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“I’m saying that I’d like to meet your sister and your niece. And spend some more time together.” She stumbled over the words. Why was this so hard? What was wrong with her?

He drew in a breath. “Izzy—”

“I hope they like me. I hope I fit in. I haven’t always fitted into families. I think after the way things were when I was young, I get nervous. I assume people are wishing I wasn’t around to spoil their fun. It makes me jumpy and wary and then I’m not at my best.”

“No one is going to expect you to be anything other than who you are. They won’t be judging, Izzy.” His tone was careful. “So you’re saying you want to meet my family. Why?”

Oh, for goodness’ sake!

“I love you.” With those three words, she launched herself into space, abandoning the safe little world she’d created for herself. “I love you. And if I’m not too late, and you haven’t changed your mind because I’m so, so bad at this and generally infuriating, then I’d really like to carry on infuriating you for as long as we both shall l—” She stopped herself. “Until you’ve had enough.”

He stared at her.

She waited for him to respond, to say something—anything—and when he didn’t, she swallowed.

“I’m saying it all wrong, aren’t I? I’m so bad at this, but in my defence I’ve never done it before. Hopefully, I’ll get better with practice and—”

She never managed to finish her sentence because he was kissing her with a fevered desperation. His mouth was hard and demanding, his hands locking her against him. She was oblivious to the frozen air and equally oblivious to Mabel and Brooke, who were watching from the library window, clutching each other with glee.

When he finally released her, she was breathless and dizzy.

She gave an unsteady laugh. “I didn’t say it wrong?”

“No.” Finally, he spoke, his voice rough. “Sorry I interrupted you. I’ve waited so long for you to say it and I’d resigned myself to the fact you probably never would. I still can’t quite believe it. If you wanted to say it again—”

“I love you.” This time it felt easy and she slid her arms around his neck, wondering why it had taken her so long to say something that felt so good. “I really do love you. I didn’t want to. I didn’t think I was capable of it, but it turns out that I am. And I’m completely terrified, but also excited and a bit giddy. There’s so much I want to say to you. So much I need to tell you—” The rest of her sentence was silenced as he kissed her again. Sensation shot through her and she wrapped her arms around him, although getting close wasn’t easy with all the layers they were wearing.

Her whole body was burning with need, and she wondered how it was possible to feel hot when everything around them was ice-cold.

Pleasure thickened and all coherent thought left her head.

She might have stayed there forever if he hadn’t slowly, reluctantly, lifted his head.

“Sorry—” His voice was unsteady. “I interrupted you again. That’s going to keep happening, I’m afraid.”

Had he interrupted her? She had no recollection of anything except that kiss.

“I can’t remember—”

“I think you were saying something about needing to tell me things. But you can take your time.” He kissed her again, slowly this time. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I’m not going anywhere.

She believed him, but even if she hadn’t, she still wouldn’t have changed her mind. She knew for sure now that this was where she was meant to be.

Finally, the cold penetrated her happy glow and she gave a shiver.

He pulled her closer.

“I want this moment to last forever, but we should go indoors.” He rubbed her arms. “You’re cold. I don’t want you to be cold.”

She felt cared for and loved, and the feeling was like being wrapped in a soft blanket and given a warm cup of cocoa. Despite the cold, she felt warm inside.

“I don’t want to go in. I love it out here. With you.” She stood in the circle of his arms, taking in the frozen beauty of their surroundings. The snow gleamed silver in the moonlight, the trees luminous and crystalline. Above them, the sky was studded with tiny stars shimmering in the winter sky. And she knew she didn’t need a photograph to remember this, because it was a moment she would never forget.

“So—” She looked up at him, her mouth close to his. “How is your Christmas so far?”

“Are you kidding?” He gave a slow smile. “I got to kiss you under the stars on Christmas Day. It doesn’t get better than that.”