Treacherous Slopes. Terri Reed

      Gordon sighed. “After the way the media smeared Cody’s reputation with nasty accusations about drugs and alcohol usage causing his death, Nick’s not too trusting of the press.”

      A twinge of unease twisted her tummy.

      She hadn’t believed the reports of drug use leading to the accident that took Cody’s life and had thought the media storm had been unfair to a man who wasn’t there to defend himself.

      It was important she convince Nick not to paint her with the same brush. Her promotion, her career, rode on his cooperation.

      But did she have the skills necessary to succeed?

      TWO

      The doctor returned without Nick. Julie’s heart leaped to her throat. “Is Nick okay?”

      Nodding, the doctor said, “There’s no fracture. Only a bruise, but that will heal over time. The transport’s here. The ski patrol is getting him onboard. Are either of you going with him?”

      “I am,” Gordon stated.

      Seeing an opportunity for a moment alone with Nick to pursue her story, Julie tapped Gordon on the shoulder. “Your other skiers need you.”

      Gordon hesitated, clearly torn between his duty to Nick and his duty to his other clients.

      “I’ll go with Nick,” she offered. “You come to the hospital as soon as you can. There’s nothing you can do for him right now anyway. Right?”

      Clearly relieved, Gordon said, “I’d appreciate it. I’ll okay it with the EMTs. If Nick gives you any hassle, you tell him I said don’t.”

      After hastily explaining to Bob where she was going and having his assurance he’d follow in the news van, Julie rushed to the ambulance. Since Nick wasn’t critical, only one EMT was present for the drive to the hospital. She climbed into the bay of the ambulance and sat on the metal bench.

      The big guy in black stopped in the doorway. “Hey, what are you doing?”

      Nick lay on the gurney. He blinked at her. “Yeah, what are you doing?”

      “Filling in for Gordon. He needs to stay for your buddies.” She directed her answer to Nick rather than to the security guard.

      “Mr. Walsh?” Big guy’s tone held a note of displeasure.

      “It’s fine. Sit up front, Ted.”

      Ted gave her a censuring look before closing the back bay doors.

      “Why is event security going to the hospital with you?” Julie asked.

      “He’s not with the event. He’s my personal security,” Nick answered.

      Her interest piqued, she asked, “Personal security? Like a bodyguard?”

      “Yes. Lots of athletes hire personal protection. Fans, you know.” He slanted her a glance. “I’m sure he’s not happy with you back here.”

      “You don’t need to worry, I won’t bite,” Julie teased.

      One corner of Nick’s mouth twitched. “I might.”

      “I don’t think you’re in any shape to be a threat to me.”

      “You never know.” He closed his eyes for a moment. His jaw tensed. “I wish the doc could have given me something for the pain.”

      “He didn’t because they need to know if you’re loopy because you smacked your head, not because of meds.” She couldn’t resist smoothing back a lock of his dark hair from his forehead.

      His eyes popped opened, his expression inscrutable.

      Afraid of making the wrong move and messing up this opportunity, she tucked her hands into the pockets of her pink ski jacket. “Your arm’s not broken, which is good.”

      As if she’d picked back up some sort of gauntlet she’d thrown down between them, he closed his eyes again and sighed. “Hmm, hmm.”

      For a long moment, the sound of the ambulance’s tires crunching over the gravel put down on the roads to provide traction filled the bay. Julie was content to look at him. She hadn’t seen him in the flesh since high school graduation. And even then it had been from a distance.

      “You look good,” he said, startling her. “Great smile. No more braces.”

      “I haven’t had braces since I was fifteen.” Was that how he remembered her?

      “Hmm. Long time ago.”

      When she didn’t respond, he opened one eye. “You’re still here.”

      “I’m not going anywhere.”

      He smiled and closed his eyes. “I meant Bend.”

      “Yeah, well—”

      “Hey! Watch out!” Ted yelled from the front of the ambulance.

      The ambulance veered sharply. The tires squealed. Julie yelped as the force of the sudden swerve pitched her forward. She landed sprawled across Nick’s chest.

      His uninjured arm came around her back, holding her tight. “Steady now.”

      Gripping the sides of the gurney, Julie lifted her head, her face inches from his. “What was—”

      “Hang on!” the EMT driver shouted.

      The vehicle decelerated rapidly.

      The force of the unexpected speed change threw Julie forward again until her face was buried in the crook of Nick’s neck. His good arm pinned her to his chest. The ambulance came to a sudden halt, the sound of crunching metal echoing in her ears. The contents of the ambulance rained down on them.

      “Mr. Walsh!” Ted’s frantic cry pierced through the echo of the crash ringing in Julie’s ears.

      She lifted her head and stared at a wide-eyed Nick. “You okay?”

      “Yes. You?”

      “I think so.”

      Every point of contact between her and his muscled chest and strong arm registered in her stunned brain. Warmth crept up her neck and flooded her face.

      “You sure? You look a little rattled,” Nick said. “Like you could use some reassurance.”

      “Yes. What? No, I—”

      The back bay doors flew open. Julie jerked upright, pushing herself off Nick.

      Ted loomed in the doorway. “Mr. Walsh?”

      Nick lifted his head. “We’re good in here.” His gaze narrowed with a hard glint. “What happened?”

      “Idiot driver cut us off. We hit a patch of ice and slammed into a telephone pole.”

      “You think it was an accident?” Nick asked.

      Julie slanted Nick a curious glance. Why would he think it wasn’t?

      “Can’t be sure. Guy didn’t stop.”

      Nick dropped his head back. “Get us out of here.”

      “On it, sir,” Ted said and closed the doors.

      “What’s going on?” Julie asked, feeling as though she’d somehow stepped in the middle of a scene without a script.

      Nick closed his eyes. “I’ll explain later. Provided I make it to the hospital in one piece.”

      “You will,” she promised and pushed his hair off his forehead again, feeling protective and attracted all at the same time. And why not? The man was gorgeous.

      Granted, as a kid he’d always been cute, with his hair flopped over his forehead in a sort of roguish way that had made more than