what he was saying, I got that impression, yeah.”
“Who knew Colin felt this way?” Nick asked.
“I don’t know. I told him that kind of talk could get him killed.”
“So now you’re wondering if, in fact, it did.”
“Sometimes,” Ron admitted. “That and the fact that there was no way he was on his way home when he was killed. He didn’t live anywhere near that area, and when I left him, he said he was headed home to bed.”
“He could have lied to you…for the best of reasons. Maybe it was a way to protect you.”
“Maybe. We’ll never know now.” Ron leaned forward, his gaze intent. “I have to admit I was more than a little suspicious when you were first assigned in his place.”
“Me? Why?”
“Let’s say it gave you a valid reason to be in the White House. I figured you might have been placed there to investigate what happened, in case Colin’s sudden death had raised anyone’s suspicions.”
“And have you changed your mind about me?”
Ron’s answer was slow in coming. “Maybe. I haven’t seen any sign of you investigating anything. Until now, anyway.” They were both silent, thinking their own thoughts, until finally Ron asked, “So what do you think all this means?”
“I’m not sure. I just know I don’t like it. I can’t help but wonder if we were shuttled off to get us out of town.”
“Somebody had to do it.”
“Yeah.”
He could hear amusement in Ron’s voice. “The things we’re forced to do for our country, right?”
Nick stood and walked over to the window. “Go to sleep. I may need you to spell me before this night is through.”
He heard Ron’s chuckle, then the soft sounds of a blanket being arranged over him.
Nick’s mind was racing. Big money around. Agents with sudden windfalls. Was someone out there buying their loyalty?
Who and why were questions that needed to be answered immediately. The president and his family were at risk until this matter was resolved.
Ron was astute enough to recognize that Nick could have been pulled into this assignment for more than one reason.
There was nothing to be gained by confirming the fact, or by admitting that he was re porting to someone in addition to the detail leader. He glanced at his watch. H
e had to get this information back to Washington immediately, but not through regular channels.
Before he made his call he went upstairs to tell Ashley to call her mother.
Hours later Nick saw Ron come into the lounge where the band had drawn a large crowd. He was glad to see him. Nick was feeling a little beleaguered at the moment. The three couples were enjoying themselves, no doubt about that. They were making him feel older by the minute.
He was also fighting his very strong attraction to Ashley. She’d chosen to wear an ensemble, the skirt of which was guaranteed to promote pneumonia. It revealed a pair of long legs that unexpectedly made him want to gnaw on his knuckles. Not a good sign.
Erin and Trish were equally decked out in similar outfits that had no effect on him whatsoever. That was when he knew he was in big trouble.
The men in their group kept them all busy on the dance floor, so that Nick had plenty of time to sit and watch the room, the band, the other dancers and the way Ashley moved to the music as though it flowed through her body.
He didn’t want to think about bodies. Especially not hers. He’d been fighting his own very natural response to her attractiveness all evening. There was nothing professional about that particular response, but there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it.
So he was pleased to see Ron show up, looking alert and refreshed by his time off. Nick needed the distraction.
Ron slid into the booth across from Nick. “Pretty good music, huh?” Ron asked.
“Loud, anyway.”
Ron laughed. “The best kind.” He watched the crowded dance floor for a while, then said, “You been out there yet?”
“Me? Are you kidding? No way.”
“It’s not against the rules, you know. We’re allowed to dance.”
“On duty?”
“Well, you have to admit this duty is a little unusual. After all, we’re supposed to blend in.”
“I suppose.”
Ron grinned. “Well, here I go, blending in,” he said, and headed for a table where three women sat watching the dancers.
Nick smiled to himself. Good for Ron. Unfortunately Nick hadn’t seen anyone he was particularly eager to dance with. His eyes strayed back to the dance floor.
Craig and Ashley looked good together. It was obvious they had danced together many times. She had danced with Derek and Joe several times, as well, but Craig was the one with whom she seemed to best communicate. It bothered him that the thought of her with Craig made him knot up inside.
He spotted Ron out there after a few minutes. He wasn’t bad. Not bad at all.
When the band finally took a break, everyone arrived back at the booth. Trish said, “We’re lucky you’re saving this place for us, Nick. But why aren’t you out there dancing?” She pointed over her shoulder. “Did you see Ron? Wow! He’s good.”
Erin spoke up. “I want to dance with him sometime tonight.”
“Me, too,” Trish added before focusing on Nick. “And I insist that you dance at least one dance with me, too, Nick.”
“Your toes will never be the same,” he replied.
“I’ll take care of my toes. Is it a deal?”
He noticed that Ashley was watching him. Oh, what the hell. “Sure,” he said. “Whenever you want.”
The conversation became general. When Ron returned to the table, each of the women insisted on having their turn with him, so that by the time the band returned, it had been decided that Ron was booked for at least the first three dances.
He was a good sport about it.
Erin held out her hand to Nick. “Come on. It’s your turn.”
He looked around as though for reinforcements, but Joe and Derek were already asking other women to dance. Craig led Ashley out on the floor.
They’d been dancing for several minutes when Erin leaned toward him and said, “You’re being a good sport about all this.”
Maybe so, but he felt like a fool. He hadn’t danced since college. However, it seemed to be a night of freestyle and no one was paying any attention to him, thank God.
When the song was finally over, he was out of breath. They had almost reached the table when Trish touched his arm and said, “It’s my turn.”
He grinned at her. “Okay, but don’t say you haven’t been warned.” They stayed out on the floor through two songs, and Nick had to admit that he was having fun. Trish was an excellent dancer. When the second song ended he begged to be allowed a chance to catch his breath.
Trish threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “You’re great, Nick. Thanks so much.” Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes sparkling. He escorted her back to the table and ordered drinks for everyone.
By the time another round appeared and he paid for them, the table was almost deserted. Only Ashley continued to sit there, watching him.
He smiled tentatively at her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
She nodded, then reached over and, with a napkin, wiped a smudge of lipstick off his cheek. “You seem to be enjoying yourself, as well.”
“Ashley—”
She stopped him with a finger over his mouth. “I didn’t mean anything by that. Not really. I guess I’ve never seen you quite so relaxed.” She held his gaze. “It’s very appealing.”
His pulse picked up and it had nothing to do with his recent bout of dancing. “I…uh, thank you.”
“You really don’t have to be serious all the time, do you?”
“Not really. I’m not much on socializing, though.”
“That surprises me. Surely you’re aware of the way you draw feminine gazes wherever you go.”
He could feel his ears reddening. “Uh, actually, no, I’m not.”
She grinned. “Look at you. You’re blushing!” She laughed. “Now there’s a sight I never expected to see.”
Nick looked up and was relieved to see Ron returning to the table. He was going to be rescued from this very embarrassing conversation. He thought. Then Ron said, “So why aren’t you two out there dancing?”
Ashley replied, “I’ve been waiting to be asked. He’s danced with Erin and Trish, but so far I haven’t heard an invitation.”
Now he was in for it. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, trying not to clench his jaw.
She gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you, kind sir. I’d be delighted.”
They had no sooner arrived than the band suddenly segued into a slow tune. The already dim lights lowered slightly, causing a stir in the crowd. Nick wondered if fate was actively working against him. This woman stirred his pulse more than any he’d ever known. Why did she have to be someone so totally inappropriate?`
Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand tentatively at Ashley’s waist, grasping her hand with his other one.
She looked up at him for a moment, then silently followed his lead. He made certain that he didn’t brush up against her. There was no way he wanted her aware of his reaction to her. He tried to ignore the fact that every other couple on the dance floor was pressed snugly against each other.
He tried to ignore the scent of Ashley’s floral cologne, the way she moved so lightly in response to his guidance. Most of all, he fought to hang on to some kind of control over his body, which was clamoring to pull her against him and kiss the living daylights out of her.
“I never thanked you for what you did today,” she said softly, looking up at him. Her soft mouth beckoned. He forcibly pulled his gaze from her moist lips to her eyes and felt as though he were drowning in their amber depths.
“What did I do?” he managed to ask.
“Went back to look for me. Didn’t go into a tirade, listing all the things I did wrong.”
He smiled and unintentionally pulled her closer. He didn’t really need to be reminded of how he’d felt while looking for her. Now here she was in his arms. He wondered if she could hear his heart pounding. He swallowed. “You’re welcome. You really had me worried for a while there.”
“You were tempted t
o tell me off, though, weren’t you?”
He nodded very slowly and smiled. “Very.”
She laughed and stepped closer to him. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, reveling in the way she fit his body so perfectly. They continued to dance until he felt her lips brush softly against his ear. He shivered and realized that this was not going to work.
Suddenly he stopped dancing and stepped away from her, afraid she would notice the effect she was having on him.
“What’s wrong?”
His heart was hammering. “This isn’t a very good idea,” he managed to say, thankful the lighting was low. He was already as hard as a rock. What would she think if she discovered that the man assigned to protect her was attracted to her? He didn’t want to think about the possible explosion that could occur.
“What?” She looked around, then back up at him. “You mean dancing together?”
He nodded.
“Are you saying that you don’t wish to dance with me?” she asked stiffly.
He tried to find an acceptable answer to that without either insulting her or telling her the truth, but he hesitated too long. She spun around and left him standing there. “Wait. I didn’t mean to—” He followed her off the dance floor.
She waved her hand. “Please don’t explain. I’m sorry I compromised you in any way, Agent Logan.” She grabbed her purse off the table. “I’m going to the restroom now.” She gave him a level stare. “Alone. Think you can handle that?”
She spun on her heel and charged across the room.
Nick shook his head at his awkward handling of the situation. He needed to explain to her that… He sat down at the table. Yeah, Logan, explain to her how strongly she affects you at such close quarters? Explain how you feel about her? That’s all you need.
He watched the door to the women’s room and saw Erin follow Ashley inside. He was absolutely certain he did not want to hear any part of their conversation.
“Pompous jerk! Puffed-up, arrogant toad! I really detest him. I can’t believe he just…he…” Ashley sputtered out of words. She couldn’t remember ever having felt so crushed by someone’s behavior toward her. She’d been dreamily following his lead, loving every moment of being in Nick’s arms, fantasizing about their becoming friends now, and maybe something more. While all the time he…he was hating every minute of it! She angrily brushed away the betraying moisture in her eyes. He wasn’t worth it!
The President's Daughter Page 7
