Frost - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,2

got lost in the woods. It was snowing, and I was out there for hours. I ended up falling asleep in the snow and had a dream of a man named Jack coming to rescue me. I woke up and eventually found my way back to the cabin, but that dream stayed with me. I guess Jack’s been with me since that day too. In my head anyway. I wrote Jack Frost and the Whispering Wind, the first book in the series, when I was seventeen.”

“And thank goodness for that,” Damien says in an overly cheerful manner. “This series is a hit. Is it true you’ve signed over the film rights?”

“It’s too early to say much about it, but yes. Jack will be coming to the screen in the future.” It’s the only information I’m allowed to reveal. The series was picked up for a TV series, and actors were already selected. Filming would begin in the next few months, and an announcement would be made then.

“Today’s Christmas Eve,” Damien points out. “Any plans for the holiday?”

“Just spend time with family,” I answer. “My mom makes the most amazing blueberry cheesecake for Christmas.”

“Sounds delicious.”

After the interview, I return to the hotel, pack my bags, and leave on the five-o’clock flight back to New Hampshire. I live in Bedford, a suburban town outside of Manchester. Coffee shops are on every corner, and there are a ton of parks. I love the quaint atmosphere and privacy.

When I get home, my boyfriend pulls me into his arms and kisses me. He doesn’t live with me, but he’s always here, so he might as well be. I kiss him back before heading to my room.

“How was the trip?” Colton asks, leaning against the doorframe and watching me as I unzip my suitcase. It drives me nuts to wait to unpack. I can’t rest until it’s done.

“Okay, I guess.” I dump my dirty clothes into the hamper and place my toiletries in the bathroom. “I’m glad to be home.”

“I’m glad you’re home too.” Colton walks over and tugs me to his chest. His shaggy brown hair tickles my cheek as he presses his head to mine.

Being with him after so long apart should make me happy, but all I feel is exhaustion.

“I’m gonna take a shower.” I pull away from him and walk to the bathroom before stripping down.

“Need some company?”

“Not this time.” I slide open the shower door and close it after stepping under the stream of hot water. “I won’t be long.”

“Oh. I’ll see you when you’re done, then.”

He leaves the bathroom, and I release a long breath.

I like Colton a lot, but I don’t feel a spark around him, that magnetic connection that draws you to another person. I enjoy being around him, but the sad truth is I wouldn’t miss him if he was gone. Which is awful. After four months together, I should feel something stronger than that for him.

Once out of the shower, we order Chinese takeout and watch a Christmas Eve special on TV. He put up the tree while I was away, and the colored lights blink on the branches. I watch them a moment before focusing on the pop singer belting out her rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

An hour later, Colton starts kissing me and running his hands up my chest. I kiss him back and groan a little as he palms my dick through my jeans. We go up to the room and fall into bed, lips locked and hands seeking warm skin.

The sex is pretty good, but not explosive. No fireworks. Then again, I’ve never had that happen. I’ve never had mind-blowing sex, the kind that leaves me breathless and quivering.

Colton passes out after blowing his load, and I get out of bed and pad across the hall to my office. I’m too anxious to sleep. Too… something. Like my soul can’t rest. I sit at my desk and turn on my laptop, hoping to escape for a while in my writing. But my mind is blank, just like it’s been for the past few months.

I’m not inspired.

I close my eyes and bring forth an image of a man with silver hair and fair skin. He holds out a hand to me and smirks. And then we’re flying through the trees. His laughter rings through the air, caressing my ears like the sweetest melody. That melody has faded over the years, the notes off-key and out of tune.

Maybe I never heard