Rekindling Christmas Read online

  “What?” She rose from her seat and made a grab for the paper.

  Todd held it out of her reach as he leaned back. “Seriously, Ryanne, if you need a holiday fling, I could have cleared a day or two for you in my own two weeks.”

  “Give me that,” she growled and held out her hand. She knew what he held: the helpful ad from Mattie. Damn it.

  Smiling mischievously, Todd slowly placed the paper onto her open palm. “You sure you don’t want me to rearrange my schedule? Getting some may be what you need so you aren’t so ‘wound up’, as everyone describes you.”

  No, he didn’t go there. Grabbing the paper in her hand, she stared at the senior product manager. “Whether I’m ‘wound up’ or not is none of your business, sir.” She made sure he clearly understood that she was reminding him that they were in a workplace. Even though the company had no official rules on interoffice dating—or humping—she wouldn’t get involved with a guy at work. If it went sour, her life could become miserable. “I’ve always kept my private life separate from my professional life and I don’t plan to change it now.”

  He lifted his hands palms out, a sign of surrender, as he backed up. “No offense, just trying to help out a lovely lady.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks.” Ryanne plopped back down in her seat as she eyed Todd until he’d stepped out of her office.

  Pressing out the crumbled paper, she read the ad again and for a moment considered calling the resort, if for no other reason than just to prove to Todd and everyone else she could do what she wanted to do with her time. Go to a singles retreat, ski, have fun, get laid… Break a leg, her mind added.

  It was true she was a klutz when it came to sports. The only thing she did well was the sport of beauty; she’d learned how to execute grace and a little sassiness while walking in heels, but that was it.

  Shaking her head, she pushed the ad aside. There was no time for her to even consider going anywhere; her days would be consumed in a conference, then off to her parents’ house.

  That was the real kicker; no matter how much she tried to tell herself she wasn’t going to be the nineteenth wheel at her parents’ house with all the spouses and kids, she knew that was exactly where she would end up. Like every year.

  Chapter Two

  “See, Carson, what did I tell you? Babes for miles, and the singles week hasn’t even kicked off yet.” Phillip Stifler, Carson’s best friend since he was eleven, stood holding a suitcase as he gazed toward the Village Resort entrance where about seven giggling women were standing, tossing their hair and making eyes at the men.

  Carson detested females that giggled. A woman who giggled seemed to lack substance and true confidence. “Yeah, you told me. As soon as you finish helping me get this vehicle unloaded, you can go for all the ass you can handle.”

  Pulling out a bag from the back of his Honda CR-V, Carson shoved it at Phillip. Catching the bag before it hit the snow at his feet, Phillip smiled. “Hey, I’m not the only one who’s getting laid this week, my friend.”

  Shaking his head, Carson went to the side of his SUV to unsnap the skis from the top rack. “I agreed to come. I’m here. I’m good.”

  “No, no, no, no, my boy. You’re not good.” Phillip hustled around the side of the vehicle. “If you think I’m going to allow you to burrow yourself inside the suite and moan over Ashley, you are sadly mistaken.”

  With one hand holding the pair of skis he’d just unlatched, Carson stared at his friend. “Not my plan at all. I told you before you convinced me to come on this trip that I was over Ashley, so I don’t need a fuck-fest to get her off my mind.”

  That was the truth. He and his ex of six months had been through for a year now, truth be told. The woman, a giggling redhead who was fun and adventurous both in and out of the bedroom, had cheated on him with her boss, then decided she wanted to discover a “depth to her artistry”—specific method of expression yet to be determined—and travel through Paris for a while. The only problem was that she’d decided it was best to announce all of her misdeeds, in full detail, while drunk and at his office holiday party, on the DJ’s microphone.

  The worst part about it was that he had been in the bathroom when Ashley began her confession, so he’d been completely humiliated by the time a coworker came to tell him about his girlfriend’s “stand-up routine.” Rushing out of the bathroom, he’d snatched her from the stage and carried her fireman-style out of the hotel ballroom, while she blubbered over and over again, “I’m sorry for screwing Mr. Patterson five times. I wanted the raise. I need the money for my Paris trip. Tell me you understand, Carson.”

  He had been a laughingstock and the brunt of office jokes for longer than their relationship had lasted. Being rid of Ashley had been the best Christmas present ever. He was more than over her.

  That was the last time he’d dated a woman Phillip set him up with. Bubbly, vivacious women with fly-by-night goals were his best friend’s type. Not his.

  Phillip was half Black and half Korean, and because of the great blend of Phillip’s mixed heritage, women had always flocked to Carson’s best friend. Even in middle school, girls would look past the skinny white boy and go straight for Phillip. If that wasn’t bad enough, Carson had an older brother that was build like a Greek god. Having a friend that could attract women with a simple smile just made Carson seem a little more pathetic.

  However, Carson had finally grown into his own skin in college, and with Phillip’s help, he’d made up for lost time.

  Carson figured that getting laid frequently at such an early age had made his best friend a little shallow when it came to his choice of women.

  “Every man needs a fuck-fest.” Phillip was staring at the group of women again.

  Patting him on the shoulder, Carson said, “Have at them, my friend. I’ve come to ski, sing a carol or two, and that will be my merry little Christmas.”

  “My ass it will. I’m going to make it my mission to find you the perfect woman. As soon as I get my rocks off once, then I’ll be on the hunt for you.”

  Chuckling, Carson just shook his head. It was best at times just to let Phillip think what he wanted.

  * * *

  “Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry for the conference delay.” Manuel Lopez, the conference coordinator, stood behind the podium in the front of the Central City room at The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver.

  It was the second day of the conference and Ryanne was anxious to get started. Yesterday, they’d had small group workshops throughout the day that they all could choose from. But as informative as those had been, she, like the other two hundred people, were there to get insight from Tessa Regent. The Tessa Regent.

  When it came to how to run a product management company that would stay innovative and bring in high-end revenue to clients, therefore financially benefiting the management company, Tessa Regent was the guru.

  Ryanne rubbed her hands over the sleeves of her cashmere sweater. She was actually feeling chill bumps rise on her skin with the excitement that she would be learning from the woman soon.

  “I know you’ve all been patiently waiting for Ms. Regent,” Manuel continued. His face appeared tight, as if he hadn’t slept well in days, completely different from the relaxed confidence with which he had greeted her at the registration desk yesterday morning.

  Lifting her glass of water from the table, Ryanne watched out for condensation droplets splashing on her notepad. She sipped and wondered what was wrong with the man.

  “I’m apologizing now for having to inform everyone that Ms. Regent will be unable to make it, and we will be canceling the rest of the conference.”

  What? Shocked by his words, Ryanne sucked water down her windpipe and began to choke fiercely. Coughing, she splattered water from her mouth and nose all over her pad, and her shaky hand up-ended her glass all over the table. Someone used layman first-aid skills and patted her sharply on her back as she tried to wave them away and get herself under control. She could see everyone
in the room staring at her and the man with the Sasquatch-sized hands beating her back.

  Embarrassed and annoyed at having her spine practically broken by the Hulk’s twin, she croaked, “I’m fi-nnne. I am fine!”

  She worked on clearing her throat with small coughs as she forced her breathing to steady. A woman pressed a napkin in one of Ryanne’s hands and a fresh glass of water in the other. Wiping the tears from her eyes and the water from her nose, Ryanne thanked the lady, then took a few cautious drinks to help restore her vocal cords.

  Ryanne waved at the coordinator, hoping he understood she was fine and to continue. Outside of her own self-inflicted strangulation, she was still more interested in why Tessa Regent would not be present.

  “As I was saying,” Manuel continued to inform the crowd, now murmuring low in their disappointment, “there was a blizzard in Salt Lake City yesterday and Ms. Regent has been snowed in. All flights were canceled. She couldn’t even get a call out to me until about three a.m. this morning. I attempted to contact other speakers, but with the holiday a week away, most said they could not make it or were already out of the country.”

  The mumbling became more of a low roar as people expressed their disappointment over having canceled their own holiday trips for the conference.

  “Your companies will be fully reimbursed for the conference fees. Without Regent or another speaker, the conference will end today. Any questions, please come see me...”

  Manual continued to babble on, but Ryanne tuned him out as she gathered her now-wet items from the table. After she got up, she went to catch the elevator before most of the attendees jammed it up trying to get to their own floors.

  She was pissed that there wasn’t someone to foist her anger and blame on. No one could have stopped the storm long enough for Tessa to get out of the city and come to Denver. Mother Nature did her own thing, whenever she felt like it.

  Ryanne exited the elevator and then walked down the lavish hall of the elite hotel and entered her room. Once inside, she tossed her things on the desk and stepped out of her heels. The thick carpet under her stocking feet welcomed her.

  The classic room, just like the hotel, was five-star. It was booked for company executives and CEOs, not lower-level managers. As much as she had enjoyed her two nights’ sleep in the plush queen-size bed and luxurious room, she was out of her comfort zone and price range. Sitting on the bed, she tried to wrap her mind around what she needed to do now.

  Others at the conference would most likely stay and enjoy the spa and hotel; however, that was not an option for her. Since the conference was reimbursing her company for the conference fee, they would not allow her to claim the room charge for the remaining conference days on her expense-report form.

  Damn it. She fell back onto the bed and stared at the smooth eggshell-colored ceiling. She needed to call the airline and change her departure flight.

  “I guess my mother will get her Christmas wish,” Ryanne grumbled.

  She could fly back to Carolina and spend a few days at home alone. However that wouldn’t make much sense, just to have to get back on a plane a couple of days later and fly to Florida to her parents’ home.

  Like a whiny teenager, she kicked and pounded her arms and legs against the bed. Two weeks ago she didn’t want to be at home for Christmas being inundated with her siblings’ stories of their children’s accomplishments and kissing faces with spouses, nor see the look in her mother’s eyes that screamed “When are you going to settle down and give me some grandbabies?”

  Ugh! It was looking more and more like that was what she was going to get for Christmas. Rolling off the bed, Ryanne went to the desk and turned on her laptop. Once it booted up, she reached inside her leather case for her cell phone. As she removed the phone, a sheet of paper came fluttering out.

  Leaning over, she swiped the paper from the floor. About to shove it back in her bag, the words drew her gaze. It was the ad Mattie had e-mailed her.

  Frowning as she gathered her things together, Ryanne couldn’t recall bringing the ad with her. It was like a bad penny; the ad just kept turning up.

  Tapping in the web address for the airline’s booking page, she waited for it to load as she read the advertisement again.

  The single life—for some a curse, for others a blessing. Whether you’re nursing a breakup, seeking “the one,” or just looking for a little spark in your single life, here is the best destination for singles to meet, greet, and mingle around the world. Join us on our inexpensive hosted singles ski vacation for a big mountain experience, great food, fun-filled happy hours, and lots of other singles to enjoy it all with. Don't be lonely this holiday. Wave good-bye to the tub of ice cream, put down the remote, and get traveling.

  Staring at the ad, she tried to remind herself how silly it was for anyone to go to a singles retreat for the Christmas holidays. However, she wasn’t feeling the same indifference for the holiday getaway as she had in her office getting ready for the conference. Now, her mind played with the idea of going somewhere for a few days and just relaxing before being consumed in the familial atmosphere of the McCall brood.

  Due to the last-minute conference, her parents were not expecting her until Sunday night. If she went to Starview, Colorado for a few days, no one would even miss her. If things went well, she could extend her stay to Christmas.

  Tapping her lip with a finger, she seriously considered the possibility of going. Lowering her gaze down the page, she noted the dates for the resort adventure and realized that it had already begun, yesterday in fact. She doubted they would even have any more space available.

  Setting the sheet down, she tapped in the airport and dates to see if travel was possible. She wasn’t a snow driver, so renting a car and cruising along the icy mountain roads was not going to happen.

  When the screen displayed not only a flight option but one that would allow her to arrive that very night, her heart began to race. It was such a reckless decision to go to a resort alone, knowing that everyone there would be looking for an easy hookup.

  Her mind replayed the conversation with Todd and his taunt about the office thinking she took her job too seriously and needed to get laid. Not that she’d ever believed sleazy Todd’s words. However, it had been a long while since she’d dated or had anyone in her bed besides her sky-blue vibrator.

  Maybe I do need a hookup. Picking up her cell, she dialed the number from the ad.

  “Hello, this is Stacy at Village Resort. How may I assist you?” The professional tone of the woman’s voice came clearly through the line.

  Swallowing, Ryanne said, “Hi, Stacy. I happened to see an ad for your holiday singles escape. I know it’s last minute, but I was wondering…”

  “If we still have suites available?” Stacy provided when Ryanne’s voice faded away.

  “Yes. If there are still any rooms.”

  “How many singles will be in your party?”

  People were coming by groups? “Just myself.”

  There was a clicking sound on the other end, then Stacy said, “We do have one single suite remaining. Would you like me to reserve that for you?”

  This is it. Starview or St. Augustine? Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, “Yes.”

  She must have startled the receptionist because she was silent for a moment, then she said cheerfully, “Not a problem. When will you be arriving?” More clicking.

  Glancing at her laptop screen for the flight’s time of arrival, she gave Stacy the info. “Do you have a shuttle service from the airport?”

  “I can request a pickup for you. Once we get everything confirmed, I will get all your flight information for our driver.”

  “Great.” Ryanne was beginning to feel excited about the trip. She still wasn’t looking forward to meeting and mingling with strangers, or skiing, but she’d have a few more days of freedom, and for that she could smile.

  As she answered questions from Stacy, Ryanne began booking her flight arrangements. When
the resort receptionist asked for her credit card information, she pulled the plastic from her wallet and typed it into the airline system too as she read it out to the clerk at Starview.

  Soon, she had her flight plans booked and rebooked.

  “You are all set, Ms. McCall. We wish you safe travels and will see you soon.” Stacy’s lively tone was contagious.

  “Yes, you will.” Ryanne hung up the phone and began to pack her suitcase. She’d only brought professional clothes with her, nothing that said “I’m available,” but she didn’t care. She’d smile and men would flirt with her, give her ego a mighty boost before she had to spend days in the den of wives and mothers.

  * * *

  “Oh my…that was amazing.”

  Carson walked into the main room of the double suite to see a dirty blonde woman plastered against Phillip, in a skirt too short and tight for Colorado mountain weather, a low-cut, revealing sweater, and green knee-length leather and fur boots.

  A shirtless Phillip grabbed the woman’s ass and thrust his pelvis against her. “It was great. Thanks. I believe your friends are waiting on you for dinner.”

  Only his friend Phillip, in the forty-five minutes Carson had been gone, could have managed to find a girl, convince her to join him back at the room, and bang her. Of course, Carson admitted, at the singles event it didn’t take much convincing. Most of the women there were trying to get laid from sun up to hours beyond midnight. Too bad he was a little more conservative about who he had sex with, unlike Phillip, so Carson hadn’t had sex yet. In the last two days alone, Phillip had done it with nine different girls, at nine different times. Carson only knew that because his friend was keeping count.

  The woman giggled and curled her body around his friend more. “Oh, screw them.” Another giggle. “I have half a mind to brush them off, stay here with you, and let you take me a third time. Maybe in the ass again…hmm?”

  Carson busied himself at the bar, pouring himself and his roommate a drink as Phillip wrangled himself out of the woman’s grip.