A Touch of Winter (A Short Story) Read Online Free Page A

toll.
    Abbie hated that she felt so needy. Hated that she checked her messages a dozen times a day hoping to hear from him. Hated seeing her best friends Kit and Kevin together, the way Kevin looked at her friend when he stroked her rounded abdomen while knowing she and Jack would never have that.
    She was a reporter who travelled the world from one political hot spot to another, but settling down with a Hollywood superstar had never been on her bucket list. Now she seldom thought of anything else. But how could she say that to Jack? How could she confess to him that he was the one, and how could she survive if he didn’t feel the same?
    The iPod had switched to Adele and the music sounded loud in the silence. Abbie bit her lip. Jack hadn’t responded.  He was obviously embarrassed by her confession. She had guessed wrong, risked everything and failed.  There was no going back to casual after this.  She stood up and steeled her face into a smile. Her mask. 'Well, I guess that’s it.'
    Abbie was amazed that she sounded so controlled. She stood up and moved towards the door. Her sister would be so proud of her.  Never let them know they hurt you.  Hold your head up and walk away .
    'Where do you think you’re going?' Jack asked.
    Abbie shrugged. 'Out,' she said. 'I need some fresh air.'
    'Running away again?'
    She ignored the question. Don’t turn around. Don’t  look at him.  Don’t let him see —
    'Abbie.' The sharp edge of command in his voice stopped her in her tracks. 'You’ve told me how you feel. Don’t you want to know if I feel the same?'
    She heard the thump of a cushion falling to the floor as he rose from the couch. Abbie held perfectly still as fear fought with hope. Jack’s warm hands caressed her shoulders and he pulled her against him.
    'My brave girl.' His tone was soothing.  The movie star accent was gone and the lilt was back. Her Jack.
    'Those are the three most terrifying words in the world – I need you.'
    Her resolve melted into an unladylike snort as Jack wrapped his arms around her. 'I love you too, Abbie. Every day without you is torture and if you run away from me again you won’t be able to sit for a week.'
    Abbie turned in his arms, burrowing her way into his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him. He loved her. Jack loved her.
    His hand fisted in her hair and he pulled her head back. Abbie braced herself for his rough kiss. Instead, he was gentle. Licking and kissing each tear from her cheeks. Then he stared at her, his eyes dark with intent. 'I want you.'
    'Mmmm?' she felt giddy now. He loved her. Loved her .
    Jack tugged his shirt from his pants. 'There’s a king sized bed downstairs and it seems a shame to waste it. Come on.' He held her hand as he went down the stairs. As soon as he reached the bedroom, he stripped. Abbie stared. Jack’s naked body was a work of art.
    'Strip.' He didn’t bother turning around. He was back in Dom mode.  He fingers reached involuntarily for the edge of her skimpy tee. She hesitated for a moment before pulling it over her head and tossing it on the floor.
    'Panties.' His voice came in a low rasp.
    She shimmied them down her legs and stepped out of them. Leaving them on the floor.
    'Come here.'
    She crossed the distance that separated them and curved her body against his.  Soft flesh against hard muscle. Her five-foot-six frame dwarfed by his six-foot-two.  Jack always made her feel small, feminine. His. Abbie stood, clinging to him, relishing the feeling of his skin against hers.
    'I love you, Abbie.'
    His voice was hoarse, the lilt strong. His words were not practiced or rehearsed.  A simple confession from man to woman.
    She placed a kiss on his chest, relishing the feel of him, licking the salt from his skin. She nuzzled his skin again. Licking her way slowly down abs, cupping the muscular cheeks of his butt, tracing a path with her nail along his right hip, sliding her hand around to stroke his erect cock.
    'You’re treading on