Stranded with the One Read Online Heidi McLaughlin

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Insta-Love, Novella Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
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“You thought right.” She placed her hand on his chest after she interrupted him and looked into his eyes. She hoped the longing she saw was for her and not just for sex. As much as she wanted to be with him, to let all her dreams and fantasies come true, she wasn’t sure they should spend the night together. Although, twelve years of pent-up sexual tension and energy flowed through her and if they were anywhere but an airport, she might have given into her needs. Every one of her teenager-turned-adult wet dreams had Christian in a starring role. She’d be a fool not to let herself take advantage. It was a good thing they’d in their hometown at the same time.

“I’m going to see about renting a car,” she told him. “With how stressed my mother is, I want to get home to her so I can help.

“I understand. Let me make some calls. I know a few rental agencies that should be open.”

“Thank you.” Holly rose onto her tippy toes and gave Christian a kiss. Something that should’ve been a peck turned into something more. Moments after their tongues touched, Christian pulled away.

“Are you sure you don’t want a hotel?”

She shook her head. “I need to get home.”

Christian nodded, kissed her again, and then told her he was going to look up some car rental options. Holly watched him as he sat down and began scrolling through his phone. The carousel started and her suitcase came down second, thanks to the first-class ticket Christian bought for her. She set her oversized purse on top of her suitcase and made her way toward the man who haunted her dreams.

“What’s wrong?” Holly asked when she saw frustration etched across his face.

“No rentals,” he said. “I’ve called those that are open and looked online. Zero rentals available because of the storm and the holiday.”

“Crap. When’s the next flight to New York?”

Christian stood. “The next one with seats available isn’t until this evening, but there’s a train heading to New York City that leaves in two hours. I can book us on that.”

Holly nodded even though flying would be faster but she didn’t want to lose another day. “It’s better than hanging out here all day.” She expected Christian to come back with the idea of the hotel again, but he only nodded.

“Let’s get a cab and head to the station.”

It was blistering cold outside with the wind chill. Holly shivered and thought about going back inside to dig through her suitcase for her coat. Thankfully, there was a taxi waiting. Christian told her to get in while he dealt with their luggage. In the backseat, Holly blew into her hands and then held them to the heater once the driver put the car into drive.

“Amtrak station,” Christian said through the holes in the plexiglass. He put his arm around Holly and pulled her to his side. “Where’s your jacket?”

“In my suitcase. I didn’t think I’d need it until I landed in Plattsburgh. I would’ve dug it out before I went outside.”

Christian laughed. “Miami’s sure changed you.”

“You have no idea. I freeze when I’m at my parents’ and am always sitting by the fireplace.”

He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head until they looked at each other. “I’ll keep you warm.” His words were full of innuendos, and she loved every single one of the thoughts rushing through her mind. He wanted to be with her, and she relished in the moment.

The taxi pulled up to the curb at the station. Christian paid and told Holly to go inside. She did and waited in the lobby for him.

“Holy crap,” Holly said as they entered the station.

“Impressive.”

They’d walked right into a winter wonderland, but without the snow and cold. A massive tree sat in the center of the wide-open space, with wreaths bigger than Holly had ever seen hung from the columns. On the garland-wrapped stage, a man played Christmas music on the piano. People milled around and listened while some swayed to the music.

“I have never seen a tree so big.”

“What about the one at Rockefeller Center?”

Holly shook her head. “I’ve only seen it in pictures.”

“We’ll have to change that,” he told her. Holly glanced at Christian tentatively. Had he already promised her a next year? She didn’t want to think that far ahead. Her heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

“Come on, let’s see if we can find where we need to board our train.”

Before they made their way into the Amtrak part of the station, they stopped and bought breakfast, and then sat down. It was a madhouse and Holly wondered how they’d get seats together if half these people were headed in the same direction as them. She was a little angry at herself for not paying attention to the weather. She knew better. Holly may live in the tropics, but she still understood that snow flurries could easily turn into freak snowstorms and often blizzards. They weren’t as uncommon as the media liked to let people think. It wasn’t normal for a place to get thirty inches of snow and not shut down, except in the north.


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