Effortless. Lynn Montagano
Читать онлайн книгу.
show, Lia,” Robbie said, patting me on the shoulder. “I could tell you were caught off guard by those last couple of questions. Not many people would have handled that with such grace.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” I muttered, rising to my feet. Visions of Julian being catapulted toward the sun put an extra spring in my step as I walked into the studio. Brent stood just to the left of the desk, waiting patiently to have his lavalier mic removed. A broad smile curved his mouth.
“Hello, Lia.”
“Hi, Brent.”
“I heard you’d started working here. How’s it going so far?”
“Fine.” I plastered on a fake smile. “Thanks for coming in for the interview. You did a great job.”
He shrugged, fixing his suit jacket once the mic was removed. “Interviews are generally boring. I could recite all that in my sleep.” He angled toward me. “Those last questions were Archer’s way of goading me. Regardless of my history with your boyfriend, I hope you know I’d never embarrass him or myself like that in the press.”
His admission came as a surprise. Nodding, I thanked him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a business card and handed it to me.
“If you ever get tired of Julian, give me a call. I’m always looking to add good talent to my media relations team.”
I took the card and stuck it in my notebook. Standing here chatting with him like it was no big deal felt weird.
“I’m having a few people over to my place tonight. You and Alastair should come. I’ve already invited some of the staff at Finley’s, so your friend Stephanie will be there. Nice seeing you, Lia.”
More than a little suspicious at his invitation, I thanked him again. Tonight? Stephanie didn’t say anything about this earlier. I decided to text her after I dealt with Archer. He was still at the anchor desk, writing intently and ignoring my presence. Laying my hand on the paper, I blocked his furious scribbling. He looked at me with a noticeable level of dread.
“If you ever pull a stunt like that again without telling me, I will sound a foghorn into your IFB. Are we clear?”
The right corner of his mouth ticked up. “It wasn’t intentional. Lots of people have thought the same thing.”
“Leave Alastair out of your on-air curiosities unless he’s sitting in front of you. And even then, keep your mouth shut.”
“You are fiery,” he assessed, leaning toward me. “And protective. That’s admirable.”
“You’re on my shit list. That’s not.”
Turning on my heel, I stalked back to my office.
“Finally.”
I whipped around, startled by the voice and let the door slam behind me. I swear my heart skipped at least twenty beats. Leaning against the desk smiling, hands tucked in his pants pockets, was Alastair. The casual stance did not fool me at all. He leaned against that desk like he fucking owned it. The site of him knocked me for a loop.
“What the— Jesus, Holden. Stalk much?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m just waiting for my fiancée. Have you seen her? Pretty girl. American. Brown hair, amber eyes. Usually nice. Definitely cheeky.”
“You’re supposed to be in London. How did you get in here?”
“Sorry to disappoint you with my return.” He grinned. “The lovely young lady at reception let me in. I made her promise not to tell anyone I was waiting for you. Judging by the look of terror of your face, I’d say she kept her end of the bargain.”
My smile was artful as I placed my belongings on a small table next to the door. “I’m not terrified, smart ass. You surprised me.”
“Good.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“And miss this priceless reaction?” He unbuttoned his suit jacket. “I wanted to come here as fast as I could. The plane landed and I could only think of two things.”
Little shivers nipped at my skin as I watched him remove the jacket with calculated ease and drape it over the chair. “What were they?”
“You,” he said, pushing himself away from the desk.
“That’s only one thing.”
He positioned his well-dressed, great smelling body in front of me and played with a loose tendril of my hair. I steadied myself against the door. Being seduced in my office wasn’t quite what I’d expected to happen today. The crazy-sexy smile curling his sculpted mouth sent tremors down my spine. When he wanted something, he went after it with full force.
“Use your imagination for the second thing.”
“You are unreal with this charm and seduction combo thing you’ve got going for you.”
“I try.”
“So,” I said, looking up at him, “how long have you been snooping around my office?”
“Snooping? I’ve been waiting patiently for the last fifteen minutes. I even got to enjoy your show.”
Oh no. That meant he saw the…
“Garrison handled himself rather well when Archer tossed those questions at him,” he said, pausing to kiss the tip of my nose. “It’s a good thing nothing surprises me that much anymore.” He cocked his head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” I sighed.
“You’re a bad liar,” he whispered, brushing his lips to mine. I shoved my hands through his hair and kissed him with reckless abandon. I’d missed the warmth and softness of his mouth on mine. I deepened the kiss, tasting and savoring him. He groaned, placing his hand on my hip and pulling me closer. Heat radiated off his taut body. I loved the way he felt against me. He broke our mouths apart, sliding a hand along my jaw.
“Lia.” The animalistic way he said my name made my knees buckle. So did the way he looked at me with eyes as dark as night. “I want you.”
Not much separated us from the rest of the newsroom, just a door and some glass windows covered with blinds. The thought of having sex with him so close to the people who would give anything for a juicy exclusive turned me on in a way I didn’t expect.
“What are you waiting for?”
A low growl vibrated in the back of his throat as he flexed his hips into mine, the friction from his erection teasing me with the promise of what I knew was to come. “I can’t be quiet when I’m with you. They’ll all hear me shout your name. Do you want that?”
“I’ll be quiet if you will.”
Fisting his hand in my hair, he ran his tongue along the edge of my bottom lip. I let out a long, breathy moan.
“See? You can’t do it either.”
“Take me home. Now.”
The left corner of his mouth quirked up. “I will, as soon as you tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Alastair,” I exclaimed. “Don’t do that. Don’t rile me up with your irresistible kisses and touches and say those things to me and not follow through. You’re a fucking tease and I’ve had a long day. I’m not in the mood for your games.”
“You’re hot when you’re angry.”
“Ugh, you’re impossible,” I grumbled, pushing him away and stalking toward my desk. I didn’t make it far. He caught me by the