Exclusively Hers

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Exclusively Hers

THERE’S NEVER BEEN another man like him in her life. Heroic. Daring. Gorgeous.

When reporter Cassie Pierce interviews Aidan West at the scene of an accident, she’s mesmerized by his deep blue eyes and intense, laser-like focus. The fact that he pulled a pregnant woman and her small son from a wrecked vehicle after it plunged into a lake impresses her too. After the interview, Aidan makes one request, that she only refers to him as an anonymous Good Samaritan.

Dying to tell this story, she agrees to Aidan’s mysterious terms. Although everything between Aidan and Cassie is supposed to be all business, there’s an undeniable pull that's impossible to resist. When Cassie agrees to go out with him she realizes Aidan has another side. His intense focus carries over to his love life. Aching to further explore the explosive chemistry between them, Cassie does something she’s never done before: becomes romantically involved with someone she’s interviewed.

As parts of Aidan’s past resurface her journalistic instinct flares, putting her in the uncomfortable position of choosing between love or a career-launching exclusive story.

Chapter One

The newsroom is a filthy place. Stacks of newspapers line antiquated office furnishings. Old notebooks with their tattered, lined pages spill out of upended cardboard boxes. Red ink pens and yellow sticky notes litter desks. Journalism is a chaotic industry.

That is, when there’s actually news to report.

Cassie grabbed the stress ball off her cluttered desk and gave it a squeeze. The article she was writing about an upcoming apple-picking festival was beyond dull. She was tired of watching the cursor on the word processing document wink at her while her hands stayed immobile on the keyboard. She’d tried gazing at her surroundings, hoping if she focused her attention on the messy space of the newsroom the words would start flowing. Or maybe she was simply procrastinating because the subject matter of the article was pointless fluff that no one would want to read.

God, this is article is a piece of shit, she muttered under her breath.

Are you ever going to finish that apple fest story, Cass? 

Sometimes she wondered if her editor had a sixth sense. Or just superhuman hearing. He must’ve heard her bitching about her article going nowhere. The jingle of his keys told her he was heading out for the weekend. She turned in her chair to face him as he walked through the office.

I’ll have it to you by Monday, I promise. She drew the shape of an X over the left side of her chest.

Crossing your heart and everything? That’s a nice touch, makes you look sincere.

I make it a point to never lie to my editor. Come on, Randall, you know I haven’t ever been late on a deadline.

That’s why you’re my star reporter. See ya Monday. Don’t stay too late tonight. You know what they say about all work and no play...

Yeah, yeah. Most editors would encourage their staff writers to stay after hours to get work done. You know you’ve already won the coolest-boss-ever-award, anything extra is just overkill.

"You should think about coming out with Alan and me tomorrow night. We love your company, plus it’s always nice to have a woman’s opinion on... things."

Cassie giggled and shook her head. Randall and his boyfriend Alan had invited her out to man-watch more times than she could count. She had a sneaking suspicion the idea wasn’t so much for the three of them to ogle the handsome men that Yakima had to offer, but instead was a way for them to gawk at straight single men meant for her.

It’s not a crime to want to stay unattached. Lots of people are happily single, you know. Now go home. I’m sure Alan has cooked up a tantalizing dinner. I’d hate to be the reason your meal gets served cold.

Okay, nag. I’m going for real this time. I’ll lock the front door on my way out.

See ya.

Turning her attention back to her computer monitor, she pecked away at her keyboard then held down the backspace button until she’d erased the few words she’d written. At this rate the article would never get finished. The sudden squawk coming from the police scanner located next to her desk made her go still. She listened, captivated by the information pouring out of the black box.

According to the dispatcher talking on the scanner, there was an accident less than a five minute drive from the newspaper office. That piece of information alone piqued her interest. Even if it was a small fender bender, the scene was probably much more newsworthy than the article she was working on. However, the dispatcher went on to say that the accident had taken place on a small bridge and one of the vehicles had gone into the lake.

It was after hours on a Friday, if she hurried she could probably be the first member of the media on the scene. With any luck she could scoop the reporters at The Yakima Telegraph, the area’s largest daily paper and what she hoped would be her place of future employment. So far since graduating college, she’d been stuck writing human interest pieces for the small weekly newspaper The Yakima Mirror. If she could show off her reporting chops on a piece like the car accident, her odds of some day landing at the Telegraph would vastly improve.

She grabbed her rain slicker and purse then headed out the door, locking it behind her.

When she arrived on the scene, she had to park several yards from the accident. A light rain fell and she flipped up the hood on her slicker. The red and blue lights from emergency vehicles whirled against the twilight sky. A crowd gathered behind the yellow caution tape, but Cassie worked her way through the throng of people. She pulled her press pass from her purse and flashed it at one of the police officers.

I’m Cassie Pierce with The Yakima Mirror. Can you give me an account of what happened, sir?

Maybe later, I’m kind of in the middle of something here. He gestured to the chaotic scene around them.

It’ll only take a minute or two, tops. Please, I’m trying to show that I can take initiative. My boss is always on my case about taking on grittier articles. She gave him a smile and hoped the lie wasn’t written across her face. I’d really appreciate it if you could give me a brief rundown of what happened.

Okay. I’ve always been a sucker for dimples. He hitched his pants up his rotund belly and winked. She let the slightly creepy comment slide and tried not to let her smile falter.

Thank you, Officer Parks, she added after a glance at his badge. She held the microphone on her small digital recorder toward him as he spoke.

"The driver of the first vehicle slammed on their brakes to avoid hitting a dog that had darted out in front of their path. Unfortunately, the driver of the car behind him hit their brakes too late, and tried to swerve to keep from rear-ending him. The driver of the second car lost control of their vehicle and the car went through the guardrails and into the lake.

"Luckily, a jogger saw the event transpire. He jumped in the lake and pulled the driver—a pregnant woman—and her young son from the wreckage before the vehicle became fully submerged. The woman and her son don’t appear hurt, but she seemed pretty shaken up from the whole ordeal. They’ve been taken to the hospital by ambulance already.

The older gentleman in the first vehicle wasn’t hurt since the second car never hit him. Oh, and the dog escaped without injury. All in all everyone involved was lucky today.

Wow. Officer, that’s an amazing account. What about the man who pulled the woman and her son from the vehicle? Is he still on the scene or has he been taken to the hospital as well?

He’s right over there, the officer pointed to a man wrapped in a blanket a few yards away. From what I’ve heard he’s refusing medical treatment. The paramedics have tried to persuade him otherwise, but he insists he’s fine.

Thank you so much for the information.  She confirmed the spelling of his first and last name then walked toward the heroic man who’d pulled the woman and her child from the car.

The man was speaking with one of the first responders. He was tall. She’d estimate over six foot. Cassie had yet to see his face, as his back was to her, but his dark hair clung to his nape in a wave pattern. From behind, the width of his shoulders was enough to make her breath catch. If his height and broad shoulders were any indication, the man was built like a tank. She walked closer and positioned herself to his right side.

The release form has been signed. The ambulance service is absolved of any responsibility. One of the paramedics already shined a light in my eyes to check for a concussion and checked some other vitals. I declined further medical treatment because I’m okay.

I understand and that’s your right to do so, Mr. West. I hope you get out of this rain soon and get a chance to take it easy.

As the first responder walked away, Cassie used the opportunity to rush in and make an introduction.

Hi, Mr. West is it? I’d like to shake your hand. It’s not every day that I meet a hero.

He turned his gaze in her direction and a shiver passed through her body that had nothing to do with the cool, damp evening. The fading light surrounding them didn’t disguise the vibrant blue of his gaze. His eyes zeroed in on her face and she nearly flinched under their intensity. He raised the corner of his mouth in a wry smile and that’s when she let her stare travel over the rest of his face. Dark stubble dotted his chin and jaw and outlined the shape of his sensual lips.

I wouldn’t call myself a hero. I’m just an ordinary person who reacted the way anyone else would in my position. His voice was a rich baritone. It was calm and steady, just like the rest of him appeared to be. Despite the commotion surrounding them, he was composed and at ease in the chaotic environment.

Mr. West—

Please call me Aidan. And your name is...

She smiled at the familiarity he’d set with his tone and demeanor. Many people were weary of the press. Although, he didn’t have any way of knowing that she was a reporter, now did he? She gasped and her cheeks grew warm. She’d been so thrown by his looks and show of bravery that she’d forgotten to introduce herself. That never happened.

I’m Cassie Pierce, with The Yakima Mirror.

She thrust her hand toward him. He took it in his and gave it a firm shake. Despite the cold, his palm was warm when it met hers. A tingle traveled up her arm from the brief contact.

Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Likewise. She cleared her throat and tried to break the spell. She’d steer the conversation back toward her purpose, to get his statement of the events. Well, Aidan, I’m afraid I disagree with you about your actions not being a big deal. I can’t imagine jumping into a frigid lake and saving the lives of two people. Three, if you count the unborn child.

Thank you for the compliment.

She fumbled with the digital recorder in the pocket of her raincoat. After she pulled it out and turned it on, she tried to hold the device steady. Her hands shook and she almost dropped it in the mud. Why did she suddenly feel as though she were all thumbs? The Yakima Mirror might not be a huge, Pulitzer-prize winning organization, but she’d had her share of bylines over the three years she’d been on staff. The man—Aidan—was looking at her intently and his steady, laser-like focus rattled her.

I’ve already interviewed one of the emergency personnel and I’d really love to get your account of the accident. Starting with how you were able to act so quickly. Can you go over the sequence of events for me? How were you able to unbuckle the child from its safety seat and pull the mother out as well?

"I...honestly I’m not sure I can answer that completely. It all happened pretty fast. Like I told one of the officers, I was jogging along the shoulder. I was looking in the other direction when I heard the squeal of the tires on the pavement.

The next thing I remember was seeing the woman’s car spinning out on the slick road. She lost control and the car crashed through the guardrail and went into the lake nose first.

He closed his eyes and paused as though he were replaying the scene in his mind. His brows were knitted together and Cassie recalled the intense way he’d stared at her moments before. A raindrop hit him between the eyes and trickled down his nose. He wiped at his face with the blanket. It almost looked as if he’d just wiped away a tear, though she knew it was just a droplet. She got the sense that a man like him didn’t become upset easily, but it appeared he was struggling with something now. When he opened his eyes and looked at her again, he wore a tortured expression that hadn’t been there before.

"Even with the windows of the car rolled up I could hear the noise from inside. The child was crying. The mother was screaming, ‘It’s okay, baby! Mommy’s here.’ When she saw me swim up to the driver’s side of the car, she insisted that I get the little boy out of the backseat first.

I hesitated, for like a split-second. I wanted to get her free first. He stared into her eyes. It’s not because I didn’t think the child’s life was any less important. Far from it. It’s just...

He looked away from her. She studied his profile and admired the way his Roman nose balanced his strong jaw and masculine facial features. When he didn’t continue right away, she wondered if perhaps her assessment of him hadn’t been incorrect. Maybe he wasn’t as stoic as he’d seemed moments earlier. She placed her free hand on his forearm.

It’s okay, that part can be off the record. You were running on adrenaline. I know that your actions might not have been the same as when you were acting from a more level-headed place.

"It’s nothing like that. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this part to you. I don’t have kids of my own, but I do have nieces and nephews. I’ve never been able to work the buckles on those damn child car seats.

I thought if I could get the mom free first, she could help me get the kid out of his seat. He gave a sheepish grin. Somehow I unbuckled that little one from his seat without any fumbles. Make no mistake about it, there’s no way I would’ve left that little boy or his mother in that car.

That’s what you were worried about? You are extremely brave. I defy anyone who reads this article to call Aidan West anything less than a hero.

About that. I have one request in regards to the article.

Anything the hero asks. She smiled.

Can you please not print my name?

What? Why not? You should be proud of what you did this evening.

I am, but I don’t need recognition or a lot of praise for doing the right thing.

Heat spread along her chest and settled into her tummy. The warm and fuzzy feeling was fleeting. She’d interviewed a lot of people throughout her career. In her experience, people tended to oversell their accomplishments and gloss over their faults. She’d never met someone who didn’t want to be acknowledged in the newspaper for saving a gnat, much less saving the lives of a pregnant woman and her small son.

If she hadn’t been a journalist, and trained to be skeptical, his modesty would’ve been refreshing. As it was, she found it odd and her reporter’s instincts told her there was something he wasn’t telling her. Aidan West was human, and as such he had an ego. It defied logic and human nature that he wouldn’t want to be recognized, no matter how trivially, for his good deed. There was something else at play, something else he was holding back and she was determined to find it.

Of course, he didn’t need to know that.

Maybe I can work something out and refer to you as an anonymous Good Samaritan. There are a few more things I’d like to know—

I’m sorry. Do you have a card or something with your contact information on it? Would it be possible for us to continue the interview later, when I’m not so waterlogged? I’d really like to change out of these wet clothes and get back to my warm, dry home.

Of course. I understand completely.

She switched off the recorder and slid it back into her coat pocket. Reaching into her purse, she dug through the items inside until she found her business card holder. She slid the rectangular piece of card stock into his outstretched palm. His abrupt halt to their conversation reinforced to her that there was something he didn’t want her—or anyone else—to find out.

Thank you, Cassie. When’s your deadline on this story?

"Well, I’d like to write two stories. The first will be a short account of the facts, which I’ll write as soon as I head back to the newsroom this evening. I’ll put it on the newspaper website within an hour or so.

I’d hoped to write a more in-depth feature where I’d interview you and the woman you saved. I thought it’d be a nice feel-good story told from both points of view, but I guess you’re not interested in being interviewed for that since you wish to remain anonymous.

Actually, that sounds like it would make a great story. If you can make the article work with me remaining anonymous, I’m in.

He pulled the blanket off his shoulders and draped it over his forearm. The thin base-layer shirt he wore was soaked and clung to his chest.  She eyed the way the material delineated the indentation between his pectorals.

"I’d already planned on calling the hospital later. I just want to make sure