Read Winter's Touch (Immortal Touch Series) for Free Online Page A

point prayed zealously for his untimely demise. Personally, Eva favored spontaneous combustion.
    And now, as if Introduction to Psychology wasn’t exasperating enough, there was the poor American Government grade to contend with.
    But t he fun didn’t end there. The day care where she was employed part time suddenly decided cuts should be made due to a recent decrease in enrollment. Of course the college student with no family to support would be the first to go. Today would be her last day. So sorry we couldn’t give you more notice, sweetie! But we’ll be more than happy to write you a reference.
    And as a parting gift, Macy Richardson’s mother was half an hour late picking her up. For some reason the woman felt the need to unload on someone about her jerk of an ex-husband who was making her life miserable, while all Eva could do was nod sympathetically and not-so-discreetly check her watch every so often. It was after six-thirty and dark by the time she called her mother for a ride, but of course there was no answer. What did she expect? That the gods of chaos were going to take pity on her now?
    “ Hey Mom. I’m just now getting off work and I think I’m just gonna walk home. I need to clear my head. You have no idea what kind of day I’ve had. I just got laid off, can you believe that? Nice, huh? Anyway, don’t worry about picking me up. I’ll be home in a bit. Love you.”
    Shoving the cell phone into her pocket , she wearily started home, limping in the boots that hadn’t turned out to be such a bargain. She tried to look at things optimistically. Things could be worse, right? At least she didn’t have a lunatic ex-husband to fend off. And cheap footwear aside, the walk wouldn’t kill her. Besides, the day care wasn’t that far from home.
    Unfortunately she was already three blocks away by the time she realized she’d forgotten not only her books and laptop but her purse as well.
    And then, out of nowhere, it began to rain.
    She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was as if there was some cosmic force determined to mark October fifth as undisputed number one in the Guinness Book of Crap Days . Even the moon was hiding behind a cluster of dark clouds, refusing to light her way. The rain came down harder, soaking her hair and drenching her to the skin. It was all so utterly absurd, it was almost comical.
    And so, when the black SUV pulled to the curb alongside her and stopped, she could hardly believe her luck had turned.
    The passenger window lowered, and for a split second she didn’t recognize the driver. Until he leaned toward her and she got a better look.
    There was no mistaking him then. The tall, fair-haired, impossibly handsome man who once lived next door. Her heart fluttered strangely. Something about him had always elicited unease from her, and even though ten years had passed since he’d moved away she felt it still.
    “Mr. Winter?”
    Even through the darkness of the stormy night, she fancied she could see a predatory gleam in his black eyes.
    “Hello, little Eva. My, how you’ve grown.”
    ~ *~*~
    It was dry and comfortable inside the vehicle, if not very warm. Sopping wet and chilled to the bone, Eva snuggled against the seat with her arms crossed, shivering. Resting her head against the leather, she surveyed her former neighbor. He hadn’t changed in the slightest. Still looked exactly as she remembered him, although back then she hadn’t been old enough to realize just how incredibly gorgeous he was. She’d never in her life seen anyone so physically breathtaking. His profile was that of a god.
    Must have been blessed with really good genes. Because h e looked to be in his early twenties...but he couldn’t be, could he? By now he must be well past thirty, at least. If the fountain of youth existed, then he’d found it.
    “I’m so glad you came along. The storm took me by surprise.”
    He switched off the radio, interrupting the strains of a popular Flyleaf song. “It