Unexpected Gifts: (The Steamy Version) (A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Series Book 1) (6 page)

Saving her from her thoughts, Colin broke the silence. “Remember that I told you I was going to do my best to change your mind about Christmas?”

Andi nodded and gave him a sidelong glance. “Yes, but be warned. I’m not going to be an easy convert.”

“I like a challenge.” He ran a hand through his hair but his eyes never left hers. They blazed with intensity and a challenge of their own, and Andi had to look away.

“So are you going to tell me where we’re going, or what?”

“I don’t have to,” he said. “We’re here.” Distracted by her thoughts, Andi hadn’t noticed that they’d made their way out of the woods into the main courtyard of the Lodge. In the middle of the clearing was a large frozen pond where ice skaters swirled and glided around the surface. Benches were placed at one end of the ice and there was a hut set up where staff members were handing out skates to guests. Christmas songs, piped from hidden speakers, filled the air.

To Andi’s horror, Colin took her hand and led her in the direction of the hut. “First on the celebrate Christmas plan is ice skating,” he announced.

Andi came to an abrupt halt, her boots jamming into the snow. Colin, still with a grip on her hand, continued to walk forward, jarring her.

“Andi, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t skate,” Andi said.

He started to tease her, and was going to tell her she was being ridiculous, but then he saw the look in her eyes. She was scared. It didn’t take a genius to see the way she watched the ice as if it were about to crack open and swallow her. He never considered that she might not know how to skate.

“It’s okay,” Colin said, keeping his voice gentle. “I promise nothing bad will happen.”

“The last time I put on skates I was six years old and these older kids convinced me to play this stupid game.”

“Let me guess,” Colin said, trying not to smile. “Crack the whip?”

“That’s it,” Andi said. She started waving her arms in the air. “I went flying across the ice and flew right off the edge.”

He couldn’t help it; he couldn’t stifle his laugh any longer. Andi glared at him, but he caught her smile when she turned away.

“Fine,” she said after a moment. “Let’s do it.”

Colin swallowed his laughter. “Really?”

“Of course,” she said, and headed towards the ice. “I might not like it, but I’m not afraid to try something new.”

I certainly hope not, Colin thought. He followed after her, staying just a few steps behind so he could enjoy the view.

Lying in the bed the night before, he’d come up with the idea of converting Andi into a Christmas lover. It served two purposes for him. One, he’d have company for his much anticipated Christmas back in Canada, and two, he’d be able to spend more time with a gorgeous woman. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but having an excuse to be with Andi was the most important reason. Every moment with her was comfortable and more enjoyable than the last. And hearing that things were totally over between her and Blaine—well, that was just a bonus. It was turning out to be a much better holiday than he could have imagined.

They retrieved some skates from the hut and found an empty bench to get ready.

“What?” she said, catching him staring at her. “Don’t make fun of me because I don’t know how to tie these up.” She held up a skate and looked at it hopelessly.

Colin slid off the bench and knelt in the snow in front of her. “You’ve really never skated except for that one time?” He took the skate out of her hand. “Didn’t you say you were Canadian?”

He took her boot off and held her foot lightly in one hand, while he tucked it under the bench.

“That’s stereotypical,” she said. “Just because I’m Canadian, I’m expected to know how to skate?”

“Of course,” Colin said, while he gently pushed the skate onto her foot. “We’re also supposed to know all the hockey teams, eat poutine, and be able to build an igloo.” He was rewarded with her warm laughter. She hadn’t said anything, but Colin had the impression that she didn’t laugh enough. She was funny and warm, but there was something sad inside as well. He was enjoying bringing the happiness out in her.

“Just to warn you,” she said. “I’m horribly unbalanced. I’ll probably fall a thousand times and I may need to lean on you.”

Colin pulled the laces of her skate tight and looked up at her. His voice was serious when he said, “You can lean on me all you like.”

He, in fact, was hoping she would lean on him, and let him wrap his arms around her and maybe even get that kiss he should have gone for when they were lying in the snow. And then, maybe, well, who knew where a kiss could lead? After seeing her wearing nothing but a thin t-shirt earlier, he couldn’t get the image of her in bed out of his head. He was only human after all, and he’d definitely like to see that again, only next time without the t-shirt.

Before he could let his thoughts get carried away, Colin grabbed the other skate and put it on for her, tying it with expert hands. “Just give me a second while I get mine on,” he said when he was done.

As quickly as he could, he moved to where he’d left his skates and started tugging them on. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Andi push up from the bench and wobble on the blades.

“Just wait, Andi,” he said. “I’ll be right there. You don’t want to fall if you’re not comfortable.”

“No,” she said. “I got this. I’m sure it can’t be—“

He watched in horror as both Andi’s feet flew out from under her. Arms waving wildly, she tried desperately to right herself. With a small shriek, she landed hard, flat on her back.

Colin jumped up and skated over the ice to where Andi sat. She was staring straight ahead, but wasn’t crying. That was a good sign.

“Andi,” he said, dropping down next to her. “Are you okay? Can you wiggle your legs?”

She turned slowly and looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

“Where does it hurt?”

Andi tipped her head, blinked once and a cross between a laugh and a snort burst from her throat.

It took Colin a second to realize she was laughing not crying, but when he did, he shook his head. “Come on,” he said and reached out. “Get up.”

She grabbed his hand and he hoisted her to her feet. Afraid she would fall again, he held her around the waist. “Are you okay?”

She wiped at her face where tears had started to leak out her eyes. “I’ll be fine,” she said as her laughter died down. “There’s going to be a bruise, and of course I feel like an idiot. But hey, if you can’t laugh about it…”

“It did look pretty funny,” Colin said. “Something out of a cartoon. But you’re lucky you didn’t break your tailbone.”

“Nope, not broken.” She rubbed her bottom and then looked up at him with a smile. “So, are you going to teach me how to do this right?”

“I promise,” he said and took her hands. “You’ll be skating like a pro in no time.” Colin spun her slowly in a circle with him. “Or at least you won’t fall down, anyway.”

As soon as he was ready, Colin led her back to the pond. She was nervous at first, understandably so after her crash, but Colin took her slowly along the ice. He dodged all the children who were flying across the surface as if they’d been born on skates. Occasionally, one would fall, and Colin had to do a quick duck around them, leading Andi safely away.

After a few laps around the pond, Andi said, “Okay, I think I can do it on my own.”

“Are you sure?” Colin didn’t think she would fall again, but he didn’t want to let go of her hand. He liked the way it felt in his. It fit.

She nodded, her mouth fixed in a determined line. He was learning quickly that she was pretty stubborn. If she wanted to skate, she would.

“Okay,” he said and released her hand. “I’ll stay close. Just in case.”

Her face still fixed in concentration, Andi pushed ahead with her right foot. Then, she slowly slid her left foot up. She did it a few more times. Shuffling awkwardly across the ice, Andi managed to move a few feet. “I’m doing it,” she cried and spun herself around so quickly, she would have lost her balance if Colin hadn’t reached out and grabbed her around the waist again.

“Got you.”

“Yes you do,” she whispered. Her voice was husky and incredibly sexy.

He should have kissed her then. Her lips were only inches from him. He only had to bend down and they would meet. The flush on her cheeks—was it from desire or the exertion of skating? Would she respond? Or would he ruin their holiday together?

“You should try again,” he said and pulled away from her, releasing her waist.

He heard her sigh, or at least he thought he did, and she turned away from him, putting her arms out to her sides. Andi resumed her skate-shuffle and after a few steps, she started lengthening her stride and even gliding a little.

“You’re doing great,” Colin said. He skated beside her. Close enough to help, but not too close. The urge to grab her, kiss her deep and put a real flush in her face was strong. But as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t risk making their arrangement awkward. He was finally having a traditional Christmas, and enjoying it. That would disappear, and so would she, if Andi didn’t reciprocate his feelings. Besides, the last thing he needed was a relationship, and Andi was definitely not a one-night stand type of girl.

Together they skated around the pond and after a few more laps, Colin said, “How about a break?”

“No way,” Andi said and quickened her pace. She had improved at a remarkable rate. “I’m doing awesome. This is so fun.” She smiled and turned to look at him but in the process lost her balance and wobbled on her blades. Her face returned to a mask of concentration and within seconds she’d regained her composure. “Don’t tell me you’re getting tired?” She didn’t turn to look at him, focusing instead on what she was doing.

“Not tired,” he said. “But thirsty. Besides, we have more planned for today.”

“We do?” she said.

“Of course. You didn’t really think this was it, did you?”

She smiled, but didn’t take her gaze off the ice.

“I’ll tell you what—I’ll go find us some water. You make a couple more laps.”

“Thanks, Colin. I’ll be fine. Honestly.”

He laughed and watched her go ahead. He almost followed her again; the draw towards Andi was undeniably strong. But he didn’t want to appear too eager, so after a few moments, he turned and skated towards the bench where he’d left his shoes.

Colin sat down on the bench next to another man taking his skates off.

“Your wife’s first time on skates?” the man asked.

Colin looked over at him while he undid the laces. “Yeah,” he said, not bothering to correct him. “Can you believe she hasn’t skated since she was a kid?”

“Well she seems to be doing pretty good now,” the man said. “I’m Kirk by the way.” He extended his hand which Colin took. “I’m up here with my family. We just taught my son to skate, too.”

Colin looked to where he pointed; a woman was loading a baby into a sleigh wagon while a little boy made snow angels. “Did he like it?” he asked.

Kirk laughed. “He did, but I think he liked the promise of hot chocolate after even more.”

Colin tugged his first skate off. “I’d have to agree with him. Hot chocolate sounds good.”

“Hey, why don’t you two join us?”

Colin looked over to Andi, who was still doggedly skating around the pond. He smiled at her dedication. For a woman who hadn’t wanted to try it, she really seemed to like it.

“The Lodge was going to set up a big bonfire down by the toboggan hill later,” Kirk said. “According to my wife, there’ll be hot chocolate, apple cider, and snacks. Should be nice.”

Colin took another glance at Andi before looking back at Kirk. “It does sound nice. I don’t remember seeing that on the schedule they gave me at the front desk yesterday.”

“Apparently, that schedule of events is out the window.”

“What do you mean? I thought this place had the best Christmas activities around. Better than the North Pole, even.”

Kirk pulled his boot on and grabbed his skates. “They do. We come here every year for the holidays. But from what I understand, the event coordinator up and quit yesterday. So, they’re winging it. So far so good, though.”

“Sounds like it,” Colin said and turned his attention to his other skate. “That’s really too bad, though. I had a whole thing planned for us for the next few days.”

“Well, like I said, they’re still going to have stuff going on. But Carmen at the desk was pretty frazzled when I saw her earlier.” Kirk stood. “Anyway, I should get going. But maybe we’ll see you guys later? The kids are great, but some adult company would be good, too. I’m sure our wives would get along.”

Colin was about to tell him that Andi wasn’t his wife, but something stopped him. “Yeah,” he said. “We’ll see you later. Hot chocolate sounds perfect. Besides, I have to rethink my itinerary as it turns out.”

Kirk laughed and returned to his family. Colin watched him kiss his wife on the cheek and ruffle the boy’s hair. Something in his chest tweaked. It couldn’t be envy. There was no way he wanted the happy family lifestyle. Colin hadn’t given relationships much thought since the mess with his ex. Over the years, he’d learned it was so much easier not to get too deeply involved with women. Anything longer than a week was reason for trouble.

Besides, whenever he thought of what a healthy, loving relationship should be like, he thought of his parents. Since they were teenagers, they’d been deeply in love, and every day of their life together, they didn’t hesitate to show it. But when his mom died unexpectedly in a car accident, sixteen-year-old Colin watched while his father deteriorated and threw himself into work until he was a different person altogether. He might as well have been an orphan. It wasn’t until two years later, when Colin moved out, that he lost his father officially. His dad had never been able to heal after losing the love of his life and finally he just gave up. How could someone love another person so much that they simply chose not to live without them? Colin couldn’t understand it. Nor did he ever want to experience it.

But he couldn’t deny that seeing Kirk and his family together sparked something in him. Maybe at thirty-five, things were finally changing?