TV journalist Jessica Seymour gets the job of her dreams with Australia’s top current affairs program, but her boss – the gorgeous Sam Armstrong - doesn’t believe she will make the grade. Tensions rise, particularly when Sam has to rescue Jess from her stalking ex-boy friend.

An assignment in Alaska causes the simmering fire between them to ignite into a blazing passion so hot it’s in danger of melting the ice caps!

But, Jess knows that for Sam this is just a casual affair - while she’s falling head-over-heels in love!

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
www.newconceptspublishing.com/alaskanfire.htm

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Handsome television director, Sam Armstrong and novice reporter, Jessica Seymour get off to a rocky start when he dubs her the 'Ice Maiden'. But when Jess's abusive ex-boyfriend returns to threaten her, Sam is forced into the role of her protector. When the duelling pair travel to Alaska to cover a story, their growing sexual attraction explodes into a passion so hot it's in danger of melting the ice caps! Jess soon finds herself falling in love with her protector. Will Sam ever see beyond her Ice Maiden facade and discover the fire within?

“Tin pot television!” he growled.

‘That’s unfair.’ Jess spoke firmly, but her body language denied confidence as she shifted in her chair. ‘I have all-round experience in news and current affairs.'

'My dear girl, you’re a babe in arms. I need an experienced journalist, not some junior reporter from a hick country T.V. station.’ His eyes narrowed as he watched her.

Jess almost crushed the file she was holding in an effort to control her temper. 'You’re mistaken, Mr. Armstrong,' she said hotly. 'Mr. Powell, chose to employ me on my merits as an A Grade journalist.

'Sam Armstrong levered himself from his chair and coming around to the front of the desk, leaned towards Jess. His fingers closed around her delicate jaw lifting her face to his. Jess held her breath as she stared at his sensually shaped mouth inches from hers. 'Your only merits Jessica are those big baby blue eyes and that great bone structure,' he murmured, studying her features.

Stepping back he deliberately assessed the soft curves of her breasts and her slender stockinged thighs displayed to perfection by her short pencil-slim skirt.

Jess stood up, her cheeks burning with indignation.'You are insulting.’ Sam didn't seem to hear her. He leaned against the desk folding his arms across his chest.

'Do you know what my partner would have thought, Jessica?' he continued conversationally. ‘Now, here is a raw recruit who needs lots of work but...the camera will love her.' Before Jess could move Sam reached over and ran cool fingers down her flushed cheeks. His voice took on husky tone. 'And he was right. The camera will love you.

'Jess was mesmerized by his eyes which held hers, daring her to look away. Suddenly Sam broke the spell. 'But, I don't have time to train people in the business,’ he said brusquely. ‘I expect them to know what it's about and with your background; you can't possibly have the experience for this job.' Sam turned away but Jess grabbed his arm.

'Just what do you mean by that?'

'It means, I'm sorry but I have no place in my show for you,' he said evenly, his eyes on her fingers clutching at his sleeve.

'You can't just fire me like that. You haven't read my resume or looked at my video clips!' Jess deliberately controlled her rising panic.

'I know all I need to know.'

'But what about your partner, Mr. Powell? Surely his opinion counts for something?' Jess spoke quietly to hold back her emotions. Thoughts pushed emotional barriers as she struggled to understand. How could Sam Armstrong do this? After working towards this chance for eight years, she had resigned her job, found a flat in Sydney, left family, friends…. and Tom. How could he do this?

'I am the senior partner and my decision overrides John's.' There was silence except for the sound of Jess' distressed breathing. Sam turned away, staring out of the window at the busy city street below.

Jess looked down at her shaking hands. Tears pricked the back of her eyelids and she angrily blinked them away. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, slamming her file down on the desk.

'Oh no, Mr. Armstrong. You don't get away with this so easily,' holding a letter towards him. Jess was again in control. Sam turned a look of surprise on his face as he surveyed her flushed skin, her eyes dark and vibrant with anger, her mouth pursed with emotion.

'This is my formal letter of appointment on company letterhead signed by John Powell - Director. If you don't honour this, I will sue you for unfair dismissal and…..for sexual harassment!' Jess sat down abruptly her legs unable to hold her any longer.

Sam raised quizzical eyebrows. 'Sexual harassment? How does that come into it?' he asked, sitting at his chair again and skimming his eyes over her letter.

'You touched me just now.'

'I touched your cheek. Hardly sexual harassment.'

'It wasn't where you touched me, it was....'Jess hesitated, lowering her lashes.

'Well, come on - it was what!' Sam threw the letter on the desk.

Lifting her chin, Jess met his enigmatic stare. 'It was how you touched me and the way you looked at me- the way you spoke,' she said, refusing to look away from his cold, green eyes.

'I said the camera would love you. You are a beautiful girl. I am an artist and it is my job to see images through the eye of a camera. If you don't know that people like to look at pretty things then you have more to learn than I ever imagined.'

'I don't know what you meant by it but I do know that this job is legally and morally mine and if you fire me I will kick up such a fuss they will hear about it right across the globe. See how that helps the image of your precious program then!' Jess gulped, praying the tears welling in her eyes wouldn't fall.

Sam studied her, a scowl darkening his handsome face. 'I really think you would,' he said softly. 'You are a lot tougher than you look, aren't you, Jessica Seymour. However, I don't like being threatened.'

‘Neither do I,' Jess retorted sharply.

Sam leaned back in his chair swinging it gently from side to side. He fiddled with a paper clip pulling it undone and breaking it into tiny pieces. Then he got up and walked around behind Jess. She could feel his eyes- studying and analysing. She sat quite still; outwardly calm looking ahead, her eyes tracing the outline of the Sydney skyscrapers. Inside her mind was in turmoil as her world crashed around her. The last thing she expected was this reaction. She swallowed hard as Sam Armstrong once again reached for her file.

The minutes ticked slowly as Sam read her portfolio, pausing when he came to the photograph attached to her resume. He stared at it for what seemed an eternity. Jess, in turn, studied his bent head noting the shock of black hair with unruly strands falling over his forehead. His nose was classically straight and his eyes, now downcast, were fringed with amazingly long, dark lashes. His naturally olive skin had a golden sheen showing the weeks of working in the open air. Jess felt an odd tingling in the pit of her stomach. -Goodness! He was even more attractive in real life than on television, she thought.

Sam abruptly closed the file and handed it back to Jess. She blushed as their gazes locked and wondered if her thoughts showed in her face.

'You had better attend the production meeting at ten,' he said sharply, rising from his chair.

Jess also rose wondering if this strange interview had come to an end. 'Does this mean I can keep my job?'

'You haven't given me many alternatives. But let's get something straight from the start, Jessica. I am tough to work for.’

‘I’m aware of your reputation.’

‘Then you will know I expect the best and I get it.’

‘I have trained to be the best.’

‘Attitude is also important. I am not interested in journalists who run to the union because they think I've done the wrong thing by them.’

‘I’ve never complained to a union.’

‘Good. Well, you will see the people who work for me don't need to bleat about anything because I treat them extremely well. As for sexual harassment – no one has ever accused me of that before and frankly, I think you need to grow up!' Jess' head shot up as he ground out the words and she stepped back a pace at the look of savagery in his tiger-like eyes.

'Remember, you will be groomed as an on-air presenter of the top current affairs and human-interest program in the country. You will be prodded, pushed and pulled by a team of publicists, photographers and wardrobe people. There’s no room for prudish behaviour. When you’re on the road you could be sleeping rough surrounded by an all male film crew - there will be times when you are exhausted, hungry, hot, dirty and wishing you were anywhere else than working for World Watch. Do you understand? Do you still want the job?' His face was intent as he watched her and his potent energy reached out - touching and surrounding her.

'Yes - I do,' she said crisply.

Sam shrugged. 'Okay. I'll see you at ten.' He turned away, already loosing interest in her. 'Oh, by the way Jessica, everyone around here calls me Sam,' he said as an apparent after thought as she opened the door.

Jess turned, her sapphire eyes still sparkling with anger and indignation. 'Thank you, Mr. Armstrong!' she said as she closed the door firmly behind her.