Stranded Read Online Free Page B

being gone for a couple of days since it
was a holiday, after all.
    Erika’s time with B.O.B. would likely now
include vivid fantasies of Holden and Dawson. First one, then the
other. Oh hell, maybe both at the same time. Perhaps during
halftime. They could tackle her, right between her uprights.
    Her train of thought caused her nipples to
tighten and made her grow wet between her thighs. God, she hoped
her nipples weren’t showing though her thin dress. How could she be
thinking of Dawson or Holden together? Her partners at her firm
shared a woman, but Erika wasn’t the type of woman who’d ever want
to be shared by two men, despite how hot the thought was.
    “We’ve got the whole fam damnily gathering at
Holden’s.” Dawson glanced at his cousin. “Is Penny coming in?”
    “She already did the grocery shopping and
part of the preparation.” Holden shook his head. “She thinks we
should be spending time as a family and not cooking. She doesn’t
understand that part of the fun of Thanksgiving is cooking
together.”
    “And watching football,” Dawson said.
    “That too.” Holden grinned. “I got Penny to
compromise. Everything’s prepared, we just have to put it
together.”
    Dawson finished chewing and swallowing a bite
of his penne pasta. He looked to Holden and there seemed to be some
kind of silent communication going on between them. “Erika likes to
ski.”
    Holden glanced at Erika. “It’s too bad you
won’t be here long. A few of our favorite slopes are open now.”
    Dawson gave a nod. “Maybe we can convince you
to come back and join us.”
    Oh, she’d like to join them all right. Erika
mentally shook her head. “You never know.” Keeping clients happy
was part of the job, right? Of course that did not include
sex, which was where her mind kept going.
    “Dawson is one hell of a skier.” Holden
nodded to Dawson who was taking a drink of his wine. “I’m not the
only one with a pro career-ending injury. We worked hard in our
respective sports, but that all changed.”
    With a shake of his head, Dawson gave a wry
smile. “It’s how Paige ended up being the face of Colorado Outdoor
Gear. Holden and I had other plans. When those plans jettisoned, we
took what we’d made and decided to be silent partners with her at
the helm.”
    “What about you?” Holden focused his green
gaze on Erika. “You must have more interests than football and
skiing.”
    “Martial arts.” She nodded. “Taekwondo.”
    Holden continued studying her. “I’d bet
you’re a black belt.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “How did you
guess?”
    “Even though we haven’t known each other more
than a couple of hours now, from what I’ve gotten to know of you,
I’d bet you don’t do anything halfway.” The corner of his mouth
curved. “And I researched your company online. It’s clear that they
don’t do things halfway.”
    “You’re absolutely right.” She set her fork
on her plate. “Anything I do, I take all the way.” The perfect
segue into talking a little business.
    Before she could say anything though, Holden
and Dawson insisted she have the tiramisu as it was the best she’d
ever have. She gave in, almost laughing at their insistence. They
were like two little boys.
    The server arrived, looking concerned. “The
storm has taken a turn for the worse and doesn’t seem to be moving
off.” She shook her head. “The news is predicting several more
inches and the owners have decided to close the restaurant.” She
pulled a leather receipt folder out of her apron. “For your safety,
you all might want to head home.”
    “Thank you.” Holden reached for the inside
pocket of his suit jacket. “Hold on and I’ll give you cash so you
don’t have to run a card.”
    Erika would have protested, after all, they
were the potential clients and she should be paying. But they
clearly didn’t have time to argue. She’d take them out tomorrow for
lunch before her flight left.
    He told the server to keep the