Unexpected Gifts: (The Steamy Version) (A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Series Book 1) (14 page)

Who did Blaine think he was, kissing her like that? She would have smacked him across the face if she hadn’t been standing in a room full of children. And with Carmen, who’d just hired them and likely witnessing the whole thing, there was no way she could react the way she wanted to.

As soon as Andi could detach herself from his grasp, she’d dragged Blaine out of the banquet room and into the kitchen. She’d managed to keep herself under control until the doors closed behind them.

“What is wrong with you?” she said, releasing his arm. “Why are you even here?”

“I missed you.”

“You have no right to kiss me like that.” Andi struggled to keep her voice even. It didn’t work.

“I’m sorry,” he said. He didn’t look sorry though. He looked smug and arrogant. Had he always looked that way and she just hadn’t noticed?

“Why are you here?”

He took a step towards her, so Andi instinctively took a step backwards and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“I missed you,” he said again. Blaine reached out and stroked her face with the back of his hand. Shivers ran through her body and she had to fight the urge to wipe his touch off her skin. “You weren’t at the party last night and I realized how much I missed you. I called your office and they told me you were here.”

“Of course I wasn’t at your party,” she said. “You couldn’t have really expected me to be there. Not after everything.”

“Andi, I screwed up.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Can I—“

“You need to go,” she said. “I have work to do.”

“I came all this way,” he said. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

“And?”

“It’s a blizzard out there. I can’t drive back tonight.”

“You can’t stay here.” Andi’s thoughts flew to Colin. They were supposed to have their second date. Would he still want to?

“Look,” he said. His voice took on the same suave tone he used to use to get what he wanted. “I’ll go have a drink and we can talk later.”

Andi had been about to protest when Carmen had found her and told her they needed help with the goody bags.

“Fine,” she said. “I have to go.”

Colin’s voice over the intercom brought Andi back to the present. She couldn’t help but smile while he delivered his exiting lines as Santa. He really had done an excellent job.

“Are there any more bags?” A lady with three children stood in front of her, forcing Andi to focus.

“Of course,” she said. “Here you go.” She handed each of the kids a goody bag. “Did you have fun?”

They nodded and assured her they did and then they were gone. After Santa’s announcement, the party had definitely started winding down as parents were in a hurry to get their children off to bed. Andi was so busy saying good night to satiated partygoers and handing out bags that she didn’t notice when Colin joined the line. She handed him a bag without looking up.

“I’d rather talk to you,” he said. “If you have a minute.”

Her body thrilled at his voice. She looked up. His face was hard. He’d seen the kiss.

“Colin,” she said in a voice she didn’t recognize as her own.

“Can you get away?” He gestured to the bags and the now dwindling line.

Andi nodded. “Come on,” she said.

They walked together, not touching, but close enough that she could smell the scent of pine that still clung to his sweater.

When they reached a bench far enough away from the party for it to be quiet, Andi sat. All at once she was exhausted from the craziness of the whole evening.

“So,” he said. “Am I correct in assuming our date is off?”

“I don’t want it to be,” she said.

“How do you think Blaine will like that?” He was so cold and different from the Colin she’d gotten to know that Andi sat back, putting distance between them.

“You know I’m not with Blaine.”

“Really? Because from the looks of it, you’re still very much together.” He bit out the words.

That did it. Andi sat up straight and looked Colin in the eyes. She was done sitting by, listening to him act like a wounded little boy. Especially since he didn’t even want to be with her. At least not for longer than one night. And two could play at that. “What do you care?” she shot back.

“Pardon?”

“I asked you why you care,” she said, satisfied by his shocked expression. “You said yourself that you’re not a relationship kinda guy, so what business is it of yours if another man kisses me?”

“I just—” he started to say, and then paused. “Well, I guess it isn’t.”

“No, it’s not.” She sat back and crossed her arms. What had he been about to say?

They sat in strained silence for a minute before Colin spoke again. “Look, Andi,” he said. She turned to look at him. His face had lost its hard lines and he looked sad, almost regretful. “I’m sorry if I was an ass. But I really don’t want to have anything to do with stealing another girl from Blaine. I shouldn’t have ever…well, I just shouldn’t have.”

Andi’s head spun. What did he mean—dating? She took a breath and let her arms fall to her sides. Her hand brushed Colin’s, the touch of his skin sending a rush of heat through her. “Colin, I told you. I’m not Blaine’s girlfriend,” she said.

Colin raised his eyebrows in question.

“I’m not.”

“Excuse me if I have trouble with that. You looked pretty cozy out there. And from what he said—”

“You spoke to him?”

Colin shrugged. “He thought he was talking to Santa. It doesn’t matter.”

“It does.” She glared at him, but then softened, and said, “The truth is, we dated. You know that.” She waited for a moment and when he didn’t say anything, she continued, “It was serious. You know that too. But it’s over. It’s been over for a long time. I have no idea what he’s doing here.”

“And it’s really over?”

Andi’s thoughts flashed from the man she used to think she loved to the one sitting in front of her. There was still so much she wanted to know about Colin, but there was no doubt in her mind that, even after a short time, there was definitely love between them. At least on her end. And it was very different than any she’d felt before. Even if it was for just one night, she thought, she’d chance it. “It’s definitely over.” She took a chance and slid closer to him so their knees were touching.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything and Andi was afraid she’d pushed too far. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, she reached forward, put her hands on either side of his face and crushed her lips to his.

Her kiss was hot and hungry. His stubble scratched against her palms. She inhaled deeply, taking in his scent of perspiration and pine. She pulled him closer, working his lips until he matched her passion with his own. Colin’s hand slid behind her and his fingers dug possessively into her back. All at once, they couldn’t get close enough. She pressed up against him as best she could from their sitting positions. Andi heard a moan. Was it her? Or did the sound come from Colin? She couldn’t be sure, and she didn’t care.

When she finally pulled away, Andi took a deep breath before opening her eyes. Had he understood? Not only was there nothing left between her and Blaine, there was so much between them. Maybe too much. Slowly, she opened her eyes. He was watching her, a small smile on his face.

“So,” he said. “Are we still on for that date?”

After that kiss, Colin couldn’t get Andi out of there fast enough. He knew Blaine must still be around somewhere, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Despite the fact that they used to be good buddies, Colin couldn’t help but feel protective towards Andi. Blaine was responsible for breaking Andi’s heart, and for that reason alone, Colin knew he would never be friends with Blaine again. Never mind the fact that he had very strong feelings for Andi. But there’d be time to figure things out with Blaine later. First, he needed to get Andi alone and see what was behind that kiss. She had kissed him with more passion and heat than he’d ever experienced before. And you couldn’t fake a kiss like that.

They hurried down the hall back to the banquet room, where the party was dying down. Despite his hurry to get started on their date, Andi still had to touch base with Eva. Colin glanced over at her walking next to him. She was gorgeous in her red dress. Her skin was flushed a very appealing shade of pink, likely from their kiss. He wanted to reach over and take her hand, but he didn’t trust himself to touch her again. Not until they were alone, anyway. He didn’t plan on letting go the next time.

Colin waited on the edge of the room while Andi chatted with Eva. After a moment, she turned and waved Colin over.

“I’m going to give my key to Eva,” she said when he got close enough. “She’ll have to stay in the extra room, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course it’s okay,” Colin said. He smiled apologetically at Eva. Hopefully she’d forgiven him for acting like a jerk.

“That’s a damn good thing,” Eva said. “Because there aren’t any rooms left and there’s no way I’m sleeping in the lobby.”

“It’s turning out to be a really good thing that I have a whole villa,” Colin said, and then turned to Andi. “Are you almost ready to get going?”

She smiled a smile he knew was meant just for him. He had to fight the urge to kiss her right there in front of Eva. Andi turned to her friend and said, “You’ll take care of…what we talked about?”

“I’ll do my best.” Eva nodded.

Colin glanced between the two women, and then decided he didn’t want to know the details of what they were talking about.

“I’m ready, if you are,” Andi said. Together they turned to leave and at the same time, froze. Blaine stood in the doorway of the banquet room. Colin’s skin bristled and he fought the urge to put his arm around Andi. To lay claim to her. But the truth was, he wasn’t sure that he held any claim over her at all.

“Damn,” Andi whispered. “I’m sorry, Colin,” she said to him. “I think I’m going to have to deal with this.”

Spotting them, Blaine walked over. His eyes were full of questions as he glanced between them all. “Colin?” He looked between Eva, Andi, and Colin, searching their faces. Finally, Blaine reached out and pulled Colin into a manly hug. “I didn’t know you were back from the islands. What are you doing here?”

“Hey,” Colin said, extracting himself from Blaine’s awkward embrace. He took a step back, closer to Andi. “I got back only about a week ago. Just in time for the holidays.”

Blaine’s gaze flicked back to the girls. “Are you and Eva…you are, aren’t you?” He wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way that made Colin want to punch him. “It’s a small world. Who would’ve thought it?” Blaine said. “You and Eva.”

Before anyone could dispute Blaine’s assumption, Andi said, “Blaine, you have to go.”

“Baby, we need to talk.” He reached out and grabbed Andi’s arms.

Colin fought back a growl and clenched his fists together to keep from grabbing his hands away from Andi.

Andi shot a quick glance to Colin before answering him. “Tonight’s really not good, Blaine. It’s been a long day and I have plans.”

“What plans could you possibly have on Christmas Eve?” he said. Colin wasn’t surprised. Blaine was a man used to getting what he wanted.

“No,” she said. “I’m not doing this right now.”

“Tomorrow then?”

“Tomorrow’s Christmas.”

“I can’t think of a more perfect time to talk about us,” Blaine said, and Colin’s memory flashed to the ring he knew Blaine had. The ring intended for Andi.

Andi let out a deep sigh and shook her hands free from Blaine’s grasp. “Go home, Blaine,” she said. “If you really want to talk, we’ll do it when I get back to the city.”

Blaine’s faced twisted with a mixture of shock and anger. Colin crossed his arms over his chest and tried to keep the smug look off his face.

“Home?” Blaine asked incredulously. “It’s almost eleven o’clock on Christmas Eve and you want me to go home? In a blizzard, no less.”

“Blaine—“

“No,” he cut her off, his tone changing again. “I’ll just get a room and we’ll talk in the morning. Christmas in the mountains will be very romantic.”

Before either of them could say anything, Eva stepped forward and said, “There are no more rooms. They’re overbooked as it is.” She looked pointedly at Colin and Andi.

“What am I supposed to do?” Blaine asked.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you came,” Eva shot back.

“Eva.” Andi held her hand up.

Interesting, Colin thought. Even her best friend didn’t like her ex. Not that it was a surprise; thinking back, not many people did like Blaine. He was an arrogant ass, even in high school.

“Sorry,” Eva said. “The best they can do is offer you a couch in staff residence and a voucher for another time. Which they don’t really have to do, since you didn’t make a reservation,” she added.

“Staff residence?” Blaine’s voice raised a level. “You have to be kidding me.” Then he turned to Andi, who was looking more and more exhausted as the exchange went on. “I’ll just stay with you,” he said.

“Well, I don’t exactly have a—“

“She’s staying with me,” Colin interjected.

“Oh,” Blaine said, looking between them. “Are you all staying together then?” Confusion lined his face as he looked between the three of them again.

“We are,” Andi said. “Colin was nice enough to offer me the use of his spare room when the Lodge lost my reservation. Because it’s Christmas and all. Eva’s staying, too, because she came up tonight to help out with the ball.”

“So, you’re not together?” Blaine waved his finger between Colin and Eva.

“No,” Colin said. “I just happened to be here at the right time.”

“How convenient.” Blaine narrowed his eyes at him. “Well, since you’re being such a Good Samaritan, old friend, you won’t mind letting me crash, too, then. You know, since it’s Christmas and all.” Blaine was a smart man, and Colin had no doubt from the other man’s reactions that he had quickly figured out that something else was going on.

Colin clenched his hands into fists. The smug smile on Blaine’s face grated on him, and he had to restrain himself from physically removing Blaine from the Lodge himself. It was taking all of his self-control to behave.

“Unfortunately, I’m all out of rooms,” Colin said. “Looks like you’re headed to the staff residence, or maybe there’s an empty couch in the lobby?”