be old news. But she wouldn’t get the same treatment because she was a woman and an outsider. And a journalist was supposed to remain impartial. She’d lived this story before.
“I can’t, Matthew. I’ve been in that kind of situation before and I can’t go through it again.”
He gently caressed her back. “What happened?”
“I dated a political aide while I was writing about local government. I trusted him as a source when I shouldn’t have. I don’t know if he started dating me just to push his boss’s agenda or if the idea came later. It doesn’t matter. I lost my credibility and my job,” she continued. Her explanation came in short bursts. “That’s when I moved down here. No one else but Wendy would give me a chance to rebuild my career. I don’t like talking about it. Please don’t tell anybody.”
* * *
MATTHEW CONTINUED TO SLIDE his hand along her back as his mind churned with the information. Why would she believe he would advertise her mistake? What kind of guy did she think he was? “Why would I tell anyone? Who would I tell?”
She shrugged uncomfortably. “There are no secrets in Seedling and I’m worried someone will use this information against me.”
Matthew pulled back. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
She held out her hand. “I know, I know. That’s not what I meant. I have tried my best to show Seedling that I’m a good reporter, but no one is going to remember that if they find out about us. They’ll dismiss my work and say I play favorites.”
“Most people already think we’re dating,” he felt it necessary to point out.
“They can think that all they want,” she declared. “We aren’t confirming it and they have no evidence.”
He remembered the notebook locked in his desk at his office. He couldn’t say how many people had read it but a lot of people had heard about the content.
He had decided not to tell her that the diary had gotten out, or that he had it. Saying anything now would only make things worse. He would give it back, but the timing wasn’t right. He wasn’t sure when it would be.
“You should tell Wendy about us if you’re worried about a conflict of interest,” Matthew said as he got out of bed.
Sydney grimaced and sat up. When she flipped her hair out of her face, he noticed she was blushing. “Not yet. It’s too difficult to explain after...well, after everything. Right now I think it’s best if I don’t cover local government.”
“So when will I get to see you?” He lifted her up and held her by her waist. “I don’t want to sneak around.”
Sydney clung to his shoulders. She pressed her naked body against his and wrapped her legs around his waist as he started to walk to the bedroom door. “Where are you taking me?”
“To the shower.” Her eyes glowed with interest. Sex in the shower wasn’t one of the fantasies she’d included in her notebook, but it was high on his list. “And then you make me breakfast.”
She arched her eyebrows. “Oh, can I?”
Matthew squeezed her buttocks. “If you can’t be seen with me at Dawson’s, then you’ll have to take care of me.”
“Don’t worry, Matthew. I’m going to take very good care of you.”
MATTHEW GLANCED AT his watch and realized he was running late. He got up from his chair and tried to find an empty spot on his desk to set down the file folder. Deciding it wasn’t going to happen, Matthew tossed the file on the closest stack of papers and headed for the door.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Wendy,” he said as he opened the door to the reception area. His voice trailed off when he spotted Sydney sitting in the chair instead of the newspaper editor. He stared hungrily at her. It had been a few days since he’d last seen her, and the distance had not been his choice. If he hadn’t been dealing with his mayoral duties or urgent matters with his family’s orchard, Sydney had had to attend local events.
“Sorry, Matthew. Wendy had to make a switch at the last minute. You get me today,” Sydney said as she closed the book she was reading.
Matthew blinked and watched her stuff the hardback book in her bag. He caught the word seduce in the title. Heat zinged through his blood. “Is that what your book club is reading?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes,” Sydney said as she zipped up her bag. “It’s not nearly as provocative as the title suggests. In fact, I’m pretty much slogging through it.”
Matthew was willing to help her through it.
“I can’t believe Laura recommended it,” Sydney continued. “I’m going to get back at her when it’s my turn to select a book.”
“Will there be a special project for this one?” Matthew asked. Please let there be. He wanted to see what Sydney would do to seduce him. It wouldn’t take much. She would only have to motion to him with the curl of her finger and he would come running.
“Special project?” Sydney said as she walked toward him.
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