AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you think you’re the only one who loves taking risks? That annual trip your company takes to Costa Rica looks amazing.” She blew on her mug of cocoa before tentatively taking a sip. “But a private tour would be much more fun.”
Did she really just tell me that she wanted to take a trip—alone—with me? “Done,” I said. And I’d never been more excited for a vacation in my life.
She set down her mug and leaned back in the cushioned chair. “How did you get started in this job, anyway?”
I shrugged, the memories of my reckless endeavors surfacing. “I grew up in the shadow of my high-achieving siblings. I always felt like the odd one out, like nobody cared about what I did. I guess as a child, I was a risk-taker to get attention. That part of me never died down, and soon enough, other people wanted to be a part of my adventure trips. That turned into a money-maker, which exploded into the company I have today.”
Zoey’s gaze conveyed empathy and understanding. Even though we had known each other growing up, we still had so much we didn’t know about each other. “So, you became a daredevil to get attention?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it sounds ridiculous, I know. But pushing boundaries, taking risks—that was my way of standing out.”
Her expression softened, and she reached out to lightly touch my arm. “You’re very self-aware. It sounds like you found your own path in the end.”
Being a professional adventurer had its thrills, yet none compared to the adrenaline rush of Zoey’s touch.
I met her gaze, heat spreading through me at her words. “I feel like I made some pretty good choices. Life has been exciting; that’s for sure.”
CHAPTER6
Zoey
After driving us back home early in the afternoon, Mason left to go skiing again. He was an animal. We were all tired, but he wanted to keep going.
I made a quick pasta dinner and then attempted to entice Liam and Bodhi to watch a movie with me. It took some effort, and they tried to convince me thatDie Hardwas a Christmas movie.
“Fine,” I finally said. “I guess if reindeer can fly, some hero can save Nakatomi Plaza in a Christmas sweater.”
That was all they wanted—for me to agree with them—so they relented and watched a movie of my choice, something about Santa finding Mrs. Claus.
We were curled up on the couch, with Bodhi to my right and Liam to my left.
The close proximity of both men, each radiating a different yet equally compelling energy, sent a tumult of emotions surging through me. There was undeniable attraction, an electric pull toward each of them that I couldn’t ignore.
A pulsing sensation spread from my core throughout my whole body, but a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind—these were Eric’s best friends. It added a layer of complexity and forbidden allure to the already charged atmosphere, leaving me both exhilarated and slightly uneasy.
I had to play it cool.
My movie choice was terrible, but I would never admit to my bad decision. It might have been the cheesiest Christmas movie ever made. I mean, a North Pole mailroom mix-up leading to Santa falling in love? Who even came up with these plots?
Bodhi, with his usual intellectual air, occasionally raised an eyebrow at the film’s more outlandish moments. “I must admit,” he scratched his chin thoughtfully, “the mise-en-scène is well executed, but the storyline is really… abysmal.”
Liam chuckled, sending me a conspiratorial glance. “Come on, Bodhi, not everything has to be a masterpiece. And mise-en-scène? What does that even mean?”
I stifled a giggle, snuggling further into the blanket draped over the three of us. “I think the movie is sweet.” I paused to catch the look of faux horror on Bodhi’s face. “Romantically absurd, but sweet.”
Bodhi snorted. “Oh, so you believe in Santa’s love story now?”
Before I could answer, Liam decided to weigh in. “I’d like to believe that if Santa could find love in a mailroom, there’s hope for the rest of us.”
We all laughed, but the statement held more truth than I initially realized.
The air between us was thick with tension—not the awkward kind, but the kind that made me eager to act out some of my wild fantasies.
I exhaled and reminded myself of the complex dynamics in the room. I tried to focus on the movie, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.
Amidst the tension and laughter, an idea flashed across my mind. “How about we make this movie even more interesting?”
Bodhi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And how do you propose we do that?”
