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He held out his arm. “Ready.”
Laura allowed him to help her up. His fingers were long and warm, and he grasped her longer than necessary as he led her from the bench. Yet when he finally released her, it didn’t seem nearly long enough.
The preschool children would be busy in the kids' tent for a few hours, which gave her a little time and a big advantage in her quest to keep the two most poignant people in her life apart. Had the kids been wandering around the scarcely populated first minutes of the carnival, they’d be easy to spot, however, in another hour and a half, the carnival would be densely packed. Hopefully, it would be enough.
Laura clasped her hands together. Their next conversation would not be light-hearted, simple or easy, however, she needed information before she could further consider him in their lives. “How serious about this are you?”
He gave her a sideways glance. “How serious am I about what?” She halted, and so did he, slowly turning around. “Serious about what?” he repeated lowly.
A million answers beckoned. How serious was he about life, about her, aboutchildren? She offered the only question safe enough to ask. “The collaboration between Bancroft Enterprises and Pine Ridge. Is it for real?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Of course, it’s for real. Don't you realize the cost if we go through this whole process only to have it fail? Your city has already invested thousands.”
“I understand the consequences." She held his gaze. “But do you?”
He shook his head. “I’m a businessman – of course I do. You seriously think I'd harm an entire town? Why?”
She didn't think that, but she needed to know for sure. “Because of the real reason you’re here. What you admitted the other night.”
He exhaled slowly. “I've always been honest about the reason I came, and it’s still true. I need the truth – the entire truth – of how you knew about the clinic and why you came to see me. However, the offer I’ve proposed to Pine Ridge is real, as is the plan. I've been planning to expand to a rural location for several months. When you came, I saw a dual opportunity to find out who betrayed my secret and secure a profitable business deal. I have no intention of backing away from Pine Ridge, even if I don't get the information I want.” His eyes glinted sapphire steel. “Fortunately, I have no doubt both my quests will succeed. My ventures always do.”
She tightened. He wasn't going to get the response he wanted, at least not yet. “I don’t have anything to tell you,” she said firmly.
He gave a curt nod. “Any more questions, or are you ready to enjoy the fair?”
“This whole afternoon is about questions.” She softened her response with a lighter tone. She wouldn’t get any information if they played enemies, plus she missed their normal camaraderie. “We're here because I’m a reporter and you’re my subject, remember?”
His lips curved into a smile, and his stance also relaxed. “You mean this isn’t a date?”
No. But it could be. It really should be. Stop!She wiped clammy hands together. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Bancroft.”
“And we’ve even regressed to formal names,” he drawled. “If I wasn’t so self-assured, I might take that the wrong way. Ready for our strictly professional, completely businesslike, adversarial visit to the carnival?”
Laura smiled, as the mood quickly turned from somber and secretive to light-hearted and fun. She hated seeing him as her rival, especially since they shared such a beautiful link. “Adversarial?”
“I’ll take that part out when you share all your secrets with me.”
Indeed.
Side by side, they strolled back towards the heart of the carnival, threading through colorful tents, around juggling clowns and past giggling tots. She didn't bother trying to free the hand he so possessively grasped, and she most certainly did not notice how strong, tall and delectib…ahem… he was. In a few minutes, the number of patrons had doubled, and people were streaming in through the front gate, many of them staring at her and Aidan. As a reporter, she was used to being with local celebrities, but she had never been with one as famous as Aidan.
“Are you all right?” Aidan’s low tone showcased genuine concern. “Everyone is looking at us.”
The scrutiny was unnerving, but not nearly as much as the man grasping her. “Looking at you, you mean.” From shy sideways gazes to obvious outright glares, they were the most popular attraction at the fair.
“Not just me,” he protested. “Do you think the men are ogling me? As beautiful as you are, it's a wonder they notice me at all.”
She blushed. Normally she was immune to flowery words, but the sincerity deep in his voice made her actually believe it. Did he know how much he affected her? “If you think I'll go easier on you in the article if you flatter me, you’re wrong.” She tried for lightheartedness, instead her voice emerged breathless and sultry.
“Actually, I was impressed by your attempt to keep everything between us completely professional.” He shrugged. “You’re not succeeding, but it’s a valiant effort.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she sniffed.
“No?” He squeezed her hand. At the familiar tingling awareness, she flexed her fingers. “Do you feel that?” he whispered.
“Of course, I feel it.” Unbidden desire made her voice raspy. “It’s your hand. Are you planning on letting me go?”
He did no such thing, instead leading her to a small space hidden between several tents. She stopped and faced her would-be nemesis. How would she convince him she wasn't feeling what he so accurately guessed? “Please stop saying this is something more. It can’t be.”
