Chapter 18 #2
Jed sighed and leaned down to scratch the dog’s head. ‘I just want to get it right this time. Be – and I know I’ve said it before and you think it’s stupid – worthy of you,’ he finished, his forehead creasing. Midnight let out a low yip and went to sit under one of the tables.
‘Who gets to decide if you are?’ She folded her arms, feeling the first stirrings of temper. ‘Because from where I’m standing, you’re more than enough. I’ve told you that – and I made it perfectly clear when I was kissing you.’ It was hardly news.
His forehead crunched and his mouth pinched and she couldn’t help herself, she wanted to lean in and kiss him again.
To soothe the ache she could see arcing through his body.
She’d been passive for so long, it was almost her nature now.
But she had to change if she wanted something new.
She eased closer, her heart pounding, her blood pumping so fast she felt dizzy.
She wanted to kiss him, if she didn’t, she was probably going to combust.
Jed cleared his throat and abruptly took a step away. ‘About these lights.’
Mairi sucked in a breath as the surge of bravery sizzled and evaporated. ‘Aye.’ She went to pick up a multicoloured string and climbed a couple of steps on the ladder.
‘I can do it if you give them to me,’ Jed said roughly, pressing a warm palm to the back of her shin, making her insides melt like marshmallows on a warm flame.
‘It’s okay. I’m not going to risk you getting injured again just before the championships,’ she said.
‘Besides, I know where everything goes.’ She’d often helped Rhona hang the decorations when she was visiting the lodge.
She went up another step and hooked the strings as far as she could reach, then moved up a couple more so she could lean over to her right.
‘Careful,’ Jed rumbled as he kept his hand pressed against her leg and moved it up to her thigh, making the sticky marshmallows go up in flames.
The ladder wobbled as her body reacted and she felt Jed right it just as she hooked on the end of the string.
‘We’ll need to move the ladder so I can plug the lights in,’ she said, climbing down the steps and stopping on a lower rung when they were eye to eye.
He was gazing at her now and she could see the dark fire in the depths of his irises.
‘I dreamed of doing this,’ she said impulsively, letting her gaze roam across his face. She felt that spark of bravery again.
‘Decorating?’ he asked, his full lips tilting.
‘Aye, if you like. Married things.’ She swallowed, knowing she was pushing this.
But she wanted to be honest with him, wanted him to be just as honest with her.
‘Decorating, wrapping gifts, making mince pies.’ She shrugged.
‘There’s a lot to be said for normal. A lot of comfort in it.
’ Comfort that had been lacking in her life for a long time.
He blinked and she wondered what he was thinking. ‘It’s not as exciting as being showered with teddy bears and balloons or flowers,’ he said, looking unhappy. ‘If I can’t ski professionally again, I might not be able to give you much of that.’ He winced.
‘I’d rather make a bed or put up decorations with you any day.’ She wasn’t going to tell Jed about Harry and her being finished. Not yet. This wasn’t the time to bring up her almost boyfriend.
‘And I’d rather have this.’ She leaned forward and pressed her mouth softly to his, felt his sigh before she pulled away. Her lips were tingling and she wanted to do it again, but Jed cocked his head and scoured her face.
‘You should use that line in a book,’ he murmured. ‘It was very romantic.’ He looked serious. ‘I’m…’ He let out a long breath. ‘Finding it difficult to say no to you, Mairi – and I have to.’
She reached up and cupped his jaw. ‘And I haven’t even got the mistletoe out yet,’ she said lightly. ‘Plus, I’ve made shepherd’s pie for dinner – that’s a meal guaranteed to seduce and change stubborn minds. You really should just give in now.’
His breath gushed and he shut his eyes. ‘Shepherd’s pie.’ He shook his head. ‘You should really have led with that.’
This time it was Jed who leaned in and when his mouth met hers, it was hot and fierce.
The palm that had until moments ago been pressed to her thigh cupped her elbow and tugged her closer.
Mairi let herself fall, literally leapt off the ladder and into Jed’s arms before looping herself around his neck.
‘Bedroom.’ She pulled away far enough to say the words before kissing him again as the fire inside her, the need shot through her, hard and fast.
‘Ach, well. This really does look quite wonderful, at least it will,’ a gentle voice said behind them. ‘I mean – oh, no, I’m so sorry to interrupt,’ the woman faltered.
Midnight yapped and when Mairi pulled away, she saw Margo standing in the doorway, looking embarrassed.
‘Oh, don’t stop on account of me.’ She flushed and batted a hand.
‘I was looking for the pup or one of the wee cats. I thought they might keep me company in the sitting room.’ She pulled an uncomfortable face.
‘Just—’ She winced. ‘Go back to what you were doing.’ She began to slowly back away.
As she did, she bumped straight into Greer who’d clearly followed.
The woman glared at them and immediately tugged the small notebook from the pocket of her neat blue trousers.
‘At it again – you’re giving me so much material,’ she said grumpily before her head snapped up.
‘One of the cats, the black one with the one eye, is standing guard outside my bedroom. I need you to move it. I didn’t sleep last night and I need a nap. ’
‘I can do it,’ Jed said, helping Mairi untangle her arms from around his neck.
‘Oh let me,’ Margo said kindly. ‘Shadow can keep me company in the sitting room. You two –’ She wafted a hand. ‘– go back to what you were doing. There’s nothing quite as festive as young love.’
‘Or perhaps you should both get yourself into a cold shower again,’ Greer sneered as she followed Margo into the hallway. ‘There’s a time and place, and this is not it…’
‘I’m sorry,’ Mairi said as soon as they were alone. ‘I’ve made a mess of things. Greer’s going to write the lodge such a terrible review.’
‘It’s okay.’ Jed swallowed. ‘I—’ He gazed at her for a moment before shaking his head. ‘I’ll go and check on Aunt Effie. I’m sorry, but I think that’s for the best. At least for now…’
With that, he followed the two women out of the room, leaving Mairi wondering if things between them would change before Jed won the championship – and if he didn’t win, what that would mean.