His First Christmas: The Lonely Billionaire - A Heart-Warming Romance Novel by Holly Rayner, Lara Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Holly Rayner, Lara Hunter
in his office. Despite her confusion at Jason’s sudden shift in personality, Anna could feel herself warming up to him.
“My family and I have a tradition of cooking together during the holidays,” she continued. “We always get together in the kitchen to try out one new experimental dish alongside the tried-and-tested favorites.”
“Oh really? That sounds like a wonderful tradition,” Jason replied. “What would you say has been your favorite new dish so far?”
Anna thought about it for a second. “Well, a few years ago, we made a mango and coconut curry. It was unlike anything else I’ve tasted. It was amazing,” she said, feeling a pang of sadness as she remembered that she would currently be cooking with her family if everything had gone to plan.
“Yes, it sounds like it. I love Asian cuisine. Just the fact that it has all these contrasting flavors, that somehow end up working together,” he said, as he sautéed vegetables in a pan.
The sizzling became louder, and the smell of everything coming together wafted through the air. Wow, that smells delicious, Anna thought. She took a second to really look at Jason, taking in all the details of his appearance, his dirty-blonde hair, and the light stubble which dotted his jaw. She couldn’t deny that she found him attractive, although it was only a recent revelation. I suppose the impression of him being an asshole blinded me to his good looks, she thought. She would prefer to have any feelings between them remain strictly professional, but watching Jason skillfully prepare a meal for her had set her mind going in an altogether different direction.
As Jason set up the table, Anna noted the delicate silver and gold patterning on the plates and cutlery. Must have cost a fortune.
Finally, he brought over the meals themselves, and settled into a seat opposite her.
“Wow. This looks delicious,” Anna said, genuinely impressed.
She had just picked up her knife and fork when she heard a crash from outside, making her heart jump—it was the sound of the wind rattling the windows.
“My God, that is loud,” she said, raising her voice over the sound. Glancing out the window, she could see the snow swirling around menacingly. It seemed like it was only going to get worse.
Shit, she thought. That does not look good… She looked between the food and the scene outdoors, thinking about her family waiting for her. She decided to make the pragmatic choice, and leave the beautiful food behind, while she still had the chance to leave.
“Jason, I’m really sorry about this, but I’m going to have to leave,” she said suddenly. “I have to make it to my parents’ before this storm gets any worse,” she explained, getting up from the table.
“Anna, wait,” Jason said, getting to his feet. “I understand you want to spend time with your family…but, based on experience, I can tell you that the storm will get worse quicker than you think. Driving out on the mountain now will be risky,” he cautioned. “I think it would be safer for you to stay until the storm passes.”
Anna was torn. Her cautious, and generally dominant, side urged her to listen to Jason and stay put—but she was so desperate to finally spend quality time with her family, and already so late to the celebrations. In an unusual move, Anna decided to override her cautious side.
“Thanks for your advice, Jason,” she said, “but I think I’ll brave the roads.”
Anna moved to put on her jacket, and Jason protested again. “I think that’s really unadvisable, Anna.”
The fact that Jason seemed so vehemently against her going brought out Anna’s stubborn side. “I appreciate your concern, Jason,” she said diplomatically, “but I really have to get back to my family now.” Anna could see that Jason looked anxious, but she was already halfway to the door. “Thanks so much for making dinner, I wish I could have
“My family and I have a tradition of cooking together during the holidays,” she continued. “We always get together in the kitchen to try out one new experimental dish alongside the tried-and-tested favorites.”
“Oh really? That sounds like a wonderful tradition,” Jason replied. “What would you say has been your favorite new dish so far?”
Anna thought about it for a second. “Well, a few years ago, we made a mango and coconut curry. It was unlike anything else I’ve tasted. It was amazing,” she said, feeling a pang of sadness as she remembered that she would currently be cooking with her family if everything had gone to plan.
“Yes, it sounds like it. I love Asian cuisine. Just the fact that it has all these contrasting flavors, that somehow end up working together,” he said, as he sautéed vegetables in a pan.
The sizzling became louder, and the smell of everything coming together wafted through the air. Wow, that smells delicious, Anna thought. She took a second to really look at Jason, taking in all the details of his appearance, his dirty-blonde hair, and the light stubble which dotted his jaw. She couldn’t deny that she found him attractive, although it was only a recent revelation. I suppose the impression of him being an asshole blinded me to his good looks, she thought. She would prefer to have any feelings between them remain strictly professional, but watching Jason skillfully prepare a meal for her had set her mind going in an altogether different direction.
As Jason set up the table, Anna noted the delicate silver and gold patterning on the plates and cutlery. Must have cost a fortune.
Finally, he brought over the meals themselves, and settled into a seat opposite her.
“Wow. This looks delicious,” Anna said, genuinely impressed.
She had just picked up her knife and fork when she heard a crash from outside, making her heart jump—it was the sound of the wind rattling the windows.
“My God, that is loud,” she said, raising her voice over the sound. Glancing out the window, she could see the snow swirling around menacingly. It seemed like it was only going to get worse.
Shit, she thought. That does not look good… She looked between the food and the scene outdoors, thinking about her family waiting for her. She decided to make the pragmatic choice, and leave the beautiful food behind, while she still had the chance to leave.
“Jason, I’m really sorry about this, but I’m going to have to leave,” she said suddenly. “I have to make it to my parents’ before this storm gets any worse,” she explained, getting up from the table.
“Anna, wait,” Jason said, getting to his feet. “I understand you want to spend time with your family…but, based on experience, I can tell you that the storm will get worse quicker than you think. Driving out on the mountain now will be risky,” he cautioned. “I think it would be safer for you to stay until the storm passes.”
Anna was torn. Her cautious, and generally dominant, side urged her to listen to Jason and stay put—but she was so desperate to finally spend quality time with her family, and already so late to the celebrations. In an unusual move, Anna decided to override her cautious side.
“Thanks for your advice, Jason,” she said, “but I think I’ll brave the roads.”
Anna moved to put on her jacket, and Jason protested again. “I think that’s really unadvisable, Anna.”
The fact that Jason seemed so vehemently against her going brought out Anna’s stubborn side. “I appreciate your concern, Jason,” she said diplomatically, “but I really have to get back to my family now.” Anna could see that Jason looked anxious, but she was already halfway to the door. “Thanks so much for making dinner, I wish I could have
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