He wanted to hug her. Alexandra Mitus never showed vulnerability. “Let’s get towork.”
When she tucked her chin, her cascading hair shadowed her pink cheek. “I’membarrassed.”
The light turned green and he moved forward. “Whatfor?”
With a quick toss of her dark mane, she shook it off. “Nothing. Nevermind.”
Her pain became his. Refusing to let it go, he murmured, “Tellme.”
“I have to cover the kids sledding.” Her last word caught atremble.
She wants me to respect her as a journalist.“Snow is a hot topic. Even Washington politics takes a back seat. You’llsee.”
“My career has taken a major step backward, but it’s okay.” Squaring her shoulders, she pursed her lips. “I sound like a spoiled brat. I’msorry.”
As he turned onto a residential street, he glanced over. “I understand. You gave up a lot for yourmom.”
“I love her and Colton so much. I hope my being here ishelping.”
“Kimberly is thrilled. Everyone missed you.”Me, most of all.He searched her face for a sign, the tiniest clue, a flicker of hope that there was something between them besides a few nights of passion or her relentless need to unearth the truth and save a woman from suspectedabuse.
She ran a soft hand over his shoulder and adrenaline powered through him. “Thank you for theride.”
Her touch could slay him. And she probably didn’t even know—or care.One effin’ step forward and two back.This woman would be hisundoing.
He parked in the older Arlington neighborhood filled with quaint brick homes and a small dog park. Leaning over, he eyed her rubber boots. “No four-inch heelstoday.”
“I grabbed them last night before we made our great escape.” With the cutest smile, she lifted her leg to show him. “I love my Hunter rubbers. They’re super-dependable.” Her eyes popped wide. “Oops.”
“I’m familiar with Hunterandhis dependable rubbers.” The air grew electric as they stared into each other’s eyes. When her breathy sigh floated between them, he leaned close. Her lips parted and she flipped her attention to his mouth. “Watch out for ice patches.” He slipped on his Maui Jim’s and exited thetruck.
As soon as she stepped out, he was waiting. Snow boots or not, he wrapped his hand around her slender arm. Just another excuse to touch her, but falling in plain sight would add insult toinjury.
“Thank you.” She slipped on her dark shades as they trudged into the cul-de-sac. “It’s so cold. Hard to believe I used to spend hours outside sledding when I was a kid. No snow days in Uvalde,huh?”
She remembered.“No, ma’am. Big news when the temp dipped below forty.” He surveyed the area. “Where’s your cameracrew?”
“Someone’s meeting mehere.”
He led her through the well-stomped footpath between two brick homes. As the expansive hill appeared before them, she gasped. “Whatthe—”
Even at eight forty-five in the morning, there were dozens of children sledding down the ginormous hill while several dogs romped in an impromptupack.
“Welcome to your story, GothGirl.”
“Alexandra Reed,” someonecalled.
With her hand positioned over her sunglasses to shield the snowy glare, she stared and stared. Then a giant grin erupted on her face. “Gavin!” Her hand shot into the air, and she waved at the tall man with long dreads trekking towardthem.
Although he had two large bags slung over each shoulder, she threw her arms around his neck. “What a shock!” shesaid.
“Good to see you, doll!” Gavin threw his burly arms around her. “You’re looking fab as always.” After setting the camera bags on a cushion of packed snow, he hitched his hands on his hips. “Max never said aword.”
“No surprise there. I can’t imagine he enjoys having to utter myname.”
Laughing, Gavin extended his hand to Crockett. “GavinAviato.”
“Crockett Wilde.” The two men shook hands. “Good to meet you. How do you two know eachother?”