Billionaire's Christmas Vixen by Cara Nelson Read Free Book Online

tabloids?”

Chapter 9
     
     
    “You realize that I am a busy man otherwise? My life isn’t just tabloids and women.” George was very dedicated when it came to his business, acting as a middle man for many companies, benefiting each party in different ways. He had spent years developing the company and now that it was in full swing, he had little time for much else and his time in the limelight encompassed pretty much all of it. So through those few spare moments, he chose to live them at the fullest and to be unconcerned for anything other than his joy at the moment.
    “Yes, but other than work, what is there? What about hobbies, interests, passions? What about friends or family?”
    “I’ve no family and no time for hobbies.” He did have hobbies, but they were the types that nearly killed him every time. He hadn’t lied, not entirely; he didn’t have time for hobbies, not really, but on the few occasions that he did, he took full advantage and went after activities that were going to keep his blood pumping and hold his interest. There just weren’t a lot of things in his life that did that for him.
    But as he sat there beside this woman, this strange woman who would be out of his life in a matter of hours, he realized just how flat his life truly was. Today was the first time he had felt like himself (though he thought that he might be forgetting who he even was) in a very long time.
    When the whir of the bullet had brushed past him, close enough to disturb the fine hairs on the side of his face, he had finally felt alive. When Jim had thrown him on the ground, practically leaping on top to keep him from harm’s way, he had felt exhilarated, nearly euphoric. While John searched the crowds for the assailant, Jim had yanked George from the concrete and tossed him into the back of the limo. George had thought that finally, this was what he had been waiting for. The feeling of sustenance and meaning, as if he finally had a place in the world—urgency, importance.
    Even when he was waterfall kayaking, the pounding of his heart drowned out by the angry water that thrashed around him, he had felt rather empty. He knew thrills were supposed to make him feel alive, and couldn’t understand why they never worked. Somehow he knew that if he told Brea of his adventures, she would see into him and know why he did it.
    But she only watched him. He knew that she wanted more from him, but wasn’t sure what she wanted or why. He took a sip of his coffee, and had to admit that it was the best damned coffee he had ever had. Perhaps he had been a bit harsh when it came to her career choice, because she was certainly great at what she did.
    He noticed her discomfort. “What’s on your mind?”
    She looked down into her hot chocolate before speaking. “I should be at home with my family right now, and you should be at home with yours.” She swirled the nearly melted whipped cream around in her cup. “It’s Christmas Eve, and here we are. Snowed in, drinking coffee and hot chocolate with a complete stranger.”
    “Is it your family you’re wanting to get home to, or is it Eric?”
    She shook her head. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.” She gave him a look of doubt. “I just don’t know. For me, not much has changed. I’m still in the same place, I’m still the same person, I still have the same goals and dreams, but what about Eric? Has anything changed for him?” She sighed. “It’s only been a little over a year, so I can’t imagine that much has changed. And seeing me is supposed to do what? Revive feelings he once had? No. I’m sure that he hasn’t had a change of heart.”
    George took another sip of his coffee before setting the mug onto the table. “But you won’t know until you go home, will you? So what makes him so wonderful?” he asked again. Instead of avoiding the question, though, Brea gulped at her chocolate—her liquid courage, it seemed—and began.
     

Chapter 10
     
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