Free Freezing Point by Elizabeth Goddard

turned into the parking lot of the ice company, he found her leaning against her car, waiting. Fortunately, he’d had a chance to mention to Miguel and Carlos that Casey was interviewing him, and he’d be working with her tonight at his studio. He was treading too close to the brink, but there was no going back. Admiring her slim frame, Jesse pulled into a parking spot a few spaces over.
    When he climbed from the Jeep and made his way around, she shoved upright from the car and smiled. “I was afraid you’d forgotten.”
    â€œNope, didn’t forget,” he said as he tugged the keys to his studio out of his pocket.
    Unlocking the door, he held it open for her. She strolled in, a jacket slung over her shoulder.
    He liked her spunk. “I see you remembered to bring a coat.”
    She whirled around and smiled at him. “Yep. I’ve got allthe necessities for a night out in the cold, except maybe a bag of chestnuts.” She tugged a cap from the coat pocket.
    â€œChestnuts?” Jesse closed the door behind him and locked it since it was after hours.
    â€œYou know—‘The Christmas Song’?” Casey sang a few lyrics of the old classic. She had a good, strong singing voice.
    â€œHey, I wouldn’t have thought you could sing,” he teased.
    She sidled up to him as he started making coffee. What was she up to? Flirting to see if she could get more answers from him? Well, he was on to her.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
    â€œIt means I didn’t know reporters could sing.”
    She slung her bag at him. Laughing, he ducked, almost losing the coffee grounds. “Hey, watch it. You want coffee or not?” What was it about this woman?
    â€œActually, I’m buzzing from too much already.”
    â€œWell, if you want some, I’m making it for you.” He stuck the carafe into the slot and turned on the switch. When he looked at Casey, she had an expression on her face that he couldn’t place. Soft and glowing and…questioning. She had the look of a woman who wanted more than an interview.
    Jesse kept his hands to himself, firmly planted in his pockets. But his gaze left her eyes—that couldn’t be longing he saw there, could it?—and traveled to her lips. Was she toying with him?
    Thinking of McCoffey breathing down his neck, Jesse frowned. He had work to do, and Casey was getting in his way. Miguel was close to giving him what he needed to finish this operation. That’s all he wanted.
    â€œAh, now don’t do that,” she whispered.
    â€œDo what?” He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. His suspicions were beginning to mount. She was using her sweet tone to play him. To his chagrin, he admitted it might, just might, be working.
    â€œDon’t switch back to the old Jesse.”
    â€œThe old Jesse? I think you’ve had too much caffeine, like you said. You’re not making any sense.” He shoved away from the counter and walked toward his office. Placing his hand on the doorknob, he swung around to look at her. “You ready?”
    She nodded. He tried to ignore her graceful, feminine movements as she strolled his way. Get a grip, man.
    â€œI like the other Jesse, the guy who’s nice to me, who changes my tires and smiles in a warm, friendly way.”
    Oh, that Jesse. The one who’d slipped and subtly responded to an insane attraction to her. The one who, if he allowed that part of him to respond to her again, just might give too much away in the interview. That had to be what she was after.
    Casey was a sharp woman and had read him well. He’d better stay on his toes while near her.
    He held the door as she stepped through and tugged on the jacket she brought. “You are one moody man.”
    And here he thought he was doing a bang-up job of managing his roles.
    Â 
    Mesmerized, Casey had watched Jesse work with his chisel, bringing the block