Holiday Fling by Victoria H. Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

that true?
    “You want the feeling of love, but you don’t want the emotions that come with it. Because if there are no emotions you can’t get hurt. And your fling every year is the one time you get to have that.”
    She looked up at him, biting her lip.
    “Does that sound about right?” He threaded his hand through her hair.
    She hung her head. “What can I do?”
    He tipped her chin. “Well, you can start by seeing where this goes with us. Maybe talking to your parents wouldn’t hurt, either.”
    She averted her eyes from his. “But what if I can’t? What if I’m not strong enough? I’ll hurt you. I don’t want that. I don’t want you to hurt.”
    He brought her chin back again. “Tarrah, with relationships there’s always that possibility, and I’m strong enough to handle it.”
    Without another thought, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She was ready for this. To do this with him. She’d desired solidarity in a real relationship for so long, but always let her fear of being left alone and hurt outweigh the desire. She wasn’t going to do that any longer. She was right to try this with Chase. Even after everything she had put him through that day, he was still willing to take a chance on them and what they could have. If he was willing to take that chance, so was she. She could be just as strong as him. They could be strong together.
    He lay them down together, securing the blankets around them, before wrapping Tarrah up in his strong arms.
    She sniffed against his shirt, finally ending those tears. And her skin tingled every time he kissed her brow.
    “Tarrah?”
    Pulling back, she stared into his eyes.
    “Merry Christmas.” His eyes shifted toward her clock.
    It was finally midnight. 12:05 a.m. to be exact. She had made it through the entire evening with him, the entire Christmas Eve. They were still together and hopefully for quite a while.
    “And, Tarrah?”
    Her brows quirked up.
    He smiled and brought her close. “I’m starting school here in the spring for my last semester of med school. I have some broken fences that have long needed to be mended with my family. So we really do have a chance… us.”
    She slid her hands to his cheeks and kissed him softly. She couldn’t believe it. The one year, the one time she didn’t have just a fling, was the best Christmas Eve of all. He’d gotten his ultimate Christmas wish at the bank that day and she realized… she finally had, too.

 
Tarrah’s Holiday Fling Playlist
    “8 Days of Christmas” – Destiny’s Child
    “All I Want for Christmas is You” – Mariah Carey
    “Christmas Time is Here” – Vince Guaraldi
    “Christmas Tree” – Lady Gaga
    “Christmas Wrapping” – Spice Girls
    “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” – N*Sync
    “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Johnny Marks
    “Mistletoe” – Colbie Caillat
    “Oh, Santa!” – Mariah Carey
    “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” - Gene Audry
    “Santa Baby” – Kylie Minogue
    “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole
    “The Christmas Song” – N*Sync
    “Winter Paradise” – Destiny’s Child
    “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney

 
Tarrah’s Favorite Holiday Films
    A Charlie Brown Christmas
    A Christmas Carol
    A Christmas Story
    Elf
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    It’s a Wonderful Life
    Love Actually
    The Polar Express
    The Santa Clause

 
Acknowledgements
    I want to take a quick moment to thank my family and friends. Without your love and encouragement, this project wouldn’t be possible.
    Thanks hubs! I can’t believe you still read all my stories! I appreciate everything you do for me.
    A special thanks to my awesome CPs and betas: Carrie, Courtney, Jennifer, and Jaycee. You ladies rock!
    Shout out to my NA Sisters! Hearts you ladies!
    Most importantly, I want to thank the readers and the book blogging and writing community. Thanks for sticking with me peeps, and I hope to continue bringing you more kooky heroines and smexy heroes!
    Oh,