Read A Touch of Winter (A Short Story) for Free Online Page A

the flash of recognition in those steely blue eyes: the studio’s publicity machine had set up an ambush and there was nothing he could do. It didn’t mean he was happy about it. Abbie shivered as he gave her a long, steady look, assessing her coldly.
    ‘Of course,’ he said finally. ‘I’m looking forward to a grilling.’
    His dry tone and raised eyebrow told her that this wouldn’t be an easy interview. What the hell had Josh dropped her into?
    Kevin made his way to the front of the plane and returned with three bottles of iced tea. He offered Abbie one and she took it gratefully.
    Abbie held up her digital recorder. ‘Do you mind if I record this?’
    Jack shrugged. He opened his bottle and took a long swig. ‘Go ahead.’
    Like a light being switched off , the charm was gone. Abbey smiled encouragingly. ‘I promise this won’t take long, Mr Winter.’
    Jack took another swig.
    She switched on the recorder. ‘So, why are you in Honduras?’
    Jack gave her a blank stare before draining the last drops of iced tea. ‘ You haven’t done your homework.’ He sounded annoyed.
    Abbie flushed. ‘Sorry, I was kind of dropped into this, Mr Winter, but if you wouldn’t mind filling me in on –’
    ‘Lady, I’ve been up for thirty- six hours straight. I’m too tired for this.’
    If Jack Winter wouldn’t cooperate, this would be a short interview. Abbie could feel her temper rising and she took a deep breath before replying. ‘I got this assignment thirty minutes ago. Just how much homework do you think I’ve been able to do?’
    Jack pressed a button in the armrest of his seat and eased it back into a reclining position. ‘Let’s make it interesting. For each question you ask me, I get to ask you one. And you call me Jack. Agreed?’
    ‘That is no way to conduct an interview, Mr . . . Jack.’
    ‘Take it or leave it.’ He closed his eyes.
    She heard Zeke Bryan chuckle from further up the aisle.
    Abbie sighed with frustration. Jack Winter might be Hollywood A- list but he was turning into a major pain in the ass. There was no way that she was going to let him get the better of her.
    ‘Very well, Jack.’
    He opened those amazing eyes and smiled at her. ‘I’m all yours, Abbie. Ask your questions.’
    ‘Why are you in Honduras?’
    Before he had a chance to speak, Zeke Bryan interrupted. ‘Jack was here to open a medical facility for the people of Tegucigalpa. We filmed Jungle Heat there last year and Jack promised to return when it was complete.’
    His answer surprised her. A lot of the studios made promises to help the local people when they were on location, but they seldom delivered.
    ‘My turn, Abbie. Why are you here?’
    There was no harm in telling him. The story would hit the papers in a couple of days. ‘I was covering a story about a link between drug cartels and political figures in the Honduras government.’
    ‘A dangerous job for a woman.’
    ‘Why?’ She tried not to snap at him. ‘Don’t you think women should cover serious stories?’
    She could feel herself shrinking under the intensity of his gaze. ‘I didn’t say that, but yes, I would consider covering a drugs story in Honduras to be a dangerous occupation.’
    She couldn’t even argue with that, considering Scarface and his associate. She decided not to mention that and forced her attention back to the interview. ‘But you’re famous for courting danger yourself, aren’t you, Mr Winter? I mean, Jack.’
    ‘I enjoy pushing my limits. Don’t you find that you can learn a lot about yourself that way?’
    ‘Is that a question?’
    This time his smile was genuine. ‘No, just an observation. Here’s my question – since you obviously like going after big stories, what are you doing interviewing an actor?’
    Was that a joke? She couldn’t read him well enough to tell.
    ‘Like you say, it’s good to push your limits,’ she said. ‘I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. You know, taking on a role