Cole loaded the truck in the hotel parking lot when she arrived back at the hotel. “Good morning.” She offered him an eggnog latte. A peace offering to soften the blow before telling him the kiss couldn’t happen again. She rehearsed her speech in her head again— co-workers, professional, not interested, blah blah blah—All lies.
“No thanks.” He shook his head and ignored the drink.
“Okay.” She frowned, puzzled by his mood. She looked at the cup in her hand, wondering what to do with the disgusting thing. She sure as hell wouldn’t drink it.
He tossed another suitcase in the back of the truck.
“Cole, about that kiss last night…” She shifted from one foot to the other, studying the ground.
“It shouldn’t have happened. We are co-workers, and you are not interested in changing the status of that relationship. Did I get it all?” He stopped working and turned to face her, his hands on his waist.
She stood open-mouthed near the passenger side of the truck. The words stuck in her throat. That was what she’d been planning to say, but…
He glanced at his watch. “We are going to be late for the flight. Get in.” He climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed the door.
She looked around and spotted a garbage can near the hotel door. She jogged to it and tossed in the latte. What was wrong with him? Puzzled, disappointed and relieved, she climbed into the truck. At least she wouldn’t have to say it.
This time of year, they were lucky to be on the same flight heading to Whistler. Therefore, they sat three rows apart in first class. Madison slid her laptop case under the seat in front of her and shot a glance in Cole’s direction.
He didn’t appear to be missing her. He laughed and flirted with the tall blonde occupying the seat next to him.
Madison fought the surge of jealousy rising. What did she care anyway? She didn’t want a relationship with him. Her stomach turned, and she shifted in her seat. She had to quit lying to herself.
The girl giggled at something Cole said, and he wrapped his arm across the back of her seat to face her, ignoring the view from the window seat he’d insisted on. So much for his motion sickness. The girl glanced in her direction, and Madison swung around.
Battling another headache, she shrank lower in her seat and closed her eyes. The blonde could have him, she didn’t care. The plane left the runway, and the next thing she heard was Cole’s voice.
“Hey, wake up. We’re here.” He tapped her on the shoulder as he passed in the aisle.
Madison blinked the sleep from her eyes and gathered her things.
Cole didn’t wait for her as she struggled to remove her carry on from the overhead compartment and pull her laptop from under the seat in front of her. She shot him an annoyed look, which he ignored.
She ran to catch up with him once inside the Vancouver International Airport. “Hey, what is the hurry?” She wiped her tired eyes. The three-hour nap hadn’t been long enough. Groggy, she smoothed her dishevelled hair.
“We still have a two hour drive ahead of us up the mountain—that’s if the driving conditions are good. This time of year, the weather is unpredictable, and it’s snowing.” Cole handed the company credit card to the car rental clerk.
“You’ve been here before? To Whistler?” He hadn’t mentioned it.
“Yes, actually Madison, I meant to tell you before. Blake Ford is an old friend of mine.” Cole picked up his luggage and headed toward the parking lot, keys in hand.
Bachelor number three, Blake Ford was a successful, Olympic snowboarder. How did Cole know him?
“Wait a second, do you know anymore of the remaining bachelors?” Madison stopped, and her heart raced. Did he know Kurt too?
“No, just Scott and Blake. It’s one of the reasons I was offered the assignment.” Cole tossed their luggage into the trunk of the car and slammed it shut.
His sulking was annoying. “What’s gotten you in a rotten mood today?” She asked, slamming the passenger door shut. Last night they’d been laughing and getting along—and kissing. Now he appeared annoyed to be around her.
“Nothing.” Cole started the car and turned on the windshield wipers. Heavy snow hit the window at an angle.
“Fine.” Madison snapped her seatbelt and turned on the radio. Silence would be awkward. The sound of Christmas music filled the space between them, and Madison hummed Silent Night as she kicked off her boots and tucked her feet beneath her in the seat. She reached into her bag and pulled out a book. Might as well get comfortable.
Cole reached forward and switched the radio off. He took the book from her and tossed it into the back seat.
Madison shot him a puzzled look and glanced back at her book. “Hey!” What was wrong with him?
“Actually, Madison, it’s not nothing.” He turned to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me Kurt Davidson is your ex-husband?”
“How did you…?” Madison’s mouth gaped. Who told him? How long had he known?
“I googled him last night at the hotel.”
“I didn’t mention it because, it doesn’t matter.” Madison’s tone was cool and unfrazzled, but she fought to control her shaking hands. So much for getting through the assignment without him knowing.
“Doesn’t matter? Did Damian know this before he gave you this assignment?” Cole frowned. He turned the wipers on higher and turned on the defogger to melt the snow on the windshield.
“No.” Madison looked out the window. Drop it, please. The last person she wanted to discuss this with was Cole. Her ex-husband’s affair had been a newsworthy event or at least the Journal had thought so, and she’d had to deal with the embarrassment and questions from everyone from family to strangers when the news broke. She’d put all of it behind her—sort of.
“Why didn’t you tell him? Why did you accept the assignment?” Cole turned the car onto the Sea to Sky highway, heading north toward Whistler.
“Because I am a professional journalist, and this assignment will further my career.” She’d repeated those words to herself many times over the course of the week.
“That’s ridiculous…”Cole took his eyes off the road.
“Cole, watch out!” She put an arm up to shield her face as the car swerved to avoid hitting a deer dashing across the icy highway.
The car spiralled on the black ice and ended tail up in the ditch on the opposite side of the highway. A transport truck hit his horn as he narrowly avoided hitting them.
Madison’s head bounced on the dash as the airbag failed to deploy.
Cole swung open the driver’s side door and jumped out of the car. He climbed over the hood of the vehicle. “Madison, are you all right?” He opened her door and reached in. He unbuttoned her seatbelt and lifted her out of the car, ignoring her struggles and protests.
“I’m fine.” She wiggled in his arms until he set her on the ground.
His trembling hands rested on her shoulders, a look of concern on his handsome face.
A huge bump formed on Madison’s forehead. “Ouch!” She touched the purple, tender spot. Her eyes blurred, and she swayed in his arms.
Cole gripped her tight to steady her. “Maybe we should call an ambulance.” He pushed her hair away from her face to get a better look at the injury.
“No really, I’m fine. Let’s worry about getting this car out of the ditch and back onto the road.” Madison shivered more from the impact of the crash, than the cold wind. Wet snow covered her jacket and clung to her hair.
Cars slowed as they passed them on the winding road, but no one stopped.
“Are you sure…?” Cole hesitated, his ice blue eyes filled with worry.
“I’m sure. Let’s flag someone down to help us get back on the road.” Madison’s head throbbed, and she fought a wave of nausea. She removed his hands from her face and turned her attention to the traffic.
Minutes later a large four-wheel drive pulled over to the shoulder, and in no time they were back in the car on the road.
They drove in silence for what seemed an eternity.
“I’m sorry Madison.” Cole didn’t take his eyes from the road.
The speedometer hadn’t gone above fifty since they’d resumed driving.
Madison glanced at him.
He didn’t meet her gaze. His hand trembled on the gearshift.
She resisted the urge to touch him. “I’m fine. The accident wasn’t your fault.” Neither was her divorce or broken heart.
* * * *
Blake Ford was notorious for being an adventure seeking, risk taker linked to more than one rocky relationship with female celebrities. Three-time gold medal winner in the Winter Olympic snowboarding events and owner of a chain of snowboarding shops, Blake was a success on and off of the slopes. Madison doubted his Christmas traditions would be relaxing or low-key. Christmas tree decorating and hospital visits to sick children were not on the agenda with this bachelor.
Buzzing his Penthouse condo three hours later, she wasn’t surprised he was still in bed. He opened the door in a pair of reindeer printed boxer shorts and nothing else.
“Hi…um…I’m Madison Grey.” Madison’s cheeks flushed. Didn’t anyone put a shirt on before answering a door?
Blake blinked and ran a hand through his dishevelled, shoulder length blond hair. He gave her a confused look.
“From Women’s World Quarterly.”
“Okay…?” Blake still looked puzzled.
Oh no. He had no idea who she was or why she was here. Typical Ashley. The young receptionist couldn’t be trusted with anything. She would have a long chat with her when she got back to Staten Island. First, giving out her address to a stranger, then dropping the ball on the assignment.
“Blake, man, go put on a shirt!” Cole appeared in the doorway behind an open mouthed Madison.
“Hey Cole! What are you…?” Realization dawned on Blake’s face. He turned to Madison. “Madison—from the women’s magazine.” He pointed to her and snapped his fingers. “I’d totally forgotten that interview was this week. Wow, is it the twelfth of December already?” Blake laughed.
“Yes.” Madison pursed her lips. Sorry Ashley.
Blake moved away from the door. “Come in, please. I’ll get dressed and be right with you. Cole, help yourself. You know where I keep everything in the kitchen.” Blake disappeared down the hall.
Cole shook his head and grinned. “The guy can’t even put on some clothes to answer the door.”
Madison hadn’t been complaining about the view. Blake Ford was an ex-marine and his chest and bulging biceps indicated he kept himself in perfect shape. At least she couldn’t complain about a shortage of attractive men on this assignment. She may not be interested in a relationship, but they were still easy on the eyes. “Thanks.” Madison removed her coat and walked around the spacious living room. Blake’s winter home, where he spent the majority of his time had a fantastic view of the mountains. She stopped to gaze out a window.
“I didn’t do it for you, I did it for me. He was making me look bad.” Cole flashed her his famous grin.
She hadn’t realized she’d missed it until now. The rest of the way to Whistler, they’d driven in silence as Cole concentrated on the winding roads. Conversation had been brief and superficial. Madison suspected he wanted to finish their discussion about her ex-husband and why she’d agreed to the assignment, but he didn’t ask again. The conversation was bound to resurface, but she was happy to prolong the inevitable.
Blake emerged from his bedroom wearing a dark navy blue sweater and dark brown ski pants. If possible, he looked better dressed than he had half naked. His long, blond hair was tied at the base of his neck and the rough stubble on his chin was a testament to his easy-going, carefree lifestyle.
A tall, thin girl followed him into the living room. Dressed in what could only be described as a sweater stretched down over her hips and six-inch boots that reached above the knee the girl smiled and waved to Madison and Cole. “Hi.” She giggled.
“Hi,” Madison said.
Cole stood open mouthed.
Madison slapped his arm.
“Oh, yeah, hi.” He fumbled with his camera bag.
Blake turned to the girl and wrapped an arm around her waist. He lowered his head to her neck.
The girl giggled and pushed him away. “Call me.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed Blake’s cheek.
“You got it.” Blake winked and opened the door, ushering her out into the hallway. He turned his attention to Madison and Cole. “Sorry about that. I would have introduced you but for the life of me I couldn’t remember her name…Kimber? Tammy?” He frowned. “Nope, can’t remember.”
“Would it be Holly by any chance?” Madison narrowed her eyes to a blue pen mark on his hand.
“That’s it!” Blake’s eyes widened, and he nodded. “How’d you know?”
Madison grabbed his hand and held it up for him to read the scribbled name and phone number. The ink was already too blurred to pick out the last three digits. Guess Holly won’t be getting a call.
“Oh.” Blake laughed and blushed. “Sorry—if I’d known—or remembered you were going to be here today…”
Madison shook her head. “No problem at all.” Now, how to gently describe this for the article?
Blake turned to Cole. “Hey buddy! Long time.” The two exchanged a handshake and pat on the back.
“Too long. What’s on the agenda today?”
“Are you kidding?” Blake feigned a look of shock. “There’s fresh powder on the slopes man. We are going skiing.” He grinned and clapped his hands together.
Madison’s eyes widened. Skiing? She hadn’t skied in years. “I didn’t bring any ski clothes.” She’d hoped to avoid the sport. “I’ll watch you two ski.” Definitely the safer option. She already had one injury so far on this leg of the trip. She didn’t want to add any broken bones to it.
“No way. These mountains are amazing.” Blake shook his head at her protests. “Up the stairs, the second door on the right.” Blake pointed upstairs. “In the guest room closet you will find everything you need.”
Madison sighed and headed up the stairs. If she’d learned one thing so far on this assignment, it was that no one was taking her “no” for an answer.
* * * * The ski slopes were warmer than Madison had expected, but she was grateful for the cashmere sweater she wore under her ski jacket. Her second attempt to convince the men she would prefer to watch them ski and not don a pair of skis herself had failed. Standing at the top of a ski run labeled In deep, she smiled at the irony. Her legs shook, and the hill looked bigger from the top. Staring down the icy hill, Madison forced herself once again to remember why she’d taken this assignment in the first place. Broken bones were not on her Christmas list. She was asking for a raise in the New Year if assignments like this were added to her job description.
“Race you to the bottom.” Cole appeared next to her on the hill. “It wouldn’t even be a challenge. I can barely stand on these skis.” She laughed and held up her ski poles.
“I’d gladly fall behind to watch your sexy ass in those ski pants.” He winked as he took off down the hill.
Her face flushed as she watched him make his way down the slope, his hips moving back and forth with expertise. He made it look easy. Maybe she should remove the skis and walk down the hill. While that would be embarrassing, so would wiping out. She weighed her options. Either way she couldn’t keep standing there. A group of school aged students on a field trip whizzed by her.
“What are you waiting for? Do you want me to come get you?” Cole called from the bottom of the hill.
Not a chance. That was the motivation she needed. She pushed off and started down the hill. She moved as slow as she could and with caution. Okay, this isn’t so bad. Almost there. She let out a breath she’d been holding as she neared the bottom.
“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Cole held out an arm as she approached him at the base of the hill. An amused smile spread
across his handsome features. Behind his sunglasses his eyes glinted.
She caught his arm and rotated as her skis slowed to a stop. “Whoa.” She stumbled and struggled to balance. “Thanks.” She let go off his arm and moved out of the way as the school kids ran past on their way to the chair lift.
“Going back up?” Cole pushed off and headed in the direction of the lift.
“Ah, I don’t know…” Madison glanced up the hill. It hadn’t been that bad. Maybe after a few more runs, she’d get the hang of it.
Blake shot down the hill and stopped inches from them. “Having fun yet?” His face was flushed with exhilaration.
Cole nodded. “Madison’s a little nervous.”
She blushed and shot him a look. “I haven’t been skiing in years.” She shrugged.
“No problem. Come on, I’ll teach you a few basic moves on the Bunny slope, and in less than an hour you’ll be skiing like the pros.” Blake took her arm.
“I doubt that, but okay.” Madison gave Blake a smile. She turned and stuck her tongue out at Cole as the two skied away.
He looked disappointed. She’d abandoned him so easily for lessons from his playboy friend.
At the t-bar lift, Blake held it steady as she climbed onto one side. He glanced toward the chair lift and laughed.
“What?” Madison turned to see Cole sandwiched between two young girls on the chair as it made its way to the top of the hill. He looked uncomfortable.
Blake shook his head. “I’ll never understand that guy.” He chuckled as the t-bar started with a jolt.
Mistletoe Bachelors Page 8
