A Lion After My Own Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

pressing his buttons. I haven't been on a date in who knows how long. I've never flirted with a man this wonderful and hot, period. Do I have to ruin it?
    I know the answer. Of course I'm going to ruin it. Alexander forfeited the right to that kind of privacy when he decided to run for mayor. If he didn't want his background explored, he should have avoided this kind of high-profile public service.
    "I warned you about my claws," I say sorrowfully.
    "I should have listened more carefully," says Alexander, face grave. "To both you and my campaign manager. I'm sorry to have wasted your time, Ms. Cole."
    His gaze is as cold and unyielding as stone. The thought of eating dinner across from him with him looking at me like that is unbearable. Part of me wants to cry, It's not fair! Why can't I meet a wonderful man outside of work?
    "Then why did you agree to this interview, Mr. Adams?"
    He smiles, a rueful smile that almost hurts. "I don't know. For a moment I thought - but it doesn't matter. You've represented yourself honestly from the beginning. I was the fool who thought things could be otherwise. My apologies, Ms. Cole."
    This dinner is crashing and burning before my eyes. "Is the interview over, then?"
    Alexander nods his head. "If you refuse to leave my childhood alone, I'm afraid it has to be."
    My heart sinks. I feel awkward and out of place. An imposter in truth. How could such a wonderful evening have gone south so quickly? I know I should be professional and brush his childhood aside, focus on what he's willing to talk about, smile even if I don't feel like it. And yet I can't. Something about our interaction has made it impossible for me to proceed as I normally might. I realize with a curse that I've allowed myself to get personally involved with Alexander. I'm no longer impartial. I can't fake being pleasant for a whole hour with him, knowing that I'm going to try to uncover his childhood against his will.
    I stand, my stomach a tight knot. "Well. Thank you for the wine, Mr. Adams."
    He stands, looking abashed, regretful, but still determined. "I'm the one who should apologize. It was a serious lapse in judgment. Please forgive me."
    I give Alexander a brittle smile and pick up my overcoat. "Not at all. Good evening, Mr. Adams."
    I can see indecision flash across his face. Then his expression becomes neutral, and he bends slightly at the waist. "Good evening, Ms. Cole."
    I turn and walk out, feeling numb. As I step out into the cold, I work on hardening my own resolve. I'm a professional reporter. This is my job. The public deserves to know the truth about Mr. Adams, so that they can best judge if he's the right man to be their mayor. If revealing that truth earns the ire of the man in question, then so be it. I've made greater sacrifices before.
    Still, I can't help but feel sad, almost crushed, as I get into the cab. It was a dream , I tell myself sternly. What, did you think something could have developed between you and him? Never. A sweet, brief dream. But now you're awake. And on the hunt.
    I will have that story. I will.
     

Chapter 4
     
     
     
    I wrestle with my anger as I drive home. It's alive, roaring within me, seeking release. I will not give in. I will not lash out. Instead, I clench my steering wheel so hard my knuckles whiten. I deliberately do not speed. I do none of the things that I wish I could.
    Control. It's something I've practiced for so long that normally it's second nature to be calm.
    But moments like these, when I feel my past reach out to ruin my present, I can barely keep my cool. I've fought so hard to leave Honeycomb Falls behind. To erase it from my life. To make it irrelevant to who I am as a man. Tonight, however, I realized how foolish I'd been to think I could walk away from it. Myra Cole is only the first person to start asking questions. More will come. I know they will. And next time, I'm going to have to have better answers.
    My phone rings. It's Eric, my aide. I sigh. I