‘I’m sorry,’ he repeated.
And she knew from the husky timbre of his voice that he was apologising for much more. She blinked at him, wary and stupidly hopeful. Itwasstupid. Hadn’t she learned anything?
As she was battling between logic and emotion, his hand slipped around her waist and he gently tugged her towards him, his eyes never leaving hers. The move was so slow, the intent so clear, she could have moved if she really, really wanted to, but she was mesmerised by the soft apology and thoughtful concern in his gaze.
He tugged again, pulling her that last inch towards him, and cupped her face before gently kissing her, his thumb sliding along her cheekbone. The move completely melted the last of the rickety defence around her heart and her lips opened beneath his.
‘I really am sorry,’ he murmured against her lips. ‘I … I needed some time to think. When I realised Xanthe’s your mother, it completely threw me.’
She pulled back. ‘I can’t help who my mother is.’
‘I know. It’s just, she’s very…’
‘Loud?’ asked Izzy with a touch of ice in her words. ‘She’s also kind, enthusiastic and she’smymother and I love her.’
‘I know. I’m sorry, she reminds me of someone.’ He shook his head as if trying to dislodge a memory.
‘What exactly are you sorry for?’ she asked, because it clearly wasn’t just about her mother.
‘For kissing you and then abandoning you.’
‘Why did you?’
He lifted his hand to her face again. ‘That kiss floored me.’
The words left her speechless. It wasn’t what she was expecting at all.
‘Do you want to get some fresh air?’ he asked suddenly.
‘Yes.’
Five minutes later they were bundled up against the night air, walking down towards the loch. Above them the sky was clear, filled with thousands of pinpricks of distant light, but over on the horizon, lit up by the moon, was a bank of clouds, hovering with menace like invaders lurking on the border.
‘There’ll be a heavy frost in the morning,’ said Izzy.
‘More snow’s on the way. You can feel the nip of it in the air. A special type of coldness.’
‘Well, it had better stay away until our guests have arrived.’ A snowstorm was the last thing they needed. ‘It can snow on Christmas day and then we’ll have a white Christmas. That’ll please—’
‘McBride, I didn’t come out here to talk about the weather.’
‘You called me Izzy before.’
‘I did.’ He stopped and put his hands on her waist again, cradling her hips. ‘I meant what I said earlier. I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. I’ve been trying to pretend that I could ignore you – the attraction – but when I kissed you, it was something else. I’m … not good at relationships. I try and avoid drama and intense emotion at all costs. Of course, I’ve had relationships, but I like to keep them on an even keel.’ He stopped and his mouth curved in a wry smile. ‘That kiss threw me off a cliff.’
‘Oh.’ The words punched into her and all she could do was stare up at him, her lips parted in surprise, her eyes filled with wonder. ‘Oh,’ she said again because she needed to say something but it appeared that the power of speech had completely escaped her.
Men didn’t say things like that, did they? Not to women like Izzy. She was the good friend next door, sort of girl. So, it was a good job that he kissed her again.
Butterflies soared and danced in her stomach, swooping and diving, as her blood fizzed in her veins like Alka-Seltzer on speed. The touch of his lips just as intoxicating as the words ‘threw me off a cliff’, which reverberated over and over through her brain.
Joy, excitement, exhilaration – all whooshed through her, loosening the lid that had secured the feelings she’d been trying to keep in check for the last few days. The relief and happiness made her giddy. This man felt the same way about her as she did about him. After years of chasing hope, of unrequited feelings, it was a revelation.
At some point, snow began to fall, but they were so wrapped up in each other, it went unheeded until a large flake slid its way between them, landing on Izzy’s nose. She sighed and pulled back. Ross’s black hair was already covered in a fine layer of white.
‘We’re in danger of turning into snowmen if we stay here any longer,’ said Ross with a rueful smile.
‘It would be a good way to go,’ replied Izzy a touch dreamily, her lips tingling.
