Love is Only a Whisper (Whisper Series) (12 page)

Ashton grabbed her hand and started moving. The intruders refused to budge and blocked their retreat. “Get the hell out of my way.” Ashton raised his hand raised to push one of men but she grabbed his arm stopping it. She stepped beside him.

“I’m Mr. Sinclair’s publicist. If you have questions, you
can direct them to me.”

“Publicist?” The one with the microphone sneered. “From what
I witnessed the two of you looked more like lovers.”

“Everything you see isn’t always what you think it is, you agree?”

He shrugged but watched her suspiciously. “I know I saw him
kissing you.”

“Mr. Sinclair was voted the sexist man alive, I’m sure there are thousands of women he’s kissed in his lifetime. It means nothing. Just a gesture of thanks.” Ashton’s head swivel toward her, his angry eyes blazing. He certainly didn’t like that statement. Nicole smiled at the reporter. “Why don’t you give me your card so we can set up an appointment?”

“You’ll give me an exclusive?” he said with doubt.

“I’ll give you an interview but without Mr. Sinclair
present.”

“No deal.”

“Mr. Sinclair doesn’t do interviews.”

“You’ve got to give
me more.”

“No, I don’t. As his Publicist, talking to you is an exclusive by itself. Of course, there will be parameters and ground rules.”

“Such as?”

“We’ll discuss them when I call. In the meantime, nothing is
to be released about Mr. Sinclair, if so, there’ll be no interview. I’m sure
your boss wouldn’t be happy to learn you lost such a large scoop.”

“Alright,” he said and handed her his business card. “I’ll
wait to hear from you.”

She looked down at the card, “
Celebrity Insight.”

Ashton cursed beside her.

She held out her hand and the man shook it. “Give me a
couple days and I’ll get back to you.”

The two men walked away.

“Did you just promise that leech an interview?”

Nicole’s lips flickered briefly into a smile. “Yup.”

“Have you lost your mind? That newspaper, if that’s what you
call it, is one of the sleaziest kinds of yellow journalism.”

“Did you not hire me to be your publicist?”

He frowned. “What does that have to do with you giving a
personal interview about me?”

“Look.” She held up her fingers and pressed on each one. “For years people have wondered about your family, and especially about you. They want to know what makes the silent and reclusive man who runs a billionaire business tick. There have been pictures of you in magazines with beautiful women, from models, actresses to royalty, but there’s still mystery surrounding you. Unless we address their curiosity, there will always be photographers invading your privacy and stories written about you.”

“Just because I like to keep my personal life private is a mystery? That’s ridiculous. They shouldn’t write what they don’t know.”

“It doesn’t matter. What they don’t know will be invented.”

“I’ll sue their asses.”

“You can’t go around suing every newspaper in the world.
Besides, if you did it would definitely keep you in the news.”

“Shit.”

“You’re an infamous billionaire bachelor. Never been
married. Voted sexiest man alive. And have never granted an interview. That
makes you reclusive and a target for every news outlet in the world. He wants
an interview and I’m going to give him one. It’ll be about the business.
Nothing personal. Trust me.”

There was along moment
of silence.

“I hired you to do the job; I might as well let you do it.

She laughed. “You
hired
me thinking you would never
have to utilize my services. I realized when you made the offer that it was
bogus. It was a ploy to keep me close and away from Brent.”

She waited for him to deny it, knowing he wouldn’t. One thing about Ashton he could honest to a fault. When it suited him he just wouldn’t answer the question at all.

He took her hand. “Come on lets go. I’m not going to let
what happen ruin our day. I promise you a tour.”

“Great. I haven’t had the chance to do much touring myself. It didn’t seem any fun to do it alone.”

***

They strolled through Muir Woods contented and silent. Nicole realized that Ashton still hadn’t let go of her hand. She like it and found she enjoyed being with him. People walked in every direction, most of them stopping in awe at the beauty and wonder of the aged trees and took pictures.

They stood in front of one of them and looked up. “They are magnificent..” She removed her shades, sliding them into her hair, and used her hand to shield the sun from her eyes.

“Absolutely beautiful.”

She turned at the softness in his voice. “You’re supposed to be looking at the beauty of nature and the trees.”

“I am,” he stated, not taking his eyes from her.

“You’re really trying to get me to see a different side of
you.”

“Have I succeeded?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“Then I’m going to need to work harder.”

“I’m not easily impressed.”

He laughed out loud.

Stunned, she said, “I have never heard you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Laugh with such freedom…abandonment.” Nicole stared at him. “You seem content. It’s not normal.”

“What’s my norm?”

“Silent, brooding, aloof, detached, angry. Should I continue?”

He stopped laughing. “Is that how you really see me?”

“Most of the time.”

“That’s not what I want you see.”

“Really?”

“When I want something I go after it. But I didn’t when it
came to you.”

“Why not?” She knew she shouldn’t ask but she wanted to know.

“Brent. Although, my brother might not believe it, I do care about him. I didn’t want to poach on his territory. But what happened between us changed the rules. You’re my woman now.”

She shook her head at his arrogance. “Just when I thought you were changing and you go say something crazy.”

He threw her a puzzled frown. “What did I say?”

“Hell, Nicole, stop talking in riddles.”

“I don’t belong to you.”

“Damn if you don’t.”

“
Ashton Campbell Sinclair,
until you come to realize
that I’m my own woman and I don’t belong to any man, you and I don’t have
anything else to talk about.”

She rolled her eyes and turned away. He reached and pulled her up against him, wrapping his arms around her. “You’re right. But you are also independent, pig-headed—”

“Pig-headed?” She swallowed the urge to stomp her feet. “You
make me madder than anyone.”

“But you’re also intelligent and beautiful. I’m possessive.
I won’t apologize for it. But give me the time to learn the rules.”

He said it with a straight face. Was he serious? He was an enigma. Would she ever get to know the real Ashton.

“There are no rules. It’s a thing called being equal and
your own person. How would you like it if I said you belong to me? I don’t think
it would go down very well.”

“You want to bet on it?”

Before she could say anything, he kissed her thoroughly out
in the open where anyone—a reporter could see them. What she was going to say
left her brain, leaving her struggling to breathe. Before she drowned from its
impact, he lifted his head. While she fought for air in her lungs, he kissed her
again. Damn, he was doing a lot of that today. Where was the silent vow she
made to put distance between them?

His hand rested at the small of her back. “Ready to continue
the tour?”

She nodded.

Leaving Muir Woods, their next stop was the Japanese Tea Garden located in Golden Park. The garden was a magnificent sight of landscape art, covering five acres. They strolled with their hands still clasped through the winding paths and bridges that took them pass an authentic Shinto wooden pagoda, a monumental 1790 bronzed Buddha and a miniature waterfall arched bridge that was breathtaking. A koi-filled pond rested beside a Japanese Tea House. Among the Japanese foliage, located in the gardens, were mass cherry trees, cedars and the bonsai.

A tear slid down her cheek.

“Are you okay?” A look of concern was etched on Ashton’s
face.

“Yes, I was just remembering the trip to Japan with my parents.”

“Happy memories?” Concern was still vivid in his voice.

“Yes. They were happy.”

“Tell me about them.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything you want to share.”

She smiled. “My parents were the epitome of who great parents should be. I came late in their life so I always knew I was wanted and loved.”

“Yes you were. Your aunt took you immediately. Not every
orphan is lucky to find a good home.”

“I know. My heart aches for the children at
Angel House.
Someday I want to be able to make a bigger difference.”

“You will.”

“Although my aunt is a free spirit and never had children,
she’s a natural born mother. I was a hand full when I was younger but she never
waiver in showing me how much I was loved. I can be stubborn.”

“Really? I would have never guessed.”

“Ha. Ha. Funny.” She tapped him on his arm, smiled and then continued. “Even though my parents were in their forties when I was born, they were happy about it.”

“Most surprises make people happy.”

She laughed. “I never fitted with the in-crowd. It wasn’t until I met Sally that things began to change. We were both products of our mothers’ late life pregnancies. Because of that common factor, we clicked upon meeting. I laugh more with her than anyone. She’s a nut but the best friend a girl can have.”

“I like to see you happy and laughing.”

She studied him. No stress was evident. “Where is the tough,
cold-hearted businessman I have known since I was seventeen?”

His eyes gleam liked dark sapphires; his wide mouth looked
tempting as he broke into a sexy smile. She caught her breath at its brilliance.

His strong squared jaw, nose, black brows and lashes were royalty perfect of a man of who came from good stock. Inhaling, she caught the familiar scent that wafted down to her nose, causing her to squirm and shift her feet. She wanted him with every fiber of her being, so much so, that the intensity frightened her.

“That’s the business me. With you it’s personal,” he said,
moving a wisp of hair from her face.

The intimate touch caused her heart to beat unbelievably
fast. Then he rested his mouth on hers.

“We’re in public,” she murmured.

He drew back a little and then kissed her again.

She tried to focus on not asking for more. Confusion warred inside her mind and then her flesh. “Why do you keep doing that?”

He lifted his mouth and murmured, “What?”

“Kissing me…I never thought of you as being a man who
participated in public displays of affection.”

“I don’t care where I kiss you.”

“You should. There could be a reporter around.”

“So?”

“Weren’t you ready to slam the man we encountered to the ground for taking a picture?”

“That’s different. I wasn’t aware he was there. Now I know when I kiss you one may be lurking behind the trees. Are you offended because I kissed you in public?”

She shrugged. “No.”

“Good. Then there’s no problem. We can’t be around each other and not touch. The chemistry is too strong. Do you deny it?”

It was there and something more she wouldn’t identify. Surprising, his guard was down and he was approachable. He kept surprising her. She liked this new Ashton.

He seemed younger somehow today. Even though she would turn twenty-four in a few days and he was already thirty-four, the age factor didn’t bother her.

He constantly touched her throughout the day, placing small kisses to her neck and cheek. All of this made her feel cherished and she felt more comfortable with him little bit each time. Adding to it was the fact that she was in a semi-aroused state, causing heat to surge through her veins. She wasn’t too innocent not to recognize he knew the effect he was having on her.

Squeezing her hand, he said. “I’m waiting, Nicole.”

She blinked. “For what?”

He chuckled and entwined his fingers through hers. “Come on
let’s continue the tour.”

Glad he didn’t press for an answer, she let him lead her along the path. She didn’t want to admit the connection between them. If she did, she would have to examine her feelings and that wasn’t something she was ready to do. Not yet.

After visiting Chinatown, they headed to one of the most famous tourist areas in San Francisco, Fisherman Wharf. Created in 1946, it housed many shops, restaurants and laughter. They found a small outdoor café. He ordered a coffee for himself and a latte for her.

She inhaled the clean air. “This has been a wonderful day.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself but it’s not over yet.”

“Really?” She took a sip of the hot, foamy brew. “What else do you have planned?”

“Dinner.”

She glanced down at her casual outfit. “I’m not dressed for
anything fancy.”

“You’re dressed fine for what I have in mind.”

“And what would that be?”

“Be assured it’s something you’ll love.”

“You keep surprising me.”

A question marred his brows.

“You’ve been a gentleman. This is certainly different from
what I imagined a date with you would be like.”

He grinned. “Ah. So, this is a date. I like the sound of it.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” She backpedaled. “It’s just
an outing. Nothing serious. No pressure. I didn’t mean—”

He placed a hand over hers. “Nicole, stop. Although, we’ve
done this backwards, today is our first date.” He rubbed his thumb along her
fingers. “You just beat me to the punch.”

“I’m not going to live it down, am I?”

“Maybe in fifty years,” he said softly, his gaze caressed her face.

“Uh…you ready?” Nicole stood abruptly, her heart pounding erratically against her chest.

He placed money on the table and rose to his feet and came around to her side of the table.. “Nicole, stop running scared.”