‘I messed up.’
His hand brushed against hers and she could hear the struggle to keep his voice steady.
‘I know I upset you, and I’m sorry for that—so very sorry. That’s why I came over…to tell you, to explain, to apologise.’
His clear green eyes were fixed on her face, as if he was scared to look away in case she vanished.
‘I know it’s probably too late, and I will completely understand if you never want to speak to me again—’
‘You will?’ she asked incredulously.
He screwed up his face. ‘Not really. I’m just trying to think of anything and everything I can say that will make things go back to how they were before.’
‘Do you mean before today? Or the “before” before that?’ she said softly. ‘I think we need to be clear. Just to be on the safe side. I mean, we do seem to make a habit of being at cross-purposes.’
‘Are you?’
A pulse throbbed through her body as he took a step closer.
‘Still cross with me, I mean?’
Should she be? He had hurt her, and yet it wasn’t that simple. There were old hurts and, yes, they had talked about the past, but it was naive to think that one conversation would act as a balm to those wounds.
‘I was cross, and upset—’
This time his hand took hers. ‘I never wanted to upset you.’ His fingers curled around hers. ‘And I want to make it up to you if you’ll let me. If you’ll give me a second chance.’
She felt the world grow hazy. Whatever happened, he was going to leave in ten days. All she would be doing was postponing the inevitable, making him more necessary to her existence.
But he was so beautiful, and she wanted him.
‘What do you have in mind?’ she asked.
He pulled her closer. So close that she could feel his heartbeat slamming into her body.
‘That depends. How much time can you spare me?’
She pretended to think. ‘I have ten days free.’
A breeze stirred between them, loosening her hair. Reaching out, he tucked the stray strands behind her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek.
‘And nights?’
‘Only nine, I’m afraid.’
His eyes glittered in the weak sunlight. ‘Could you pencil me in?’
Her heart felt as if it might burst. She felt almost weightless with happiness. But she needed to be sure…to make sure nothing came between them this time.
‘If that’s what you want. To be with me.’
Tilting her face up to his, he kissed her gently. ‘I’ve never been more certain of anything. There’s nowhere else I want to be. Unless you’ve changed your mind?’
‘I haven’t,’ she said simply.
His hands surrounded her face and they kissed again. The lost look in his eyes had faded and he was back in control.
‘Can I take you to lunch now? It’s a hotel up near Loch Ashie. It’s a bit of distance by car. But we won’t be going by car…’