Escaping Christmas (7 page)

“Left over in the lines.” The panic must have shown in her face, because he quickly consoled her. “Don’t worry. We have plenty of wood…and snow. Have you looked outside?”

She shook her head. How could he see anything through this darkness?

“Really, it’s going to be okay. This kind of thing happens all the time when there’s a storm. That’s why I wasn’t happy you came alone.”

He stood and handed her a cup of coffee. The warmth was heavenly in her hands. “Thanks.”

“Sure.”

Why did this feel so awkward?

“So, what do we do to keep warm?” Did she really ask that? She didn’t have to look in the mirror to know her face was beet red.

He laughed at her obvious embarrassment. “It should warm up in here soon. I was sleeping and didn’t realize the electric was out. I have the wood stove burning in the kitchen and the fireplace. We might have to sleep in here, though, until they get it fixed.”

“How long will that take?” She bit her lower lip nervously.

“Depends. Sometimes it’s a couple of days, sometimes weeks.”

“You’re serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

She rolled her eyes and flopped on the couch. “How am I going to get any work done if I can’t turn on my computer?”

He sat in the chair opposite her. “We’ll think of other ways to keep busy.”

Okay, Zach, I can play your game.
“What other things?”

“You forgetting that actor. Christmas. Us.”

Alex didn’t know what she expected, but that wasn’t on the list. “What actor?” She raised her eyes to his.

“That’s a start.” A sexy smile touched his lips. “We’re going to have plenty of quality time to get to know each other. Electricity brings with it distraction.”

The electricity she was feeling in the room was
very
distracting. “I don’t mind the fire for warmth and the candles for light, but the whole bathroom thing…” her voice trailed off.

“You’ve never been camping?”

“Camping is a condo on the beach,” she retorted.

“I still can’t believe you came up here on your own.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“The pamphlet said secluded, not pre-historic.” She shivered again.

He rose from the chair and grabbed the blanket. This time he sat beside her and wrapped it around them both, holding her close. “Better?”

She sighed, taking in the smell of his aftershave. “You smell wonderful.” She needed to replace the filter between her brain and her mouth. “I really said that out loud, didn’t I?”

Alex loved the sound of his laughter. It was almost worth the horror.

“Yeah, you said that out loud. I have an entire bottle with me. We’re good for a while,” he teased.

“Zach?”

“Yeah?”

“How old are you?” She rested her head against his chest.

“Thirty-two. You?”

“Thirty. Why aren’t you married? If you were any more perfect you would walk on water.”

“I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“I thought I would be by now, but you know how that went.” She went on to explain, “I didn’t have much of a chance to meet anyone outside of the business. The first book I wrote was a big hit for the publishing company. They sold the rights for several TV movies. I didn’t have time for a social life. I wrote, edited, promoted, repeated.”

“That’s how you met Owen Banks?”

She flinched at the mention of his name. Her mind flitted back to the day she first saw him. He had the classic good looks…the charm. He was the entire package, or so she thought. Alex had been included in the casting. She created the characters and they wanted her input. She remembered telling the casting director Owen had stepped out of her mind. No one else could play the part. Alex was a little star struck at first, but he had been so attentive to her after he found out she pushed for them to hire him. His gratitude was obvious. She was on set every day and was always available for the actors to ask questions. She and Owen started spending more time together, the rumors swirled, and the next thing she knew they were inseparable.

She nodded. “We spent a lot of time together. I guess I was flattered into believing the Hollywood dream. I should have known better. Those relationships never last.”

“I suppose when something is based on make believe it’s hard to make a go of it.”

She considered what he said. He was right. It was all pretend.

“I’m real, Lexie.”

“I know. And that scares me.”

“Why?”

“Maybe I don’t know how to deal with anyone outside the pages of a book,” she answered glumly and changed the subject. “So, why aren’t you married with 2.2 kids?”

“I’ve been waiting for you.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Great pick up line.” She laughed.

“It’s no line,” he answered seriously.

“You can’t be real.”

“Why is that? You don’t believe in fate…destiny?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “I figured I would know when the right woman came along. I never even considered marriage. I had some fun and moved on. I was busy building ski resorts.”

Alex didn’t want to think about who he was having fun with. “So, we’re a couple of hopeless workaholics.”

“I didn’t say that. I said I was waiting for the right woman. I think I finally found her.”

Chapter Nine

Alex took a sip of her coffee. How did she reply to that?

“Too much honesty?” he asked.

Zach Camden didn’t mince words. “We just met. How could you possibly think I’m the one? Besides, I’m here to work, not to start another hopeless relationship.” Okay, there was a healthy dose of the truth. She wasn’t looking for another relationship. Good God, her mind was still stuck in one that ended two years ago! But why did being here with him seem so right?

“I have my work cut out for me. If he shows his face here again I won’t be as nice.”

Alex knew who he was referring to, but kept silent.

“So, tell me about Christmas,” he coaxed, getting up to throw another log on the fire.

She watched him with appreciation. He was easy on the eyes. “Do we have to?”

“Yes. I need to know what I’m up against.” He returned to her side and grabbed his coffee mug.

“Two years ago I was expecting an engagement ring for Christmas and got dumped. That’s the short of it.” Alex attempted to keep all emotion from her voice.

“You realize Christmas had nothing to do with it, right?”

“Of course, but everything about Christmas reminds me…”

“Go on. Reminds you of what?”

“I don’t like discussing this with you.”

“If you’re going to let go of the past you need to confront it.”

“Are you a shrink too?” She attempted to lighten the mood.

“You’re changing the subject,” Zach accused.

“I’m trying to, but you won’t let me.” She thought back to that day, running it through her mind before sharing it with him. “My parents are wealthy and always have a huge Christmas Eve party. They live in New York. It’s a big social event I dread every year, but I always cave. He flew home with me. I stayed with my parents, but he insisted on staying at a hotel. Owen never showed up, never called. I called his cell phone a zillion times, but he never picked up. I thought something happened to him.” Alex drifted back to that night—the music, the dancing…she could still see the lighted Christmas tree and the all familiar dread returned to the pit of her stomach.

Zach remained silent.

She swallowed to clear a lump in her throat. “I cried myself to sleep watching the snow fall outside my window. I waited to hear from him all day. He finally called Christmas night and asked to see me. I was sure this was the night he was going to ask me. He didn’t even pick me up. He sent a limo to take me to a restaurant where he waited. I thought he was being romantic. God, I was so stupid.” She sighed.

“No, Lexie, you weren’t the stupid one.”

She glanced at him before going back in time. Alex could still visualize Owen turning toward her with a look of pity. That’s what she hated the most, the humiliation. “Owen told me there, on Christmas, we were done. He had fallen in love with his co-star. He had been with her Christmas Eve.” Alex looked directly into Zach’s eyes. “I hate Christmas because that’s when my life fell apart.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “No, honey, that’s when your life began. The lie ended. Change sometimes hurts. Some of the best things that ever happened to me hurt the worst.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t raised by loving parents. They didn’t love each other and they didn’t care about me. But, it made me who I am now. I was determined to show them I’d be somebody, but then somewhere along the line that quit mattering. I wanted to be the best I could be for me. I learned early on what I didn’t want in a relationship. I had perfect role models for that. I want to marry my best friend.” He stroked her cheek. “You didn’t end up with him because you deserve more.” They were both silent for a minute before he continued. “Why did you come here, really?”

“To finish the last book of the series, which leads to the last movie I’m contracted for. The sooner I get it done, the sooner Owen Banks is out of my life for good.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you still love the guy. You’re here to avoid the memories. You can’t hide from Christmas forever. I wish I would have met you first.”

He wasn’t angry when he said it. Sadness filled his voice.

“I’m not in love with him,” she denied.

“Okay, so maybe not him, but the idea of what you thought your life was going to be. You had it planned out, didn’t you?”

Her lips parted in protest, but he was right. She planned everything. “When he was here I felt nothing for him.”

“Honestly?” he challenged.

“You’re right. I did have feelings…anger 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?