Free Heart in the Field by Jillian Dagg Page A

leave no scars.”
                “No more to be said. Absolutely my type.” But even as he spoke Nick felt his
words were mere rhetoric. Serena was his type, and he couldn’t see beyond her
at the moment.
    •
                Serena had met Juliette in the corridor.
“Nick’s here,” Juliette had told her. “Be prepared.”
                Juliette didn’t stay around to say
what she should be prepared for, but as soon as Serena saw Nick she thought it
might be that Nick looked so broad-shouldered and gorgeous in his black suit,
crisp white shirt and black tie. His hair was sleek, his skin smooth and tan,
his smile so white. Instead of being speechless Serena had found herself being
smart, and she’d learned a few truths in the process that made all the gossip
about Nick true. The Juliette Marshalls of the world were his type of women.
                “Have you seen your office?” she
asked.
                “Yep. But I
haven’t been in it yet. I’ll try the chair.”
                Serena thought he seemed cautious of
her as he walked into the office and sat down behind the desk. He swung around
in the chair, tilted the back, and then moved forward to turn on the computer.
                Serena stood at the door. “I think
everything’s set up. We have a guy named Mark who works on the computers. He’s
a whiz. All you’ll need is a password at the prompt. There’s a spot to
register.” She glanced around at the empty bookshelves. “You’ll be able to make
this place feel like yours with some personal stuff.”
                “I’ll be fine, Serena.”
                She was savoring the way he said her
name when his phone rang in his pocket. They both jumped in surprise.
                Nick took the phone out. “Nick
Fraser.”
                Unable to keep her eyes off him
Serena watched him listen for a moment. “Yeah, it’s a problem.” He sounded
annoyed, but listened some more. “I understand. Okay. Monday’s fine. Let me
know.” He disconnected and looked at her. “My car is a Jaguar. It’s been in
storage and it needs some parts. It won’t be ready until Monday.”
                “Ah.” She thought about the party.
“I guess you’ll be walking for the weekend.” She knew she sounded flippant and
uncaring.
                “I don’t think I can walk to Don’s
place, can I?”
                Trying to avoid his gaze, she ran
one neatly manicured fingernail up the doorpost. What was he asking? She had no
wish to be in a car with him. She didn’t want to go to the soirée with him. But
she had to be truthful. “No. It’s out my way.”
                “Which you told me was quite a
distance.”
                She nodded. “Yes.”
                He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess
I’ll rent a car, then.”
                “That sounds reasonable.” Perfect.
She wouldn’t have to worry about him. She could briefly show her face at the
party and leave before the do got going. Don’s parties usually ended up going
on most if not all of the night. Affairs between staff members had begun at
some of Don’s parties. For that very reason Serena never stayed very long.
                “I’d better get moving on renting a
car, then.”
                Serena picked up her briefcase and
purse from the sofa and took them into her office. There was half an hour
before the commercial taping, so she began to fix up this office the same way
she’d fixed up the other one. She hated her life disorganized. Nick was
disorganizing her life.
                He came in a few moments later when
she was in the midst of sliding a book on to one of the shelves. Her gaze
wandered from his sharp black leather shoes all the way to his handsome face.
All the heat she’d ever felt for him over the past hours