Unexpected Gifts: (The Steamy Version) (A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Series Book 1) by Elena Aitken Read Free Book Online Page B

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