Christmas Off Script (audiobook) Book #5 Foxbrooke Series

Leo Foxbrooke is Ella Chamberlain’s best friend, her rock, and the one person who is absolutely, 100% off-limits.

Kind, charming, and unfairly gorgeous, he’s the heart of Foxbrooke Manor. Meanwhile, she’s the girl who just got dumped, lost her apartment, and landed on his doorstep days before Christmas, looking like the ghost of bad decisions past.

Moving into his family’s fairytale home is supposed to be her chance to regroup, not lose her heart. But then she ends up in the room right next to his and somehow gets roped into the town Christmas play as his Cinderella. Those ‘practice kisses’ on stage? They’re setting her world on fire.

Leo’s always been her steady, unshakable constant. The one person she can count on, no matter what. But risking everything to follow the spark growing between them? That could cost her the one thing she can’t live without – him.

‘What’s next?’ Leo asked.

‘Trust falls,’ Ella replied. ‘We have to fall backwards and hope the other person catches us.’

He pulled a face. ‘I’ll crush you.’

‘Maybe we could put pillows on the floor?’

‘It’s too much of a risk. I don’t want you getting hurt.’

‘Could we do it on the bed? In a kneeling position, maybe?’ The moment the words were out of her mouth, she regretted every single one of them. Without glancing at his reaction, she pulled away, going back into the bedroom.

He followed her. ‘Okay, let’s give it a go.’ Kicking off his trainers, he stood on the four-poster bed, his head almost touching the canopy. ‘You fall first.’

Ella slowly unlaced her Converse. ‘This is silly.’

‘Yeah, but we’re good at being silly, and it means we can go back to Libby and say we did exactly what she wanted us to.’

‘Mirror, mirror on the wall? Since when was that a trust exercise?’

‘We improvised. That alone earns us a gold star. Now come up here and fall over.’

Shaking her head, she climbed onto the bed and faced away from him. ‘You ready?’

‘Yep!’

She let herself drop backwards, immediately feeling Leo’s strong arms around her.

‘What’s my rating on Trust-Fall-Pilot?’ he asked, his mouth right by her ear.

‘Definitely a five out of five,’ she replied, knowing she had to move, but wanting to stay right where she was.

He eased her up to stand. ‘Right, your turn. But I’ll crouch and you can kneel behind me.’

They swapped positions on the bed, and Ella dropped to her knees, her arms spread wide.

Leo crouched in front of her, wobbling as he struggled to keep his balance on the soft mattress. ‘You read—fuck!’ he cried, toppling backwards.

Unprepared for him to fall without warning, Ella fell back to the bed with his weight on top of her.

‘Shit!’ He leapt off and crouched above her. ‘You okay?’ 

She couldn’t keep her giggles inside. ‘This is ridiculous!’

Leo’s concern melted into a heart-stopping smile. ‘Hashtag nailed it.’ He lay on his side next to her, his head propped up on his hand. Magic seemed to dance in the air between them, but then his smile dimmed. ‘Ella,’ he began softly.

‘Yes,’ she replied, her heart beating faster.

‘You don’t have to kiss me in the panto.’

A wave of disappointment crashed through her. ‘It’s fine! I don’t mind. It’s just a peck.’

He frowned. ‘But I never want you to do anything you don’t want to.’

An insane flash of bravery moved her vocal chords before she could stop them. ‘Maybe we could practise first? So we know what to expect?’

His eyes widened slightly and his gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second. ‘Um, yeah. Good plan.’ He swallowed. ‘If you’re sure?’

‘I think it’s for the best,’ she replied, trying to keep her voice level.

‘Definitely.’ Leo’s voice seemed to have dropped several octaves. 

‘So… I give you permission to kiss me.’

‘Now?’

She nodded, no longer able to form words. Her body was burning with anticipation, desire blazing through every part of her, stealing the oxygen from her lungs. Leo looked unsure, his cheeks heightening with colour, but Ella no longer cared or questioned if this was real for him or not. All she cared about was that he did it before she combusted on the spot.

Then, just as she was terrified he wouldn’t, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers.

All sales are final.

There are no refunds given on digital products.

We can, however, issue a refund on a paperback if the order has not been processed yet (within the first hour of sale).

To initiate a return, contact us at: eviealexanderauthor.com