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"Thought I’d warn you The boss is on the warpath"

Yanked frolanced up to find Ro his head into her office She lowered her pen to her desk

"Guthrie?"

"No The younger Mr Hunter Grapevine says he’s headed this way"

Sending a fortifying wink, Rowan bowed off for the relative safety of his own office while, holding her swooping stomach, Taryn siphoned down a breath

Reht, she and Cole had parted on aain she’d offered to pay his laundry bill Cole had declined then had said in a low sure voice that they’d talk more tomorrow Well, tomorroas here and, unlike her nor recipes on the drive back froiven the iained her custo composed whenever Cole Hunter was around wasa blaze with a thi how best to handle this, their next ined a score of different scenarios, and each dreamed-up conversation had included her witty but also upbeat re in the towel just yet

Now every one of those let’s-try-to-get-along phrases flew like buckshot froer-than-life self strode into the roo he looked broader, darker and, dahty tropical stor back into her chair, Taryn quivered and spoke before she thought

"You’re always doing that"

"Doing what?"

"Thundering around"

The black slashes of his brows hiked up "Well, goodto you, too"

Taryn bit her lip to stop fro him not to look at her that way - as if she was hard hen, in fact, she only wanted to get along and move forward But, no matter how he pressed her buttons - and he seemed to press every one - her survival here at Hunters depended on est asset - her poise - and being hospitable as well as professional In other words, she needed to present herself the way she would in any person’s co her locked muscles to relax, Taryn resumed her calm and asked, "Have you had breakfast?" She reached for a food container, which waited strategically on her desk, and pried back the plastic lid "Scones," she told hi"

Curious, he craned to see "Is there pumpkin involved?"

"But no pine nuts" She found her feet "I was about to pour a coffee Want one? I brought intype than an instant kind of girl"

"Slow and satisfying Who’d have guessed?"

On her way to the percolator, she stopped and caught his look But her comment wasn’tabout hot drinks, for God’s sake, not sex Before she could qualify or downplay her remark, Cole went on

"So you’vearound

She burned to say, And why not? This was her office until Guthrie said otherwise Which reminded her

She lifted the pot "Have you spoken to your father yet?"

"I haven’t been able to track hi"

"He’s off the station?"

"I have no idea where he is"

China cup full, she glanced over and was taken aback Cole’s assured expression had been replaced by a ht he had any vulnerabilities, or none that he’d be prepared to show Maybe it was inappropriate, but she wanted to ask hi

But then that expression evaporated and, drawing himself up tall, he told her, "No coffee, thanks And no scones"

Before he could say anything more - like, for instance, "I’m only here to tell you to pack your stuff and shove off" - Taryn revved her "perfect eh

"I’ve been going throughphone calls I’d like to do a full survey of Hot Spots’ first destination"

"Why would I approve a survey when I haven’t approved the show?"

"Because you have nothing to lose I’ll pay for airfares Accommodation is sorted, no cost"

"And who do you propose to take along with you on this survey - if I approve?"

"I don’t need anyone else I knohat to look for in locations and angles"

"Wouldn’t it be prudent to take a cae later? If - "

"If you approve," she finished before he could She didn’t need reain "If it’s a deal-breaker, I’ll pay for a coworker’s fare, as well"

"Of course, it could save ti and checked out the location for myself"

Taryn’s heart jumped to her throat and then she re s around the corners of his lips, Cole was only testing Wanting her to rear up and give hiative He could toss on all the heat he couldnation She refused to let hiht

Rather, she called his bluff

"Sure" She wound her ar "If you want to coaze sharpened "You want estion"

Cole felt his grin grow One thing he could say for Taryn Quinn - she wasn’t a quitter She had her teeth in here and she’d do anything not to let go Of course, there would be no survey because, after her rushed effort last night, as soon as he got it straight with his father, Taryn’s contract would be terminated and she’d be out the door Business was business His objective was to keep Hunter Broadcasting healthy - afloat and viable - even if he didn’t always feel like a hero doing it

His phone sounded with a htaway Cole wanted to see Guthrie, too, about Taryn but also for a catch-up regarding the most recent murder attempt He’d been worried when Guthrie hadn’t been hoht More worried still when he hadn’t been in the office this otten no reply

He slotted his phone away and headed out "We’ll talkback, "I’ll be here"

Leaving Taryn, he headed for his father’s office Midway down that long connecting corridor, Cole noticed two assistant producers deep in conversation He heard Taryn’s name mentioned before they saw hi hall

Everyone here knew belts were drawn tight Most would also know about his lack of interest in certain types of shows and that the new kid on the block was touting just that kind of proposal She otten past Guthrie, but Cole wouldn’t be surprised if bets were on, speculating on how soon her ax would fall He hoped Taryn’s ears weren’t burning

When he entered his father’s office, Guthrie was sitting behind his desk, studying a spreadsheet At the far end of the room, a tall, suited man Cole had never met before took in the harbor views As the man turned to face him, Guthrie moved from behind his desk to the more casual area of his office At a circle of tub chairs, Guthrie took a seat and introduced Cole to Jereuard

Eyes on the stony-faced ator as well, Cole folded down into the chair alongside his father’s