Sleigh Ride Together with You Read Online Free Page B

attempt at a smile, determined to act friendly if not exactly agreeable. “Please. Have a seat. Are you having a good time?”
    “It’s getting better.”
    Was he flirting? Probably just part of his charm. A man didn’t become a major network executive without it. Still, his manner came across as genuine. His accent was intriguing although she couldn’t place it. Midwestern or Great Lakes region, most likely.
    Might as well get straight to the heart of the matter. “I hope you’ll be very happy here for however long it takes to accomplish your objective.” Nicole caught Colin’s wave from across the room. She was surprised he could tear himself away from the fawning group of women hanging onto his every word.
    Alex appeared startled. “Did Mike tell you the purpose of my visit?”
    “No, and I must admit that I’m very curious.” She started to sip her eggnog, but Alex touched her arm, surprising her.
    “If you have an aversion to rum, you might not want to drink that. I’ll be happy to get you a cup of something else if you’d like.”
    Too late. She’d already imbibed a small sip during his well-intentioned warning. The pungent taste of alcohol invaded her senses as liquid heat trailed down her throat. “I see what you mean. I should have known since they’ve spiked it the past two holiday parties.” Clearing her throat, Nicole gave him a small smile. “You might want to cut out before the line dancing begins. Definitely before the karaoke.”
    “Thanks for the tip. Be right back.” Before she could blink, Alex darted out of the chair. He returned less than a minute later holding a cup in each hand. “For your consideration, we have eggnog, which I’ve been assured has not been spiked, and regular sherbet punch with”—he swirled the second cup—“small bits of pineapple floating in it. What’s your pleasure?”
    She reached for the punch. “Thank you.”
    “Welcome.” He put the other cup on the floor and settled again in the chair. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs, the hallmark positioning of an athlete. Alex studied her in a direct yet appreciative way, which she found both unsettling and flattering. Or perhaps that tiny taste of eggnog had already managed to infiltrate her brain.
    “Are you originally from New York?” she said. “I’m puzzling over your accent.”
    “That’s my home base now, but I’m from a small town in Minnesota. Just outside Minneapolis.”
    “Ah, I caught the accent just then. Gives away any secrets you might want to keep. You must be a hockey player. That would explain the scar.” Goodness. She shouldn’t make assumptions that came across as stereotypical. Plus, she’d more or less inadvertently admitted that she’d studied him rather closely.
    “Which one? I’ve earned a few.” Alex pointed to the left side of his nose. “Six small stitches here. Courtesy of a nasty game my junior year in high school. Almost broke my nose. And this one?”—he ran his finger over the scar she’d noticed above his right eyebrow—“compliments of a pesky, wayward puck. How about you? Are you originally from Iowa?”
    Was he playing coy? If he was here to somehow remake her image, surely he must know her background.
    “Yes, a small town a little more than an hour from here. No scars or pesky hockey pucks in my past, thank goodness.” Not that she didn’t have her share of other types of scars. The internal kind no one else could see. “Why do I have the feeling you can probably tell me more about my background than I could?”
    Alex’s eyes narrowed, although his smile remained in place.
    After taking another small sip of the punch, Nicole lowered the cup to her lap. “May I be blunt, Mr. Kingsfield?”
    “Of course, but it’s Alex.”
    Inhaling a quick breath, Nicole plunged into the spiel she’d mentally rehearsed for the past half hour. “Our numbers are solid, and the ratings have climbed steadily in the past month alone. More than