by JoAnn Durgin
“I look forward to getting to know you better.” Alex rose to his feet and smiled.
“Likewise,” she said as he nodded and walked away. Taking another sip of her punch, she wondered if the spiked eggnog might have been the better option to soothe her nerves. But, no, she had the example of her own father to prove otherwise.
Alex Kingsfield might not be the enemy, but in another way, he might prove every bit as dangerous. No matter how strong her attraction to this man, he was off-limits. He was only here to do his job, and then he’d be gone. Entertaining fanciful thoughts just because she loved Christmas and considered it the most romantic season was silly. She needed to do the best job she could to show him firsthand why he was here. Then they could both get on with their jobs and their separate lives. Even though he had the best smile she’d ever seen, and seemed like a great guy in many respects, the sooner Alex was out of her life, the better.
5
A sharp pain shot through Nicole’s right foot. Stumbling a bit, she reached for Colin, thankful he recognized her dilemma and took hold of her arm.
“Thanks,” she said, breathing hard.
“You need to get that pitiful ankle wrapped, love. No more excuses. Vanity can wait. We’ll sit behind the anchor desk for a few days until you heal. No harm done. If nothing else, promise me you’ll visit the station’s physician in the morning.”
“You’re probably right,” she said, gritting her teeth. “I’ve never twisted, sprained, or broken anything in my life. It’s a first.” She darted a quick glance around the room. “I hope no one thinks I’m drunk.”
“Yes, well, no need to be a martyr to pain. And I doubt anyone believes such a thing. If they do, I’ll set them straight. Say the word, and I’m taking you to the emergency clinic.”
“No. Please let me stand here for a few moments and regain my equilibrium.” Nicole hated the desperation in her voice and despised the admission of weakness even more. “Your chivalry will not go unrewarded.”
He pulled over a chair and, with a firm hand on her shoulder, pushed her down into it. “I’ll go gather your things and then help you out to your car.”
Unbidden tears sprang into her eyes, and Nicole ducked her head. A quiet thank you was all she could manage. After taking care of herself for so long, having someone to fuss over her was nice. Colin was her protector and dearest friend in several ways. He’d brought her chicken soup a few months ago when she’d suffered from a bad head cold. Stepped in when a male fan got too close at a mall appearance. Listened to her sad family stories.
For whatever reason, she’d never shared more than a handful of close female friendships. Since being in Des Moines, most of the women she’d met seemed suspicious of her motives, as though she was either trying to steal their job or their man, neither of which was anywhere near the truth. After a while, she’d finally stopped trying. But dear Colin was always there, reliable and encouraging. She’d also glimpsed the hurting, searching man beneath his bravado. From what she knew, he’d only allowed a few select friends close access to his life, and she was honored to be counted among them.
Alex finished his latest conversation and strolled toward her. While he had the gait of an athlete, he appeared more confident than arrogant. “May I escort you to your car?”
Nicole blinked back more tears. Above all, she didn’t want to seem a weak and vulnerable woman. She hadn’t come this far to prove herself a sentimental, emotionally unstable female. “No, I—”
“Got it covered, mate. Thanks all the same.” Putting her handbag on the floor, Colin shot Alex an indefinable look and held out her coat. Nicole carefully stood while willing both men to behave. If she didn’t know better, she’d think this was some silly male standoff of sorts.
“Nice tie by the way.” Alex’s tone was dry. “Does it take requests?”
When she giggled, Colin shot her a frown. “I’m quite sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“I wondered the same thing.” After quickly buttoning her coat, Nicole reached for the bottom of his festive tie. “Is there a button to press so it plays a holiday tune?”
“I should hope not.” Colin swatted her away and smoothed one hand over the tie. “If it does, the salesclerk at Younkers owes me a refund.” He shrugged into his long, black wool coat and upturned the collar. “If you’ll excuse us, Mr. Kingsfield, we’ll no doubt see you in the morning. Coffee and toast.”
“Good night,” Alex called after them as they departed.
As Colin escorted her out of the building and into the bitterly cold night, Nicole resisted the urge to glance back over her shoulder. She’d learned her lesson the first time, not that it wasn’t tempting.
“Want to tell me what that was about? You were rather abrupt,” she said as Colin tucked her inside her car.
After starting the engine, Nicole lowered the window. Shivering, she cranked up the heater and then rubbed her glove-covered hands up and down her arms.
He leaned closer. “I don’t much like the guy.”
“You don’t know him. For that matter, neither do I.”
She wondered if Mike had informed Colin as to the purpose of Alex’s visit. In any case, he’d find out in the morning. News like that couldn’t be kept secret, especially for someone as intimately connected to Wake Up, Des Moines! as Colin. She was surprised he hadn’t already broached the conversation. Blessed with good intuition and a sharp intelligence, not much escaped him.
He ran a gloved hand through his thick blond waves. The only time he dared to mess with his perfectly styled hair was at the end of the day. In some ways, it endeared him to her. “Network executive or not, he’s too smooth. Quite frankly, I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”
Her brows rose. “What are you talking about? Make it snappy since it’s freezing. Or else hop in here with me so we can talk.” In truth, she was grateful Colin wasn’t leaving with one of the women he’d met tonight. He was changing. Maybe her prayers were working. No. More like the Lord was preparing his heart.
“I’ll be moving along momentarily.” Colin’s gaze zeroed in on her. “Unless you’re so caught up with ankle pain that you can’t see what’s directly in front of you”—he tapped the tip of her nose—“Alex Kingsfield fancies you.”
“Fancies me?”
“Put it this way.” He leaned close, both hands on the window ledge. “One way or the other, I fear that man’s going to take you away from us. I, for one, shall miss you terribly.”
“Colin, please listen to me.” Nicole grabbed his hand and held on tight. “First of all, I hardly think that’s going to happen. But if I do leave, at any point, and for whatever reason, I know we’ll always maintain our special friendship no matter where life takes either one of us. As far as I’m concerned, nothing or no one can ever take that away.”
“I hope you’re right, love. Sleep well, Nikki.” After she released her grip on his hand, Colin saluted and then departed.
6
Wednesday Morning
Alex couldn’t hide his frown. Although Nicole was wearing snow boots, she was risking a fall getting from Point A to Point B. Telling the station manager they should salt the employee parking lot better wasn’t his place, but at the very least, one of their prized morning co-hosts deserved better consideration if not special treatment.
After pulling her purse and attaché case from her black Toyota Camry, Nicole pushed the car door closed with her backside. Even bundled with at least three layers of clothes, and her cheeks flushed with the cold, Nicole attracted everything male within him. You’re here to do a job. That’s all. Get to it already.
Sure enough, after a few first cautious steps, Nicole spied him standing a foot away beside his rental SUV. Tilting her head, she surveyed him. “Spying on me already this morning?”
“Just making sure you’re safe and sound.”
“Thanks, but I think I can manage.” A slight twitch teased the corners of her mouth.
“I’m sure you c
an, but watch that next step.” He moved forward and pointed to the parking lot directly beneath where she stood. “On second thought, don’t move.”
With one foot poised in the air, she glanced down at the icy pavement.
A long-neglected chivalrous streak seized him. Without a second thought, he scooped her into his arms. She was light as a feather, even with her snow boots.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Struggling in his arms, Nicole pushed against his chest.
Alex swallowed his satisfaction at her halfhearted attempt at outrage. Even through both their wool coats, and all those layers, he could feel her warmth. Stupid move and he knew better. No matter how gratifying, and no matter how long it’d been since he’d held a woman, he needed to keep his distance.
“Relax,” he said. “I’m only a hapless, misguided Neanderthal trying to save you from twisting your foot. Again.”
After a few more seconds of squirming, she stopped her protest. “You can be a little borderline creepy, you know. Knowing things about me the way you do.”
“Yeah, call me the network stalker. If you’ll recall, you’re the one who told me about twisting your foot.” Alex nodded back at her car. “You might want to lock it up.”
Nicole’s eyes widened, and then she pushed a button on the key fob. After hearing a click followed by the telltale beep, Alex headed with her still in his arms to the station’s side entrance.
They’d barely entered the building when she spoke again. “You can put me down now.”
“As you wish.” He lowered her to the concrete floor, but his hands still circled her small waist.
When she planted both hands on his shoulders to steady herself, he caught a whiff of her hair. Smelled pretty great, and the closeness was as unnerving as it was fantastic. He’d love to touch those dark, silky strands, run them through his fingers, but that would only lead to bigger trouble.
Man, get a grip.
He needed to keep his hands, and his lips, to himself.
If Nicole had any idea of his thoughts, she’d be appalled. What was wrong with him? Just because it was the holidays didn’t mean he should be thinking about her in anything other than a professional way. How many reasons could he count for not stepping over the line with the subject of his assignment? They were too numerous to ponder. He definitely needed to rein in this attraction and bury it. Deep.
Alex avoided her gaze, feeling uncharacteristically awkward and knowing it could be hazardous to his pulse. “I’m going to let go now. Do you think you’ll be able to stand on your own?”
“My ankle hurts, Alex. That’s all. I think I’ll survive.” She smoothed one hand down the front of her wool jacket. “I suppose a thank you is in order for manhandling me.”
Feisty defined this stubborn woman. “Don’t mention it. Maybe you should get it looked at.”
“Colin suggested the same thing, and I’m going to visit the station’s doctor. I doubt there’s much they can do, but maybe getting it wrapped will give it more stability.” She shrugged. “This is uncharted territory for me.”
“Not me. Broken bones, twists, sprains, crutches. Been there, done that.”
“I figured you must have been a scrappy kid.”
Because of a few hockey scars? “You could say that. I had something to prove, I suppose.”
“What would that be?”
He leveled his gaze on her. “Among other things, that I could play with the big boys.”
“Well, I’d say you’ve accomplished that particular goal.” She laughed. “Pun intended, I suppose.”
Nicole had no idea of the far-reaching implications of his statement and that it had less to do with his career than his personal life.
The unwelcome memory of the night he’d lost his best friend in a car accident popped unbidden into his mind. The horrific sound of crunching metal that had haunted his waking thoughts for years and prompted nightmares. Still did on occasion. The remains of the twisted, mangled car. The screams from the two girls in the backseat. The anguished, tortured moans from Chase before he’d died at the scene. How Alex had crawled out of that wreck alive was a miracle. His physical injuries healed quickly enough since he was young and otherwise healthy, but the emotional wounds would always be a part of him. “God’s wake-up call,” his dad termed it.
As usual, Jeremiah Kingsfield pegged that one right. That night, part of Alex died right along with Chase, but it was the turning point when he’d cleaned up his messy, careless life. The aimless relationships and hard partying were replaced by a renewed commitment to earning his degree and building a solid career.
Nicole’s expression radiated compassion, as though she’d delved deep inside his conscious mind to glimpse his hidden heartache. While he appreciated her concern, he’d never shared that part of his past with a woman.
“I’ll see you in a bit.” Perhaps that sounded curt, but she didn’t appear offended.
Walking away, she hesitated and then turned back to face him. “When is that, exactly?”
“Officially, I’m sitting in on the morning pre-show meeting. Unofficially, we’re having lunch with Mike and Colin today. The Maxwell Club.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Good to know. My assistant hadn’t yet informed me. The Maxwell Club, you say? That’s traditionally a men’s club, only recently opened to those of the female persuasion. Will I be expected to smoke a cigar?”
Alex couldn’t stop his grin. “Only if you’re so inclined.”
She blew out an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll try not to blow smoke rings in your face. You’re paying, right?”
“Oh, I have the feeling I’ll pay.” He understood she’d no more blow smoke rings in his face than he’d ever willingly take another drink of alcohol. Flirting with his client wasn’t advisable, but he couldn’t seem to help himself when he was around Nicole.
With a slight nod, Nicole turned in the opposite direction and headed down the hallway, presumably to her dressing room. At least she didn’t stomp, strut, or stalk. Probably only because she didn’t want to aggravate her already sore ankle.
The lingering wariness between them indicated she still might not trust him. She didn’t necessarily have to trust him. On a purely personal level, he hoped he could change her mind. He had never needed a client to like him. Until now.
As he walked to Mike’s office, Alex’s thoughts were jumbled. Nicole made him squirm. Made his pulse race. Made him want to spar with her just to see those beautiful blue eyes light with passion. Made him want to escort her to dinner and find out everything he could about her. What she liked and what she didn’t. If she doctored her coffee. Her favorite color, flavor, subject, television show, book. Whether she had a guy—other than her British co-host—that she called to escort her to work-related benefits and events. Whether she found Alex the least bit attractive.
He definitely needed to stop this train of thinking. It could lead nowhere. Or everywhere.
Shaking his head as if the action would somehow clear his mind, Alex shoved his hands in his pockets and started whistling. This time he knew exactly which tune. The one about taking a sleigh ride. He’d never been sappy or romanticized a woman before, so why start now? The holiday excuse wouldn’t wash. Was he so attracted to Nicole because he hadn’t had a decent date in more than two years? Even longer since he’d kissed a woman.
He enjoyed the company of a fascinating woman who challenged him, and Nicole fit that description and then some. He liked hearing the unique female slant on everything from politics to choosing a gift. Trading ideas, sharing food, exchanging opinions. Doing those things with Nicole might prove fun and entertaining.
She also radiated sensuality without even trying. Admittedly, he missed the softness of a woman, whether in theory or in reality. Holding the lovely morning co-host in his arms had stirred long-forgotten feelings.
No two ways about it. For better or worse, Nicole Reardon had captured him. Professionally, but also in ways that had nothing whatsoever to
do with his presence in Des Moines. The problem was, Alex hadn’t a clue what to do with that attraction.
7
Nicole thanked the waiter as he removed her plate at The Maxwell Club. The salmon must have been delicious, but she had no idea. She’d picked at it, her stomach in knots as she’d listened to the conversation among the three men.
Alex had asked her a few specific questions about the show in a not-so-subtle attempt to draw her more fully into the conversation. If nothing else, the business lunch served to forge some kind of bond—however tenuous—between Colin and Alex.
Colin’s words from the night before had lingered in her mind all morning and then taken center stage during lunch.
“Alex has some great ideas to enhance the show, don’t you think, Nikki?” Mike stabbed his prime rib and plopped another hearty bite in his mouth.
“Yes,” she said. “It’s surprising, yet flattering, that the network pays such close attention.”
A glint in Alex’s eyes surfaced, cluing her in that she’d either irritated or intrigued him with that comment.
“We keep close watch on a number of our affiliate stations around the country, especially those with the best numbers. Wake Up, Des Moines! works incredibly well on a number of levels. As I mentioned to Nicole last night, we’re examining the dynamics as a model for boosting the ratings of struggling sister stations.” Pushing aside his empty plate, Alex wiped his mouth with his napkin. “The network’s not strictly focused on the bottom line. Sure, it’s crucial, but it’s not everything. Many factors are taken into consideration.”
“Well, that’s a relief. And a very pat little speech.” Colin sat back in his chair, a wry grin on his face. “I thought it was more a scientific process in the vein of eenie, meenie, miney moe.”
