Mistletoe Bachelors

by Snow, Jennifer

  Despite the driving speed, they were late, and Becca pouted when she learned Dahlia had gotten tired of waiting for her, and had taken a different client. She was reassigned to a young girl named Anna, who looked nervous while Becca made demands, as they disappeared down the hall.

  Cole, Madison and Nathan were ushered down the hallway toward the dressing rooms. The spa hostess handed them big, terry cloth bathrobes and slippers to change into. The spa was spectacular with its ancient Egyptian theme and décor and dimly lit hallways. The tranquil sound of running waterfalls had the desired soothing effect, and the aroma of jasmine in the air invigorated the senses. Their Christmas décor consisted of a few decorated white Jesse trees in various corners of the spa.

  “So, what’s the deal with you two?” Nathan asked when they were alone in the waiting area. Madison had yet to emerge from the women’s changing room.

  “Who?” Cole avoided Nathan’s eyes. Was his interest in Madison that transparent?

  “You and our beautiful little journalist.” Nathan leaned back against the plush cushions of the velvet armchair.

  “Nothing.” Cole shrugged. It was true. So far, she’d fought off his advances. Her guard didn’t seem to be coming down as quick as he’d assumed or hoped it might. Working for a woman’s affection was foreign to him, but he suspected she was worth the effort.

  “Whatever, man. There is so much sexual tension between the two of you, it makes Becca and I look like an old married couple already.” Nathan took a sip of his lemon water. He grimaced and looked at the glass. “Could use a shot of vodka.” He laughed and set the glass aside.

  Other people could sense the tension between them? “As you said, she’s beautiful, who wouldn’t be attracted to her, but we’re just co-workers.” For now.

  Madison emerged from the changing room and laughed as she joined them.

  “What’s so funny?” Cole’s eyes rested a little too long on her bare legs. Man, they were sexy. How would they feel wrapped around him? God, he hoped their working relationship changed soon. He didn’t know how much longer he’d be successful in keeping his hands to himself.

  “You two.” Madison took a seat next to Cole on the couch. “If only the sales clerk at Tiffany’s could see you two lovebirds now.” She reached for a grape.

  The men laughed at the memory of the clerk and Cole shuddered.

  “Cole?” A massage therapist appeared and glanced between the two men.

  Nathan pointed to Cole. “You’re up buddy. Enjoy.”

  Cole stood and followed the petite woman into the therapy room.

  “I’ll let you disrobe and climb under this top sheet. I’ll knock before entering.” She turned on a soothing sounds CD and dimmed the lighting in the room before exiting.

  Cole nodded.

  The woman closed the door behind her.

  Cole disrobed and climbed onto the soft, padded massage table. He rested his face in the headrest and wiggled his hips on the table into a comfortable position. Thank you Women’s World Quarterly. So far this assignment felt nothing like work. He relaxed his shoulders and let his arms rest at his sides. His legs and feet sank into the table.

  Madison’s voice in the room next to his came through the thin wall.

  He stiffened. How the hell was he supposed to relax knowing she was disrobing in the next room? Images of his sexy travel companion lying naked on the massage table clouded his head. Damn, what a lucky massage therapist.

  * * * * “Should I get down on one knee in the restaurant or slide it across the table?” Nathan stopped pacing his living room and turned to Madison and Cole. That evening, he’d made reservations to take Becca to dinner at her favorite Mexican restaurant in Manhattan, though it was still up for debate, whether or not she did in fact eat.

  Madison and Cole sat on his couch and watched him go back and forth.

  “I think he’s asking you.” Madison poked Cole in the shoulder. She’d been discounted as a valued authority on the subject after she’d suggested a blue tie, instead of a red one and had been outvoted by the two men. The whole situation was hilarious. So far, he’d tried several proposal attempts, which Cole continued to refuse.

  “I’m not sure.” Cole paused. “I’m just not feeling it. Maybe try the knee again.” Cole sat ready, his head high, shoulders back in his best impression of Becca.

  Madison watched the two with amusement.

  “Oh forget it. It’s getting late.” Nathan picked up his watch from the counter and snapped it in place. He grabbed his sports coat. “I have to go. Make yourselves comfortable, and when we get back we’ll have a drink to celebrate. If she says yes. Oh no. What if she says no?” Panic crept into his voice, and he paced again, biting his lower lip.

  “She won’t.” Madison stood and took him by the shoulders. His pacing made her dizzy.

  “Cole did.”

  Madison struggled to supress a giggle. “Did you really want to marry Cole?” She cocked her head to the side.

  The tension in Nathan’s shoulders disappeared. “I guess not.”

  “Hey! What’s wrong with me? You could do much worse you know.” Cole’s eyes burned into Madison’s.

  Madison glanced at her watch, breaking the gaze. “You’re going to be late.” She pushed Nathan toward the door. “Go. Good luck.”

  He leaned and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks.” He waved to Cole and disappeared into the hall.

  Once the door closed behind him, Madison rejoined Cole on the couch. She sat and tucked her legs beneath her. A yawn escaped her lips. She’d been lazy and relaxed since the massage.

  “So, do you think that red headed terror will say yes?” Cole leaned against the arm of the couch.

  “She’s not that bad.” She shook her head. It was a lie. The truth was, Madison couldn’t understand what a terrific guy like Nathan saw in a woman like Becca, aside from the obvious fact she was beautiful. After their massages, they’d waited an additional forty-five minutes for her to emerge from the changing room. In the meantime, her massage therapist emerged in tears, claiming if she ever had to work on her again, she would quit. Nathan had been sympathetic toward the girl, giving her what Madison could only assume was a very large tip. The tears dried the moment the bills were tucked into her pocket.

  Becca had claimed to be hungry, and they’d driven an hour to the only raw food restaurant outside of the city. Cole had refused the food with a look of disgust, and Nathan had promised him a hamburger once they arrived back to his place. Becca had picked at her raw veggie and fish platter, and Madison struggled to enjoy a salad, feeling Becca’s disapproving, and scrutinizing gaze when she dared to add salad dressing.

  “Oh, come on. She looked at your salad dressing as if it was the cause of obesity.” Cole shook his head and laughed. He stretched an arm out behind her on the couch.

  “But you think she’s beautiful at least.” Madison studied her fingernails. Cole spent most of his time with women as beautiful as Becca. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t dating one. Or many.

  Cole hesitated. “She’s…photogenic. Like most of the women I work with on photo-shoots. She looks wonderful with her makeup on and every strand of fiery hair is in place, but spend five minutes with her and that beauty fades. She isn’t the kind of woman who looks beautiful lying in the snow, with her arms and legs flailing about, making a snow angel.” Cole moved closer to her on the couch.

  Madison flushed, and her pulse quickened . Could he look any sexier? His jeans hugged his muscular thighs, and his sweater fit tight across his chest and arms. She didn’t trust herself to meet his gaze. How did he have such an effect on her? Since her divorce, she’d found herself the source of many men’s attention but never had she been attracted to one as she was to Cole.

  “By the way,” Cole placed a hand under her chin and turned her face toward him, “I hope you didn’t mean what you said yesterday about never kissing me.” He placed a hand on her knee and leaned forward, his face inches from hers, f
orcing her to look at him.

  I can’t breathe . Madison tugged at the neck of her turtleneck. Her leg quivered under his touch. Could he feel her trembling? Anticipation mounted for a kiss she knew was coming, yet defenseless to prevent. She swallowed hard. Was it hot in here?

  Cole licked his lips and lowered his head, tilting her chin upward to meet him. Madison’s hands pressed against his chest, but she didn’t push him away. Instead, she clutched his sweater as her thoughts conflicted with the passion cursing through her body.

  BZZZZ. Cole’s cell phone vibrated in his jeans pocket.

  Madison jumped and moved away from him. She took a deep breath. Oh my God, that was close. She tugged at the neck of her turtleneck and placed a hand to her flushed cheeks.

  “Damn it,” Cole muttered as he reached into his pocket and removed the vibrating phone. He glanced at the caller I.D. “It’s Nathan.”

  “Answer it.” Madison nodded toward the ringing phone. Dammit that phone had the worse timing? Or the best? She couldn’t decide. Disappointment mixed with relief over the interruption. She stood to distance herself from him and to calm her quickened heartbeat.

  “Hey Nathan, what’s up?” Irritation at the interruption was evident in Cole’s terse voice. Madison folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe to the living room.

  “Sure, don’t worry. Give us twenty minutes.” Cole said. He too had stood and paced back and forth the kitchen. He hung up the phone and turned to Madison. “He forgot the ring.” He rolled his eyes.

  “Are you serious?” She shook her head in disbelief. After all that worrying and preparing, how had he done something as stupid as that?

  “Yes, and he sounds close to a panic attack. He said he left it on his bedside table. I’ll grab it while you put on your coat.” Cole disappeared into the bedroom.

  Madison grabbed her coat from the back of the chair and tossed it over her arm. Still hot from their exchange, she longed for the cool fresh air outside.

  Cole emerged from the bedroom seconds later, ring in hand. “Here it is. Shall we?” Cole opened the door and waited for her to exit. “Oh, and don’t worry, I’m not forgetting about that kiss,” he whispered.

  Madison locked the door and jiggled the knob. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The moment had passed. She was determined not to let the temptation occur again. What happened to her resolve whenever they found themselves in a situation alone together? Why was she so helpless against his charm and gentle persuasion? In three years, no other man had been able to weaken her resolve. She would just make sure they weren’t alone together often.

  “I’ll be sure to remind you.” Cole grabbed her hand and kissed her palm.

  She didn’t doubt he would. She was in trouble.

  Chapter Five

  Madison yawned as she rode the elevator to the hotel lobby the next morning. She didn’t get paid enough to be up this early. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and leaned her head against the elevator wall, closing her eyes. Nathan had a promotional photo shoot this morning, in Central Park, with the representatives of the accessories division of Gucci. His new collection of shoes and purses were being featured in their upcoming spring issue, hitting store shelves in March. While Cole had raved all evening about being an observer on the set, she was less than thrilled at the prospect. The day was sunny and bright, but she wasn’t fooled. The morning news had announced an expected high temperature for the day of fourteen degrees. Even in her warmest layers, Madison experienced a chill as the elevator doors opened in the lobby.

  Cole waited for her on a bench in the elevator lobby. His smile was wide as she approached. Wow, someone was excited this morning.

  “Good morning.” Cole stood and handed her a Starbucks cup.

  “No, good would have been at eight. Why do they insist on doing photo-shoots at five

  o’clock?” Nathan had warned them it would be an early morning, but five a.m.? Nothing should be happening this early except sleep. She accepted the coffee cup and took a big lifesaving gulp. The thick, creamy liquid stuck in her throat. She gulped. “Disgusting!” She grimaced. “What is that?” She lifted the lid to peek inside the cup.

  “Eggnog latte.” Cole grinned at her. “I take it you don’t like it?” He laughed. “How could anyone drink this?” She scanned the hotel lobby for the nearest garbage can and the Starbucks.

  Cole took the cup from her and handed her a different one. “Relax, I was kidding. Here is your coffee.”

  Madison hesitated until the familiar aroma drifted from the cup. She took a sip, savouring the rich taste. The champagne the night before hadn’t been a good idea, given the early morning, but she hadn’t been able to refuse the happy newly engaged couple. Her head ached, one look outside at the bundled people passing by the frosted windows, and she moaned. This assignment was more trouble than it was worth. Keep thinking about your future with the magazine.

  “There’s Nathan.” Cole nodded toward the entrance. He grabbed his camera and tripod and set off for the door.

  Madison braced herself for the cold, tucking her head deeper into the collar of her coat and followed him out to Nathan’s Hummer. The wind took her breath away as she waited for Cole to open the passenger side door.

  He helped her up into the large vehicle then climbed into the back seat behind her.

  She shivered as a blast of heat hit her feet.

  “Good morning, you two. Sorry about the early rise.” Nathan pulled the Hummer onto the street.

  “No problem. We’re looking forward to the shoot.” Cole looked like a kid waiting for Santa.

  Nathan laughed. “Maybe you are, but Madison looks like she could have used more sleep.” He glanced in her direction and patted her arm.

  Madison gave a weak smile. “I am tired, but this will be fun.” She took another gulp of her cooling coffee and leaned her head against the seat. Content to let the two men chat about the shoot, her mind wandered, as she stared out the window. Fifth Avenue was quiet in the early hour before dawn, rare for the busy street. Soon it would be full of people, scurrying to their day jobs or holiday shopping. The street would come alive with glittering holiday lights and extravagant window displays in the department stores. The sound of Christmas music playing in the cafes and restaurants would drift through the opening doors. Escaping the festive sights and sounds was a challenge every year and made her heart ache. Despite the time since their separation, forgetting about Kurt and the divorce continued to be hard, and the holidays reminded her of the loneliness she fought every day. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Here we are.” Nathan said, breaking into her thoughts moments later. He turned the Hummer into the park.

  Security guards flagged them inside a barricade and motioned to the parking area.

  Nathan nodded in thanks.

  “Wow, look at the amount of people on set.” Cole’s eyes shone with excitement.

  Madison was impressed. Four cameramen and their assistants worked setting up additional lighting and backdrops. Models stood under a large white tent, wrapped in big, bulky winter coats and blankets to stay warm. Security guards milled about the perimeter of the park. Madison hadn’t realized so much work or so many people were involved in the creation of the ads she redinked every quarter for the magazine.

  Nathan led the way through the crowd to introduce them to the Gucci executives. Three men in suits and overcoats huddled together over a laptop, reviewing the photo shoot line up and making last minute changes to the rotation.

  “Nathan, hi.” Erik Johnson, a Gucci executive shook Nathan’s hand.

  “Erik, this is Madison Grey and Cole Harris from Women’s World.” Nathan accepted a cup of coffee from one of the assistants. “Thank you.” He smiled.

  Erik turned to Madison and Cole. “Welcome. It’s nice to meet you both. Cole, Nathan tells us you are a very talented photographer, and I hear you’ve worked with some of our regular models before. They speak highly of
you as well.” He winked.

  I bet they do. Madison shifted her eyes and shoved her hands into her pockets. How had she forgotten gloves? She would freeze to death out here, if the shoot lasted very long.

  “Here is my business card, we’re always looking for new talent.” Erik handed his card to Cole.

  Cole’s face lit up. “Seriously? Thank you.” He tucked the card into his back pocket. “Is it okay to take a few shots of Nathan at work?”

  “Sure, no problem.” Erik took a sip of his coffee.

  “Where should I set up, so as not to interfere with the other cameras?” Cole looked around them.

  “Come with me, I’ll show you.” Another executive offered.

  The two disappeared.

  Madison danced on the spot, trying to keep warm. How long would this take anyway? Maybe she wouldn’t be forced to stay for the full shoot.

  “We have a major problem people.” A thin, short man appeared behind them.

  “Something was bound to go wrong.” Erik remained calm. “Let’s hear it.”

  “Anya called on her mobile to say she is stuck in a traffic jam on the Brooklyn Bridge, and she won’t be able to make it.” His tone was frantic as he threw his arms into the air. He paced back and forth.

  Erik put a hand out to stop the pacing. “Someone else can wear her sets.” He shrugged.

  “Not possible. We had to special order her shoes. She’s the only six foot woman in the world with size six feet.” The wardrobe assistant shook his head.

  Madison stifled a giggle at the duress she heard in his voice. So, a pair of shoes wouldn’t make it into the shoot. What was the big deal?

  “This isn’t funny.” The assistant shot her an annoyed look. “Anya was page three. All of page three. Who’s supposed to fill page three?” His tone grew shrill as he continued. He rested his chin on his hand and studied the ground.

  Madison turned to slip away. The last thing she needed was to cause the irate little man to throw a tantrum. She wondered if anyone would notice if she slipped into the heated gazebo next to the ice rink.