An Alaskan Christmas

by Jennifer Snow

  Reed had said those exact words to her.

  Years ago. The day she’d found out that her mother’s kidney transplant had failed and she was living on borrowed time. The antirejection drugs had failed to help her body accept the new organ, but they’d been successful in weakening her immune system. Within weeks after her surgery, her mother had pneumonia and her body was refusing the transplant. The family’s worst fears were coming true. They were losing her mom.

  She hadn’t wanted to go on the overnight camping trip with Cassie and her family, but her mother had insisted, saying it would help take her mind off things.

  Terrified and sad, not wanting to leave her mother’s side, she’d continued to refuse, until her father had asked her to give them that night alone. She’d felt even worse at the idea that she was being shut out. She’d felt the most alone she’d ever been. Her parents had one another to cope with the devastating news that day, but neither of them were there for her.

  Cassie was.

  She wouldn’t have known how to get through that day or the others to come without her friend...or her friend’s family.

  Of course the trip hadn’t taken her mind off her mother and when she’d needed some time to herself and had wandered down an unfamiliar trail, she hadn’t even noticed Reed following a few feet behind. Adrift in her sadness and fears over losing her mom, she hadn’t realized she was lost until the sun had started its descent over the mountains and she hadn’t recognized her surroundings.

  Reed’s sudden presence in the woods had scared her, but she’d felt immediate relief not to be alone, even if it was Reed—a guy who didn’t even try to hide how annoying he thought she was. Though that day, he’d been nicer to her than usual...

  But that didn’t last when they disagreed on the right direction back to the campgrounds and they’d gotten even more lost, moving farther into the woods, away from the campsite.

  She still couldn’t say for sure whose fault it was, and she’d probably deny it was hers until the day she died... But watching him now, she had a sinking suspicion that she was to blame.

  He knew exactly the right things to do in a situation like this.

  Just as he had that night.

  She remembered how he’d removed his jacket to place over her shoulders as night fell and the temperature dropped, and how he’d held her, not asking any questions as tears fell down her cheeks and how when she’d finally fallen asleep, exhausted and worn-out, he’d stayed awake all night...protecting her.

  A tightening in her gut increased when his gaze met hers as he wrapped up the session.

  He’d been a source of comfort for her on the worst day of her young life.

  And she’d forgotten how much that had truly meant until that very moment.

  Damn, things with Reed could get so out of hand if she let them.

  Kaia approached with a wide-awake Diva, and Erika stood, helping to clean up by adding several plastic chairs to the pile a volunteer was forming. “So, did you learn a lot?” the little girl asked.

  More than she’d thought possible. Mostly about Reed. Mostly about just how wrong she’d been—had always been—about him. “Very informative.”

  “Great!” Kaia beamed, then she glanced at her boots. “Do you know when Cassie will be back?”

  “In five days.”

  She looked relieved. “Oh good. She’s supposed to take me shopping for a Christmas concert dress... I’m in the school junior choir and I’m singing a solo this year, so I’m supposed to wear something nice. I don’t have a dress, and Dad doesn’t know the first thing about fashion, so Cass said she’d help,” she said.

  Wow, Cassie had really taken on the role of female confidant to the little girl. “I’m sure she will as soon as she gets back. Maybe I can tag along—I’ve got pretty good taste in clothing.”

  Kaia sized her up. “Okay, sure. Will you be here for Christmas Eve? We always have a big party.”

  All of a sudden, she wished she would be. By Christmas Eve she would be back to her busy life in Anchorage and starting the clinical trials. Which was far more important than celebrating the holidays. “Afraid not.”

  “Kaia, come on!” another kid yelled from the doorway.

  “Gotta go. Bye, Diva,” she said before rushing to follow some kids her age as they left the station.

  Erika hung back, waiting until the last of the kids and their parents had gone before slowly approaching Reed. “That was great.” She had no doubt that the kids had learned information that could save their lives in an emergency.

  “Think you could handle the backwoods now?” he asked, a look on his face that told her he’d never forgotten their night in the woods.

  She nodded. “I think more than anything, I just need to learn not to be so stubborn and listen once in a while.” It was the closest thing to an apology/admission of guilt he would get from her.

  He seemed to accept it. His warm smile was unlike the grins or smirks he’d cast her way since she’d arrived. This one held sincerity and genuine friendliness and it nearly knocked her on her ass.

  Arrogant, annoying Reed was hot enough, she didn’t need him getting all nice on her. If that happened, she’d be dead in the water...or snow, as the case might be.

  “I should get going,” she said as Diva tangled her legs in the leash, eager to get back outside where the kids were playing on the snowbanks. After her “nap,” she was once again all energy.

  Reed nodded. “Yeah, I have to get some work done here before heading to the bar tonight.”

  Whether that was another invite, she couldn’t decipher, but she wasn’t about to read too much into anything. In fact, putting distance between them was what she’d decided was for the best, right? “See you.” She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

  “Hey, Erika...”

  “Yeah?” Turning back, she held her breath.

  “If you want to go heli-skiing, I’ll take you. I mean, if you want... I’d be happy to.”

  Her heart raced as her thoughts spiraled. She hoped her excitement and turmoil at his offer wasn’t too obvious. “Because you think I need a babysitter?”

  “Because I want to.”

  Oh God. Her knees felt slightly unsteady beneath her. An hour ago, spending time with him seemed like a mistake...now, as the memory of their night in the woods together returned, it seemed like an even bigger one. Unfortunately, knowing something was a mistake didn’t always prevent people from making it anyway. “When?”

  He didn’t hesitate. “Tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up at 6:00 a.m.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  REED DIDN’T NEED his alarm. He’d barely slept. Anticipation of the helicopter ride over the adrenaline-junkie ski trails was nothing. It was spending the day with Erika that had him worked up.

  He should have let her enjoy her vacation, then wave adios as her curvy ass left town. Putting distance between them was the smart thing to do, especially when the memory of their kiss was driving him crazy. He’d dated a lot of women over the years, but no solitary kiss had played on his mind so much. And it was stupid—they had nothing in common, they argued all the time and she was leaving in ten days, probably not to be seen again for another ten years. Still, he was unable to ignore this magnetic pull to her.

  She was different. Beautiful, smart, successful...but also determined and strong-willed. She challenged him and drove him insane, and it only had him wanting more. In all of his previous relationships, things had been easy, comfortable. They lacked a certain intensity. One he felt all the time around Erika.

  Getting through the Hug-A-Tree session with her sitting in the back of the room had been tough. He’d fought to keep his gaze from straying her way, wondering if any of it was ringing a bell, triggering a memory of their night together in the woods.

  The semi-admittance of guilt and the expressio
n in her eyes had told him it had.

  He showered and dressed quickly. Contemplated shaving, then decided against it. He’d seen the way she’d eyed the scruff along his jawline a few nights ago. He gelled his hair and sprayed cologne on his sweater. Then he stared at his reflection.

  “Hope you know what you’re doing, man.”

  Pulling up in front of Snow Trek Tours ten minutes later, she was waiting on the sidewalk. In that too-tight ski suit.

  Damn. He’d been secretly hoping she’d buy her own suit. One that was big and bulky and hid the body beneath. His only chance of survival on the treacherous snow hills that day had depended on it.

  Looked like he was screwed.

  She waved, and her smile was tentative as she opened the passenger-side door. She was feeling as weird about this as he was. The only time they’d ever hung out together was with Cassie and usually a group of other friends. They’d never had a reason to be alone—except that one night.

  Now, they were completely alone.

  Alone in the silence of the cab of his truck with a thick sexual tension nearly fogging up the windshield. He could feel warmth radiating from her even though she sat as far away from him and as close to the door as possible, her gaze surveying Main Street and her hands toying with the tag on her gloves.

  Hopefully, by the time they reached the Chugach Mountain Range, things would feel less awkward.

  After all, this wasn’t a date. It was just him playing tour guide to a friend of his sister.

  A hot, tempting friend who smelled like vanilla frosting. He couldn’t figure where the smell was coming from exactly—her hair? Her skin? Her lip balm? His eyes fell to her glossy pale pink lips, and the urge to taste them to see if his suspicions were right made him clutch the wheel tighter and turn his attention to the road.

  He cleared his throat. “Good morning,” he said as she clicked her seat belt.

  “Hi.”

  “Did Tank pick up Diva already?” he asked. His buddy had offered to take care of the dog while they were gone that day so they wouldn’t have to rush back. The day trip would have them on the slopes for most of the daylight hours.

  “About ten minutes ago,” she said. “He seemed a little worried about this trip Cassie’s on... Is it dangerous?”

  Reed shook his head. “Winter camping is always unpredictable, but Cassie knows what she’s doing.” He worried about her, too, but no one had ever been successful in telling his baby sister what to do. And she was a more experienced adventure guide than anyone else in Wild River.

  Erika nodded. “So, where are we headed?” She frowned when he took the village exit onto the main highway.

  Obviously she wasn’t one for surprises. “The best slopes are west of Chugach Mountain Range. I’ve arranged a day pass with Snowpeaks Powder Guides.” He’d spent the afternoon before arranging the details, wanting everything to be great. He’d never wanted to impress someone as much before, but Erika was used to the best. If she’d been planning this, she would have spared no expense, so that’s what he’d done. This time of year, he’d had to call in a few favors to secure the full-day ski and lunch on the mountain package, but he was looking forward to showing her the best heli-skiing experience of her life. Better than if she’d gone with Tyler. “It’s a full day on the slopes, so I hope you got a good night’s sleep.”

  “Not really,” she said, biting her lip. Her hands were clenched tight on her lap.

  Oh no. “You do know how to ski, right?” He took the highway exit and stopped at a light, glancing at her. If she’d allowed him to book an adventure designed for advanced skiers and had never been on skis, he was calling off the day. Cassie would kill him if anything happened to her friend.

  “Of course I ski.” She was nodding but staring at him as though there was something she wasn’t saying...

  But there was definitely something on her mind. “Don’t worry, these guides are the best and there are varying degrees of ski trails from beginner to extremist. Snow Trek partners with them all the time...”

  “I’m not worried about the skiing.”

  “Okay.” He was. Worried he’d smack right into a tree, staring at her ass. They should probably stick to safer trails. From the corner of his eye, he took in her sexy thighs hugged by the dark blue fabric and his mouth watered slightly.

  And she was still looking at him funny.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” she said too quickly.

  “Spill it. Are you regretting agreeing to this?”

  “No. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Wishing Tyler was the one taking you instead?” His stomach tightened as though preparing for the blow. Maybe he shouldn’t have stood in Tyler’s way. If she preferred him...

  “No,” she said. “I’m glad it’s you taking me.”

  Didn’t sound convincing enough to save his ego, but he’d take it as truth. “Well, what’s up? And don’t say nothing. If you’re having second thoughts about this, it’s not too late to cancel.” It was totally too late to get his money back, but if she was nervous, he’d happily take the financial hit.

  “Reed, the skiing will be fun. It’s just... Well, I just feel like I should apologize...”

  He glanced at her. “You already apologized for taking over my rescue the other day.”

  “Not for that. I mean, for judging you without knowing you.”

  He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “I think maybe we’re both guilty of that.” He slid a look at her and she smiled. The pretty, upturned lips and the genuine, expressive eyes nearly making him go off the slippery highway.

  “And I think it was really great of you to help Cassie start her business.” She blurted the words out quickly, true-to-Erika fashion.

  Ah, so his sister had told her. He wished she hadn’t. Giving Cassie his share from the sale of their mom’s old pub in Mat-Su Valley had been a no-brainer for him and she had to get over feeling like she owed him something. He shook his head. “I didn’t do anything. She had everything she needed—the business plan, the great idea... I just helped with the funds. And really, it wasn’t even my money, so...” He shrugged.

  “But I know how much she appreciated it.”

  “Me, too.” His sister was not someone to take advantage and if she said she could make her business idea work, he believed and supported her the entire way. There was nothing he could have done with the money that would have made him feel better than seeing his sister’s business thriving. He was proud of her.

  “Well, I think you’re great. I mean, what you did... It was great,” she said quickly, but not before he could take advantage of her slipup, his ego refueled.

  “You think I’m great?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh God. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “Admit it, you’ve always had a crush on me.”

  She snorted. Actually snorted. And it was the sexiest snort he’d ever heard. He couldn’t hide a smile as he pulled his truck into the parking lot of Snowpeaks Powder Guides and cut the engine. He turned in the seat to face her as he unbuckled his seat belt. “Come on, be honest. You’re still hot for me.”

  Her jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly recovered. “You wish.”

  “Maybe.” It was suddenly hotter in the cab of his truck, as the truth of the simple word hit him. He did want her to want him.

  “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that night in the woods, a long time ago, was the one and only time I’ll be falling asleep in your arms,” she said, opening the door and climbing out of the truck.

  It was more of an escape.

  Remembering the way she’d kissed him a few nights ago, Reed couldn’t help but hope that she might change her mind.

  * * *

  THE SEVEN-MINUTE SCENIC helicopter ride over the Chugach Mountain Range would have been br
eathtaking, if Erika could have focused on the mountain peaks and valleys, covered in the freshest dusting of powder on earth. But seated next to Reed in the back of the helicopter, her pulse was racing and her heart echoed loudly in her ears.

  Thank God for the hum of the helicopter and the large, noise-reducing headphones they wore. She didn’t want him to know how much he affected her. How right he was in assuming she was hot for him. Playing it cool and unfazed was her game plan for the day—one she’d spent all night figuring out.

  Too bad it had gone straight to shit the minute his truck had pulled up in front of Cassie’s. For a day that wasn’t a date, it was the closest thing to one that she’d had in a long time, especially with a man as gorgeous as Reed.

  He was dressed in a dark blue ski suit that hugged his muscular body in all the right places, and Erika suddenly wasn’t as interested in skiing. His thigh was casually resting against hers in the small space of the Eurocopter AS350 but the contact, even through layers of clothing, felt anything but casual. Heat continued to rush through her as he moved closer to point at the trails coming into view beyond the trees.

  He smelled amazing—like a combination of fresh mountain air and sexy alpha hunk—and she found herself leaning closer to breathe him in.

  Such a big mistake. She clenched her legs together as her body sprang to life like awakening from a long, deep slumber.

  It had been months since she’d had sex...scratch that...years. And most days she was too exhausted after her eighteen-hour shifts to even think about using the vibrator that was still in the packaging on top of her closet.

  Since reuniting with Reed, she’d been more turned on and more in tune with her body’s desires than ever before. She wanted him.

  Bad.

  The way his gaze swept over her, especially when he thought she wasn’t looking, had her pulse going crazy. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had looked at her that way—with unconcealed desire and appreciation. But it had to be superficial. After all, they’d reached a truce in the truck, but they didn’t really like each other, right? He’d only offered to take her today to keep Tyler away.