Stranded Read Online Free Page A

one of Italy’s
finest vineyards.
    “Do you get much snow this time of year in
Colorado Springs?” Erika asked as they were waiting for their
appetizer.
    Dawson shrugged. “Typically only a couple of
inches, but every decade or so it’s been as high as eight
inches.”
    “Tonight we’ll get an inch or three.” Holden
picked up his wine glass. “No big deal.”
    Erika smiled. “Not at all.”
    After their appetizer was served and their
dinner orders taken, the conversation turned to the Thanksgiving
football game between the Giants and the Broncos.
    Dawson offered the Carpaccio to Erika.
“Are you into football?”
    His question surprised her. No one had asked
her that before, likely assuming that “someone like her” wouldn’t
be interested in the game.
    She accepted some of the appetizer by putting
a portion on her appetizer plate. “I’ve been a Giants fan since I
was a young girl.” It was one thing, maybe the only thing she had
in common with the General.
    Dawson grinned as he took some Carpaccio for himself. “The Broncos are going to kick some
a—butt when the Giants come to town on Thanksgiving. It’ll be a
repeat of the last time they met.”
    “The Giants have a better team this year.”
Erika shook her head. “It won’t even be a close game. The Broncos
are going down.”
    Holden gave a low chuckle as he put Carpaccio on his plate. “Those are some dangerous words in
Broncos country.”
    “The Broncos don’t stand a chance.” Erika
swirled her wine in her glass. “Which is exactly what I told Brody
Howser earlier.”
    Dawson and Holden both looked interested.
“You know Howser?”
    “We met on the flight from La Guardia to
Colorado Springs.” Erika smiled. “He’s a nice guy.”
    Holden looked thoughtful as he chewed and
then swallowed. “He’s one hell of a safety.”
    Erika bit into her Carpaccio and a
moan of pleasure rose inside her. She was so hungry and it was so
good.
    Conversation stopped and she realized she’d
moaned aloud. The men looked at each other as Erika did her best to
look like she hadn’t just sounded like she was close to having an
orgasm.
    “Holden played tight end at the University of
Colorado.” Dawson looked like he was trying to get the conversation
back on track after her slip. “He had a career-ending injury in his
rookie season with the Broncos after graduating.”
    Erika studied Holden. “I know it’s likely an
understatement that it must have been devastating.”
    “That was some time ago.” He shrugged and
then smiled. “If I hadn’t had the injury, I wouldn’t be enjoying
the company of such a beautiful woman as you, Erika.”
    A part of her felt as if she might blush,
even though she’d been told that many times by men who’d dared.
    She resisted the urge to touch her hair to
make sure it was still smooth. “You must have been injured some
time ago, because I don’t remember it.”
    “It was a long time ago. I imagine that your
career doesn’t allow you a lot of time to keep up with sports to
begin with,” Holden said.
    “That’s true.” She gave a nod. “To tell the
truth, I try to work my meetings around the Giants’ schedule.”
Jeez, this wine must be getting to her because she never told
anyone about her football fetish.
    Both Holden and Dawson grinned. “My kind of
woman,” they said at the same time and then looked at each other as
they laughed. Erika found herself smiling, too.
    They talked football even as the salad
arrived, straight through to dinner being served. As the wait staff
placed plates in front of each of them, Dawson said, “So who are
you watching the ball game with on Thanksgiving?”
    “Great friends.” Erika looked up from her scaloppini di pollo al marsala . She could be a good actress
when she needed to be, and she worked on a warm smile as she
thought of Diva and B.O.B., the only friends she’d be spending the
holiday with.
    By the time she returned, her cat may even
have forgiven Erika for