The Christmas Key Read Online Free

whistling wind and pulled his bags in. Man, it was getting wild out there. A part of her was glad that Xander was safe inside instead of trying to drive in the storm.
    "I speak…I speak quite well." She smiled at the fact that she didn't stutter…much.
    "So, your boyfriend isn't coming?" He glanced at the spot in front of the fireplace where the photos were still somewhat hazardously scattered.
    Was he deaf? "I said no and I don't have a boyfriend anymore." She huffed.
    "Ah, so you're in the middle of a pity party," he said matter-of-factly while unzipping his bag.
    "You're here now . Maybe I could bake a cake." She found it easier to talk to him now that he was irritating her. She didn't want to be that obvious with her emotions, but he'd caught her at her during a breakdown and it was the worst timing ever in the history of her career.
    She ’d just offered to fix Xander a cake while she was snotty and weeping over a breakup. This took on a whole new meaning of fan-girl dementia. What cake could she possibly cook? Red velvet, super moist from her tears, and red like her eyes? The whole idea was laughable and if Xander's concerned look in her direction was any indication, he seemed leery about her being so unhinged.
    "I only rented this place for a week . Maybe we won't be stuck here the whole time." She could tell by his facial expression that he hoped the same. She couldn't blame him; at the moment she wouldn't want to be stuck with her either.
    " That's what I'm hoping for." He grabbed a few toiletries and clothes and went back into the bathroom while she stumbled for something to say back.
    That was a bit hurtful. She never would have expected him to be such a jerk in real life. His interviews and behind-the-scenes footage all put him as an easy, laid-back, sure-of-himself kind of guy. Why the curt undertones and snappy remarks? Either way, she could still kick him out; she rented this place, not him, and he seemed to be taking over as if it were his personal property. She crossed her arms over her chest after she turned the TV back on. Tennessee Rain picked up right where Carson was released from prison. A sweet rendition of a 1940s romantic classic tale and a far cry from the man in the bathroom. She hadn't missed the snarl when he glanced at the TV. It seemed the actor was his worst critic, despite winning Academy Awards for his role.
    Screw him . She shouldn't have to be ashamed of watching his film. She was a movie reviewer, damn it, and he should be used to seeing his work everywhere he went.
    A few moments later , after she’d submerged herself back into the film, Xander exited the bathroom wearing a fresh black dress shirt. Shalaine tried not to flush. He looked good in black, on and off screen. She sat on the floor but couldn't burn the photos in front of him, so she bundled them inside the book and pushed them into the corner between the TV and fireplace. They'd have to be put on hold for now. The actor sat on the couch and caused a whiff of cologne to tantalize her nose. It wasn't fair to feel the heat of the flames on her left and Xander on her right. She began to sweat. From the fire or X. Christian's presence, she wasn't sure. She tried to focus on the TV, but the way he lounged on the couch made her want to jump his bones. Hell, anything he did made her want to jump his bones.
    "Why this film? Of all the work I've done, I hate this one the most. Bad plot, bad dialogue, and Sophie Jimenez would have played a better Julie than Yancey Otter," he said with a little heat in the words.
    Without looking at him , Shalaine answered in defense of the film she'd given high marks to in the past, "The dialogue is perfect; it's set in Tennessee and not meant to be seen as something prim and proper. Yancey Otter was perfect for Julie. Sophie would have overshadowed everyone else in the film, including you.” She shot him a pointed look. “The compelling plot of the story is that you can always love someone, doesn't