Read Online Escaping Christmas by Lisa DeVore - Free Book Online Page B

not sure I can do another relationship. And this couple is married.” The excuses piled up.
    “Geez, Lexie, I thought writers had an imagination. Think ahead to the possibilities. Think of us being married. Take our situation and make something out of it. Dream again. Get rid of him.”
    Zach stood casually against the kitchen counter waiting for her reaction. He was testing her.
    A warm sensation passed through her at the thought of being married to Zach Camden. A book was a safe place to imagine that without actually going there. “Okay. I’ll write a story and I’ll use you as my inspiration. Are you going to read it when I’m done? You do realize it’s a chick book, right?” She threw the challenge right back.
    “I figured. I’ll read it after I see where the real story goes. I don’t want to ruin the ending.”
    “I hope I can make it have a happy ending,” she replied with some sadness in her voice, thinking back to the last attempt.
    “You’ll have your happy ending, honey, if you allow it. Trust me?”
    “Trust is something that doesn’t come easy to me. I’ve had no one in my life to trust.”
    “I’m here to change that. Go get started. The paper is in the desk. I’m going to get the decorations and maybe take a little nap on the couch while you work.”
    “Ahh, napping while I work? Is this a sign of things to come?” she joked, immediately regretting the comment. Only because it implied a future and she couldn’t make any promises, but the smile on his face warmed her heart.
    “I’ll have you shackled to your computer, so I can retire.”
    “Get lost, Zach,” she commented with laughter. It felt good to laugh.
    He moved toward her, embracing her. He had a foot in height on her, so he had to tilt his head down to rest his forehead against hers. “Do you really want that? For me to get lost?”
    She couldn’t move. In his arms her heart thudded against her chest. She had to admit he was making her forget Owen Banks existed. Alex forced the words. “No. I like having you here.” He made her feel again and she wasn’t sure she wanted to, but it was the distraction she needed. Maybe she could write this book after all.
    Her cell rang, interrupting the rising temperature in the room. Alex glanced in the direction of the nuisance. Zach hadn’t released her. “I should get that. It could be my editor.”
    The doubt crossed his face as his hands dropped to his side. She could guess what he was thinking, but he was wrong. For the first time, she didn’t want to hear Owen’s voice on the other end.
    “Hello.” She rolled her eyes at the voice on the other end. “Hi, Mother.”
    “Alexandra, what is going on there? Owen called me last night and said you were staying there with a man. ” The last word her mom barely said above a whisper.
    “He had no right to call you. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need your permission, Mother.”
    “Alexandra Storm, you listen to me. Owen made a mistake. He loves you and he wants to make this right. Things aren’t what they seemed. We talked about it at great length.”
    “I’m sure you did.” She gazed over at Zach. He stood in the same place, hands tucked in his jeans.
    “Well?” Her mother’s impatient tone was all too familiar. She was waiting for Alex to say the wrong thing, so she could pounce.
    “What?” Alex made no attempt to hide the snide tone in her voice. This was none of her business.
    “Who’s the man with you? Why aren’t you giving Owen another chance? You’re perfect for each other.”
    Anger pumped through her veins. She was blood-thumping-in-the-ears mad. Her mother only wanted what was best for appearances and Owen was a hot commodity, good for the family profile and the bottom line. Alex took in a deep breath before addressing the question. If she didn’t shut her mother down now, there would be no stopping her.
    “I’m not giving him another chance. He’s married, remember? And even if he wasn’t, do you