Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

He chuckled and held out his hand to help her up. “Tell you what. I’ll leave first and you can sneak out after me.”

“You’re a true gentleman, Nash.” Her voice held more than a hint of sarcasm, but her eyes held a wealth of gratitude.

He decided not to remind her that people had probably already seen him follow her into the bathroom or had likely already come to their own conclusions about what the two of them were doing in here. She had enough on her mind and Riley’s presence on this trip probably wasn’t helping her keep things in her life running smoothly.

But he couldn’t change the strength of their attraction nor, he admitted, did he want to.

CINDY THOUGHT she knew what frazzled meant. Coming from a family that consisted of herself and her father and the employees of his California seaside restaurant, she’d grown up harried and working practically from birth. She’d gone to UCLA and hadn’t moved East until her father had passed away last year. It had been tragic. An employee had stolen money from the register after hours and set a fire to cover his tracks. Frank James, “Jimmy” to his friends, had tried to save his restaurant and prized possessions before the firefighters arrived. He’d died of smoke inhalation inside the restaurant he’d adored.

After she’d survived that loss, Cindy thought she could handle anything. But The Hot Zone offices without the Jordan sisters, and Athletes Only without Spencer or Yank, was the equivalent of utter chaos. She and several others had been forced to work on a Saturday just to begin to deal with all that was going on and going wrong.

“And why did I agree to watch this dog?”

She’d just returned from a long walk with Noodle. One made longer by the dog’s desire to sniff, wander and not do business when told. She stepped off the elevator feeling out of sorts and almost out of options.

“Ms. James?”

“Yes?” Cindy turned to the temp who’d been working for the past couple of days.

Even if Raine, their normal receptionist, returned from her serious bout of the flu, the office could still use the manpower Nicki Fielding provided. Cindy had no doubt Sophie would agree.

“You have messages.” Nicki held out a stack of pink papers.

Cindy pushed the notes into her suit jacket pocket.

“Ms. Jordan called from Florida. I told her everything here was fine, which is true. Sort of. I mean the reporters are still hanging around,” Nicki whispered, gesturing to the group who’d perched themselves on the sofa, hoping for an interview from anyone here. “I just keep telling them ‘No Comment,’” she said, looking to Cindy for approval.

“You’re doing great.” She smiled at the young girl.

“I’m trying.” Her brown eyes were huge. “I don’t think Ms. Jordan thinks I’m that qualified.”

Cindy shook her head. “It’s just crisis time around here. We’ll all come through this fine. You’re being a huge help, I promise.”

The dog pulled on the leash and she groaned. “Go, you little pain in the—” Cindy leaned down, released the catch and the dog bolted, likely for the safety of Yank’s office, where Sophie said she could find the pooch if she went missing.

“If you need me, I’ll be in my office returning calls.” Cindy patted the papers in her bulging pocket and walked past the reporters, head held high, looking straight ahead before they could begin to toss out questions.

Cindy shut her door behind her, leaned against it and sighed. She couldn’t wait to hand this place back to Sophie. When she opened her eyes, she stared in shock. The most beautiful red roses sat on her desk.

“What the…?” She bent close and sniffed the glorious petals, breathing in their floral scent. As she pulled out the card, she realized the vase wasn’t a typical glass holder from a florist but etched Baccarat crystal.

“Red beauties for a redheaded beauty. Have dinner with me. Miguel.” Cindy read the card and shivered.

She’d been living in New York for a little over six months and although she’d made friends, she hadn’t dated anyone special. She hadn’t met anyone who seriously interested her. Until she’d laid eyes on Miguel Cambias. His dark eyes and naturally dark skin, so different from many of the surfers and actors she’d met in California, caused goose bumps to prickle up and down her arms.

But his business card had burned a hole in her pocket and she’d left it untouched in her desk drawer ever since. Loyalty was important to her. She’d learned it from her small band of “family” back home, a group related by love not blood.

She worked for The Hot Zone. She enjoyed her job and she appreciated all three Jordan sisters and the family like atmosphere they brought to the firm. For Cindy, this place was similar to her father’s tiny restaurant and she didn’t want to lose the inroads she’d made.

She slowly opened her desk drawer and stared at the business card tucked safely away. She also didn’t want to make a mistake and spend forever wondering what if. Fingering the business card, she turned it over and over in her hand. Sophie hadn’t asked her not to see Miguel. She’d just suggested Cindy be careful.

With those words in mind, Cindy picked up the phone. After all, what harm could come from one little dinner? she wondered.

CHAPTER FOUR

INDIGNITY SURROUNDED Sophie. When she’d headed out of the lavatory a short while after Riley, the people seated in the immediate area had applauded. Now as they waited for their luggage to arrive on the conveyor belt, she stood next to Riley and was forced to accept another very uncomfortable situation. Her panties were damp with desire and he was the cause.

So much for not doing athletes. So much for not doing this athlete. Much to her dismay, her fears had just been realized. If not for the plane’s descent and the pilot’s order to return to their seats, she’d have probably been initiated into the mile-high club and enjoyed every minute.