was printing what she called 'need to know' headlines on an inside section of the paper. Colin jotted notes to contact Bloomberg for financial news and the possibility of acquiring national sports from the AP. Separating man from his sports? It was no wonder Corinne had lost much of her audience. From his perspective, everything was ready to go-should he be able to convince Corinne in time.
Of course, Colin's changes would cost money, but he'd have to spend something to rebuild readership. Some of that cost could be recouped in Rina's and Emma's salaries, he thought guiltily.
'Good morning, Colin.' Emma strode into the office, too perky and happy for a Monday morning. Especially
'Morning, Emma. I take it you spent yesterday resting up from your Christmas bash?' He folded his hands behind his head, happy for the distraction.
'Oh yes. I soaked in a tub, pampered myself and read a good book. I'm feeling completely refreshed, thank you. How was your weekend?' She put her purse in her bottom desk drawer as if she'd been here all her life and sat down in her seat.
'I spent yesterday with Joe.' And Corinne, but he wasn't in the mood to even think about that now. He was starting to have conflicted feelings toward Corinne, brought on by her constant attention to Joe and his needs.
'Corinne tells me his prognosis is good. I'm so glad.' Emma clasped her hands to her chest. 'No man should have to spend such a long time in a hospital. I think we should throw him a welcome-back party when he's ready.'
This from the woman whose column was on the line and didn't know it. Colin groaned, needing a reprieve from guilt, pressure and his own thoughts.
'Delivery,' a male voice called, pushing through the doors and entering the offices.
Colin turned to see a man, arms loaded with seasonal flowers.
'I'm looking for a Rina Lowell?'
A low growl escaped Colin's throat at the same time a knot settled in his stomach. Had she had a man in her apartment after all?
'Oh, how exciting. Right here,' Emma said, pointing to Rina's desk. Once the flowers were placed on the blotter and the delivery man gone, Emma turned to Colin. 'You shouldn't have.'
'I didn't,' he said through clenched teeth.
Emma raised an eyebrow. 'Oh dear.'
Before he could suggest peeking at the card and embarrass himself completely, Rina waltzed inside, a smile on her face, a flush on her cheeks and her hair tousled from the wind. He got a damn hard-on just looking at her.
'Morning, all.' She strode to her desk. 'What's this?'
'Flowers, of course,' Emma said.
Rina's gaze darted Colin's way for a brief second before she jerked her stare back to the bouquet. But he didn't miss the hopeful glint in her eye and was able to relax. He stepped near her desk and leaned closer so only she could hear. 'Sorry, babe. They aren't from me.'
'I didn't think they were.' She unwrapped the card and read silently, putting the small white envelope in her desk drawer when she was finished.
'So?' Emma asked. 'Are you going to share the identity of your secret admirer?'
'They're from Jake and Brianne. Congratulating me on my series starting.' Rina didn't meet Emma's gaze when answering, a sure sign something was wrong. But Emma didn't pick up on it.
'That's so sweet. Family's wonderful. Speaking of relatives, I need to make a call and then get to work!' Emma swiveled in her chair, leaving Rina to get settled.
She moved the flowers to the side of the desk, dropped her purse into a drawer and began to unbutton her wool coat. Colin didn't buy for one minute that her brother and his wife had sent those flowers, but she'd hid the identity of the sender more from Emma than him, which made no sense. He wondered about it for a minute, but when she slid her jacket off her shoulders, the world tilted and all rational thought fled.
Because beneath the oversize coat she wore a black blouse, saved from conservatism by a plunging neckline and a microminiskirt that emphasized her slender legs, which were covered only by sheer, nude-colored panty hose. At least he hoped they were panty hose, because if he caught a hint of a lace garter, he'd pass out on sight.
He strode over to her desk, grabbing her hand. 'Come with me.'
'Where?'
'Coffee break,' he muttered, pulling her through the double doors to a stairwell. It wasn't exactly prime office space, but it afforded the only means of privacy he could think of.
Not even the dank smell could dampen his desire or his need to get inside her, body and soul. Once alone, he backed her against the wall, propping one arm over her head. 'Who really sent those flowers?' he asked, his baser male instincts coming through.
'You care?'
He rubbed his knuckles down her cheek. 'I may have one hell of a way of showing it, but I do.'
'Stan Blecher sent the flowers,' she admitted.
'What the hell does the old man think he's doing?'
'The obvious. Trying to make Emma jealous by paying attention to me.'
'And you don't want to help his plan?'
Rina rolled her eyes. Men could be
'She said that?'
Rina shook her head. 'Insinuated it. And I don't want to be the one to push her into something she's not ready for. Stan admitted he just wants Emma's companionship, but until she can trust him, she's not going to give an inch.' Which pretty well summed up any female who'd been hurt or disillusioned by a man, Rina thought.
'So you're looking out for her.'
'That's what friends do,' she murmured.
'That's what special, caring people do.' His blue eyes bore into hers, causing warmth to blossom in her chest.
After working at her computer all day yesterday and late into the night, finishing this week's column, Rina had had it with sweatpants. She'd had it with being alone and she no longer wanted to make Colin sweat. Not in a bad way, anyway. Saturday night was over, and so was her overreaction to Colin's defection. Joe had been in the hospital. Case closed.
So this morning, she'd dressed with Colin in mind, seeking to grab his attention and not let it go. It had been a girlish impulse and she'd accomplished her goal. But as usual, Colin had more insight than she'd counted on. He'd looked beyond the physical, deeper than the packaging. He'd seen the woman beneath and obviously admired her.
He tangled his hands in her hair, the erotic tugging sensation rippling through her veins. His admiration and perceptiveness took her off guard. She wanted to keep her barriers high, but resisting him was impossible. And when he lowered his head for a deep, leisurely kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
His lips were warm and provocative, taking possession and immediately setting her on fire. No big surprise there. Her tongue met his, swirling, seeking, demanding as much as he gave. And then his hands slipped to her thigh, his large palm branding her. 'Do you have any idea what that short skirt does to me?'
'Why don't you tell me?'
'Looking at those long legs makes me hard.' He deliberately brushed against her thigh, giving her tangible proof.
She sucked in a breath, her body reacting to the knowledge he wanted her. Here, now, in the dark stairwell, Colin Lyons wanted her. His body backed up his claim and hers went into heated overdrive. Dampness slicked her panties and a rush of desire swamped her.
'And wondering what's holding those things up is driving me insane.' Without awaiting permission, his fingers traveled upward until they came in contact with the elastic-rimmed lace that held the stockings up on her thigh. His fingertips hit bare skin and he let out a sharp, harsh breath. 'Damn.'
She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. 'These are more comfortable.'
