Golden Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

them, sliding them down to cup her jaw, then into her hair
where his fingers brushed the delicate shape of her ears among the
silky strands.
    He wanted to fall forward into her, lose
himself in this woman in gratitude for giving him this moment. Even
if it was all he ever had with her, he would never forget.
    "Do you see me in your head now?" Her voice
was soft, a little husky, and the tone stroked across his
senses.
    "I see you and I feel you. You have no idea
how amazing it is."
    She pulled her hands away from his, and he
missed her touch for a moment before her fingers stroked his cheek
and she cradled the side of his face in a hand. "I see you too,"
she said.
    He felt wetness on her cheeks and wiped away
her tears with his thumbs. "Don't cry."
    She sniffled and turned her face into his
palm. "You're the first man I've really seen since I lost my
husband."
    Jonathan leaned towards her and rested his
forehead on hers, that slender nose of hers bumping his. Emotion
rose in his chest, a hot tide of need and hope like ocean waves
tumbling on a barren, dry beach.
    He wanted a woman to love, a woman to share
his life with. Only in the hazy moments before sleep when he was
tired and lonely did he admit how much. When anyone asked, he
pretended he was fine on his own. Sometimes he even believed the
lie.
    "I've been so lonely, Jon. It's my own fault
but…"
    The catch in Vicky's voice roused his
protective instincts. He drew her closer and wrapped his arms
around her, pressing his lips to the fragrant silk of her hair.
"I'm here for you. Whatever you need. I'm here."
    She snuggled into his chest. The tantalizing
feel of her hands traveled over his ribs and back as they clung
together. "These past two days have been incredible for me," he
whispered. "To have you here is…" He wasn't good at explaining how
he felt. Better to show her.
    Jonathan slid his fingers among the silky
strands of her hair, cradled her head, and lowered his face until
the warmth of her breath touched his skin. Then he pressed his lips
to hers.

Chapter
Seven
    Vicky
tossed and turned all night, her dreams full of Jonathan, his
gentle fingers on her hair and face. She longed for him to kiss her
again, to feel his lips against hers and his hands on her skin.
    She floated in a sleepy haze of desire for
this man she'd known for only a few days. Then a memory of Colin
drifted through her mind, and the feelings for Jonathan were washed
away by a surge of guilt and shame, jolting her awake. How could
she be attracted to Jonathan when she loved Colin? He'd been her
childhood sweetheart, her soul mate, the only man she'd ever wanted
to be with.
    Yet as she tried to picture Colin's face, she
couldn't. Breathless with distress, she grabbed her phone from the
nightstand and scrolled to her precious photographs of Colin and
Josh. She loved them both so much. If she forgot them and moved on,
it would be as though they'd never existed, and she couldn't let
that happen.
    She scrubbed a hand over her eyes. Being with
Jonathan confused her, leaving her mind in a tangle. She trusted
him and enjoyed his company, but she didn't want him to push her
husband and son out of her thoughts—especially not at this time of
year when she should be remembering them more than ever.
    Sitting up, she pushed back her tangled hair.
Although Jonathan lived right next to her room, she'd have to find
a way to avoid him today. She needed space to get her head straight
and sort out her priorities. Otherwise he'd continue to slip past
her defenses and creep deeper into her affections.
    Footsteps creaked on the floorboards outside,
along with the click of Honey's claws. She glanced at the time on
her phone and realized it was morning. Jonathan must be taking his
dog outside. Once he was back in his apartment, she would slip out
and go for a long run to avoid him for a while.
    Instead of going away, the footsteps came
closer, then a knock sounded on her door. "Blast," she whispered.
She could ignore him