The Christmas Gift From The Past

By V. Steele

Eve walked into the bathroom that adjoined her room. She washed her face and looked in the mirror at her reflection. Why did he still affect her this way? She wanted him just as much today as she had back then. She’d tried to convince herself that she didn’t want him anymore, but her body and heart had other ideas.
When she walked back in her room he was sitting on the bed. She stopped and looked at him. Oh he was still good looking. His hair was graying around the edges, but those hazel eyes could see straight through to her heart.
He stood up and stepped toward her. “Don’t Tad.”
“Eve, I’d never hurt you.” He reached out but dropped his hand to his side.
She made a grunting noise as she sneered at him. “You’d never hurt me. Are you kidding? Didn’t you think that would hurt me when you took my virginity and then left the next morning for ten years?”
“Baby I didn’t think I was the man for you then. I had to prove to myself that I was worthy of you.”
“Don’t baby me. I loved you then.” She closed her mouth quickly before she said her heart still pined for him.
“I was in love with you too. I didn’t realize it until we made love and I realized the gift you’d given to me. Your innocence was the most precious gift and I didn’t feel like I deserved it.” He stepped a little closer.
“Tad, your idea of love is a little flimsy. You got what you wanted. Why do you want to see me now?” She crossed her arms across her chest as if to protect her from him.
“When Tony told me you were coming home for Christmas my heart leaped with excitement. I’ve been waiting for ten years for you to come home.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: V. Steele
• Release date: Dec 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310192579

V. Steele

An author that loves all things romance. Just trying to make it real in a crazy world. Try it, you might like it.

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The Christmas Gift From The Past

By: V. Steele

A Horseshoe Book

The Christmas Gift From The Past

December 2013

Edited by:

Horseshoe Publishing

Georgia (USA)

Copyright © 2013 by V. Steele

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email the publisher at [e-mail].

Chapter 1

Ten years earlier…

Eve sat in the bar watching Tad stroll up to her. She’d been in love with him as long as she could remember. The problem was he didn’t want a serious relationship. He’d been married years ago and it had turned him sour on relationships. He’d called saying he needed to talk to her.

They’d been seeing each other for a couple of months. Well, really you couldn’t call it dating. She’d go to his house or him to hers and they’d talk for hours then end up kissing until dawn. They’d never really gone out anywhere. So when he’d invited her to meet him at the bar she’d been thrilled.

He was the most eligible bachelor in town. His dark hair and hazel eyes were a major plus, not to mention he owned a small horse ranch just out of town. He was a cowboy through and through. He wore jeans everywhere and his Stetson was always near.

When he’d married a girl from the horse show circuit five years ago, she’d gone into a depression. Her heart had been completely broken to pieces. The fact was they’d actually been playing at dating for a long time. He was much older than her, but as soon as she turned eighteen he’d started coming around more and winking sending her young heart soaring. Then one night she’d went to his barn and he’d kissed her goodnight. It wasn’t a kiss between friends but a heated kiss. That had cinched it for her.

Hey Eve, let’s grab a table in the back. He put his arm around her waist and walked her to the vacant table at the very back of the bar. The lighting was dim and smoky in this area.

I was surprised when you actually wanted to go out instead of staying in. The staying in was alright with her. Being with Tad was definitely an adventure. He knew his way around and made her feel like she was the only woman in his world.

Let’s order. What’re you drinking? He motioned to her drink that was almost gone.

Whiskey Sour. She said as he motioned for the waitress.

We need a draft beer and whiskey sour please. He winked at the waitress and this made her grin on her way back to the bar.

That was one of Tad’s problems. He was a big flirt. At least he sat in the same side of the booth with her.

When their drinks were brought he took a sip of his beer and set it back on the table. He seemed a little nervous as he swirled the ice around on the side of the mug.

Is there something wrong? She finally couldn’t stand it anymore.

We need to talk. He finally turned in the seat and put his arm across the back.