Page 39 of Tis the Season
CHAPTER20
Alex continued to hover in the doorway. We stood silent, staring at each other. Even with the distance between us the tension was palpable.
I swallowed hard. After running out on him the way I had, I was aware I’d have to explain myself at some point. I just hadn’t expected to be doing that so soon.
‘I wasn’t interrupting anything, was I?’ Alex asked, at last, finding his voice.
Forced to compose myself, the room suddenly felt warm. ‘No,’ I replied, a little too quickly.
Alex took a step forward.
‘Erin happened to be passing, and Joyce popped in with a dinner invite.’ I waved my hands around as I spoke. ‘Although I’m not sure I want to go. Apparently Richard is a terrible cook.’ I let out a nervous laugh. ‘Then again, you know what Joyce can be like. Or maybe you don’t because you’ve only just moved here. Safe to say, she could be exaggerating.’
Alex smiled, making me aware my mouth was running away with itself once more. I clamped it shut and wondered what was wrong with me. Why, whenever I was within metres of Alex, did I have to rattle on?
Alex stepped forward again. ‘I wanted to say I’m sorry. For my behaviour the other night.’
His apology came as a surprise, and I stepped forward too. ‘No. I was the one in the wrong.’ I wiped my palms down my sides. ‘I’d had a tough evening. My head was all over the place and I was way too emotional.’ I looked at him direct. ‘I shouldn’t have fled the way I did. You didn’t deserve that. It was unwarranted.’
Holding my gaze, Alex came a bit closer. ‘I should’ve been more sensitive.’
‘Not at all. You were…’ I recalled his hand moving up and down my back. ‘…great.’ Yet again, Alex’s presence seemed to render me powerless and like he was some sort of magnet, I moved closer still.
He closed the gap between us completely. ‘The music was unnecessary.’
I envisaged us on our imaginary dance floor, twisting and twirling and singing our hearts out. I couldn’t think of a better way to have rid myself of the emotional turmoil I’d experienced, and I smiled just thinking about it. ‘Actually, that was the most fun I’ve had in ages.’
‘Even so. I wouldn’t want you to think I was taking advantage.’
My expression turned serious. No one could deny Alex was the epitome of tall dark and handsome, but behind his deep chestnut eyes there was a vulnerability; a need, almost, for me to believe his intentions that evening had been honourable. The fact he had the courage to show me what was going on under his surface made him even more attractive. ‘I just…’
Close enough for me to smell his now familiar scent, I had to stop myself from reaching up and touching his face and as my hand brushed against his, I tingled at his touch. Our eye contact remained firm and the fluttering in my chest increased. I became aware of my own heartbeat and felt the rise and fall of my chest as desire ran through my veins.
‘You just what?’ Alex asked, his voice quiet and gentle.
His face slowly moved towards mine and as his lips grew closer, I wanted nothing more than to feel his kiss. My heart beat even faster as his hand rested on my waist and my breath caught as he eased my body towards him. I closed my eyes in anticipation, desperate to feel his mouth pressed against mine. My lips parted and sensing they were about to connect with his, my whole body yearned.
My mobile sounded and our eyes snapped open.
We both froze and staring at each other, didn’t dare move. Finally, the phone went silent, and we immediately let go of each other. Alex ran a hand through his hair, seemingly as embarrassed as I was.
In need of a diversion, I turned to check my phone screen and seeing a missed a call from Gideon, a knot twisted in my stomach. After all my complaints about him and Julia, I felt an absolute hypocrite. I closed my eyes and scolded myself.What was I thinking?
Swallowing my guilt, I plastered a smile on my face and determined to pretend the last few minutes hadn’t happened, spun round to face Alex. ‘So, can I interest you in more wool for Grandma?’
Alex opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
I gestured to our surroundings. ‘We’ve got some lovely ranges to choose from.’
Confusion flitted across his face. ‘I think I’m good thanks.’ He started to say something else, but evidently changing his mind Alex instead took a step backwards. He indicated the door. ‘I should go.’
I fast nodded my head. ‘Hmm-hmm.’
Alex moved nearer to the exit. ‘I’ll see you in the pub, yeah?’
Again, I nodded. ‘Hmm-hmm.’
I kept my eyes on Alex as he grabbed the door handle and while a part of me wished he’d just leave already, another part wanted him to stay. I held my breath as he gave me one last look and let himself out.
