Page 69 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
Murray raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. ‘The love room awaits you.’ Murray stood up and looked over at Carolyn. ‘I’ll come with you to see Mum and Dad.’ He then waited until she and Jessica were out of earshot in the kitchen with Lexi, before placing a hand on Reuben’s arm. ‘Just remember, the third stair from the top still creaks and Jessica’s door also tends to squeak. You know . . . just thought I’d mention it.’
Reuben breathed a sigh of relief. There was obviously no need to worry that Murray was going to be annoyed about him and Jessica getting together. He was practically encouraging it. But he didn’t want to say anything that would confirm things either way. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I’m a total gentleman, as you well know. I’m just here to enjoy Christmas with you all.’
‘What was that?’ said Carolyn as she and Jessica came back through with Lexi.
Reuben smiled pleasantly at Carolyn. ‘I was just telling your husband that he is a very lucky man. I don’t know how you put up with him. He’s a complete pain in the neck.’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Murray linked his arm through Reuben’s. ‘I always know I can rely on you to say the right thing. And that is why I have missed you. It’s great to be back.’
‘The bromance is back then?’ teased Jessica.
Murray shook his head in exasperation.
‘You guys go ahead and have some time with Mum and Dad,’ Jessica said to Murray and Carolyn. ‘Reuben and I will come up in half an hour or so to get food in the oven. Just make sure Mum doesn’t try and do anything. You know what she’s like even with a broken arm.’
‘Will do,’ said Murray, pulling on his jacket. He gave them both a look. ‘See you soon.’
As soon as the front door closed, Reuben turned and pulled Jessica towards him, kissing her hungrily on the lips. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that all afternoon,’ he said.
She smiled at him. ‘I know. Me too.’
‘By the way, I think your brother knows about us.’
She hooked her hands around his neck and leaned up to kiss him again. ‘He doesn’t. He’s just teasing you.’
He levelled his gaze on hers. ‘Does it bother you if he does?’
She crinkled her nose for a moment then looked up at him. ‘Not in the slightest. But I quite like all this subterfuge. It feels a bitnaughty.Let’s just try and keep it our secret while we can.’
Chapter Forty-Seven
Jessica realised some secrets were not meant to last. Especially when her big secret, Reuben, was in such close physical proximity. It was Christmas Day and she had woken up with a grin on her face when she realised that Reuben was lying next to her. Ironically, he wasn’t in bed with her because they’d had a night of wild passion but because they’d sat up late chatting.
‘Hey,’ he said, looking at her with a smile. ‘Good morning, Jessie. Merry Christmas.’ He leaned across to kiss her.
She groaned. ‘So much for us keeping this under wraps. I just hope you don’t come face to face with my mum at my doorway.’
He chuckled. ‘I know, and there we were having such a reckless and thrilling night too. My chat was so scintillating that you fell asleep mid-sentence.’
She giggled. ‘I’m sure this is a first for you, Reuben Campbell. Have you ever just slept in bed with a woman without actually sleepingwithher?’
He rolled onto his side and tucked the pillow under his head, his eyes twinkling mischievously. ‘I think you’ve got the wrong impression of me. What makes you think that I was ever that type of guy?’
She looked at him incredulously. ‘Because you absolutely were. And you know it. You were known as the Lothario of Rowan Bay.’
He looked at her in disbelief. ‘I wasn’t that bad, was I?’
‘Yes,’ said Jessica firmly. ‘You were known as a total ladies’ man.’
He looked sheepish and chewed his lower lip. ‘What can I say? I am a different and better human being now.’
She wriggled closer to him so their faces were just inches away. ‘I do hope so.’ His dark eyes swept over her and she grazed her lips against his.
Reuben kissed her deeply back, then gazed at her. ‘I wish we could stay like this all day.’
‘Me too,’ she said, her heart starting to race as he moved to kiss her again.
Then they heard clattering and banging downstairs.
