Read Online Desire in the Arctic by Stacy Hoff - Free Book Online Page B

about them. Some looked like they maybe ran some of the local businesses. Two of them looked like academics, no doubt from Fairbanks’ state university. All were unified in their mission to be entertained tonight at Gus’ Place.
    Good luck to them. It had been a heck of a long time since he’d sang, and even longer in public. He was half surprised he was willing to do it now. Somehow, all involvement with Teleworld seemed “do or die,” including this mission.
    Gus raised his voice louder, causing the microphone to emit a high squeal from feedback. “Okay, let’s give a big hand to our military man from Texas.” Gus extended an arm in Redd’s direction. Redd stepped up onto the bar’s makeshift stage and quietly cleared his throat.
    Gus placed his hand over the microphone and whispered, “What’s your name again?”
    “People call me Redd.”
    “Get ready for Redd!” Gus called out, causing the room to break out in applause.
    Amongst the audience, Redd sought out Ana. She was quirky. Spunky. Really cute. And completely clueless as to survival. Worse, he’d be spending twelve days alone with her. Twelve days to remind himself there was no possible way he was getting involved. No matter how attractive she was. No, the only “hands on” experience he’d be having would be keeping her alive.
    Ana quickly realized that Redd wasn’t the only one staring at her. Everybody at the bar was probably wondering why she was standing frozen with her mouth agape. But then they might not be feeling the same pull of attraction to this enigmatic man as she was.
    Although she couldn’t imagine why they wouldn’t be. Redd stood on stage looking better than any rock-n-roller could. His cut off tee shirt and tight jeans were part of the reason. His commanding presence the rest.
    As if on cue, the music for Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” started playing on the karaoke machine. Redd belted out the vocals. The audience immediately clapped their approval and the drunk woman sang along loudly. Her voice was so off-key, Ana couldn’t tell whether she was trying to harmonize a duet or sabotage the performance. A moment later Ana observed Gus walk behind her, lean down to whisper in her ear, and then escort her out.
    Well, good. Why throw off Redd’s song when his voice was so wonderful? Just like the rest of him. Something about him was almost sultry.
    Redd’s song was quite popular, if the reaction of the listeners was any indication. “Excuse us, please,” a group of incoming people said to Ana. She stepped to the side to let them through. He was obviously drawing an audience. Maybe people were texting others to come over? Or perhaps passersby could hear through the open windows? However they knew, Ana was finding herself lost in an ever-growing crowd.
    Jostled by somebody, she moved out of the way before noticing the person standing next to her was Devon. He, however, was oblivious to her. He stood as open-mouthed as she was and staring straight at Redd.
    “He’s good, isn’t he?” Ana remarked, trying to keep her voice casual.
    “What? Oh. Sorry, didn’t see you there. Yeah, he’s good. Real good.”
    He’s as awestruck by Redd as I am. No wonder Devon and I relate so well to each other. Ana laughed. “Maybe you want to spend the twelve days with him instead of me?”
    Devon nodded, though he still stared at Redd as if in a daze. “Trust me, if Mark allowed it, I’d take your place in an instant.”
    “Seriously? You’d risk a gruesome death by wild bears for a chance to be with him?”
    “Yup.”
    Just then, Redd started the next song. Looking straight at her, he sang, “Heat of the Moment” by Asia.
    She was feeling pretty hot herself. She used harsh reality to cool herself down. Redd no doubt saw her the same way everyone else did—funny and sweet but quirky, flighty, clueless and not too bright, either. No matter how hard she tried to prove them wrong. She was still no one to be taken too