Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

“I read the press release,” he opened, turning right along with her as she headed down the crowded sidewalk toward the transit station.

“I think that was a good move,” he continued. “There’s an element of risk, but there’s nothing about this situation that’s not risky.”

She stopped to turn on him, forcing the flow of people to part around them. The man had gone behind her back, kissed her senseless, and now he wanted to analyze her business decisions? “Is that really what you want to say to me?”

Her words seemed to catch him off guard and he hesitated. Horns honked and engines revved on the street as cars breezed past.

“Yes,” he answered.

“Well.” She coughed out a chopped laugh. “It’s so very nice of you to approve of my decision.”

“Are you still upset?”

“I’m also tired, and I’m busy, and I’m going to miss my train.”

“Then you should get moving.”

He was right. She turned abruptly to march toward the station.

He kept pace. “I have a hard time believing the Hendersons don’t have cars and drivers.”

“Are you going to pretend it didn’t happen?”

“That you joined the board of directors?”

She rolled her eyes.

“That I kissed you?” he asked.

“That you betrayed me.”

“I didn’t betray you. I told you I was after the Pacific routes.”

“Don’t pretend you’re stupid, Cole. And don’t pretend I’m stupid, either.”

“You’re not stupid.”

“I know.”

“Except when it comes to transportation. Can I offer you a ride home?”

“You cannot.”

“Why?”

Because he had her rattled. The memory of his kiss had taunted her all afternoon long, messing with her concentration. She wanted to know the kiss had rattled him, too.

“It’ll get you home faster,” Cole offered reasonably. “You’ll be able to spend more time with Zachary.”

“Go away.” She fixed her sights on the train platform.

“Not what I was planning.”

“What were you planning?” The question was automatic, and she instantly regretted asking it.

She didn’t care about his plans. She wanted him out of her life. At least, a part of her wanted him out of her life. The other part wanted him to kiss her again. She nearly groaned in frustration.

“You’re having a tough week,” he said. “You need to have some fun.”

She dodged her way around a group of pedestrians, then skirted a trash can and a stroller. “What? This doesn’t look like fun?”

“Well, I’m having fun.”

“What do you want, Cole?”

“To take you on a date.”

His words shocked her to a halt.

He took her arm and drew her under a shop awning, next to a brick wall and out of the flow of pedestrians. “I can only guess at how hard you’re working and how tired you must be. I want to help you take a break. Come out with me tonight. Let’s walk through Atlantic Station, see the lights, drink hot chocolate. Or we can go skating. You said skating was your favorite.”

“I don’t like you, Cole.”

“To be fair, you don’t know me.”

“I know enough.”

“You only think you know enough.” His gaze captured hers again, and the noise and commotion of the sidewalk seemed to fade.

“I’ll sweeten the pot,” he said. “We’ll go to the penthouse. I’ll work my magic and put Zachary to sleep. Can Isabel stay for the evening?”

“You’re bribing me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Why, Cole? The jig is up. I know you were using me to worm your way into Coast Eagle.”

“Amber, I don’t need you to worm my way into Coast Eagle. I walked through the front door and got a meeting with the soon-to-be president without an appointment.”

“Roth’s not going to be president.”

“Good decision.”

“You just switch your opinion on a dime, don’t you?”

“I never thought he should be president.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. She didn’t care what Cole thought. Still, for some reason she was glad to hear him agree with her.

“You need to get out for a while,” Cole continued. “Take a break. Forget about everything.”

She fought a smile at the absurdity. “What I want to forget is you.”

His expression faltered, and she felt a stab of guilt.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Amber.”

She was sorry she’d said it.

Wait, no, she wasn’t. No good could come of her attraction to him. A date? The idea was absurd. He lived in Alaska, and her life was a mess.

The best they could hope for was a one-night stand. Which, when she thought about it…

Hoo, boy. She reached out to grip the brick wall.

“You okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine.” She paused. “No, make that confused. Why do you want to go out with me? And why do you still want to help me with Zachary?”

It took him a moment to shrug. “Why not? I like you, Amber. I like Zachary.”

“That’s too simple an explanation.” Amber raked her hand through her hair to tame it in the freshening wind.

“I’m not complicated.”

“I am.”

“It’s ice-skating, Amber. What could be simpler than ice-skating?”

“You’re trying to get your hands on our Pacific routes.”

“Only if you want to sell them.”

“I don’t.”

“Fair enough. Did you know you missed your train?”

It was pulling smoothly away on the tracks. He really was the most infuriatingly distracting man.

“My car is only a block away. What do you say?”

She wanted to say yes. She suddenly, desperately wanted to leave her troubles behind for a few hours and go ice-skating with Cole.

She gave in. “Okay.”

He grinned, and she couldn’t shake the feeling she’d been outmaneuvered.

As they passed by the lit trees that lined the outdoor skating rink, Cole turned backward so that he was facing Amber. She wore a short white puffy jacket, blue jeans and bright yellow knit hat.

“Impressive,” she told him with a smile.

He was grateful that she seemed relaxed. “Hockey.”

Since it was barely below freezing, he’d gone with a windbreaker and a bare head. The fresh air felt good in his lungs.

“You’re a hockey player?”

“Snow and ice sports are big in Alaska. I also snowboard and ski cross-country.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure the path was still clear as they rounded a corner.

“I swim,” she said.

“Competitively?”

“At resorts, usually in the leisure pool, sometimes on the lazy river.”

He brought up a mental image. “Impressive.”

“Yeah, I float with the best of them.”

“I was picturing you in a little yellow bikini. It was very impressive.”

“That’s just mean.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll never live up to your imagination.”

“Sure you will.” His gaze took a reflexive tour of her trim figure. “Wait a minute. Do you intend to try?”

She laughed, and he loved the sound.

“Not this time of year,” she singsonged.

“If I come back in June?”

“Maybe.” She twirled neatly around.

“You’re pretty good yourself.”

“Flatterer.” But her smile was bright.

“You’re beautiful, too.”

“I’m not interested in a one-night stand.”

The statement took him by surprise. “Excuse me?”

“Just so you know. I wouldn’t want you to get to the end of the night and be disappointed.”

“Is that what you think this is about?”

He didn’t know whether to be insulted or just plain disappointed. He hadn’t invited her out to get her into bed. But he didn’t deny he’d give pretty much anything for an unbridled night of passion in her arms.