Contents
1 – Meeting in Manhattan
2 – The White Mountains
3 – A Passionate Kiss
4 – Leaving the City Far Behind
5 – Beauty, Intelligence and Talent
6 – Can You Keep a Secret
7 – A Chance at Love
8 – Someone From The Past
9 – Nothing But Trouble
10 – Daring and Deceit
11 – Reasons for Romance
12 – Truth and Love
Chapter One
Meeting in Manhattan
Manhattan’s bright skyline dazzled in the mid–day sunshine. The city was enjoying a golden, hot summer with temperatures soaring as high as the tall structures that dominated the city.
Situated right in the heart of the Big Apple, Reef Bretton sat comfortably in his luxurious burgundy chair, gazing out the window of his towering office. Although the panoramic view of New York lay before him, his vision stretched far and beyond the city.
His thoughts were miles away, focussed firmly on the White Mountains of New Hampshire where his latest adventure would take place — a daring climb to launch his new range of mountaineering clothing.
He had everything he needed in preparation for climbing the formidable mountains. Everything, that is, except a photographer. He needed a talented photographer who also had the ability to climb, someone to accompany him on his challenging exploits and capture the events in photographic form for publicity and advertising purposes.
Reef checked his watch. Hopefully, within the next few minutes, the photographer he needed would arrive at his office to discuss accepting the assignment. Alex Russo had an excellent reputation. Although Reef hadn’t actually met or spoken to Russo in person, he’d seen the photographer’s work in several prestigious publications, and had contacted Russo’s secretary, Yvonne, to arrange the forthcoming meeting.
As if on cue, Alex Russo, arrived in reception armed with an impressive portfolio of action photographs. Surveying the surroundings, Alex wondered why the reception was void of staff. Was everyone out to lunch, perhaps? The cool grey and white environment was in total contrast to what Alex had imagined. Reef Bretton’s new clothing range was filled with brightly coloured items and she thought his offices would somehow reflect that.
She looked around the reception. The door to the adjoining office was slightly ajar, as if beckoning a visitor to enter.
Alex knocked before pushing the door open wide, causing Reef to swing round in his chair.
‘Can I help you?’ he said, taking in the attractive brunette standing in his doorway.
‘I’m looking for Reef Bretton.’
He walked across the office towards her. ‘You’ve found him.’
Although she’d seen his picture in newspapers and magazines, they failed to do him justice. In person, she noticed how he moved with an easy, athletic grace, his broad shoulders relaxed under his crisp white shirt whose sleeves were rolled up to reveal the corded muscles of his forearms. Rich, dark hair was swept back from his sun–bronzed face which was angular and handsome. At six feet plus, he towered above her. As a fairly tall, self–assured career woman, it was an experience she wasn’t often accustomed to, and it strangely excited her.
Realising she’d been staring at him in silence for longer than was socially acceptable, Alex flushed slightly. ‘We have a meeting to discuss your mountaineering photographic assignment,’ she said, smiling.
A ray of recognition lit up Reef’s face.
‘You must be Yvonne.’ He extended his hand to welcome her. ‘Couldn’t Russo make it?’
Alex shook his hand firmly.
‘I’m Russo,’ she said looking up at him, her dark eyes watching his reaction. ‘Alex Russo.’
Surprise jolted his senses and he reacted on instinct. ‘I didn’t expect you to be a woman. I need a man for this job.’
It wasn’t the first time someone had been mistaken due to her name, so although unhappy at his attitude, she said, ‘If you’re looking for a photographer who can climb, I’m your man.’
He looked at her willowy figure and silky dark hair that fell smoothly to her shoulders. ‘I seriously doubt it.’
The style of her chic black suit emphasised her feminine slenderness and lithe legs to full advantage, adding further doubt in his mind about her orienteering capabilities.
‘I need someone who will be a help to me, not a hindrance,’ he said.
The sharpness in his tone raised her defences.
‘I learned to climb in the Rockies with my father, who was one of the best mountaineers in his day. I climb regularly, and if, as I suspect, it’s the White Mountains you’re thinking of tackling, they hold no problem for me. No problem whatsoever.’
For a second, Alex thought she saw a flicker of approval on Reef’s stony face. His features were simultaneously harsh yet sensuous. Dark brows emphasised the vivid colour of his blue eyes, set in a face that she seemed drawn to gaze at.
He surveyed her harshly. ‘You don’t look as though you could handle the task.’
‘How did you expect me to look? Did you imagine I’d turn up for our meeting wearing climbing boots, a helmet and a rucksack on my back?’
He didn’t know whether to be angry at her sarcasm or laugh at her defiance. Instead, he opted for the compromise by inviting her to sit down.
‘Let me have a look at your work,’ he said grudgingly.
Unzipping her portfolio, she laid it open on his desk for inspection. She knew her photographs were good, but steeled herself in readiness for Reef’s brutally honest comments. Silently, he looked at her work, his down–turned head excluding her from offering any comment until he’d finished digesting the contents of her case.
Her brown eyes glanced at him across the desk as he studied her work. The New York skyline glistened in the sunshine outside the window behind him. She wanted this lucrative assignment, and was secretly willing him to hire her for the job.
Giving him time to come to terms with the situation, as he flicked through the numerous photographs, she let her eyes wander over the office interior. The only concession to adventure was a large, framed photograph on one wall. Above it hung a lethal–looking ice–axe. Walking over to the picture, she scanned the cliff–hanging scene, probably taken by a top photographer from a helicopter.
A solitary climber dangled perilously from an overhanging rock on a mountainside above a fathomless crevasse. The climber was Reef, dressed in body–hugging black pants and an aqua blue top. He clung to the rock with his bare fingers, the sheer strength of his lithe, muscular physique all that was saving him from falling.
Alex was taken aback by the expression on his face. It was a look of controlled calm. Clearly he knew he could survive such a test of endurance. There was absolutely no doubt in his cool expression. Even though every fibre of his sinewy build was strained, he knew he had the skill and tenacity to overcome the odds and win through.
Underneath the picture was the caption: Reef Bretton, climbing solo on the Eiger, Switzerland.
Impressive, Alex conceded.
Reef’s deep voice broke into her thoughts. ‘These photographs are outstanding, but . . .’
‘But what?’ she said.
Reef’s broad shoulders heaved with the enormity of his sigh. ‘I’m just not convinced that you’re up to the challenge of the job.’
‘I’m fit to accept any challenge you offer, and ready to throw you a few of my own.’
He smirked. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. It may interest you to know that I’m also a journalist, and I think I’m right in saying you’re looking for as much publicity as possible to launch your new business.’
Reef nodded.
‘I can help you to get plenty of media coverage in the newspapers and magazines I write for. I’m a freelance photo–journalist and have a good working relationship with most of the national publications.’
Reef mulled over the possibilities. ‘Tell me something,’ he said finally. ‘Why didn’t your secretary let me know in advance that you were a woman?’
‘For one very simple reason,’ she said. ‘If you’d known I was a woman, you’d never have considered hiring me. It’s something I’ve come across before, especially from men who border in over–arrogance.’
A wry smile rose at one corner of his sensuous mouth. ‘If that is your opinion of me, you obviously know nothing about me whatsoever.’
‘Oh, I think I know you pretty well,’ she said. ‘I’ve followed your climbing career during the past few years. I’ve long admired your mountaineering achievements. However, from the interviews you’ve given, you tend to sound like a man who is . . .’ She paused, wary to tell him the truth.
‘Don’t try to be tactful,’ he insisted. ‘Just say it.’
Alex let go the words she’d been holding back. ‘A man who is too daring for his own good.’
His eyes turned strangely cold, and focussed straight at her. ‘I’m no more daring than any other professional climber.’
She pointed at the cliff–hanging scene on the wall. ‘I beg to differ. Just look at you dangling there without a rope. You could easily have been killed.’
‘But I wasn’t,’ he argued.
‘But you could have been,’ she said.
‘If you disapprove of my daring exploits, why on earth do you want this assignment? Judging by your portfolio, your career is progressing quite nicely.’
‘I’m doing okay,’ she said, ‘but I believe both our careers could really be boosted to mutual advantage if you choose me to be your photographer. After all, your notoriety as a world–class mountaineer should help launch your new range of adventure clothing successfully. And I’d like my name on the worldwide photographs of your advertising campaign. In exchange, I’d ensure you received the necessary Press publicity and, of course, I’d like to think my photographs would do justice to the clothes. Yvonne said you told her you designed the clothes personally and that buyers are already poised to snap them up.’
Reef nodded and went over to a cupboard where several samples of the clothes range were kept. He picked a few items and brought them over for Alex’s inspection.
Rough and tough, but classically cut, the outdoor adventure clothes were made specially from the most durable fabrics in fabulous bright colours. Reef’s new company started as a vision — a vision he’d made a reality within eighteen months through sheer guts and determination. Having already reached the top in his climbing career, he now intended to reach the summit establishing a leading adventure clothing company, utilising his past experience to full advantage.
‘The entire range, from jackets to sports–style leggings and tops, are based on advanced design concepts, created to break new ground within this type of outdoor wear,’ he said. ‘I’ve put a lot of work into designing these clothes, but I have business rivals who would rather not see me succeed.’
‘Rivals such as Zack?’
‘You know Zack?’
‘I’ve heard rumours that Zack’s adventure clothing company, which he launched three years ago, hasn’t done too well and now he’s worried that your new venture will knock him out of the marketplace altogether.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘I’m a journalist,’ she reminded him. ‘I make it my job to know these things.’
‘Then you’ll also realise Zack can be totally ruthless.’
‘It’s a cut–throat business all round, Mr Bretton. Only the fighters survive.’
‘I intend to fight Zack, but I won’t stoop to his level of dirty tricks. My only problem is to ensure Zack’s underhand business ethics don’t undermine my own success.’
‘Then you should have no problem. I’m confident of that.’
Leaning back in his chair, his powerful, long legs stretching out in relaxation, Reef contemplated Alex with a pensive expression. He noted the confident spark of independence in her eyes and, for a second, he thought he caught a glimpse of himself as he was several years ago. He estimated Alex to be around twenty–four, having all the vigour of youth combined with adult ambition.
‘I read somewhere that you didn’t intentionally become a solo climber.’ Her words interrupted his thoughts, questioning his past.
‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘Initially, I tried to establish my climbing career twelve years ago as part of a team. As a nineteen–year–old rookie, none of the top climbers were prepared to take me on as part of their group. Their reluctance to give me a chance led me to embark on a solo climbing career.’
‘Which resulted in you becoming the top ranking solo mountaineer in the world,’ she said.
He seemed uneasy with the compliment, shrugging it aside and changing the subject.
‘Do you really believe you can handle this assignment?’
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘You understand that you’d need to take photographs of me climbing various mountains, sometimes having to climb alongside me to take the pictures.’
She nodded. ‘You’ll need some nail–biting shots to dramatise the risk factor which is your trademark. The pictures have to be action–orientated, but slanted along newsworthy lines to create a fresh angle on your mountaineering background,’ she said with a streetwise edge to her voice.
She was a journalist all right, Reef admitted to himself — always looking for an angle on a story. Still, business was business, and for the first time in his life, he was deliberately courting publicity. Having a photo–journalist on his side could be a great advantage.
‘If you want the job, I’ll pay the going rate for your professional services, plus ten per cent bonus.’
Alex smiled. ‘You’ve got yourself a deal. When do we start?’
‘This weekend. From start to finish, it should take no more than four days. I hope you have no objection to sharing a log cabin and living rough.’
‘If you’re having a last ditch attempt to get me to back out of our deal, you can forget it,’ she said. ‘Living rough, as you put it, is my idea of fun.’
It was an outright lie, but said with such conviction, she could see he believed her. The truth was, if someone could supply luxury accommodation and nightlife right next to the mountains, that would be her idea of fun.
Closing her portfolio she prepared to leave the office. In the seconds it took her to gather her belongings, Reef studied her surreptitiously. Sunshine streaming through the window cast a bronze glow on her cascading hair. Her oval face was gorgeously individual with creamy translucent skin, clear brown eyes and full lips. He concluded she was a natural beauty, exuding a timeless quality that required minimal cosmetic assistance.
Before he could view her further, she was already heading for the door. His voice pulled her back.
‘Just one question before you go.’
She turned to face him.
‘Do you still go climbing in the Rockies with your father?’
A sadness fell across her lovely features.
‘Only in my memories,’ she said, soft and wistful. ‘Dad died in an avalanche two winters ago. I should have been there to save him, but I was too busy working to go with him. He was the only family I had left.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Me too,’ she murmured, walking away into the reception.
He followed her.
‘Where is everyone?’ she said, wondering where his staff were.
‘I only have two people working alongside me at the office. They’re out to lunch. I like handling business matters personally.’
‘Still going solo?’ she said.
‘Let’s just say I prefer going it alone.’
‘It can get lonely at the top sometimes,’ she said.
‘I’ve never been lonely at the top of a mountain, and you don’t get much higher than that.’
He’d won his point, she conceded silently. However, instinct warned her that the war of words had only just begun.
‘I’ve some last–minute details to deal with before I know exactly what time I’ll head for New Hampshire,’ he said. ‘I’ll phone you later today.’
‘Fine,’ she said. ‘E–mail me details of the cabin’s location, and roughly how long it’ll take me to drive there.’
‘I thought we’d travel together.’
‘I prefer going it alone.’
He smiled wryly. ‘I’ll phone you later in case you change your mind. Women often do.’
‘I keep an open mind, Mr Bretton, but once I’ve made a decision, it’s literally set in stone.’
‘In other words, you’re stubborn.’
She could have stayed and argued. She could have told him their deal was off. Instead, she simply smiled and walked away.
Chapter Two
The White Mountains
Independent to the last, Alex refused Reef’s offer of travelling north with him that weekend, up the east coast towards the White Mountains National Park. Instead, she told him she’d meet him at an arranged spot where their cabin was located. That was her first mistake.
Map reading wasn’t her forte. White Mountain National Park covered an enormous area of dense forest, river and mountain territory. Reef had given her very specific directions leading to the cabin.
From past editorials on Reef’s background, Alex discovered that this area was where he’d first learned to climb as a boy, and that was why he’d chosen this corner of the world as the photographic location for the launch of his designs.
It was after midnight when she eventually arrived at the cabin, having driven round in circles for a lot longer than she was going to confess to. A downright lie was the best way to save face she decided as Reef opened the cabin door. That was her second mistake.
Before Reef could utter a word, Alex spelled out the details of how she’d had car trouble en route.
‘First of all, I had to change a tyre, which took me ages because I’m not used to doing things like that. Then a few miles farther on, I had to do my best to repair the loose fan belt.’
She sighed dramatically, having smudged her face with some grime for the sake of authenticity.
Reef allowed her to reel off all the details before exposing her story as an outright sham.
‘Why don’t you just admit that you got lost?’ he said.
‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,’ she said indignantly, looking at him so that the oil smudge on her nose was in full view.
Cupping her upturned face in one hand, he inspected the circumstantial evidence which was strategically placed on her nose and down one cheek.
‘The dirt’s real enough, but your story isn’t.’
He ran his thumb across the tip of her nose, wiping away some of the oil.
Alex immediately pulled her face away from him. His smile showed that he knew something she didn’t.
‘I saw you get out of your car at the bottom of the road and put the dirt on your face.’
Alex’s wide–eyed expression showed blank surprise.
‘You didn’t think I’d see you at night, did you?’ he said. ‘But I did. I’d been concerned for your safety, so I was searching for you through night–sight binoculars.’
Alex was speechless as he continued.
‘Did you know that you drove right past here a couple of times? I tried to get your attention, but you were up to your eyes in road maps. And you had your phone switched off.’
Alex spoke in a travel–weary tone. ‘I’m tired, I’m hungry and in need of a hot bath. I’m also stranded in the middle of nowhere with a man who wants to put me on trial for a little white lie.’
With the back of her hand, she brushed away stray strands of hair from her brow, hoping Reef would show her some sympathy.
‘Don’t bother batting those soulful eyes at me, Alex. I’m not taking the blame for your stupidity.’
She hoped he wasn’t going to have the annoying habit of always reading her so well.
‘So, am I going to stand here on the doorstep all night, or are you going to invite me in?’
Reef stood aside and mockingly bowed her to enter. Her long–lashed eyes gave him a glance of distain as she stepped inside, carrying two bulky holdalls. She surveyed the cabin. It was more spacious than she’d imagined and had a comfortable feel. Almost homely, it was in complete contrast to Reef’s stark Manhattan office.
Colourful rugs on the floor added a dash of warmth to the wood interior, and table lamps provided a cosy glow, even though the fire wasn’t lit. It was too warm an evening for a burning log fire but she could imagine how welcoming it would be during the icy depths of winter.
She noticed the kitchen area was an extension of the lounge and the tempting smell of freshly–made coffee heating on the stove wafted over to her, tingling her taste buds. She hadn’t had a decent cup of coffee, or a proper meal, since leaving Manhattan earlier that day.
Wearily dumping down her bags, she turned to face Reef.
‘Which room is mine?’
Reef pointed to an open door leading to a small but comfortable bedroom.
‘On the left.’
She picked up her bags, carried them into the darkened bedroom and deposited them on the floor. Switching on the bedside lamp, she was surprised to find the neat, single bed was strewn with four white boxes.
Reef had followed her and stood leaning in the doorway.
‘I took the liberty of bringing some new climbing gear for you from the women’s range of my designs.’ He shrugged almost in embarrassment at giving her the gifts. ‘You can keep them, but if you prefer wearing your own clothes that’s fine.’
She opened the boxes and was delighted with the range of items he’d chosen for her. Holding up each set of tops, pants and matching accessories in front of herself, she viewed her reflection in the mirror.
‘I checked your size with Yvonne,’ he said rather sheepishly.
Normally he had no problem dealing with women, but there was something about Alex that disconcerted him. It was as if she set his senses on red alert, and for a red–blooded male, that was a dangerous emotion.
‘These are brilliant,’ she said, genuinely pleased with the clothes. ‘It was very thoughtful of you.’ She smiled, momentarily forgetting her tiredness.
Her heart–warming smile sent him reeling and, unsure how to tackle the situation further, he headed off into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee.
‘Will coffee and sandwiches do?’ he called through to her as she unpacked.
‘Great. I’m famished.’
By the time she’d sorted herself out, Reef had taken her coffee and sandwiches through to the lounge.
‘I’m sorry I lied to you,’ she said, sitting down opposite him. ‘I didn’t want you to know that I’ve got a terrible sense of direction.’
‘Forget it.’
There was a note in his tone that told her he meant what he said so she let the matter drop.
‘How long have you owned the cabin?’ she said, before biting into one of the delicious, man–size sandwiches he’d prepared.
‘A few years. It’s ideal for climbing in this area, or for when I want to get away from everything for a while.’
‘Sounds as if you’ve something you need to escape from.’
He looked right at her. ‘Doesn’t everyone?’
‘I suppose most people are either escaping from something or trying to escape to something.’
‘Which category do you fall into?’ he said, studying her over the rim of his coffee cup.
‘Probably both,’ she said honestly. ‘Escaping memories from the past that I’d rather forget, and escaping to the future I long for.’
‘Bad memories?’ he said, feeling the need to know as much about her as possible.
‘Painful memories,’ she said. ‘At the back of my mind, I still blame myself for not being with Dad during the avalanche.’
‘Even if you had been there, you might not have been able to save him.’
‘That’s what the emergency services said, but I can’t help feeling responsible, though it gets easier as time goes on.’
‘And what does your future look like?’
‘Bright, successful, happy — I hope,’ she said breezily. ‘I’d especially like to do well with my photography. It’s always been my ambition.’
‘And what about your personal life? Any room left for romance?’
A hot flush travelled over her body.
‘I’ve put romance on ice to concentrate on my career,’ she said, in contradiction to her feelings. ‘What about you?’ she said, turning the focus on him. ‘No plans to settle down?’
‘The urge to settle down has been creeping up on me during the past couple of years, but I fight hard to continue the single life, a life without romantic complications,’ he said openly, surprising himself at how easy it was to talk to her.
‘Wasn’t there someone special in your life a few years ago? I remember reading about a woman being linked with you.’
Alex was playing down her knowledge of the woman he’d been rumoured to marry, Julia, a New York model.
‘There was someone, but she walked away from our relationship. She said she couldn’t stand the constant worry about my safety every time I went off on a climb. It became too much of a strain for both of us, so she simply called it a day. Splitting up was the best solution. It wouldn’t have ended in marriage anyway because . . .’
‘Because what?’
He sighed heavily, as if his reply was being carefully chosen.
‘I’ve always believed that when I met the right woman, I’d know she was the one for me. A sort of gut feeling.’
‘And you didn’t feel that way about Julia?’ she said, strangely pleased with this new–found knowledge.
He stared straight into her eyes as he replied. ‘No.’
‘Friends of mine, married now, fell in love at first sight. They both knew the instant they met that they were destined for each other. Can you imagine that?’
For one moment, he could imagine that, looking at Alex sitting in his cabin, quite at home, her long hair glistening in the light. He could imagine that quite vividly.
‘More coffee?’ he said, suddenly getting to his feet.
‘Yes, thanks.’
Reaching down, he took the empty cup from her, and as his fingers accidentally brushed against her hand, it sent a tingle of sensations flooding through her.
She watched him stride over to the kitchen. There was no mistaking the sense of power radiating from him. However, if she was to do a professional job, she’d need to concentrate solely on her photographic work and ban any other notions that came her way. She’d already confessed that she’d put her heart on ice to concentrate on her career.
Reef returned with another cup of coffee.
‘You look flushed,’ he said, causing her to flush even more. ‘Are you feeling all right?’
Panic surfaced. Had he guessed her thoughts?
‘I’m fine.’ She smiled. ‘Probably just the heat of the coffee, and it’s a warm, sticky night. I’d like to take a bath or shower before going to bed.’
‘The bathroom’s over there.’ Reef pointed beyond the kitchen. ‘And the shower room is right next to it. Take your pick.’
Leaving her coffee almost untouched, she decided on a shower. For what seemed like ages, she stood there, letting the water cascade down, gently cooling her overheated senses.
Next morning at breakfast, Reef assumed a businesslike manner as he gave her the itinerary he had planned for the day.
He laid a map on the table. ‘There are numerous peaks in the White Mountain range. I thought we’d start over here,’ he said, pointing to the map. ‘We’ll begin by climbing this ridge. The climb is short, steep and the scenery is great.’
Alex looked at the map.
‘I trust your judgement,’ she said, handing it back. ‘I’ll take plenty of shots. You’ll need a wide variety for magazines and advertising literature.’
‘I trust your judgement,’ he said.
Alex took a sip of fresh orange juice. ‘Do you ever get scared when you climb?’ she said as she began eating the plate of scrambled eggs he’d prepared for them.
Reef’s blue eyes glanced at her and then looked away. ‘Eat your breakfast, Alex. We’ll be leaving soon.’
The journalist in her wanted to pursue the question, but the woman in her knew to let the matter drop. In Reef’s line of work there was no place for fear — and no place for questions which brought up the subject.
