Madison refused to talk about her new assignment all afternoon, locking herself in her office under a pile of work. She’d emailed Samantha to meet her at Mulhalley’s after work, skipping their usual Tuesday night yoga class.
“Come on, Madison. Did you not receive the writing assignment?” A worried expression crossed Samantha’s face. She leaned forward, across the table in the booth, to be heard above the noise in the pub.
Loud Christmas music played from a speaker above their heads. Jeez, Christmas music already? It was only the first of December. The festivities seemed to start earlier every year. Madison frowned. “Oh, I got the assignment.” She nodded.
“That’s great—isn’t it?” Confusion spread across Samantha’s petite features. “This is what you wanted, right?”
Madison nodded, and then shook her head. Her shoulders sagged as she took another sip of her cosmopolitan. She wanted a writing assignment, just not this one.
“Yes? No? I’m confused. Madison what’s wrong?” Exasperation filled Samantha’s voice.
She couldn’t leave her friend in suspense any longer. She took a deep breath. “Cole Harris for one thing.” She slumped forward in her seat. “He’s so arrogant, and he thinks that sexy smile of his can get him anything he wants.”
“Besides the obvious fact that it can. What does Cole Harris’s smile have to do with your assignment?” Samantha picked up her wine glass and took a sip.
“It’s a travel assignment interviewing five of New York’s finest bachelors on their holiday traditions…” She explained, rolling her eyes. As if women cared about how five of the most arrogant, unattainable men in New York would be spending their holidays. Okay, maybe some women cared. She didn’t.
“So, you have to interview him.” Samantha shrugged. “Twenty minutes alone with him won’t kill you. In fact, I’d spend twenty minutes alone with him any day.”
Madison shot her an annoyed look.
“What? He’s hot.”
Madison shook her head. “Anyway, that’s not it. He’s traveling with me to photograph the bachelors.”
“Madison, forgive me for saying this, but there are far worse fates in life than to have to travel with a gorgeous, successful man during one of the most romantic times of year. You’re overreacting.” Samantha sat back in her chair and relaxed.
“You haven’t heard the worst part yet.” Madison rested her head on her arm on the table.
Samantha reached across and picked up her forehead, forcing her friend to look at her. “Well, what is it? And if you say you have an unlimited expense account, I’m out of here.”
“Kurt.” Madison dropped her head back against the table with a thud.
“Your ex-husband? What does he have to do with—oh no!” Samantha clasped a hand over her mouth.
Madison nodded in confirmation.
“You have to interview him?”
Madison nodded again.
“Oh, Madison.” Samantha pushed the drinks in Madison’s direction as she listened.
“I know—ironic, isn’t it? I finally land the assignment I’ve been asking for, and it turns out to be the assignment from hell. I don’t enjoy the Christmas season or spending time in Manhattan, and I’m definitely not excited about seeing Kurt again.” She shuddered. Even the sound of her ex-husband’s name made her cringe.
“Why did you accept the assignment?” Samantha looked at her with concern. “How could I refuse? I have begged Damian for a writing assignment for months.” She shook her head. “I had to accept. Besides, it wasn’t as if I had a choice. You should have seen the two of them.” Madison’s tone grew angry. “They planned the entire itinerary without once consulting me.” It wasn’t the exact truth. They had asked her input, but she’d been too stunned by the whole thing to do more than nod in agreement.
“When do you start?” Samantha flagged the waiter for their bill.
“We, Cole and I, leave first thing tomorrow morning on the seven o’clock ferry to Manhattan.” Madison looked distressed, holding her head in her hands. On such short notice, she hadn’t even had time to process the whole thing yet.
“Seven o’clock ferry? Ouch, that’s early.” Samantha said, looking at the empty glasses in front of her friend.
Madison followed her gaze. She wasn’t a morning person, add a hangover, and she would feel awful. Why had she drank so much? This wasn’t her usual way of dealing with her stress. She should have gone to their usual yoga class. Though she suspected no amount of deep breathing would help ease the tension seeping through her neck and shoulders.
“Let’s get you some coffee and get you home. I have a feeling tomorrow morning will be here faster than you’re going to like.”
* * * * The sound of Jingle Bell Rock filled Madison’s room early the next morning. She opened one sleepy eye and peered at the alarm clock on the bedside table. “Five thirty? Are you kidding me?” She groaned, burying her head under the pillow. Why hadn’t she insisted on a later ferry to Manhattan? They weren’t interviewing the first bachelor until the following day. She frowned. Of course, Cole Harris had suggested the extra day for preparation. She remembered he’d mentioned something about picking up supplies from his studio in the city. “Hmph.” She fumbled with the alarm clock until she found the off button and slammed it twice.
The smell of coffee filled her room. Coffee? Had she set the maker last night? She sat up straight, pushing the pillow aside. Samantha. She smiled. Thank God for her friend. Madison yawned as she made her way to the bathroom. She smiled when she saw her favorite red sweater and charcoal dress pants lying over her chaise in the corner of the room. What would she do without her friend? She climbed into the shower, and as the hot water trickled down her back, she forced herself to think of the next three weeks as a stepping stone in her career and not an experience that might kill her. Her long awaited opportunity to prove herself in the world of journalism. Sure, it was just for the holiday edition, but she was confident once Damian saw her potential, writing assignments would be a regular thing. With the new changes occurring in the New Year, she hoped to move away from the editing department for good.
As she finished flat ironing her long dark hair, the doorbell rang. Her landlord coming to collect her rent check? Grabbing her purse, she opened the door.
Cole Harris stood on the other side.
Her mouth fell open as her gaze met his. “What are you doing here?” Annoyance filled her voice.
“I thought we could drive to the ferry together.” He smiled. “And good morning to you too.” He handed her a cup of coffee.
“How did you get in here?” Madison scanned the hallways. This was a secure building. Someone must have broken the rule set by the strata committee against allowing unregistered guests into the building.
“Moving guys outside let me in. I helped them carry a couch.” Cole said with a shrug.
Madison shook her head. “That’s fantastic.” She took a deep breath and cleared her throat. “Anyway, I was planning to take a taxi…” She explained, accepting the coffee cup with reluctance. It smelled too wonderful to resist, even if it would be cup number four so far that morning.
“Now you don’t have to.” Cole said. “Are you ready to go or can I come in?” He tucked a hand into his jeans pocket.
“I’ll just be a minute.” Madison stepped back to let him in. “Wait a second, how did you get my address?” She blocked the entrance to her apartment.
“I stopped by reception at the magazine office yesterday afternoon, and they gave it to me.” He sipped his own coffee and peered at her over the rim.
“What? We have a policy against giving out personal private information. Who did you talk to?” She could guess.
“Alisha? Petite blonde at reception.” He shrugged.
Figures. Ashley. She didn’t bother to correct him. “That explains it.” No doubt his charm hadn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated by the young blonde receptionist. “I’m sure she sang like a canary the momen
t you flashed that sexy…” She stopped and turned away, grabbing her jacket from the hook behind the door.
Cole grinned and cocked his head to the side. “You think I have a sexy something? What is it?” He reached to help her with her coat.
She moved away. “Nothing.” She pushed him through the open door and closed it behind them.
“I bet it’s my butt.” He grinned, leaning against the wall in the hallway.
She locked her apartment door.
“Am I right? I saw you checking me out in your office yesterday.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“I definitely was not.” Madison let out a deep breath. “I just meant, some people might give in to your charm, that’s all.” She struggled with the large suitcase, dragging it down the hall. He took it from her. “But, not you?”
“Not me.” She shook her head.
“Are you sure?” He paused.
“Without a doubt.” She snatched back the handle of the suitcase and continued down the hall.
His laughter followed her. “This is going to be fun.”
She didn’t dare question what he meant.
* * * * Madison closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the bubbles in her whirlpool tub in her hotel room later that evening. Ahhh. The scent of Jasmine invigorated her senses, and the tension in her shoulders melted away. The late night and early morning had been a bad combination, and she planned to be in bed by eight o’clock. Her cell phone rang in the other room. The generic ringtone, not one of the person-specific ones she’d applied. She ignored it. Whoever it was, could leave a message. She reached outside of the tub and picked up her novel. She flipped the pages with sudsy hands and readjusted her back against the plastic, water cushion.
The hotel room phone rang. Who was that? Few people knew where she was. Dropping the book, she stood and reached for a towel.
The phone rang a third time.
“I’m coming,” she grumbled, sliding her feet into the terry cloth slippers.
She picked up the receiver on the fourth ring. “Hello?”
Dial tone.
“Argh.” She glared at the phone and slammed it back in place.
A loud knock rapped on her door, and she jumped. “Who is it?”
“Room service,” was the reply.
Must have the wrong room. Though room service did sound like a good idea. Maybe this guy could take her order. She swung the door open. “I didn’t order…” She stopped. Cole stood in the hallway.
When was the last time she’d opened a door, and he wasn’t standing there?
The smell of Chinese food filled the hallway, and she didn’t have to ask what he carried in the brown paper bag. A small artificial decorated Christmas tree sat propped against the doorframe.
“What is that?” Madison hid herself behind the door.
“Dinner.” He wiggled the bag.
“I meant that.” She pointed to the tree, not letting him inside. What was he doing here anyway? She hadn’t agreed to have dinner with him. Attractive men were full of assumptions.
“A Christmas tree. I stole it from the lobby. I thought you might want to make your room a bit festive.” He waited. “So, can I come in?”
Madison hesitated. She glanced at her towel. Send him away. Her stomach growled. “Yes to the food—and you, I guess, but, no to the tree. Leave it in the hall.” Madison opened the door to let him in.
Cole ignored her and carried the tree inside. He placed it in the corner of the suite before setting the food on the desk, next to her open laptop.
Madison continued to shield herself with the hotel room door. “Close your eyes while I go to the bathroom.”
“You know I have seen a woman in a towel before.” Cole gave her an amused look as he opened the bag of food.
“I’m serious. Either close your eyes or leave.” His scrutinizing gaze made her uneasy. Wearing a towel with her wet hair dripping down her back, she may as well be naked.
“How about I keep my back turned and unpack the food?” He continued removing the cardboard boxes from the bag.
“Fine. But do not turn around.”
“You got it.” Cole laughed.
Madison shut the door and grabbed a pair of jeans and sweater from her open suitcase. She dashed into the bathroom.
She re-entered a moment later.
Cole sat at the desk. “You writing a book or something?” His eyes were on her laptop screen.
She sighed. She’d meant to close the open document. “Don’t read that.” She flicked the laptop lid closed. Her cheeks flushed as she wondered how much he had read. “Haven’t you ever heard of privacy?”
“It was open.” He shrugged. “It was good.” He smiled. “I especially liked the part about the guy’s bulging biceps.”
He was making fun of her. Worse, her writing. “Should we eat?” The faster they got through dinner, the faster she could resume her quiet evening of writing.
He handed her a box of beef and broccoli. “So, you’re not a fan of the city, and you’re a Grinch. Have I got it right so far?” Cole looked out the window overlooking the city with a cardboard box of rice in one hand and chopsticks in the other.
Madison sat cross-legged on her bed. “What makes you think I dislike the city?” Madison took a bite from her fork. Chopsticks were a waste of time. She was starving.
“When you fell asleep on the ferry, you kept mumbling about how you hate the city.” He popped a chicken ball into his mouth.
Madison’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t talk in my sleep.”
Cole nodded. “How would you know? You’re asleep.”
How would she know? It had been three years since she’d shared a bed with a man. She shook her head and let out a deep breath. “Fine, maybe I do.”
“So, why?” Cole paused, chopsticks poised in mid-air. He looked at her expectantly.
“Why what?”
Cole rolled his eyes. “Why do you hate Manhattan?”
Madison shrugged. “I just prefer the quiet pace of Staten Island.” The city life used to appeal to her. The hustle and bustle, the crowds, the noise—they were all part of the city’s charm, but now she liked her peaceful, work-filled life on the Island.
“Okay, I’ll buy that. So what’s with the hate on you have for Christmas? Didn’t get what you wanted from Santa last year?” He handed her a box of rice and took the beef and broccoli.
She studied the contents in the cardboard box, refusing to meet his gaze. Discussing the many reasons why the season made her depressed was off limits. She took a mouthful of rice and avoided his intense, curious gaze.
“I mean, I’ve seen your office. Not a Christmas decoration or holiday card…unlike the rest of the office, which looks like a group of elves on Prozac broke in and let loose.” He laughed.
That elf would be Samantha. Madison sighed. “Christmas is…fine. I’m just way too busy to worry about decorating my office.”
“I see.” Cole drummed his fingers on the table. “Then why didn’t you want to take this assignment if you wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas anyway?”
Madison cringed. This guy had a gift for getting under her skin. “What makes you think I didn’t want this assignment?” Had her feelings been that obvious? She hoped Damian hadn’t noticed. She bit her lip.
“You went pale when Damian presented the bachelor line-up.” Cole set the beef and broccoli aside.
He was too observant for her liking. If he wanted her to like him, he wasn’t helping his cause. “I did not.”
“You did.” He nodded. “And you kept toying with that pendant you wear around your neck. A nervous habit of yours?” He stood and looked out the window overlooking the street.
She glared at his back and touched the script M on the white gold chain hanging around her neck. “So, I have an annoying habit. You’re reading too much into it.” Appetite gone, she folded the lid on the cardboard box.
“So, you’re excited about the assignment?” His tone suggested he didn�
��t believe her.
She didn’t care. She didn’t owe him an explanation about why this was the worse assignment she could have been given. She didn’t even know him, and she planned to keep it that way. “Yes.”
“But not about traveling with me?”
Damn, he was insightful. “Look, I’m sure you’re delightful,” and sexy as hell, “but I like my alone time, my down time at the end of the day.” Away from these unwanted advances of a handsome heartbreaker.
“And you think I’m going to interfere?”
Madison cocked her head to the side. “You’re in my hotel room uninvited.” Did he need reminding? He’d barged in here, disturbing her relaxing bath and plans to work on her manuscript.
Cole stood and grabbed two fortune cookies from the desk. He tossed one to her and headed for the door.
She caught the cookie in one hand. “Where are you going?” She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Who cares, he’s leaving.
“I’m leaving you alone. For now. But I’m warning you—I’m a cool guy. By the end of this trip you’re going to want to spend time with me and I may not let you.” He smiled and opened the door.
“I doubt it.” Madison joined him at the door, her hands on her hips.
Cole chuckled. “Don’t forget to water the tree,” he called as he unlocked his room door and disappeared inside.
* * * * Madison shifted in the passenger seat of Cole’s truck, admiring the beautiful homes in the suburban neighborhood, twenty minutes from the city. The properties in this part of Manhattan ranged in the multi-million dollar range and housed some of New York’s finest. Scott Thompson, bachelor number one was no exception. A commercial real estate broker, the fortytwo year old enjoyed a lucrative lifestyle.
Cole pulled into the long circular driveway, and Madison gasped at the manicured garden veiled in snow. The three-story house had arching peaks at both ends of the rooftop and was painted a deep burgundy color, with dark wood accents and trim. A dream home in a picturesque winter setting with enormous Oak trees, which had long ago lost their leaves and now wore a draping of snow and ice, lined edges of the property. A family of snowmen, in full costume of hats, scarves and mittens decorated the lawn.
Mistletoe Bachelors Page 2
