Chapter 1
This submission was the worst one yet. Madison Grey glanced at the man awaiting her response to his article proposal. “Thank you for your submission, but it’s not quite what we had in mind.” Behind her forced smile, her brain was frantic. In two months, not one decent Christmas themed article had crossed her desk. Time was running out, but she refused to publish a story about Santa’s forgotten elf in a women’s quarterly magazine. She slid the problem-filled manuscript toward its owner. This new face-to-face submission process was draining. What was her boss thinking to implement such a crazy policy?
Cole Harris smiled.
Madison sighed. That won’t work. She didn’t doubt those handsome upturned lips often did the trick, but not with her. Tall, dark, and handsome with a fantastic smile used to be her type. Now she preferred her men at a distance. She knew the type, and she was about as far from interested in him romantically, as she was in his disappointing submission.
She turned in her chair and straightened her pencil skirt as she stood, “A pleasure meeting you. Good luck with the writing.” She extended a hand to Cole.
He took it in his, and his grip tightened around her slender hand. “So you won’t publish the story?” Cole remained seated. His eyes left hers to travel the length of her thin frame. They paused on her long bare legs.
Her eyes narrowed. Seriously? She tugged her hand away and supressed the urge to sigh. Why were they always so hard to get rid of? She took a deep breath searching for the most professional way to tell him the article was awful. “As I’ve explained Mr. Harris, the magazine is featuring Christmas romance stories next month, and your article would be better suited for…well, children.” Or the garbage can under my desk. She walked toward her office door aware of the piercing blue eyes watching her every step. Uncomfortable under his gaze, she opened the door and hid behind it.
Cole stood and joined her. He rolled the typewritten pages and tucked them into the inside pocket of his leather jacket.
“I have another meeting shortly, so if you’ll excuse me…” Madison glanced at her watch and gestured for him to leave. She’d had about as much as she could take this week with the number of awful submissions she’d rejected, the part of the job she enjoyed least. However, Cole didn’t look as disappointed as the other rejects.
An amused smile spread across his face. “How about I take you to lunch, and maybe you could give me some pointers? You know…help me with the writing.” He slid into his leather jacket and checked his watch.
“That’s not part of my job.” Madison stiffened. Was he seriously hitting on her? She fought to hide her annoyance. “Ashley, our receptionist can provide you with a list of critique groups if you’re interested.” Please go away. He’d wasted enough of her time already.
“How about just lunch then? You do eat?” Once again his eyes took in her tall, slender figure.
Not lately. A lunch break was a luxury these days as her workload increased with the holiday season, and the December issue deadline was drawing near. Every morning, her coffee went cold before she could finish it, and it was well after dark before she left the office most evenings. She tucked a stray lock of long brown hair behind her ear and folded her arms across her chest. “I can’t.”
“Fine, dinner tonight. That’s my final offer.” Cole leaned against the doorframe.
Madison’s eyes narrowed “No.” This guy was persistent. “Ashley’s desk is the last one on the right.” She pointed down the hall. “She will be happy to help you.” In more ways than one I’m sure.
“Okay, I’m leaving.” Cole held his hands up in defeat and shook his head as he walked past her out into the hall. “Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll see you around.” He gave a quick wave as he headed down the hall toward the elevators.
God, I hope not. She stood in the otherwise empty hallway staring after him. Where had she seen him before? The nagging feeling, she knew him from somewhere, had plagued her from the moment he’d entered her office.
“Wasn’t that, Cole Harris?” Her friend and co-worker, Samantha, poked her head out of the copy room across the hall.
“Yes. Please tell me where I recognize him from.” So, he was someone she should know.
“Madison, that was, Cole Harris.” Samantha shot her a look of disbelief. She added more paper to the photocopier and shut the tray.
“Yes, that part, I know.” Madison gestured for Samantha to continue.
Samantha stood and rolled her eyes. “Cole Harris, the most popular journalistic photographer in New York. His photos appear in the New York Times almost daily.” Adoration was evident in her voice. “And what a cutie.” Samantha leaned down the hall, watching Cole disappear inside the elevator.
“I hadn’t noticed.” Madison went back into her office and opened her Outlook calendar. Meeting with her boss in twenty minutes. The reminder was unnecessary. How could she forget about a meeting she’d been anxiously anticipating for a week?
Samantha joined her in the office and took a seat across from her. “Yeah, right. You might have sworn off men, but you’re not blind. What was he doing in your office?”
“Who?” Madison looked puzzled.
Samantha rolled her eyes. “Cole Harris!”
Oh, right. “He submitted a manuscript.” Madison typed, Cole Harris into Google search. Aha. That’s where she’d seen him before. The New York Times had presented him with a photography award, three years before at a journalism banquet in Manhattan. The same year, Madison had been awarded editor of the year. A lifetime ago it seemed. The memory crossed her mind of what had been one the best and worse nights of her life. Her husband had missed the award dinner, one of the greatest moments in her career, claiming he was working late at the law firm. She shivered at the memory of arriving at his office, award in hand to discover him working on undressing his legal assistant. A month later, she’d moved to Staten Island, three weeks before Christmas. This time of year made her crazy. She studied the picture of the handsome photographer. He couldn’t be much older than her twenty-eight years.
“Weird. I didn’t know he could write too.” Samantha peered over Madison’s shoulder, surveying the pictures on the screen.
“He can’t.” Madison shut the search engine and turned her attention to her friend. Big snowflake earrings hung from Samantha’s ears. “Where do you buy the crazy Christmas jewelry?”
“What’s wrong with my jewelry?” Samantha pretended to pout. “You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to be a little more festive.” She scanned Madison’s office, the only one in the building not decorated for the season.
“You know, I don’t do Christmas.” Madison frowned at the thought. At one time, Christmas had been her favorite time of year. She’d cherished the familiar holiday traditions—the hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas shopping, the tree lighting ceremony in the park and curling up in front of a fireplace on Christmas Eve. Since the divorce, she’d found more than enough excuses to avoid the festivities.
Samantha sighed, looking around the office, void of personal touches. “I know, I just think it wouldn’t hurt to have a small tree or something…”
“Drop it. We’ve had this discussion. I’m not putting a tree in here or anything else with a fake pine smell.” Madison wrinkled her nose and pointed a finger at her friend. “And don’t even think about spraying my windows with that, snow from a can crap, like you did last year.”
“Fine. Be a Grinch.” Samantha lowered her voice, as she closed Madison’s office door and took the seat Cole Harris had just vacated. “Hey, guess what I heard?”
“That the new owners are planning to make some big changes to the magazine next year?” Madison took a sip of her cold coffee and grimaced. The com
pany had been sold earlier that year, and so far things had remained the same. She suspected that wouldn’t be the case for long.
Samantha nodded. “I feel a promotion coming for you.” She swivelled in the office chair and smiled.
“I don’t know about a promotion, but more work looms on the horizon.” Of that she was sure. Her boss had told her a week before—he had a new assignment for her. It required traveling throughout most of the holiday season. She’d jumped at the opportunity to avoid Christmas, at least in the traditional sense. It had to be a writing assignment. Her long awaited opportunity to prove she could write for the magazine.
“Kim in circulation told Marge in marketing that they are also starting to bring in freelance writers and photographers to help with the advertising campaigns for the New Year.” Her friend interrupted her thoughts.
“Freelance writers?” A frown clouded Madison’s soft features.
“Oh, but I wouldn’t worry…” Samantha shook her head. “I’m sure the main articles will still be assigned to staff writers.”
Madison wasn’t convinced. Freelance writers. She didn’t like the idea.
“So, when is your meeting with Damian?”
“This afternoon.” Madison glanced at her watch. “In twelve minutes actually…Sorry, I guess lunch is out of the question. You know how Damian is about being on time.” Their boss was a clock-watcher.
“Don’t worry, go. I can’t wait to hear about it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.” Samantha stood and opened the office door.
“Thanks.” Madison drained the cold contents of her coffee cup. She had a feeling she would need it.
* * * * Eleven minutes later, Madison stopped cold, as she saw Cole Harris waiting near the office elevator. What was he still doing here? Man, the guy obviously couldn’t take no for an answer. Dealing with him would make her late for the meeting. She bit her lip and hesitated. Maybe she should take the stairs.
He turned, and his eyes met hers. He grinned. Shit, he saw her . She couldn’t run away from him now. “If you’re here to ask me out again…” Madison joined him next to the elevator, annoyance creeping into her voice.
He held his hands up in defense. “I’m not.”
“You’re not?” She folded her arms across her chest, and eyed him with suspicion. She glanced at her watch. Forty-two seconds. She’d have to sprint from the elevator. She looked down at her four-inch stilettos. Maybe Damian’s clock would be slow.
“I have another meeting,” Cole said, as the elevator doors opened.
Madison rushed inside. “Mr. Harris, if you’re planning to meet with another editor to try to get that story published, it won’t do you any good. Here, at Women’s World, we all adhere to the same policies and guidelines. Your story doesn’t fit. You won’t get your work published here.” There she said it. How much clearer could she be without sounding rude? The elevator numbers lit up one by one. Four, five, six…
Cole grinned and leaned against the wall, studying her. “Are you sure about that?”
“Absolutely.” Twenty-six seconds. Nine, ten, eleven…Damian’s clock better not be fast. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“We’ll see.” He winked.
The elevator doors opened on the fourteenth floor.
She dashed into the hall.
He followed.
“Fine, whatever.” In less than nine seconds she was ready to argue her case about why she deserved a writing assignment, if Damian wasn’t offering one. The last thing she needed to concern herself with was Cole Harris. She’d let another editor deal with him. She rounded the corner at the end of the hall.
Cole did the same.
She glanced back at him. Where is he going? Damian’s office was the only office down this hallway. Oh no. She turned and collided with his solid chest. He was bigger and taller than he’d appeared earlier in her office. Up close, his light blue eyes were almost gray. She shook her head. Who cares what color his eyes are?
“Where do you think you’re going?” She glared. Her watch beeped indicating the hour. So close. She sighed.
“You’re really intense for such a tiny person.” He grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
“You have a meeting with Damian? Now?” She yanked free from his grasp. What was going on? Damian hadn’t mentioned anyone else would be attending the meeting.
“Yes, and you made us late.” Cole grinned, as he opened Damian’s office door and shoved her inside.
She stumbled on the plush, tan carpet and her eyes narrowed as her gaze met Cole’s.
“Good, you two have already met.” Damian greeted as they entered. “Come on in, grab a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Damian, pleasure to see you again.” Cole extended a hand and smiled at the older man behind the mahogany desk.
Madison watched the exchange, more uncomfortable by the second. What had she signed on for this holiday season?
* * * * Cole hit the button on the pole at the crosswalk for a walk signal and paced back and forth on the crowded sidewalk to keep warm. A light snow fell and melted as it hit the ground, creating dirty slush puddles on the street. The sky was overcast and dark and the crisp air pierced through his clothing, but even the unfavorable weather couldn’t destroy his good mood.
The light turned to walk, and he hummed as he crossed the busy street. He couldn’t believe his luck. This Christmas season had gotten considerably more appealing. Women’s World Quarterly was one of the fastest growing women’s magazines in the state, and a six-page photo spread in its holiday edition would do wonders for his career. The two-week long travel assignment to document the holiday traditions of some of New York’s finest men would be a great kick-start to the season. Of course, taking pictures of five dudes while they celebrated the holidays wasn’t top on his list of things to photograph, but at least, he knew two of them. Bachelor number one, Scott Thompson and number three Blake Ford had only agreed to the assignment because of his persuasion. He grinned. Having the editor-in-chief of Women’s World Quarterly owe him a favor was a great position to be in. Add a generous expense account and a sexy as hell travel companion, and this would be a great trip.
He paused at the next set of lights and shoved his hands in his pockets. The corner of a business card poked his finger and he pulled it out as he crossed the street. Madison Grey, Senior Editor. The woman was exactly as everyone had warned. Tough, stubborn and determined. And incredibly beautiful. He’d met her before, briefly, at the New York Times award dinner three years before. At the time, she’d been married to some lawyer in Manhattan. Rumor had it, the guy had a wandering eye and the marriage lasted less than three years. Cole shook his head. How anyone could stray from Madison Grey’s sexy legs, he’d never understand.
He chuckled at the memory of her pretty features, as she’d read his submission. The story, written by his young niece for an elementary school homework assignment, had been meant as a joke. However, when she’d taken it seriously, he’d played along. He wanted to meet her before their meeting with Damian, but it had soon become clear, she had no idea who he was or about the assignment she was being given. An assignment, he suspected she wasn’t thrilled about. She’d remained silent throughout the meeting and her face had paled when the bachelor list was presented. Her reaction surprised him. Most women he knew would have jumped at the opportunity to interview these handsome, successful men. He wondered why Madison was the exception.
Cole pushed open the door to the Starbucks on the corner. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee and cinnamon spiced scones made his stomach growl. He loosened his borrowed tie and unbuttoned his shirt as he waited in line. He hated wearing a tie. He didn’t know how those corporate guys, like his brother-in-law, wore one every day.
His cell phone rang, and he reached into his pocket. Women’s World Quarterly flashed on the display screen. She missed him already? He grinned and cocked his head to the side as he accepted the call. “Hello?”
�
�Cole Harris?”
The voice was not Madison’s.
“That’s me.” He covered the receiver as he reached the counter. A pretty, petite redhead
waited to take his order. Her smile was coy, as she twirled a piece of hair around her finger. “What can I get started for you?”
“A gingerbread latte please.” He said with a wink, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.
The young barista blushed and dashed off to make the latte.
Cole turned his attention back to the call.
“Mr. Harris, this is Ashley from Women’s World. We have your travel itinerary confirmed. We can email you a copy if that’s more convenient,” she paused before adding, “or you could stop by…”
Cole smiled. The young receptionist had flirted with him twice that day. She was cute. Maybe he’d bring her a latte. Maybe convince her to help him with something—like Madison’s address.
He gestured to the barista. “Make that two…to go.” Then into the phone, “I’ll stop by to pick it up.”
“Great.” The girl purred. “See you soon, Mr. Harris.”
Cole disconnected the call and paid for the lattes, tossing the change into the tip jar on the counter. “Thanks.” He waved as he left the store.
The girl smiled and tossed her red curls over her shoulder as she turned her attention to the next customer in line.
Outside, Cole shivered and brought one of the steaming cups to his lips. Red lipstick on the side caught his attention. “Britney-475-5693”. He grinned. If only they were all that easy.
Chapter Two
“Madison, that’s your fourth cosmopolitan in an hour, you may want to—never mind.” Samantha said, as a waiter arrived with two more drinks for Madison.
Mulhalley’s Pub, the popular after work grill and pub had become their favorite Friday night girls spot. Tonight was Tuesday, and Madison never drank during the week.
Madison drained the contents of the glass in her hand and reached for another.
Samantha moved it out of reach. “Just start from the beginning, and tell me what happened. It can’t be that bad.”
Mistletoe Bachelors Page 1
