Page 56 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘Me too.’
‘Your face is white. You’re in shock.’
Jessica’s teeth were now chattering. ‘I should probably go home.’
He shook his head and took a long, ragged breath. ‘Come back to mine. Let me get you warmed up properly, Jess. And then I’ll take you back home to Rowan Bay.’
Jessica was shivering and her mouth felt dry. She nodded at Reuben and he took her shopping bags from her, then reached for her hand, wrapping his fingers tightly around hers.
‘Much as I’d like to grab a taxi, I think we’ll be quicker getting the train.’
She nodded slowly and followed him in a daze as he led her to the platform downstairs. There were only a few stops to whereReuben’s flat was in Hyndland and a train was about to leave. He led her on, his hand at the small of her back, which was reassuring and made her feel better. It made her feelsafe.She was also too aware of the fact that the nerves in her body were tingling at his touch. It didn’t matter how hard she tried not to be, she was so attracted to him, and even more so after he had come to her rescue. The journey was brief and they didn’t talk at all. As they left the station, the snow started to fall, and Reuben pulled her close. He kept his arm round her until they got back to his flat, which was a main door apartment in a Victorian building five minutes’ walk from the station.
Opening the door, he put down her shopping bags then took her snow-covered jacket from her and she slipped off her shoes.
‘Come and sit down,’ he said, leading her to the sofa. ‘I’ll make you some tea.’
‘Thank you.’ She sank onto the sofa gratefully, shivering.
‘Here,’ he said, placing a blanket over her shoulders. ‘Hopefully you’ll start to warm up soon.’
While she waited for him to make the tea, she curled her feet up underneath her and burrowed into the seat. It was dark outside now and she stared at the glow of the street lamps and watched the snow as it fell more heavily and started to blanket the road. She listened to the sounds of horns honking and sirens outside. It was so noisy compared to home. Looking around, she realised that there were no photographs on the walls and no personal touches. Although it was stylishly decorated, with its polished wooden flooring and period touches like the cast iron fireplace with its tiled hearth, she couldn’t help noticing how sparsely decorated it was in comparison to Primrose Cottage. It felt like a functional living space rather than a home.
‘It’s a bit different to Primrose Cottage,’ he said, walking back into the room with two mugs.
‘You must have read my mind.’ She smiled as he handed her a mug. ‘It’s just very . . . different. A bachelor’s pad.’
The air felt charged as though something was about to happen. She leaned forward and put her mug on the floor, her hands growing clammy. She knew she wanted to kiss him. But all of a sudden she was overcome with nerves.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Reuben stood up to close the shutters and took a steadying breath as he stared at the snow outside. He was conscious that it was dark and people walking past could see into his lounge. He couldn’t quite believe that Jessica was here with him in his flat and the circumstances that had brought her here. Reuben was furious at the way she’d been treated in town and hated to think what would have happened if he hadn’t been there. He had been so worried about her and his priority was to get her away and make sure she was okay. Even though he longed to wrap his arms around her, he didn’t want to overstep the mark especially when she’d had such a shock. But he knew he hadn’t imagined the look in her eyes today. He had to stop himself from kissing her at the train station even though he desperately wanted to. But first he knew he owed her an apology.
He turned round and went to sit down beside her on the sofa. ‘I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I’ve been offhand with you.’ His eyes searched hers. ‘I didn’t mean to be. I just didn’t know what to do with my feelings and that wasn’t fair on you.’
‘I thought I’d done something wrong,’ said Jessica quietly.
He shook his head. ‘It was me. I thought there was something between us especially after that kiss at the cottage. But then Belinda turned up and then I heard you on the phone at the inn. And I got the impression you weren’t interested because I had been married.’
She nodded. ‘Mum told me you’d come by to see me at the inn.’
‘I know. I did. It’s my own stupid fault. And I’m sorry. I should have spoken to you rather than jumping to conclusions.’ He waited, anxious that he hadn’t overstepped the mark.
‘I’m sorry. I think we’ve both been confused. I wasn’t talking about you on the phone, Reuben. I was talking about Tim.’ She glanced away. ‘After he died, I found out he’d been married.’
He gently tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. ‘And you thought I would judge you for it?’
She nodded. ‘I had no idea and if I had . . . then there’s no way I would have gone anywhere near him. I hate the thought of getting in the way of someone’s relationship.’
‘Well, I’m soon to be divorced which I know, on paper, may not be the best catch . . . but I am very much a free agent.’ He held his breath, waiting for her to respond.
She smiled and moved closer, leaning towards him and kissing him softly.
Reuben kissed her back, all the tensions and questions that had been hanging between them disappearing. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead lightly against his.
‘Sorry to spoil the moment,’ she said with a gentle laugh. ‘But can I just go and freshen up?’
He cleared his throat. ‘Of course. It’s just through the hall and to the right.’ He watched her, his gaze unblinking.
