CHAPTER TWO
“I swear, the things I do in the name of journalism,” Nicole Hutton grumbled in disgust, not for the first time since she’d been handed her current assignment. After two years at The Las Vegas Commentary, she didn’t deserve such a rookie story. “Speed dating, of all things. It’s truly mind-boggling what the good people of Vegas find fascinating, isn’t it?” And she was frustrated because she had to report on such a frivolous event when she was eager to report on a story with depth and substance.
Fresh from a shower and wrapped in a silky thigh-length robe, Nicole strolled out of her bathroom and into the adjoining bedroom where her friend, Michelle, was stretched out comfortably on an upholstered secondhand lounge chair in the far corner. Michelle, a co-worker as well as her roommate, was newly engaged to a great guy, and that meant Nicole would be searching for a new roomie in the near future. Which sucked big-time, because after two years together, Nicole really enjoyed Michelle’s company, advice, and friendship.
“Well, speed dating does seem to be one of the hottest trends right now, so I guess that counts for something,” Michelle said, trying to make sweetened lemonade from the sour lemons Nicole had been handed. “Inquiring minds want to know what it’s all about.”
Nicole rolled her eyes as she sat down on the small chair in front of her mirrored vanity. Keeping her annoyance at the whole situation in check, she picked up a tube of body cream and started rubbing the scented lotion along her bare shoulders and arms. “Fine. I’ll tell our readers what they want to know, and hopefully move on to something more intelligent with my next assignment.”
Michelle bit her bottom lip, a reluctant look passing over her delicate features before she spoke. “I heard Sharon say if they get a good response to this article in next week’s issue, she’s going to make Dating in the 21st Century a monthly segment.”
Nicole groaned out loud. She wanted to ask if Michelle was kidding, but knew it was no joke. Sharon, the editor in chief at The Las Vegas Commentary, would undoubtedly put Nicole in charge of the column, and the thought of spending the next six months reporting on current dating trends was enough to make her break out in hives. Which would be a really bad thing right before her speed-dating assignment this evening.
“Sharon is killing me with all these fluff pieces she keeps tossing my way.” A legitimate complaint considering what she’d been promised when she took the job at the Commentary. “God, will she ever give me something I can investigate and make a name for myself?”
Michelle sighed, silently understanding Nicole’s irritation and disappointment. “You know how strict Sharon is about having to work your way up the editorial ladder.”
“I’ve been climbing for almost two years.” Swiveling her chair toward the vanity mirror, she began plucking the hot rollers from her hair. “I think I’ve more than proved myself as a reporter. She knows I’m capable.”
“You can always sleep with the boss,” Michelle suggested, tongue in cheek. “It worked for Justin.”
Loose blond curls fell to Nicole’s shoulders as the heated rollers were removed, one by one. She met Michelle’s gaze in the mirror and grinned wryly. “It’s been a long dry spell for me in the sex department, but I’m not desperate enough to go girl-on-girl, and I know that’s not Sharon’s scene, either. So, the whole sleeping-with-the-boss thing just isn’t going to work for me.”
Michelle rolled her light brown eyes. Then, turning on her side, she propped her head in her hand, her expression suddenly somber. “You’re feeling restless at work, aren’t you?”
“I just feel … undervalued, and uninspired as a journalist. I’m bored and I want exciting stories that give me a rush of adrenaline and actually make a difference.” She swiped on eye shadow and rimmed her upper and lower lashes with a soft kohl liner before adding mascara.
Because as things stood, she was sorely in need of a career boost of some kind. She hadn’t spent all those years at Columbia University on a full scholarship to be a minion at a mediocre, socially driven newsmagazine. She’d rather take risks with difficult, uncompromising reporting that kept people up to date on important current issues.
News was Nicole’s true passion, and she dreamed of being a tough journalist on top of breaking events. A reporter who relished the challenge of discovering deep, dark truths and documenting stories that were shocking, yet so riveting you couldn’t help but read all the sensational, and sometimes scandalous, details.
When she’d hired on at the Commentary, the new and upcoming magazine’s vision had been different—definitely more in line with Nicole’s personal goals. Somewhere along the way, the editorial input had turned soft, indulgent, and much too complacent for Nicole’s liking. And as tonight’s speed-dating assignment proved, the weekly publication wasn’t taking her career in the direction she’d pictured. And most likely it never would.
And that meant it was time to reevaluate her current place of employment. But until she found an alternative, she needed a steady paycheck and had a story due on Monday. So, instead of going into tonight’s assignment with a negative attitude, she’d decided to focus on the more positive aspects of the evening. And maybe, while she gathered the information she needed to write her article, she’d have a good time, too.
After running her fingers through her hair, she headed to her closet and changed into the outfit she’d bought earlier that day. She returned moments later and twirled around in the middle of the bedroom for Michelle’s approval.
“So, what do you think?” Nicole asked, perching her hands on her slender hips, now encased in a slim-fitting, hot-pink, summer-style dress.
Michelle’s wide-eyed gaze echoed her surprise. “Wow, you look amazing. And hot. Sizzling hot,” she added with a grin as she sat up on the lounge chair to get a better look at what Nicole was wearing. “I’ve never seen that dress on you before. Or those shoes, for that matter. I’m used to you wearing more tailored outfits for work, not something so blatantly sexy.”
Tonight was certainly about work, and a bit of fun, too. Hence, the sexy playfulness to her wardrobe. “I found both the dress and shoes on sale at Nordstrom and couldn’t resist getting the outfit for the summer.” It wasn’t something she’d ever wear to work, but she’d find a few reasons to wear the dress again after tonight, because she really did love it. “I didn’t want to go tonight wearing a pair of slacks and a button-down blouse. Talk about boring.”
Michelle laughed. “Oh, you look anything but boring, especially in those three-inch heels and baring more skin than I’ve ever seen on you in public.” She tipped her head to the side, her gaze turning much too speculative. “In fact, I’m beginning to wonder if tonight is more than just an assignment for you, that maybe you’re finally open to finding Mr. Right during this speed-dating event.”
Nicole shot her friend an are-you-out-of-your-ever-lovin’-mind? look. “Hell, no, I’m not looking for Mr. Right, or anything serious for that matter.” Her voice was emphatic as she pushed a pair of silver hoops into her earlobes, then followed those up with three matching bangle bracelets.
Getting tied into a committed, long-term relationship wasn’t on her radar for a good long time. She’d been there, done that. The experience had been more than she’d ever bargained for emotionally, and had nearly destroyed her self-worth, along with her self-confidence. It had taken a long time to recover from the aftermath of giving her whole heart and soul to a man who’d used her as his plaything—and dismissed her from his life as soon as someone younger and just as guileless caught his eye.
She’d been so naive, so trusting back then, but she wasn’t that romantic, starry-eyed teenager any longer. She was jaded, she supposed, and toughened by the experience. At twenty-five, she just wasn’t ready, or willing, to risk her heart and emotions on anything beyond building her career as a journalist.
These days, the only thing she relied on a man for was sex. And even at that, it had been nearly six months since she’d indulged in one of those seductive, tempting, feel-good kind of romps between the sheets. Nicole had made do just fine on her own since then, but the truth was, a vibrator didn’t compare to the real thing. She missed being touched and caressed by strong, capable hands, and kissed by a soft, warm male mouth. She loved the feel of a man’s hard body moving against hers, enjoyed the friction and slow climb to a powerful orgasm that drove him equally wild.
Though she enjoyed the intimacy of being with a man, she insisted on a friends-with-benefits arrangement, one specific go-to guy for hot but uncomplicated sex. No strings attached, and especially no messy emotions involved. Just mutual, physical pleasure, and no obligations to mess with her head or her heart.
How was that for dating in the twenty-first century?
Nicole shook her head on those thoughts and looked on the bright side of things. “I figure if I’m stuck with this assignment, I might as well enjoy myself,” she told Michelle as she double-checked her purse for everything she needed, then pulled out a tube of her favorite lip gloss that tasted like crème brûlée and shimmered with pink undertones.
Michelle lifted a delicate brow. “So, you’re going to mix business with pleasure, hmmm?”
“Why not?” After swiping the gloss across her lips, she dropped the tube back into her purse and snapped it closed, then grinned at her friend.
“God, you are so bad sometimes,” Michelle said with a shake of her head, though her tone was light and infused with amusement. “Well, have a good time, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Now, what fun would that be?” Nicole wrinkled her nose at her friend, who’d become much too conservative since getting engaged.
She sashayed out of the bedroom, a smile on her lips. Tonight Nicole planned to make the most of her humdrum assignment and her sexy new outfit. She might not be looking for a serious relationship like the rest of the applicants at the event, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a good time and enjoy any male attention that came her way—even knowing she’d be coming home alone to a cold, empty bed and her own personal vibrating Casanova stashed in her nightstand drawer.
*
Nathan noticed her as soon as she walked in, as did all the other guests mingling in the private banquet room situated in the back of Simply Fondue. Despite his initial reluctance to be here, for Nathan it was lust at first sight.
She’d snagged the men’s attention because she looked so vibrant and gorgeous in her formfitting hot-pink dress—a direct, in-your-face contrast with the more conservative, button-up outfits most of the other ladies had chosen to wear to this evening’s event. She looked so incredibly sexy with all those tousled blond curls falling to her shoulders, so alluring with that sweet, sensual smile curving her full, shiny lips. Then there were those high heels accentuating her slender legs and prompting a man’s thoughts to travel down an erotic path that included some very steamy fantasies with her in the starring role.
What man wouldn’t be drawn to all that sensuality, tied up in such a neat and totally hot package waiting to be unwrapped like a decadent present? A guy would have to be a eunuch not to notice, and appreciate, her sultry beauty.
And he was not a eunuch.
If anything, the woman in pink’s appearance was going to make for an interesting evening. Nathan couldn’t help but wonder if she was on the prowl for a husband, or just looking to have fun.
Before arriving at the restaurant, he’d cleared his head of the Ramsey case for the night in order to get through this dating event and fulfill his obligation to Valerie. The TRG assignment would still be waiting for him tomorrow, but for now, he forced himself to relax and go with the flow for the next few hours.
He kept to the perimeter of the room until the actual event started, politely talking to the women who approached him but not going out of his way to mingle like many of the other guys were doing. This was all about him filling a vacant seat for Valerie’s friend, and he was already counting the minutes until his good deed was done.
Swirling the ice in his glass of root beer, Nathan glanced back in Pink’s direction. She was at the sign-in table, getting her name tag and filling out the required paperwork before the event began.
Grabbing a pen, she bent at the waist to write down her personal information, and Nathan nearly groaned out loud. God, she had a nice, shapely ass—smooth, firm curves that would undoubtedly fit quite well in the palms of his hands. Or against his thighs if he molded himself to that tempting behind …
Another woman appeared in his line of vision, effectively interrupting his little fantasy. She was dressed in a navy-striped power suit and wore a pair of black-rimmed designer glasses. Her hair was twisted up into a severe knot on her head, and she held a glass of white wine in her hand.
“Hi. My name’s Heather,” she said formally, and held out her hand for him to shake.
Not so surprisingly, her grip was as strong as a man’s, backing up that power suit she was wearing. “Nathan,” he replied with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Her own smile was slight, as if she didn’t want to give up too much all at once to the wrong guy. “I’m a paralegal for a law firm here in Vegas. What do you do?”
Okay, that was direct and to the point. “I work in security.”
She wrinkled her nose at him, not at all impressed with his profession. “Oh, like a rent-a-cop?”
Because he didn’t care for her overall attitude, he didn’t bother to correct her assumption. “Yeah, something like that.”
That’s all it took to make Heather bolt. Obviously, she was looking for a guy with a more stable, and prominent, career. And that was fine with Nathan.
He went for a refill on his drink and caught sight of Pink again, who’d moved on to the buffet table set up across the room. He experienced a jolt to find her subtly watching him with an inviting smile on her lips as she selected some strawberries from a fruit tray. Just when Nathan decided to head toward her, another guy moved in.
Which gave another woman the opportunity to corner him at the same moment.
Well, hell. The petite redhead standing in front of him introduced herself as Cleo, and while she dominated the conversation with information about herself and what she was looking for in a husband, Nathan only half listened to what she was saying, nodding when he thought it appropriate. He was too damn distracted by Pink’s husky laughter drifting from the other side of the room and how she’d every so often give him a private I’m-totally-attracted-to-you glance before resuming her discussion with the men around her.
She was teasing him from a distance. Flirting with her body language. Slowly driving him mad with the need to meet her up close and personal and see if the heated awareness between them was real, or just his imagination.
Before he had a chance to implement his plan, Cindy stepped into the middle of the room and rang a bell, the signal that the speed-dating event was about to begin. All the lively chatter settled down, and everyone’s gaze turned to the woman hosting the evening’s event.
Cindy’s warm smile was designed to put everyone at ease, and seemed to do the trick. “First off, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight, and I hope you all have a good time getting to know one another.”
She went on to explain the rules, which were simple and straightforward. They’d all received a scorecard, which they could use to write down notes during their quick, seven-minute dates. Ultimately, they had to check the YES or NO box next to the name of each person they met, depending on whether or not they’d made a connection and were interested in a future date with that individual. At the end of the session they’d turn in their scorecards, and those who’d mutually chosen each other by checking YES would be e-mailed by Cindy tomorrow morning with further information on behalf of the interested parties. Regrettably, only exact matches would be given contact information.
No regrets about it. Nathan was relieved he wouldn’t have to worry about a potential stalker.
Chairs and small tables had been set up in a large circle in the private room, and Cindy asked the women to take a seat at the table with the number that matched the one on their scorecard. The men were encouraged to do the same. Pink ended up at table number three, while Nathan had to sit at number seven.
Because the men were the ones to move from table to table, he had to get through eleven women just to get his seven-minute date with Pink, who’d given him one last slow, sensual smile before returning her gaze to the guy sitting in front of her.
Satisfied the event was ready to begin, Cindy set the timer for the first seven minutes. “Relax, have fun, and good luck, everyone.”
And so it began … the personal questions from the string of women he met, the hopeful, one-sided interest, and the casual interrogations for the sole purpose of sizing him up as that one guy who lived up to their high standards. He deliberately kept the verbal exchanges light and pleasant, and was careful not to lead any of the women on.
As each round ended and Nathan came closer to reaching Pink’s table, the excitement of finally meeting her, the anticipation of talking to her, grew. He was curious to know more about her, to see if those vibes lasted beyond their initial introduction.
Then again, she could be all fluff, a pretty face and a killer body with no substance. What a crying shame that would be.
Two more rounds passed, and then it finally happened. He was sitting across from Pink, who smelled good enough to eat. He inhaled the scent of something sweet, like a rich buttercream-frosted vanilla cupcake, and knew it was her. The thought of her tasting as good as the luscious scent emanating from her aroused him on a multitude of levels, and had him shifting in his seat.
The smile lifting her glossy lips was filled with feminine awareness, and up close, he couldn’t help but notice she had the most fascinating eyes—a stunning, deep, dark, velvet blue that seemed to seduce and mesmerize.
Admittedly, he was both. And that just didn’t happen to him when it came to women. She intrigued him, and if he played his cards right and they clicked beyond this basic physical chemistry, maybe they could get together later this evening—before he immersed himself in his new identity and the Ramsey case.
The bell rang, and the session began.
“Well, we finally meet,” she drawled, her warm, friendly voice making him feel instantly at ease. “I’m Nicole.”
“Nathan.” He reached across the table and shook her hand, not at all surprised to find her grip firm, but her skin womanly soft, as it should be. He wondered if she was equally soft and supple everywhere, and instinctively knew she would be.
She tipped her head ever so slightly, causing her soft, wavy hair to caress her shoulders, which also drew his gaze to the gentle swells of flesh pushing against the low-cut bodice of her dress. Her breasts were small, but definitely more than enough for him to enjoy.
“So, how are you holding up after all these quickie dates?” she asked, the tinkling sound of the silver bracelets on her wrist snapping him out of his lust-induced thoughts.
Realizing he was spending an inordinate amount of time eyeing her chest, he dragged his gaze back up to hers, not sure what to expect. He was a healthy, red-blooded man, therefore a visual creature by nature. Certainly she couldn’t blame him for admiring her sweet curves and perfect-looking breasts. And judging by the amused glimmer in her eyes, she didn’t seem to mind at all.
Okay, if he remembered correctly, she’d asked him how he was holding up after more than an hour of pure dating torture. “Well, the good news is, the end is in sight.” He grinned.
She laughed in agreement and picked up the pen resting on top of a small notebook next to her on the table. The top page had been filled with what looked like comments and notes, and she flipped to a clean piece of paper. “You’re not having a good time?”
Considering how every other woman had started right in with the soul-searching, dirt-digging, relationship-seeking questions and tried cramming as much information as she could into her seven minutes, this woman’s ordinary conversation surprised him, in a good way. He relaxed and decided to be honest with her.
“You want the truth?” he asked.
Still smiling, she blinked those long, dark lashes at him. “Of course. The truth, and nothing but the truth. I can handle it.”
He was beginning to think this woman could handle anything. “This isn’t exactly my idea of a good time,” he confessed, completely entranced by her shimmering lips, and the luscious mouth made for all kinds of sin. “How about you?”
“It’s been … interesting,” she replied thoughtfully, her secret smile charming him even more. “So, if this isn’t your idea of a good time, what prompted you to sign up for a speed-dating event?”
Definitely a legitimate question, though again, not a typical one in this venue. “I was pretty much roped into it. Cindy, the event coordinator, needed an extra guy to fill in for someone who couldn’t make it, and my arm was twisted until I said yes.”
She arched a blond brow, her blue eyes twinkling playfully. “This keeps getting better and better.” She wrote something on her pad of paper he couldn’t read from where he sat, then met his gaze again. “So, you don’t really want to be here?”
“No, I don’t need to be here,” he clarified.
She laughed, the sound stroking across his libido in ways he never would have anticipated. “Ahhh, so you’re not looking for love or a woman you can spend the rest of your life with?”
He shook his head, wondering if he was about to kill all his chances with the alluring Nicole, but he wasn’t going to give her any false hopes. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but no, I’m not anxious to settle down anytime soon.”
She propped her chin in her hand, her entire demeanor changing and softening in a sensual, inviting way. “I’m not disappointed at all. Actually, I find it incredibly refreshing compared with all the other guys here.”
Now it was his turn to ask, “Why are you here?”
“Truth?” She bit her lush bottom lip. “I’m not interested in a relationship, either. I’m here to do research for an article I’m writing about dating trends.”
He chuckled. No wonder she had a pad full of notes. “Well, well, well. Aren’t we a pair?” They were probably the only two people there who weren’t angling for a love match of some sort. A lust match, however, was entirely feasible, and he tested the possibility. “So, is this all business and no pleasure for you?”
She gave him a slow once-over that sent a surge of heat straight to his groin. “Now, that all depends on what kind of pleasure you’re referring to.”
The images filling his head went from sexy to X-rated. Definitely the kind of erotic stuff that had no business playing through his mind, especially in a room full of strangers.
With her bold words, her brazen responses, she fired his blood like no woman had in a very long time. She was a challenge he couldn’t resist. Bracing his forearms on the table, he leaned in closer and held her gaze. “Whatever you want, however you want it, it’s yours.”
Her eyes widened, not in shock, but excitement—a combination of desire and need she didn’t even try to hide. “Wow,” she breathed. “You’re good.”
He grinned. “You started it.” But he was more than willing to finish it, if that’s where she wanted to take things.
She didn’t deny the charge. Instead, she picked up her pen again and tapped it against the open notebook. “You know, you’re totally skewing my research since you’re not here for honest reasons.” Her voice was light and teasing, belying the sultry look in her eyes.
She was one to talk! “And because your sole purpose for being here tonight is for research, and not a relationship, you’re tempting every man in this room with something he can’t have,” he countered, enjoying their lively banter.
Her tongue darted out and moistened her bottom lip, making him wish he were the one tasting that mouth of hers. “Do I tempt you?” she asked huskily.
Oh, yeah. Hell, yeah. His body echoed the sentiment. Arousal hummed through his veins and settled directly in his lap.
The bell rang, shattering the flirtatious moment between them. The sound jolted him back to their present situation, and was a stark reminder that they weren’t the only two people in the room.
“Your current session is over,” Cindy announced. “Men, please move on to your next date.”
Nathan didn’t want to go, didn’t want to leave Nicole. But her next date was there in a flash, not giving him the chance to say anything more or to see where this compelling conversation might have led. To see if the spark between them had any chance of becoming a live flame.
He’d have to find out when the event was over, because he wasn’t done with Nicole.
Not by a long shot.