The Christmas Tattoo by Tamsin Flowers

Author:Tamsin Flowers
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783751853
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The bell rang and the knocker knocked as Bradie was picking up her purse and her car keys.

‘Forget something, or did you have to come back for another kiss?’ she said, pulling open the door.

But it wasn’t Colt.

It wasn’t anyone she was expecting to see at this moment in time.

Kris Symons loomed on the porch.

‘Kris? What …?’

‘Hi, Bradie.’ His eyes raked up and down her. ‘You look good.’ Then they narrowed. ‘So, who were you expecting back for a kiss?’

Bradie stood, speechless, in front of the ex she had hoped she’d never lay eyes on again.

‘Not that it matters,’ said Kris, with a wave of his hand.

‘What are you doing here?’

Even in her own ears, her voice sounded shaky.

Kris’s expression changed to one she knew well: the patient father dealing with his tiresome child.

‘Bradie, are you going to invite me in or does the whole neighbourhood get to listen in on this?’

‘I’m on my way out, Kris. You need to tell me what you’ve come here for. And how did you know I was here?’

‘I met your dad in town and he gave me directions.’

‘Shit! My dad. I’m supposed to be picking him up right now. I’ve gotta go, Kris, so if you don’t mind …’

But with his football player’s bulk, Kris effectively blocked Bradie’s way off the stoop.

‘Bradie, give me a minute. Your dad’ll be fine on his own.’

Bradie didn’t want to hear what Kris had to say but it appeared she had no choice in the matter.

‘OK, Kris. You’ve got one minute. Speak.’

Frowning, Kris glanced up and down the street. Then he took a deep breath.

‘Bradie, I know I hurt you and what I did was wrong …’

Bradie’s eyebrows shot up.

‘I’m not with Kate any more; it didn’t work out. I want to be with you again, to have Christmas together like normal.’

Bradie couldn’t believe her ears. She was speechless for the second time in less than two minutes.

‘I miss you, Bradie,’ Kris continued. ‘I’m sure you must miss me. Just a little bit?’

He stepped forward and stroked a strand of Bradie’s red hair. He was close enough for her to detect the heat radiating from his body, to smell the familiar aroma of his cologne mingled with his sweat. Somewhere, deep inside her, she detected a glimmer of a response. But she wasn’t interested in teasing it to life. She certainly didn’t want reconciliation with the man who’d sent her to hell and back.

‘You’re kidding, Kris?’

‘You think I would drive all the way up here from DC if I wasn’t damned serious?’

Bradie reversed a step; her back crushed up against the door jamb.

‘You’d better go.’

‘Come on, Bradie.’ His voice took on a pleading tone she’d always despised. ‘We were good together. Promise me you’ll think about it. Come for a drink this evening and we can talk more.’

‘No, Kris, there’s nothing to talk about.’

Kris took another step forward. He had invaded her personal space now, effectively trapping Bradie where she stood.

‘Don’t let one of these small-town boys turn your head, Bradie.

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