Rekindled, a Christmas Novella by Marliss Melton

Author:Marliss Melton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: southern, christmas, short story, north carolina, navy seals, seals hero, miliitary
Publisher: Marliss Melton

Chapter Eight

Alex weaved through the crowd with long, purposeful strides, desperate to escape the madness of the holiday shoppers. With the feeling that he had dodged mines all morning, he hefted his bags more securely in his grasp and made a beeline for the nearest exit.

The shopping mall three days before Christmas was as treacherous as any warzone he’d ever been in. He’d been bumped into, cursed at, and finally, hit on by crazy Mrs. Finnegan who had gotten a little handsy during their brief encounter.

The corners of his mouth turned up, and he shook his head. Not exactly the female he wanted pinching his butt as he bent over to pick out a green sweater for his mother, but she had managed to bring a smile to his face. Considering how badly his day had ended the night before, he hadn’t been sure he’d ever smile again.

After analyzing his and Tori’s latest encounter, he’d concluded he was fighting a losing battle. How could she have stood that close to him, their bodies brushing, their hands touching, and not have turned to him and said she still loved him? Instead, while he was aching to put his arms around her and kiss her senseless, she’d insisted she belonged with Peyton, and she’d ordered Alex to leave.

As if all the years they’d spent together and everything they’d shared meant nothing.

Obviously, he couldn’t persuade her to switch her life around and instantly love him the way she used to. He’d done his best to show her what she still meant to him. He’d given her several opportunities to rekindle what they’d had, and she’d rejected him—at least with her words.

Her body, however, had told a different story. He’d felt her respond to him. He’d seen her pupils dilate as she’d gazed into his eyes. He’d caught her staring at him when he’d sprawled across her kitchen floor to fix her sink. Felt the unmistakable thrum of her pulse under his hand as he held her wrist. She wasn’t as immune to him as she let on.

Honestly, those telltale signs were the only things keeping him from throwing in the towel completely.

The press of people thickened as he neared the food court just beyond JCPenney. As Alex veered left, hoping to avoid the congestion, awareness prickled his nape and he canvassed the incoming shoppers for a cause.

A flash of russet hair caught his eye, causing him to slow his step as he automatically checked to see if it was Tori. His pulse spiked when he recognized her, still wearing her winter coat. Standing just outside the entrance of the store, she had her back to him, gesticulating with animated movements at her companion. Alex’s eyes slid two feet to the right, and he came to a sudden halt.

Knowing Tori was involved with Peyton was one thing, but seeing them together was a kick in the balls.

* * *

Tori had been looking forward to the crowds and the clamor, but it was stressing Peyton out which, in turn, stressed her out.

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