Our First Christmas Read Free

you. She had lots of ideas for the spring semester programs.”
    Mrs. Lorraine was a sixth-generation Texan and a large donor. The last time she and Marisa had talked, she’d wanted Marisa to include more Texas history in her curriculum. When Marisa tried to explain she taught Mayan history, Mrs. Lorraine had said she didn’t really care about any history other than Texas history. “Right.”
    Bradley’s mouth twitched. “There’s a lot of buzz about your work. Had some alumni at the party who wanted to meet you. Your kind of find could mean lots of donations.”
    â€œI don’t have concrete information yet.” Aware of Ranger Cooper’s gray gaze assessing every move, she itched to be gone.
    â€œWho’s your friend?” Bradley asked.
    Marisa swallowed. “Bradley and . . . Jennifer, I’d like you to meet Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper.”
    Lucas took Bradley’s hand in his, and she savored a moment’s satisfaction when Lucas squeezed the professor’s hand a bit too hard. “Didn’t catch the last name.”
    â€œRogers.” Bradley pulled back his hand. He had enough pride at least not to grimace or shake the cramp from his hand. “Marisa, Jennifer and I were hoping you could join us for drinks. She was just telling me how fascinated she is with your work on ancient languages.”
    Jennifer smiled and nodded. “We’d love to have you.”
    As obtuse as Marisa could be about reading body language, she realized Jennifer’s flat smile and distracted gaze telegraphed total disinterest. “I can’t.”
    â€œGive me one reason why you won’t join us, Marisa.” Irritation had crept into Bradley’s voice. So far her work had kept her job safe in the department, but she didn’t have tenure yet and he’d been hinting about budget cuts. She might be sitting on the breakthrough of the century or nothing. “You can’t hide from Christmas for the rest of your life.”
    â€œNot the rest of my life,” she said. “Just six more days.”
    â€œShe was like that when we dated,” Bradley said to Lucas. “Hated the holidays. Always a sore point with us.”
    Embarrassment mingled with anger. She was not going to have a blow-by-blow of her failed relationship in front of a man she’d slept with and abandoned. “No one’s interested in our history. Now, if you all will excuse me.”
    Bradley’s smile vanished, and he looked as if to block her path. Lucas shifted his stance just a little closer to Marisa as if making a claim. “She’s got a real tight schedule. Just time for me this evening.”
    Bradley didn’t hide his shock. “You have a date?”
    Marisa enjoyed his shock too much to correct him. “We do.”
    When they’d dated, she’d never said no when he’d asked for her help, whether it was interpreting some of his work or covering his classes. However, her patience had been stripped away. “Girls have fun once in a while.”
    Bradley frowned. “You owe the department an appearance with the alumni party. I’m tired of covering for you.”
    â€œThen don’t.”
    Bradley’s BlackBerry buzzed, distracting him from his comeback.
    Lucas took the opening and moved a fraction closer to Marisa. “We really have to get going. Have a nice evening.”
    â€œYou aren’t coming?”
    â€œNo,” Marisa said, grateful Lucas had the sense not to answer for her.
    Bradley glanced at Lucas, who stood tall, an immoveable wall of muscle and determination. Frowning, Bradley cut his losses, took Jennifer by the elbow, and said his good-byes.
    As the duo left, gratitude jostled Marisa past embarrassment. “Thank you.”
    Lucas’s gaze lingered on Bradley, much like a wolf stalked prey. “You aren’t comfortable around the guy.”
    â€œIt’s not that. I just don’t