Page 30 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

I don’t say anything just yet, directing my attention back to the photo shoot and passing along some notes to Vince for a few more shots. He pretty much nails my expectations and shows me the unedited photos that are going to look great when touched up and transformed into social media posts and update promo.

What’s more romantic than an ice-skating date around the holidays? Soul Flames can get you hooked up with the perfect partner. Or some sort of tagline like that.

Once Vince and the two models make their way off of the rink, I turn to Alyssa, who is still mesmerized as she watches singles and couples drift and sway across the ice. The rink isn’t too packed today, but it’s a large space in the middle of a busy area. Between normal city life and holiday celebrations, all of the prime winter event locations are bustling.

“Got any moves to show me?”

Alyssa tears her eyes away from the rink. “What? What moves?”

I nod to the rink. “You’ve been staring since we got here.”

Alyssa cups her face as a sheepish look fills it. “I’m sorry. I just…haven’t been ice skating in a while. I went all the time while growing up and did it a little during college for fun.”

“Then, you do have moves to show me.”

Alyssa lets out a laugh of disbelief. “We have work to do back at the office.”

I shrug as I tuck my hands into the pockets of my black trench coat. “Not until noon. I’ve got plenty of time to sit here and watch you do some spins. Do I need to order you around like the dictator boss you think I am?”

Alyssa scoffs at me, but amusement glimmers in her eyes. “You really want me to skate for you?”

Well, when she phrases it like that, it sounds like an odd request. Truly, I just want her to do it so that she can relax and have a little bit of fun in the midst of a stressful time in her life. Happy workers perform better, right?

“I insist.”

Alyssa’s smile becomes a little nervous, but she still heads off to buy a pass and grab some skates.

I approach the rail and lean against it, my eyes sweeping over the rink as people skate on by. The sounds of blades scraping ice and laughter lift into the cold air. An overcast sky hangs overhead. It’s a picturesque winter day in the city.

“Jensen!”

I look to the left and see Alyssa skating across the ice toward me, her legs kicking out smoothly to send her sailing across the rink. My eyebrows lift in surprise as I watch her gracefully move. She’s actually not half bad.

Far better than me.

Alyssa coasts past me, doing a half turn and holding her arms out to balance herself. She flashes me a cocky smile before spinning back toward the front, her skates gliding over the slick surface of the ice.

My eyes trail her every move, completely entranced as she sways and swivels through couples and singles who move far slower and less gracefully. Well, isn’t she full of surprises?

A smile crosses my face as I watch her for a few minutes, my heart rate picking up as I hear her laughter. I can’t help but remember what it was like to hold her in my arms yesterday, to feel her melt into my embrace like she was trying to hide from everyone but me.

It felt…special. Intimate.

I promised Austin that I would put distance between us, but when she needed me like she did yesterday, there was no way in hell that I was going to push her away. I couldn’t do it.

If he was in my shoes, could he truly resist a woman so complex? So enticingly beautiful. Unashamedly fiery. Wickedly smart.

And on the verge of falling apart.

Like I can’t take my eyes off her right now. I can’t ever get my mind off her either. The hooks that she has sunk into me are going to have to be ripped out eventually.

That’s going to hurt like hell.

Chapter fifteen

Alyssa

The sound of my phone ringing makes me pause outside of Jensen’s office. I sneak a glance at my screen, assuming it’s a scam caller like usual.

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