CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I was aware of nothing in that moment, except for his eyes... the curve of his lips... the tantalising male scent of him...
A feeling of deep desire took over, and feeling a little unsteady, I swayed backwards and Xander caught me firmly against him.
The sudden movement broke the spell between us and I laughed. And after a second, so did he.
‘Sorry about that. I thought I was going to faint there,’ I mumbled.
‘I’m glad I was here to catch you.’
‘Me, too.’
An announcement came over the loud-speaker system. And that’s when we remembered where we were and that people were staring at us, caught in a romantic clinch in the middle of the hospital reception area!
We moved apart and I cleared my throat. ‘So, anyway, the news is good. But Dad’s asleep now so I guess I’d better go and get some sleep myself so that I can come back here in the morning.’
Xander nodded. ‘Good plan. Come on.’
He took my hand and we walked together to the entrance. And it occurred to me then that being with Xander made me feel safe in a way that being with Les never had.
With Les, I’d always been a little on edge, half-expecting him to do or say something that would unsettle me. I hadn’t realised it at the time but I’d been continually walking on eggshells.
The feeling of being with Xander was so different. It was light and breezy – and fun. And I didn’t have to worry that he was watching my every word, waiting to correct me because it made him feel good to be superior.
Xander was self-assured and relaxed in his own skin.
He didn’t need to feel superior . . .
The feeling of my hand tucked firmly in his as we walked out to the car was giving me a floaty, breathless feeling inside, as if at any moment, my feet might leave the ground and we’d soar into the night sky together!
On the drive back, my phone pinged and it was an email from Clara.
When I saw what she’d written, delighted laughter burst out of me and I turned to Xander. ‘I don’t believe it. Clara’s just offered me the job!’
‘Hey, well done. That’s brilliant.’
‘Thanks.’ I beamed at him. ‘She’d like me to start as soon as possible, which is fine by me. The sooner I start earning, the sooner I’ll be able to start getting Dad and me out of our financial hole.’
‘I still think you should just use that money.’ He shrugged. ‘The money that... er... Minnie gave you? That’s obviously why she gave you it, to help you out of your money difficulties.’
I sighed. ‘I know. And I really appreciate the gesture. But no matter how hard up we are, I just couldn’t take money from a virtual stranger like that. I just couldn’t.’
He nodded. ‘Fair enough.’
I’d told him all about Minnie and her very generous gesture while we were waiting for the ballet to begin.
‘I just wish I could track her down and give it back to her.’
‘Well, anyway... that’s a problem for another day. You’ve got other things to think about tonight.’ Xander smiled. ‘Your dad coming out of his coma and beginning his recovery. And a new job as well.’
‘I know.’ I sighed happily. ‘Honestly, if I wasn’t so tired, I’d probably be asking you to stop the car right here so I could get out and do a little dance for joy.’
‘I’d like to see that. So can you dance? I mean, you must have picked up a lot from your mum and dad?’
‘They used to teach me dance routines when I was little and I’d perform them on special occasions, like when all the family came round on Christmas Day.
’ I smiled, remembering. ‘Not that I’d be able to remember any of them now, of course.
This was before I was a teenager and parents became a huge embarrassment – especially ones who insisted on dancing and smooching in the kitchen while they were cooking dinner in the evening. ’
Xander chuckled. ‘I can see how that would have been cringy for you back then.’
‘Too right.’ I grinned. ‘Now, of course, I’m just so proud of both of them. I couldn’t have wished for better parents.’
‘And you really can’t remember any of those dance routines?’
‘Not the actual routines. But I could still do a passable Viennese waltz or a quickstep. Maybe even a tango if I was in the right mood. I just haven’t had the opportunity to dance lately.
Les thought ballroom dancing was too ‘girly’ for him, so he’d never get up at weddings unless they were playing heavy metal, which was obviously never.
’ I smiled, experiencing a rush of joy knowing I was free of Les and a relationship that had stifled my true personality.
‘Sometimes I’ll hear a song on the radio that I danced to with Mum and Dad and memories from those times will flood back. ’
Xander nodded and we drove along in silence for a while.
‘I can’t wait to go back tomorrow morning to see Dad,’ I murmured at last. ‘I only hope there was no permanent damage after his bump on the head.’ I paused. ‘I guess we’ll soon know if so.’
‘Well, he could obviously understand what you were saying to him tonight because you said he squeezed your hand in response,’ Xander reminded me.
‘That’s true.’
‘He’s going to be fine. I’m sure of it.’
I smiled gratefully at him. ‘Thank you, Xander.’
‘What for?’
‘For everything. For your support and for being such a good listener.’
He shrugged. ‘That’s what friends do.’
‘I know. But we’ve only become good friends very recently... only since Dad’s accident, really.’
‘What’s that got to do with anything?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose what I mean is Lyndsay’s always texting and phoning and being really supportive but that’s because we’ve been friends for years. And she knows I’d do the same for her. But I’ve only known you properly for a few weeks and yet you’ve probably been the best support of all.’
‘Well, good,’ he said rather dismissively. ‘I just want to help, that’s all.’
‘And I really appreciate it.’ I glanced at his profile, puzzled when he didn’t reply. He was just staring straight ahead, concentrating on the road.
Was it my imagination or had the atmosphere between us cooled a little?
But then he smiled across at me and the moment passed.
Arriving back, he parked in the only available space, at the entrance to the close. I was all set to say goodbye and get out, but to my surprise, Xander cut the engine and got out with me, saying he’d walk me to the door.
‘You don’t have to do that,’ I told him, although secretly, I was glad. It was late and the close was in darkness, and we were parked some way from my front door.
He shrugged. ‘I just want to make sure you’re safely inside, that’s all.’
‘Well, thank you.’
We walked to my house in silence, our footsteps echoing on the pavement.
‘Do you... would you like to come in?’ I asked a little awkwardly as I slid my key in the lock. ‘For a cuppa?’
He smiled, his teeth gleaming white in the darkness. ‘Tempting. But I’d better get home. Work tomorrow.’
‘Of course. Well, thanks again.’
‘No bother.’
‘Well, it was a bother. Driving me to the hospital and back. And I just want you to know how grateful I am.’
He gave me a sheepish smile. ‘So you should be. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone, you know.’
I laughed and reached up to hug him.
As I planted a kiss on his cheek, his arms went round me and I felt myself pressed close so that I could feel the hard muscles of his body against me and I was breathing in his tantalising male scent at close quarters.
My head spun crazily in response.
Instinctively, I nestled my cheek into the side of his neck, prolonging the delicious intimacy of our embrace...