The Winter Boyfriend: A Stand-Alone YA Contemporary Romance Novel (The Boyfriend Series)

by Christina Benjamin

  “The walk back is going to be brutal in these snowdrifts.”

  Chloe laughed. “Are you getting tired, city boy?”

  “Exhausted,” he admitted. “Can’t we just cut down one of these?” he asked pointing at the trees they were standing near.

  “They’re planted in growth order. We always harvest the oldest ones first so they don’t get too large.”

  “Oh. How old are these?” Ethan asked, looking at the four-foot trees they stood next to.

  She smiled. “These are only the kindergarteners. We want the teenagers,” she replied nodding ahead to where her father was. “We’ve got a bit more hiking to do,” she replied, starting to walk again. “Besides, we want a Scotch pine, not these.”

  “How can you tell them apart?” Ethan asked, trying to keep up.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “They’re all tall and green,” he said with a shrug.

  Chloe stopped walking and grabbed the spikey branch of the nearest tree, holding it out to Ethan. “This is a Colorado blue spruce,” she said. “See the short blue needles?”

  He nodded.

  “They’re nothing like the other trees out here and they’re really hard to grow, but their color is unique.”

  She trudged through the blue branches until she came to the next row. “These are the Douglas firs. Their needles are long and soft, but they don’t hold up the bigger ornaments very well.”

  Ethan followed her as she moved to the next row. “These are the Scotch pines. They’re my favorite. They are the perfect Christmas tree shape. Some people don’t like them because once cut they don’t hold their needles as well as the Douglas firs but that never bothered me.”

  Ethan gave her that crooked, amused half-smirk again.

  “What?” she asked, suspiciously.

  “You know a lot about trees.”

  “Just these.” Chloe tried not to get caught up in the way Ethan’s green eyes sparkled, amplified by the forest of pine trees that surrounded them.

  “Why?”

  “I used to help my dad with them.”

  Ethan cocked his head to the side. “Used to?”

  Chloe shrugged. “Yeah. It was sort of our thing.”

  She started walking again as a sudden sadness washed over her when she realized that she hadn’t really enjoyed helping with the trees in a long time. She hadn’t intended to stop enjoying it, but ever since the lodge opened, she found herself stuck inside assisting guests more than she liked.

  “It’s not your thing anymore?” Ethan asked.

  Chloe looked to where her father was marching up ahead, axe slung high over his shoulder. She found herself wondering if he missed having her help him out here. Margot wouldn’t be caught dead doing manual labor. She preferred working in the lodge, so the Christmas trees had always been Chloe and her father’s thing. Why had she let that get away from her?

  “I guess not,” she finally replied.

  “Did you just outgrow Christmas or something?”

  Chloe rolled her eyes. “You ask a lot of questions, you know that?”

  His smirk turned into almost a full smile. “I’m trying to figure you out.”

  “Well stop,” she teased as she stopped walking.

  Ethan had been following so close behind her that he crashed into her. His arms went around Chloe’s waist but it was too late to stop them both from landing in the snow in a tangled heap thanks to their awkward snowshoes.

  Ethan swore, but when he noticed Chloe laughing, he actually huffed a laugh, too. The closest thing she’d seen to a smile flickered across his face so quickly she almost missed it. Chloe noticed Ethan’s dimples for the first time. They were breathtaking. Heat flooded her whole body as she wondered what it would be like to make him smile like that more often. Her eyes wandered to his lips. The cold had turned them a rosy red and she longed to kiss them again.

  She quickly sat up before she let those sinful lips of his lure her in. Undoing her snowshoes, she climbed to her feet and helped Ethan do the same. Her hat fell off and Ethan picked it up. Before he handed it back, he brushed his chilly fingers across the bump on her forehead.

  “Does this hurt?” he asked softly, his face much too close to hers.

  She couldn’t think of a response with his lips so near hers. For some reason, even though it didn’t hurt, she nodded. Chloe couldn’t feel the bump—she couldn’t feel anything but Ethan’s fingers against her skin.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, tucking her snow-damp hair behind her ears.

  Chloe shivered. “Your hands are freezing.”

  She ungloved her own toasty warm hands and pressed his fingers between them. Ethan’s green eyes locked on hers when she brought his hand up to her lips and blew hot air over his fingertips. It was a natural reaction. Something her parents had done to her a million times after a day playing in the cold. But from the look Ethan gave her it was the most intimate gesture he’d ever received.

  His eyes flared brighter than when she’d kissed him and for a moment, Chloe forgot how to breathe. But then she remembered why she was holding his fingers between her palms and blew warm air onto them again. “Better?” she asked.

  Ethan

  Ethan nodded, slowly. “Perfect.” That was the only way to describe the feeling of having his fingers so close to Chloe's irresistible lips—absolute perfection.

  God, this girl just did something to him. She disarmed him in the best way possible. He wanted to let her in. He wanted to tell her everything and still have her look at him the way she did now. But that would never happen. That just wasn’t how the world worked for Ethan. It was why Owen had girlfriends and Ethan didn’t.

  Owen was good at keeping their past locked up, but Ethan always ruined things by letting it out. Even now he found himself wanting to blurt out the truth.

  He gazed into Chloe's big hazel eyes as she blew her abundant warmth over his fingertips. How could he explain to her that no one had ever shown him such a simple kindness? And how could he be so close to her without wanting to kiss her again?

  But he shouldn't—for so many reasons.

  She was his brother’s girlfriend’s sister.

  She was only in high school.

  He’d probably never see her again after Christmas.

  And lastly . . .

  Ethan stared into Chloe’s gorgeous face and forgot what the last reason was. He forgot all the reasons he’d just listed for not kissing her. He knew it was a risk he shouldn’t take but he just couldn’t stop himself.

  Chloe slowly released his hands. Without her holding them Ethan let his fingers inch along her jaw until the warm apples of her cheeks rested in each of his palms. Ethan let his thumb drowsily caress Chloe's lower lip. A breath of steam escaped her mouth but before it could dissipate into the frigid air Ethan captured it with a kiss.

  For one bliss-filled moment there was nothing but the sound of snow and his beating heart as Chloe kissed him back. But the moment was over almost as quickly as it had begun.

  Chloe pulled away, gasping as she stumbled in the snow.

  “Wait,” Ethan called chasing after her. He caught her arm and pulled her back to him. “Why do you do that? Why do you run when I know you want this, too?”

  “Because I shouldn’t be kissing you,” she whispered.

  “Why not?”

  “Because!”

  “Because why? I know you don’t have a boyfriend.”

  Chloe’s cheeks turned red. “I don’t but . . . it’s complicated.”

  For a moment, unwarranted jealousy seized Ethan’s heart. “Why? Are you not over him?”

  “No. Yes. I mean . . .” Chloe’s cheeks turned redder. “I don't know anymore.”

  Ethan took a deep breath and blew it out watching the cloud of steam float away along with his hopes. “So maybe we shouldn't kiss anymore until you know how you feel.”

  “Yeah,” Chloe said, softly. “I think that's probably a good idea.”


  Ethan nodded and jammed his gloves back on his hands feeling an icy chill that had nothing to do with the weather come over him. “It’s a shame though.”

  “What?”

  “To waste such perfectly matched lips.”

  He watched Chloe’s throat bob as she swallowed thickly. She felt it, too. He knew it. Ethan realized he was still holding onto Chloe's hat. “Here,” he said handing it back to her. “I think this belongs to you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Chloe whispered, as if she knew he was speaking about his heart rather than the old hat.

  “Me too,” he replied, his hand catching her arm. “I know it’s not my place and I don’t even know him, but I can already tell you can do much better than this Brady-guy. You deserve to be with someone who’s positive about their feelings for you.” Then he let go and walked away.

  Chloe

  Chloe stood in stunned silence as she watched Ethan walk away, his words and kiss replaying in her mind. What on earth just happened? And what had he meant? Had Ethan been talking about himself? Did he like her? A million questions crashed through her mind at once. Before Chloe could make sense of any of them, her father's voice boomed from somewhere in the distance. “Found it!”

  Chloe looked ahead to where her father was. Ethan turned to look back at her, a stony expression sliding into place. “Let's go cut down the Christmas tree.”

  13

  Chloe

  Chloe couldn't stop herself from glancing at Ethan as they decorated the Christmas tree with the never-ending line of guests visiting the lodge. Her quick glances through the tree did nothing to help deter her confusing feelings for him.

  Each glimpse revealed a new layer of Ethan she found attractive. The quiet storm of his eyes, the way half of his mouth was always turned down as if he expected the world to disappoint him, the slightest hint of stubble along his strong chin, the way his jaw muscles ticked when he was concentrating, the unintentional confidence he exuded. All of it was alluring.

  It was hard to tear her eyes away from him. Even now, as he stood politely chatting with a guest who was clearly flirting with him. Chloe found herself wanting to know what he was thinking. Ethan stood patiently with his hands in his pockets almost smiling at the shameless lodge guest. He looked like a million dollars in the cheesy Christmas sweater all the lodge employees wore. Chloe was convinced no one had ever worn that sweater better than Ethan Hall.

  Even with the tacky wreath pattern on the front it was impossible to hide his appeal. It made Chloe wonder just where he came from. He was impeccably well-groomed and his confidence bordered on cocky, yet in a sexy way. She’d never met someone like him. Ethan wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and that made him even sexier.

  What Chloe wouldn’t give to feel that much confidence herself.

  Maybe if she had that kind of confidence she could do a better job of sorting out her jumbled feelings, because right now her heart was a mess. And when Ethan caught her staring at him his lips completed the frown they were already halfway to. His stormy green eyes dulled before they darted away completely, returning to his polite conversation with the lodge guest.

  Guilt knotted Chloe’s stomach as she realized she was the cause of that pained expression. It was the same look he’d given her each time she pulled away from his kiss. She hated herself for behaving so immaturely. This was going to be a long holiday if she couldn’t find a way to smooth things over with Ethan. And what if he told Owen? Owen would surely tell Margot and then Chloe’d be in an even bigger mess.

  Sighing, Chloe grabbed a pen and tiny slip of paper from the wish station her parents had set up. She knew it was childish, but she needed as much help as she could get, so she scribbled her Christmas wish down anyway. ‘Figure out what I want.’

  She folded up the wish and stuck it inside a clear glass ornament and hung it on the tree. Then, Chloe set her shoulders, determined to make her wish come true.

  She was just crossing the room to talk to Ethan when she heard someone calling her name. She turned to see Brady pushing through the wreath-clad double doors to the lodge and her steps faltered.

  Brady

  Brady spotted Chloe by the new Christmas tree in the lodge. He figured this was where she’d be. He checked her house earlier but no one was home. And with only a few days left until Christmas he knew the Price family would be busy with festivities at their booming hotel.

  It was impressive how they’d turned the little Christmas tree farm into a thriving business in such a short time. Brady remembered when he’d first moved to Pine Island and Everett’s Tree Farm hadn’t been much more than a small barn to grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider in after purchasing a tree. Now there was a gorgeous rustic building that resembled a ski lodge with hotel rooms, banquet halls for weddings, horse-drawn sleighs, crackling double-sided stone fireplaces, a bar and lounge and room for twelve massive Christmas trees scattered throughout the warm three-story lobby.

  That’s where Chloe was, looking as beautiful as ever with her wild brown hair piled atop her head. She hadn’t seen him yet and Brady took the opportunity to take her in. He hadn’t really looked at her since they broke up. Guilt kept him from feeling he had the right to feel anything for her after the way he treated her. But now that things with Maci were over, Brady wanted to make things right with Chloe. Even if it meant they’d never be more than friends, he at least owed her a real apology.

  As Brady pushed through the glass doubled doors he noticed what had Chloe’s attention. It was a tall, dark and surprisingly good-looking stranger. Chloe was watching him like a hungry cat, her muscles coiled. She was just starting to walk toward the stranger when Brady called her name.

  Her startled expression made his heart plummet. It was clear seeing him wasn’t a good surprise.

  “Brady? What are you doing here?” she asked.

  The stranger, who’d been talking to a guest nearby, craned his neck to follow their conversation. Brady tried to ignore him. “I came to see if you needed help with the Christmas tree. I’m sorry I missed chopping it down but my game ran long.”

  Chloe just blinked at him with utter shock. “Why are you here?” she finally repeated.

  He tried to hold his smile. “I told you. I want to help with the tree.” And apologize for being a total jerk, he thought, though he’d been hoping to have that conversation in a more private setting.

  “But you’re supposed to be on the ski trip,” Chloe objected.

  “Yeah, coach kinda put the kibosh on the ski trip when he planned a tournament the same weekend.”

  Chloe was still looking at him distrustfully. “What about Maci? I thought she didn’t want you talking to me?”

  “Well, Maci doesn’t tell me what to do anymore.”

  Chloe’s eyes widened. “Did you break up?”

  He nodded. “I miss you, Chloe.”

  Just then Margot walked over, a clone of the Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome by her side. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” Margot drawled. “Brady Jones. Have you come to humiliate my sister further? Because let me tell you, that’s not going to happen on my watch.”

  “Margot,” Chloe hissed, her tone a quiet warning.

  Brady sighed. This was not how he’d wanted his apology to go. He knew Margot would go into protective big-sister-mode. She’d always been Chloe’s mouthpiece, but right now Brady didn’t want to have to talk through Margot. He looked at Chloe. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

  Chloe stumbled to find words. “I-I don’t think—”

  “Brady!” Mrs. Price’s voice rang through the lobby and she came scurrying over to wrap him in a smothering hug. “I thought that was you! I’m so glad to see you around. It’s been much too long, sweetheart. Have you come to help decorate the tree?”

  “Yes,” he replied politely.

  “Great,” Mrs. Price replied. “Christmas wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  “I agree,” Brady said, looking purposefully at Chloe.


  “Are you coming to the Christmas Eve party with your parents?” Mrs. Price asked.

  Brady smiled, still not taking his eyes off of Chloe. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Oh good. I’m so glad we’ll all be together again this Christmas.”

  “Me too,” he replied. “Me too.”

  14

  Chloe

  Margot practically ripped Chloe’s arm off pulling her into the ladies room to question her about Brady.

  “What's going on, Chloe? I thought you said you two broke up?”

  “We did.”

  “Then what’s he doing here giving you the sad puppy dog eyes?”

  “He came to tell me that he and Maci broke up.”

  “What?”

  “I’m as surprised as you. I didn't get all the details before Mom showed up. All he said was he had to skip the ski trip because of some basketball tournament and that he's not dating Maci anymore.”

  “He didn't say anything else?"

  "Well, he did say he wanted to help with the Christmas trees and that he missed me."

  "Chloe! This is huge. This could be the Christmas miracle you were waiting for."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I think you’re not over Brady and apparently he's not over you either. Why else would he be here?"

  "I don't know. Maybe the holidays are just making him nostalgic or something."

  "Or maybe he realizes that he made a huge mistake dumping you for someone as shallow as Maci Martin."

  Chloe frowned as the sting of rejection resurfaced. "I don't know, Margot. I'm still not even sure I want Brady back."

  "Are you kidding me? You've been in love with Brady Jones since you were ten.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not ten anymore.”

  Margot put her hands on her slim hips. “You're telling me you wouldn't take him back if he asked you to be his girlfriend again right now?"

  Chloe bit her lip as images of Ethan popped into her mind. She couldn't get those gorgeous green eyes of his out of her head, or the way he smelled, or the taste of his lips or that sad yet hopeful look he'd given her in the pine forest today.