Sleigh Ride Together with You by Joann Durgin

contact and appeared a bit embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Nicole. I didn’t mean to….” He stopped, apparently searching for words.
    “It’s fine, Alex. You did Colin proud. Mike and the crew certainly liked it. Until you came along, I probably would have flown solo on this one. I’m rather glad you were my co-pilot.” Feeling her cheeks growing warmer again, she swallowed her stupidity.
    Standing still after she ordered him not to move, he thanked her as she untangled the wire. “Seems you’re an expert at more than cufflinks. Tell you a secret. I didn’t exactly have a horrible time out there. Once I forgot there were cameras and people watching us from their homes all over Des Moines, it wasn’t so bad. You’re a great sparring partner, Nikki Reardon. No wonder you’re such a hit in the ratings. Not that I ever doubted it.”
    “Thanks. Kind of you to say so.” Hearing her nickname from this man, it sounded more like an endearment. More personal somehow.
    Alex tilted his head and gave her the impression he wanted to say more. Probably wanted to ask about the mistletoe incident, as it’d forever be branded in her mind. “I’d better get back to my office. I’ll see you a little later.”
    “And when would that be exactly?” If she didn’t know better, she’d chastise herself for sounding this side of desperate. But they’d repeated that same question a few times since that first morning in the parking lot.
    Something was happening between them. Something that warmed her all over and had nothing whatsoever to do with holiday joy. Something completely…wonderful. They were falling into habits of speech and behavior as though they’d known each other much longer. She’d never experienced that phenomenon with any other man. Not even her beloved grandfather. Not even Colin.
    “How about sharing lunch?”
    “I brought mine today. A girl has to save money where she can. After all, I can’t afford the Maxwell Club every day.”
    “Tell you what. Did you bring something you can eat in a park?”
    “Yes, but the important thing is that it’s freezing outside, Alex. I’m warning you—if my hands stick to my sandwich, you’re the one who’s prying me loose.” Nicole resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Surely, she’d used up her daily quota of completely brainless comments. That wasn’t a good sign since the day wasn’t half over. “Tell you what. The hotel next door to the station has a solarium, and I take my lunch over there on occasion. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. And, well, I kind of feel like I owe you.”
    “Yes, you sort of do.” Alex chuckled when she mock-frowned. “Come because you want to. Not because you feel you owe me. This isn’t a business lunch. It’s just Alex and Nicole. Two friends sharing a meal. I’m willing to stipulate no business talk. What do you say?”
    Increasingly, she couldn’t refuse this man and anticipated their time together. “Then I say…yes.” Her instincts told her this could be a bad idea, but she chose not to listen.
    “I’ll swing by your office about noon.”
    “Make it one o’clock instead, if that works for you.”
    He nodded. “I’ll make it work.”
    With a small wave, Nicole turned to go. Pivoting a few seconds later, she met his green-eyed gaze. The man seemed to like looking at her. Not that she minded. The feeling was mutual, although it made it even more difficult to resist him. “I can order in a sandwich for you, if you’d like.”
    “I’ll figure out something, but thanks.”
    Oh yes, his smile was all kinds of wonderful.
     
     
     
     

12
     
    Thursday Evening
     
    “Hang on! I’m coming.” Running a hand over his hair, Alex smoothed it down as he sprinted across the hotel suite in his bare feet. At the last second, he hastily tucked his shirt into his jeans.
    When he opened the door, his smile wilted. Colin stood in the corridor, one arm outstretched on the doorframe, his other hand fisted on his hip. Red print