Abel

Chapter 6 - Part 2

On top of all the other reasons that Abel knew it would be impossible to stop thinking about Nellie now, she blew him away once again. She took complete control of the mini press conference that took place after the 5k run the next day. Andy had already passed along all the information she needed to know to get it all organized along with the list of questions Abel would not be entertaining.

Nellie told Abel that Andy had also explained to her how hungry the media was getting for any comments from Abel about all the endless rumors bubbling up everywhere about his personal life and father. After the second time Abel was asked about the allegations that his father was involved in with the Mexican mob, Nellie took charge. She stood up without even a mic, but everyone heard her firm announcement loud and clear. "I've made sure you all received a list of topics Mr. Ayala will not be discussing today. If I missed any of you, I apologize and will be happy to give you one now if you just raise your hand." She glanced around as no one raised his hand. "Great, I didn't miss anyone. Now this is my final reminder. Mr. Ayala was gracious enough and happy to agree to this spontaneous press conference on his tight schedule. But if even one more of those topics he's not here to discuss is brought up again, this conference is over."

Seeing the assertive way she stood up to them without any hesitation was a side of her that Abel hadn't had the pleasure of witnessing before then. She'd worn one of her sexy power skirt suits to boot, making the scene that much hotter. Eyebrows lifted and he saw a few of the reporters take her in from top to bottom as they jotted furiously in their notebooks. A few photographers even snapped a few photos of her. Abel was certain there'd be speculation as to what his relationship with this new, no-nonsense, and not to mention sexy-as-all-hell assistant was. It was something he was actually looking forward to. They might be forced to discuss how exactly they should clarify what their relationship was now. It made him anxious because the conversation they'd had on their flight into San Francisco still nagged at him. Serious relationships are not on my to-do list. He might actually be in for a rude awakening. But this trip had gone so well that he was hopeful that if she hadn't already, she'd be changing her mind.

The conversation on the flight back had been much lighter. Their conduct even in front of the flight attendant and other passengers was that of an undeniable couple. Abel wasn't holding anything back now. When they weren't kissing and giggling openly, Nellie rested her head against his chest as he stroked his fingers through her hair, kissing the top of her head every so often. It felt perfect, and he didn't care who saw them or what anyone thought. Then when they reached LAX because their flight had been an earlier one than the redeye they'd caught to San Francisco, the paparazzi were waiting and ready. Nellie turned into the same no-nonsense assistant he'd seen at the mini press conference, walking ahead of him, letting reporters know he wouldn't be doing any unscheduled interviews.

Abel's protective instincts kicked in when he saw the cameras flashing in Nellie's face and the paparazzi not only yelling out his name but for Ms. Gamboa to turn to them. They already knew her name and would no doubt start hounding her if they caught wind of their intimate involvement. He had no choice but to continue to walk behind her and in between his other body guards, who had also been waiting for them at the airport.

For now, he'd go along with what everyone else was assuming: that she was just his assistant and event coordinator and nothing more, but deep inside he felt she was so much more now.

As soon as they were in the comfort of the car waiting for them just outside the terminal and behind the safety of the tinted windows, Abel kissed Nellie as hard as her take charge manner made him. He held her face in his hands and spoke inches away from her lips now. "Do you know what a fucking turn on it is to see you deal with those reporters as effortlessly as you just did?"

She laughed as her bright eyes stared at him. "I actually should've just ignored them, right? Not tell them you weren't available for comments?"

Abel shook his head. "No," he said, kissing her softly this time. "You handled it perfectly." He sat back now but held her hand, playing with her fingers. "In San Francisco, you said you'd handled your share of reporters before. I'm curious now. When and why?"

Her smile went a little flat, and she glanced out the window. "I told you my ex used to be a sportscaster on one of the bigger networks." She shrugged. "He didn't get there overnight. He had to do his share of sleazy reporting before he made it, and being sleazy was something that, in retrospect, came very easy to him. So I already had a taste and knew what reporters were like. Then when we divorced and news began to leak that he'd been unfaithful, the reporters came in droves." She let out a humorless chuckle before continuing. "Even after I gave them a full account of why we'd separated, they were still relentless. They hounded me for weeks—months—wanting more details. I still get requests for interviews wanting to do where-are-they-now type pieces, but I've moved on from that part of my life. I know that, as much as they insist the story would be more about my life now, they'd still ask questions and want me to retell and in essence revive the story and the old me. That's something I have no desire to ever do again. That person is dead and buried. The new me has moved on and is never looking back."

Abel kissed her hand, staring at her somewhat strained expression. "I like the new you," he offered, biting back the urge to use the stronger L word. Unbelievably, after the last few days with her, it was what he really felt like saying now.