Read Online Escaping Christmas by Lisa DeVore - Free Book Online

and humiliation.”
    “When you’re over him you’ll know it.” His phone rang on the coffee table. Reaching for it, he glanced at the number and replied, “I have to get this. Hey, Mike.”
    Why did she tense up when his phone rang? And why did she feel enormous relief at the name, Mike? Alex didn’t believe in love at first sight, but she had to admit something was stirring in the twenty-four hours she had met Zach Camden. She attempted to rationalize. He was good-looking. Okay, so that wasn’t the word for it. He was kind, considerate, and attentive. Owen had been all those things too. Alex took a deep breath and pushed that from her mind.
    “I’m holed up in one of my cabins,” Zach explained to whoever Mike was. “No, the electric’s out. Are you up on generators? Good. You know the drill. Don’t run the lifts or let anyone on the slopes until it breaks.” He glanced at her before adding, “No, I’m good here. Better than good. I won’t be back until after Christmas. I know you got this. That’s why I pay you the big bucks. I don’t know how long the tower will hold out in this wind, but call if you need me. You too, Mike.”
    He tossed the cell back on the table. “Now, where were we?”
    “We just ended a very uncomfortable conversation. Let’s change the subject.”
    “To?”
    “You. I want to know about you.”
    “I’m a self-made millionaire. I usually don’t tell that on a first date, but you probably have more money than I do,” he teased. “Let’s see. What else? I was adopted and I don’t see my parents very often. They should have left it alone. God didn’t give them children for a reason, but I think we covered that too.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said softly.
    “Don’t be. I learned a long time ago family isn’t always blood.”
    Alex immediately thought of her best friend. She should call her. If Tiffany knew she was stranded here in the middle of nowhere with the sexiest man alive she would go out of her mind with joy. She smiled at the thought.
    “Did I say something funny?”
    “No. I was thinking of my friend. We couldn’t be closer if we were blood sisters. She hates Owen. She would be very happy you’re here.” Alex’s smile stayed in place.
    His face turned serious. “I’m happy I’m here.” He brushed his lips lightly across hers. “Are you hungry?”
    She hadn’t noticed, but she was. The night had lifted, but the heavy snow kept the little living room dim. “Can you hear my stomach growling?”
    “Not too much.” He winked. “How about bacon and eggs on the wood stove?”
    “I would offer to make them, but I’m not familiar with that method of cooking.”
    He stood, then leaned over her. “That’s okay, honey, it’s all included in the package.”
    “I like the package,” she replied, followed quickly by a groan. “Why do I keep putting my foot in my mouth?”
    He kissed her forehead playfully. “You’re sending me subliminal messages?”
    “I’m going to get dressed. I’ll be in to help,” she promised. She was expecting to be chilled when she stood, but the room was warm. Alex wasn’t sure if it was the fire or something else. Her bedroom was another story. The windows were frosting over and the temperature had dropped even more. Alex couldn’t change fast enough. But, was it from the cold or to be near Zach again?
    ****
    He looked up from the eggs in time to see her enter the kitchen. She was breathtaking, and she had no idea. Even in a sweatshirt and her hair in a ponytail she was all class. It took every ounce of will power to keep his hands off of her, but he would…until the time was right.
    “Smells good.” She smiled.
    “My cologne?” He loved seeing her smile.
    “Bacon trumps cologne.”
    “Okay, I see how it’s going to be.” He grinned, sliding the eggs on a plate. “So, how about we decorate the cabin for Christmas?”
    The blood drained from her face. “Um, I, uh…didn’t bring any decorations with