Escaping Christmas (6 page)

“Owen, what are you doing here?”

“I needed to talk to you and you wouldn’t listen to me on the phone.” He entered without invitation, shutting the door and the wind behind him.

“I wouldn’t listen, because I don’t care what you have to say. You shouldn’t be here. There’s a bad storm on the way and you should be home with your wife.” A vision of a knifed picture on the porch flashed in her mind.

“That was a mistake, Alexandra. I still love you.”

She channeled anger. He would not see one tear slip down her cheek.
Damn him!
“You made your choice, Owen.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She pushed him away. His touch sickened her. He was a married man! How dare he come in here and think he could put his hands on her? “Don’t. I’m warning you,” she hissed with every ounce of pent up emotion.

“I know you feel the same. I talked to your mom.”

Before she could question him about what her mother thought she knew, a voice from behind her asked angrily, “What’s going on here?”

Alex didn’t know if she should be relieved or horrified. She glanced over her shoulder to see Zach standing there in a muscle tank and the pajama pants from earlier. Her heart raced at the sight. In that moment, she forgot Owen Banks existed until he broke into her thoughts.

“Who’s this?” Owen stepped back, releasing her.

“My boyfriend,” she blurted with immediate regret.

Owen’s eyes darted past her right to Zach and then rested on her. “I don’t believe you. Your mother said you came up here to forget me and avoid the bad memories of our last Christmas.”

“My mother doesn’t know everything about my life.” She was getting in deeper.

Owen reached for her hand and she jerked away.

“Touch her again and you’ll see just how much of a boyfriend I am,” Zach threatened, suddenly beside her.

Owen glanced at Zach and addressed Alex. “We were perfect together, and I screwed up. We can still fix this. There’s so much you don’t know. So much I need to explain.”

Zach gave her confidence standing beside her. “There is nothing to fix. And as far as any explanations, I’m not interested. Go home to your family.”

“You’ll change your mind. I can’t see snow patrol keeping you interested. Be careful. You’re a wealthy woman, Alexandra.”

“I’m not snow patrol. Well, unless you consider owning three ski resorts snow patrol.” The irritation in his tone was obvious. “I don’t need or want Lexie’s money. I think the lady asked you to leave, but if you insist, I could throw you out.”

Shock crossed Owen’s face when Zach called her Lexie. Satisfaction filled every fiber in her body, but confusion invaded her mind.
He owned ski resorts?

“I’m leaving, but if you want to get in touch I’m staying at the Camden Ski Resort for a couple of days.”

“One of mine,” Zach said with a sarcastic smile. “Enjoy your stay. Now, leave.”

Alex’s feet were planted to the floor as she watched Zach shove past him, opening the door and waving Owen through. The swirl of icy air filled the small cabin like the emotions swirling in her mind. The gratification of her ex believing she had moved on was what she had dreamed of, but she was so used to the hurt she wasn’t sure what to do next.

The heat of embarrassment lifted to her face. Zach stood by the door staring at her. It was time to apologize.

Chapter Seven

“I’m so sorry, Zach. I don’t know what made me say that.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” He walked to the window, pulled open the shutter and peered out. “Looks like the snow’s let up. I should head out, since we solved who your visitor was. I doubt he’ll be back anytime soon.”

The blood leaving Alex’s face left her weak. He was angry. “I wanted him to think I’ve moved on. I didn’t mean to put you in the middle.” She sucked in a deep breath before adding, “I don’t want you to go.”

He faced her, but didn’t move from the window. “I’m not sorry you told him I was your boyfriend. I’m sorry you’re still hung up on him.”

“I’m not,” she shot back at him.

“Why did you tell him that?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but gave his own. “You wanted him to be jealous.”

She debated on her reply. “When I turned around and saw you walk into the room Owen Banks was the farthest thing from my mind. Yeah, maybe I wanted him to be jealous. Maybe I wanted him to think someone like you would want to be with me.” Her voice raised an octave with the last sentence.

“Someone like me does want to be with you, Lexie. I don’t understand why you don’t think you’re worthy. Look at you. You’re beautiful, and I’m not talking about the pretty face and the curves.”

Her face heated.

Zach moved from his spot and took her hand, kissing her palm and meeting her eyes. “The break in the snow isn’t going to last, make your choice. Is it going to be me or him?”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“Me or him, Lexie?”

“You,” she answered, barely above a whisper.

“I don’t think I heard you.”

“You.” Her reply was said with authority.

A small smile crossed his face. “Good. You won’t be sorry. I’m going to make you forget he ever existed. That’s a promise.” His lips brushed across her forehead before he walked past her and back to his room.

****

Alex exhaled with relief. She hadn’t wanted him to leave. In fact, the thought made her sick to her stomach. Could she be falling for him so fast? Was that possible? Or was she using him as a buffer?

Alex still couldn’t erase the memory of that knife through her picture. They warned her of Owen. What was he up to? Who left it and what did they know? Wrapping herself in the quilt, she settled on the couch. She switched off the lamp and lost herself in thought. Two days ago she would have been jubilant at the sight of Owen at her door. That wasn’t the case tonight. This was her place…her territory. This was where she was going to start a new beginning for herself. Owen had no right to invade this space. He gave up the right.

What was Zach thinking right now? Did he think she invited Owen here? Had he heard Owen say he loved her? Maybe she should let Zach believe that. She had promised herself no complications here and they were building fast.

And Zach owned ski resorts? What was that all about it? He never mentioned it. Her thoughts were all over the place. She couldn’t stand it and headed for his room. The door was open.

“Zach?” she said cautiously.

A light suddenly illuminated the room and she jumped. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Dear God, what was she doing? He was covered to his waist, but his chest was bare. The muscles didn’t stop at his biceps. Her eyes shot to the tattoo that started on his shoulder and dropped down his arm.
Don’t stare.

“I, uh, I wanted to ask you something. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here.”

He sat up and patted the bed. “I’m awake. What’s bothering you?”

She moved slowly toward him and sat on the edge of the bed. “I was wondering what you were thinking.”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you want to know.”

Her stomach flipped. She rephrased the question. “What do you think about Owen?”

“I don’t like him.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking, honey.”

Honey.
One word and she was putty.

“
Why don’t you like him?”

“What kind of guy is he anyway? He’s married and he shows up on your doorstep?”

Zach’s irritation was obvious and she replied defiantly, “I don’t date married men.”

“I’m not married,” he stated in a low tone.

She swallowed nervously. This was not going the way she hoped. “I can’t seem to say what’s on my mind. I’m not sure what’s on my mind.”

“Tell me. I want to know what you’re thinking. I’ll answer any question honestly, but you have to ask it.”

“I don’t want you believing I would date a married man.” She avoided his gaze. This was not why she came in here. Her thoughts were jumbled. Why was she in his bedroom?

“Let me ask you a question. If he wasn’t married would you have asked him to leave tonight?”

“Yes.” She didn’t miss a beat.

“Why?”

“Because you’re here.”

“What if I wouldn’t have been here tonight? What if I had gone home? Would he be here?”

“Is that what you’re thinking?” Her heart sank.

“You aren’t answering the question.”

She met his eyes. “I’m not sure.” The disappointment was evident on his face. “But, you are here and things are different,” she quickly added.

“How is it different?”

“They’re different because you make me feel different. And, no, I don’t think I would have let him stay. I want to be rid of him. I came here to put the past behind me and start a new life. I want to feel strong again.”

He moved toward her and grasped her chin in his hand, not allowing her to look away. “How do I make you feel, Lexie?”

She trembled under his touch. “I want you.”

“Is that all? I can give you that and we can move on.”

“When you said you were leaving I panicked. I wasn’t thinking about sex. I was thinking about how lonely I’d be without you.”

“Good,” he said softly. “I don’t want to leave. Now get out of here before I break a promise I made to myself.”

“What promise?”

“I’m not going to bring you to my bed until I know you’re in love with me.”

Curiosity killed the cat
.

“Oh.” She stood staring down at this perfect man. There had to be something wrong with him.

“Scram. My resolve is waning.”

“Goodnight, Zach…and thank you.”

“For?”

What was she thanking him for? “For being here. For not telling Owen the truth.”

“That I’m really not your boyfriend?”

She nodded, the embarrassment was almost too much.

“I think I’ve decided I’d like to make it the truth.”

“I’m not sure that’s…” He stood up and the blanket fell away. All rational thought left her mind. She avoided looking down.

He pulled her to him and whispered in her ear, “Yes, soon it will be the truth and so much more.” His lips covered hers and she tensed at the contact. The kiss was short, but the bolts of desire shot through her body.

“I should go.” She stared at him and swallowed hard.

“You should.” He didn’t move. “You’re not ready for what’s going through both our minds. I want to make damn sure. I’m not sharing.”

She could only nod before quickly retreating to the safety of her own bedroom. Shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it releasing a loud exhale. Her heart thudded in her chest. The image of him burned in her brain.

Alex moved to her bedside and flipped on the light. She tossed the blankets back and crawled under them, pulling them to her chin. She thought of Zach across the hall. She could envision herself lying next to him. Her mind shifted unexpectedly to Owen and guilt invaded her thoughts. He was married. He left her. She didn’t owe him anything, least of all an explanation of who Zach was. So, why did the look on Owen’s face bother her when she told him about their bogus relationship?

She shook her head, forcing the image from her mind. Tomorrow was a new day. She had to let go of yesterday. There were so many memories. Her confused feelings overwhelmed her. Damn Owen Banks!

Chapter Eight

Alex opened her eyes. The room was black with darkness. She slowly closed and opened them again, making sure they were really open. The howling wind rattled the windows. She burrowed deeper under the covers. Maybe this seclusion thing wasn’t for her. She imagined the snow was flying now, but didn’t want to get out of the warm cocoon she created to satisfy her curiosity. A thud on the other side of the wall startled her. She wondered if Zach had heard the noise. The clock said 5:15 a.m. She sat up, attempting to gather the nerve to investigate.

She was wide awake now and smelled the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Unless a burglar, or bear, stopped by to have a cup her bet was Zach was up. She pushed aside the covers and shivered. The room was freezing. Who shut off the heat? Alex grabbed her robe, brushed her teeth and her hair, and splashed some water on her face. She jumped with the shock of the ice cold water.

“Zach? Why’s it so cold in here?” she asked, walking into the living room. Her eyes scanned the room nervously. There were candles lit and two oil lamps that shadowed the room.

“Good morning to you too, honey. Electric’s out,” he replied, lighting another candle.

“But, I smell coffee.” He tilted his head toward the fireplace.

Alex closed the robe tightly around her. “The water’s cold too.”

“My ski resort is on the other side of the mountain. Everything here runs on electricity. It’s all tied in.”

“So, we have no heat?” She wouldn’t panic.

“No. And the well pump works on electricity,” he warned, kneeling in front of the fireplace.

Alex knew what he was implying. “But, I just used the water in the bathroom.”