Chapter Eight
Andrea found Mick in the gym Sunday afternoon. She waited while he ran a couple of kids through a boxing lesson, appreciating his quiet, firm patience. The man commanded respect, and the more she studied him, the more certain she became that this visit was going to be a waste of time. Still, she had to try. Even a small detail might help her flesh out her article on Alex.
Mick walked over to her with a smile on his face. "Back so soon?"
"I have a question or two for you about Alex. Do you have a few moments?"
"I can make some time. Come on back to the office."
She followed him down a hall and into a small, cluttered space. He grabbed a pile of t-shirts off of a chair and waved her toward the seat. Then he sat down behind the desk.
"Now, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"You know I'm writing an article on Alex's life. He mentioned to me that you let him sleep on the couch here in this office." She glanced at the small couch that was no bigger than a loveseat and couldn't imagine it had been very comfortable. But at least Alex had had a warm, dry place to sleep. It was still hard to really understand the life Alex had led as a kid and the one he led now.
"He needed a place to stay until he could graduate from high school."
"He said you really wanted him to stay in school."
"I did. I dropped out when I was fifteen. Regretted it for a very long time. I didn't want Alex to do the same."
"What was he like back then?"
Mick thought for a moment. "He had a lot of anger in him, but he was able to direct it in a positive way. He was a stubborn, determined kid. I knew he'd make something big out of his life, and he certainly did that."
"Yes," she agreed. "Alex seems to know a lot of people, but what he doesn't appear to have are really close friends or long-term friends."
"Well, he moved around as a kid, and once you get rich, it's hard to have real friends—at least that's what they tell me," Mick said with a self-deprecating grin.
"Me, too," she said with a smile.
"Is there anything you can tell me about Alex that maybe only you and a handful of people know?"
"Sure, I could tell you something."
She could see by the sparkle in his eyes that because he could didn't mean he would. "But you're not going to."
"Alex is a good friend of mine. I don't talk about him. He doesn't talk about me."
"He's not just a friend, he's also an investor in the gym, isn't he?"
"He helps out, probably more than he should. But Alex is the kind of man who gives back when he can." Mick paused. "I will tell you this about Alex. When he cares about someone, he goes all in. He's intensely loyal and incredibly generous, and not just with me."
"What about his faults? He must have a few."
"He's definitely not perfect."
"Would you care to share any small detail?"
"You're as stubborn as he is. The two of you are going to butt heads."
"We're already doing that," she admitted. "I don't really understand why. I want to write a good story about him, but he wants to keep me at arm's length."
"Somehow, I don't think he wants to keep you that far away," Mick said, a speculative gleam in his eyes. "But he probably should."
She shifted a little uncomfortably under his gaze. "Why?"
"Because if he doesn't keep his guard up, you'll have him on the ropes."
"Is that a boxing metaphor?"
"I suppose it is," he said with a grin. "But then life is a battle, isn't it? You have to learn to roll with the punches."
She smiled back at him. "You have a bunch of those, don't you?"
"I could go on all day, but I won't. I have a class starting in a few minutes."
"Well, I appreciate your time. If I have more questions, can I speak to you again?"
"Why don't you come back Wednesday night? I'm starting a new self-defense class for women. We're trying to make the gym a little less testosterone heavy."
"If I take the class, will you tell me more about Alex?"
"Tell you what, I'll answer one question for each woman you bring."
"Really? And that wouldn't be disloyal to Alex?"
"Well, I can't promise you'll like all my answers, but I'll do my best to give you a little more insight."
She stood up. "Okay, you've got yourself a deal, Mick."
"Good. I'll see you Wednesday."
She turned toward the door, then glanced back at him. "Are you going to tell Alex about our agreement?"
"I'll let you do that."
"He won't like it."
"Well, that's his problem, isn't it?"
"I guess it is."
* * *
Andrea spent the rest of Sunday writing up what she knew about Alex so far and then searching the Internet for more details. Unfortunately, every news report on Alex was the same. He'd told a similar story to every reporter in every single interview. She supposed she should feel a little special that at least he'd taken her to meet Mick and see the gym and had also shared his love of airplanes and airports with her, but she still needed more.
After a restless night of sleep, she went into her office on Monday with a new plan. As soon as she got to her desk, she put in a call to the magazine's private investigator. Joe was not only an ex-cop, he had excellent cyber skills, and he could usually get information no one else could find, although even he had come up short in trying to locate her source on the car seat story.
"Andrea, I told you I'd call you if I came up with anything," Joe said shortly.
"I'm not calling about that. But I don't understand how a man could disappear off the face of the earth."
"I admit I'm stumped," Joe said. "But I haven't given up."
"Good."
"So what do you need today?"
"Information on another interview subject—Alexander Donovan. He's our cover for the Man of the Year issue."
"Donovan is a fairly public figure. Do you think there's something he's hiding?"
"That's what I want you to find out." There were often shadows behind Alex's smile, and she really wanted to know where they came from. "I need the information as soon as possible."
"Of course you do. I'll get back to you."
"Thanks." She hung up the phone, having the strangest feeling that she'd just started something in motion she might regret.
* * *
By Tuesday, Alex knew that he couldn't put off speaking to Andrea any longer, so he finally returned one of her calls and suggested a tour of the company for three o'clock that afternoon. He wanted to keep the interview in a business environment so there would be fewer temptations. Here in his offices, he was in charge. This was his turf, and there wouldn't be any surprises.
Still, as he waited for her to arrive he paced in front of his window, feeling restless and impatient. He told himself the sooner she got there, the sooner he could get rid of her. But the truth was that he just wanted to see her again.
He'd been dreaming about her blue eyes, her sweet, sexy mouth, the tiny freckle at the corner of her nose, and her silky smooth blonde hair. He drew in a breath, feeling even more worked up about her.
What a mess he'd gotten himself into. He never should have agreed to do the story. He never should have suggested a reporter follow him around. Most importantly, he never should have kissed Andrea, because now all he could think about was doing it again. And he'd been thinking about it at very inopportune times, like when he was in the middle of business meeting when his focus should have been on the company's profit and loss statement and not on Andrea.
He needed to finish things off. End the interview and never see her again. Nothing could happen between them. She would always be a reporter, and he would always have secrets.
A knock came at his door, followed by Ellen's voice. He turned away from the window as Ellen ushered Andrea into the office.
His heart jumped against his chest at the sight of her. She was even prettier than he remembered. She wore a dress today, a figure-hugging dark blue dress that clung to her breasts and hips. A pair of three-inch heels showed off her legs. They made her seem taller and even more determined. He was going to have his hands full with her. That thought was both really enjoyable and somewhat disturbing.
"Alex," she said, a wary note in her voice. "Thanks for finally returning my call."
"I apologize for the delay. I had some unexpected business come up."
"So you said on Saturday. Is everything all right?"
"It's all good. Are you ready for the tour?"
"Absolutely. I'd love to see where the magic happens," she said with a smile.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to show you too much magic. Our engineering and software development departments are off limits. We have to protect our proprietary information."
"Then what are you going to show me?"
"We'll start with what I call the think tank. Follow me." He led her out of the executive offices and down a long hallway. At the end of the corridor were two glass doors that opened into a luxurious lounge.
"This is nice," Andrea murmured.
He nodded, glancing around the room. There were massage chairs in front of the bay windows, comfortable couches in cozy seating areas, a pool table in one corner and on the far side of the room was a gaming area. There were at least a dozen monitors, game players and computers. Next to the video equipment were pinball machines and an air-hockey table.
"That looks like an arcade," she murmured. "Do you come here to relive your past life where you worked at the miniature golf course arcade?"
"No, I created the area to inspire my workers. I want them to play everything from the lowest tech to the highest tech game. I want them to get creative, let their imaginations soar. I want them to help me create games that no one else has ever envisioned."
She nodded. "That makes sense."
"My employees work long hours, so I try to make their time at work as comfortable as possible. In addition to this lounge, we have a gourmet cafeteria upstairs and a quiet zone where people can stretch out for a nap. We also offer a car service, a laundry pickup, and we bring in physical therapists and visiting nurses to deliver therapy sessions, flu shots and wellness seminars."
"You've thought of everything."
"I take care of the people who work for me."
"I can see that. If I'd known how much fun tech companies were when I was in college, I might have changed my major."
"I seriously doubt that, not when you were reporting in the fifth grade."
"True. I have wanted to be a reporter forever, but the lounge at World News Today consists of a vending machine, a table and a coffeemaker."
Despite her words, he could see the pride in her eyes. She loved her job and she wasn't motivated by money but by passion. He liked that. He understood that. Because even though he'd made more money in the last five years than he'd ever imagined making in his entire lifetime, he still worked because he loved his business.
"What's that?" Andrea asked as she pointed to a spiral staircase that seemed to end at he ceiling. "The stairway to nowhere?"
He grinned. "We call it the stairway to the stars." He led her across the room, pushed a button, and the ceiling over the staircase opened up.
She followed him up the stairs to the roof. As she stepped out, she said, "Oh, my God, this is amazing. What a view."
"It's what sold me on this building."
She walked around the deck, pausing here and there to take in a new part of San Francisco, finally ending up by two large telescopes. "Who uses these?"
"Anyone who wants to. Despite the city lights, you can do some serious stargazing with those telescopes. You'll have to come back at night." As soon as he said the words, he regretted them. His goal was to finish this interview off today or tomorrow and not extend future invitations to Andrea.
"That would be interesting," she said. "I studied a little astronomy in college, but I don't remember much." Pausing, she tilted her head, giving him the thoughtful look he was coming to expect.
Andrea was always trying to figure him out. And while at times he appreciated her desire to really get to know the man behind the games, her scrutiny always put him on edge. He wasn't used to anyone trying to get past his barriers. Since he'd gotten rich and famous, he'd acquired more walls between himself and others, and fewer people tried to breach his defenses. But Andrea was doing everything she could to slip past his guard, and he needed to keep his wits about him. That would be a lot easier if he didn't like her so much.
"What?" he asked when her stare went on far too long.
"Just thinking about how you like trains, planes and games and now telescopes. You're always thinking about ways to escape, to soar, to get your feet off the ground."
"Very perceptive. Is that going in your article?"
"We'll see. Do you think you would have been so focused on looking up and outward if you hadn't lost your parents, hadn't ended up having to fend for yourself at a time when most kids are coddled and protected?"
He shrugged. "Who's to say? I don't like to play the 'what if' game. It doesn't get me anywhere."
"I thought you liked to play every game," she teased.
He tipped his head. "Good point. But while my past is part of who I am, I think what drives me comes from the inside. You and I are not very different, Andrea. You have as much ambition as I do."
"Maybe, but I obviously haven't been as good at turning my ambition into profit or fame."
"Well, I have a few years on you. I have no doubt that you're fully capable of getting everything you want."
"I hope so. But again we're starting to talk about me, and this interview is about you," she reminded him.
"You're more interesting. What did you do this weekend?"
She hesitated. "I had brunch with my friends."
"The bridesmaids?"
"Yes, we planned my sister's bachelorette party."
"Where are you going—Vegas?"
"No, Vegas is not Laurel's style. We're going to do a spa retreat in Napa. One of my friends, Maggie, works at a fancy hotel up there. She's setting it all up."
"Sounds nice. What else did you do?"
She stared back at him. "You talked to Mick, didn't you?"
"Apparently, so did you." He hadn't been surprised to hear from Mick about Andrea's visit, and while Mick had assured him that no dark secrets had slipped past his lips, he couldn't help wondering what Andrea had gotten out of their conversation.
"Mick has a lot of respect for you, and he's a loyal friend. But you already knew that, Alex."
"I did."
She stared back at him, more puzzlement in her eyes. "Who is your best friend, Alex?"
"Best friends are for girls and little kids."
"Oh, come on, that's not true. You're splitting hairs. If you don't like the word 'best', then tell me who your good friends are."
"You've met a bunch of them already."
She shook her head. "I mean people like Mick, people who really know you. What about kids you grew up with, went to high school with—do you keep in touch with any of them?"
"No," he said shortly. "My friends are the people you've met as well as some coworkers you haven't met."
"When do I get to meet them?"
"Andrea, you're not writing an encyclopedia. You don’t need to interview everyone I've ever talked to in my life. How long is this article?"
"It's long enough to warrant as much information as I can gather," she retorted. "And I don't tell you how to make games, so don't tell me how to do my job."
Anger sparkled in her blue eyes, which only made them prettier. "I wasn't telling you how to do your job, but I think you're trying to make something out of nothing. You know my past. You know what I do now. What more do you want?"
"A lot more," she snapped. "You haven't told me anything about your parents."
"I don't talk about them."
"Exactly. And I know only basic facts about what happened in your teens. Your early twenties are still a mystery to me. There seem to be big gaps between working in a video arcade and running a billion-dollar company. I don't know who you talk to when you're down or whether you've ever really been in love with anyone. I don't know what you want to do tomorrow or next year or ten years from now."
"Neither do I. I don't have my life planned out. I stopped making plans a long time ago. I live in the moment."
"That's not true. You plan game releases a year out at least."
"Fine, I make business plans, but not personal ones."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't." He strode forward, stopping just inches away from her.
"You're afraid," she said.
"You're calling me a coward?" he asked in astonishment. "I've been called a lot of things, but not that."
"You're afraid to want something in case you don't get it. In business, it doesn't matter. But in your personal life, it does. You lost a lot as a kid, your parents, your aunt, your whole world was shattered. So now you don't have close friends. You don't count on people. You don't expect anything, because then you won't be disappointed."
"You think you have me figured out," he murmured. She actually wasn't that far off base. Not all of her assumptions were true, but some of them were. He shouldn't have been surprised. She was a smart woman with an analytical mind, but it wasn't her mind he was interested in right now.
"I think I've figured a few things out," she amended, wariness flashing in her eyes as he slid his arms around her. "Alex?"
"You're right about some things. I don't count on anyone but myself. And perhaps I don't make plans because when I used to do that, I was almost always slapped down. But I'm not as closed-off as you think. I have friends. I've had women in my life. And I'm not afraid of life. I'm ready for the next curve to get thrown. In fact, I'm not waiting for it to come to me; I'm going after it. I'm going after it right now."
She stiffened, desire in her eyes, as he made his intent extremely clear.
"Do you really think this is a good idea?
"Probably not. But I've been thinking about kissing you since the last time, and if you don't want this to happen, you better tell me now."
"It's hard to fight you and myself," she said with a soft sigh.
"Then don't."
The heat that had been simmering between them sparked and flamed with the touch of their lips. He took the kiss deeper, wanting to take her mouth, her body, every part of her that she wanted to give.
He hauled her up against his chest, needing to feel her soft curves, needing to be as close to her as he could get.
Andrea came willingly, putting her arms around his neck as her tongue tangled with his. God, she tasted good—a hint of paradise, a little bit of heaven, a soft place to fall. He'd never wanted to fall before. He'd always wanted to be in control. But right now he was on shaky ground, and he didn't give a damn.
Kissing her wasn't enough, but just like the last time they were nowhere near a bed or a couch or even a little more privacy.
He lifted his head. Andrea stared back at him, her lips swollen from passion, her eyes bright and dazed and a little needy.
"What is wrong with me?" she murmured, as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "You make me forget where I am, what I'm doing."
"You do the same to me."
"We have to find a way to finish this interview and be done with each other."
He stared back at her. He wanted to be done with the news article but not with her. "Can you have someone else at the magazine write the article?"
She immediately shook her head. "No, I can't. I need this story. I told you I wasted the magazine's time and money the last six weeks. I have to do a good job on this assignment. I know you can understand that."
He understood she was putting her job first. He shouldn't care or even judge, because he usually did the same thing when it came to business, but it didn't bother him. "Fine," he said shortly. "Let's go back to my office."
She put a hand on his arm, "Alex, wait."
"What?"
She stared back at him. "I like you."
His muscles tightened at her words.
"And as crazy as this may sound, I actually missed you," she added.
That didn't sound crazy at all. He'd missed her, too.
"I've never been in this position before," she continued. "I've never had this kind of crazy attraction to someone I'm supposed to be writing about, so I'm probably not handling this very well. And maybe I should give the story to someone else, but I really don't want to, so can we find a way to work together?"
How could he say no to the plea in her eyes? And it wasn't just the plea, it was her honesty that undid him. He hadn't known too many people who told the truth with such charm and vulnerability. She was putting herself out there, and he wasn't going to be the one to hurt her. "Okay," he said. "We'll get back to business."
Relief flooded her expression. "Good."
They walked back to his office in silence. But when they reached Ellen's desk, she stopped them.
"There you are," Ellen said. "I was just about to come looking for you, Alex. Did you forget that you have to be at the dentist in twenty minutes?"
He frowned. "That's not today. It can't be six months yet."
"It's been over a year and a half," Ellen said pointedly. "You cancelled the last two appointments. And don't even try to tell me to cancel now. You're going. I know you hate the dental chair, but you have to take care of your teeth."
Maybe it was just as well he had an appointment. A little time and space from Andrea would probably help put them back on the right track. He sent Andrea an apologetic look. "Sorry, but I have to go."
"Can we meet later?"
"I have a dinner meeting with some potential investors."
"Tomorrow then?"
"I'll give you a call when I know my schedule." Alex took his car keys from his assistant and headed out.
"Any chance you could help me set up an appointment with him?" Andrea asked Ellen.
"I would love to, but Alex said he wanted to handle your interviews personally."
"How long have you worked for Alex?" she asked.
"Nine years."
"What kind of an employer is he?"
"Fair, honest and hardworking. He treats me with respect. I have no complaints." Her tone offered no shades of gray.
Andrea smiled, trying to ease the tension on the older woman's face. "It's clear from your tone that you're very loyal, and Alex must have done something right to inspire that loyalty. I just wish I could get a clearer picture of who he is away from work."
"You'll have to ask him."
"He hasn't been very forthcoming."
"Well, he has a reason to be protective. Everyone wants a piece of him now. It's difficult for him to know who to trust. Some people just want to use him to get ahead."
There was a warning note in Ellen's voice now. Andrea was not going to get anything from Alex's assistant.
"Just for the record," Andrea said. "Alex wasn't forced to do this interview, and I've been completely up front with him. I have a job to do, and I'm going to do it. "
"Then you shouldn't pretend to be his friend," Ellen said sharply.
She sucked in a quick breath at the harsh words. "I'm not pretending," she protested. "And I wouldn't even say we're friends." Actually, she didn't know what they were to each other.
"I saw your lipstick on his face, Ms. Blain."
There was no way she could explain that away.
"I told Alex not to do this interview," Ellen continued. "And I don't trust you for a second. I've never met a reporter who wasn't after a juicy secret. You want to dig into Alex's life, and you won't care at all what harm you do."
"Is there a juicy secret?"
"Your question just proves my point." Ellen shook her head. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do." The woman turned her gaze back to her computer.
Andrea had no choice but to leave. As she walked back to her car, she couldn’t get Ellen's words about a secret out of her head. The woman had not meant to intrigue her with anything; she'd been trying to push her away. But there was something in Ellen's gaze that Andrea couldn't quite shake.
Alex had a secret. A secret Ellen didn't want her to find. What the hell was it?