Chapter 14 #2
‘It’s only until the shop is finished. I think all the fumes from the paint and cleaning would make me nauseous in the flat. And I haven’t even got electricity yet. Once everything is fixed and done, I can move back in and we can start taking things at a more reasonable pace.’
Alex was silent for a moment before she spoke. ‘He clearly adores you.’
‘Wait, are you not going to give me any more “Xander is bad for you” pearls of wisdom?’
‘But he’s not. He is attentive, loving, making sure you eat and take breaks.
Any fool can see he is crazy about you. He is closing his shop at one of his busiest times of the year to come and help you.
I can’t really find anything bad to say about him, as much as I’d like to.
If I didn’t know Xander, or if I didn’t know how he’d treated you in the past, I’d be over the moon that you’d found such a wonderful, caring, kind person.
So I am happy for you, but I’m just crossing everything that it works out for you. ’
‘If it helps, I feel the same. I’m trying to keep my heart in check because I’m scared of getting hurt again. But I know if I didn’t give us this second chance I would always regret it.’
‘I think you would too. And I can see why you’re fighting for it. I’d be very happy if I was proved wrong and you two end up getting married and living happily ever after. I honestly wish for that.’
‘I do too.’
They carried on walking and Alex linked arms with her. ‘And whatever happens, I’m always here for you. Not that you need me, because you’ll be an excellent mum on your own, but I am here.’
‘Thank you.’ Immy squeezed her hand as they continued walking down the beach.
Immy came back downstairs after reading Etta a bedtime story about dragons and unicorns and flopped down on the sofa. She was exhausted.
By the time Immy and Alex had got back from the beach, all the cleaning had been done and, as there was no damage to the walls, Xander, his brothers and Quinn were starting to apply the primer and sealer to stop the smoke stains and smell from seeping through the new paint. Tomorrow they could start painting.
There was still no word from Belinda on when someone might be coming to check the electrics.
She would have to nudge Belinda tomorrow if there was still no word about the electrician by lunchtime.
They really needed electricity if they were going to open for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday.
The main part of the shop was too dark to open without it.
And she wouldn’t be able to make drinks on her brand new coffee machine without power either, but that wasn’t a necessity.
Xander walked back in after saying goodnight to Etta and offered out his hand.
She took it and he pulled her to her feet.
‘I know you’re worried about the shop but, whatever happens, we’ll make the best of it.
There are some things out of our control and we have to accept that.
But the Easter egg hunt will go ahead, I promise you that. ’
‘I know, thank you. I just want everything to be perfect. But as long as we can run the Easter egg hunt, I’ll be happy.’
‘Well, I want you to try and stop worrying, at least for tonight. It’s time for your massage.’
‘Oh, I’d forgotten about that.’
He led her into the bedroom and she saw that it was lit only by flickering candles. It looked very peaceful and romantic.
‘This is lovely.’
‘So, I’ve been doing some research on massage techniques and I think I’ll be OK in that department, but it seems that a good massage has candles and…’ He swiped a few things on his phone and a few moments later she could hear panpipe music.
She giggled. ‘Is that a prerequisite?’
‘It seems so, either that or whale sounds.’
‘I’ll stick to the panpipes.’
‘Good idea. Now strip.’
‘You want me naked?’
‘Yes, I’m going to do everything. Feet, legs, back, shoulders, neck and head.’
‘That sounds wonderful. But you know, any massages I’ve had in the past, I’ve always been able to keep my knickers on. Or at least they give you some paper knickers.’
‘Well I don’t have those. And you can keep your knickers on if you like but I don’t think you’ll feel the benefit when I give you a bum massage.’
‘A bum massage?’
‘Your gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus definitely look like they need massaging.’
She arched an eyebrow. ‘Do they?’
‘Last time I checked,’ he smirked.
‘Very well.’
She started undressing and he watched her unashamedly, making her feel adored. He didn’t make a move towards her but when he spoke his voice was coarse. ‘Lie face down on the bed.’
She did what she was told with her forehead on a rolled-up towel he’d left out for her, so she wasn’t smothered by the pillow. The panpipe music, though cheesy, was actually quite soothing.
‘I have lavender oil or camomile?’
‘Lavender is fine,’ Immy said.
She heard him unscrew the bottle and then presumably rub the oil between his hands. ‘I looked it up and low-concentration oils like lavender are safe for you and the baby.’
She smiled with love for him. ‘Thank you for taking care of us.’
‘My pleasure.’
He rubbed his hands up her back either side of the spine and then out to the shoulders.
‘Oh god,’ Immy muttered.
‘Is that OK?’
‘It’s heaven.’
Xander repeated the action again, his hands the perfect pressure, gentle enough to be soothing and relaxing but firm enough to help ease the knots in her back. She felt all the tension of the last few days drift away and she closed her eyes, relishing in his touch.
‘I hope you’re not planning on sex after this, because you keep stroking me like this, I’ll be asleep in two minutes.’
‘I was under no illusion there would be sex tonight, you’ve worked your arse off all day. I’m doing this because I want to take care of you.’
He started rubbing the tops of her shoulders and neck and she let out a noise of pure pleasure, followed inexplicably by the words, ‘Marry me.’
He paused in his ministrations and, before she had a chance to laugh it off as a joke, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, ‘In a heartbeat.’
Her heart thundered against her chest. She had to backpedal somehow.
‘But maybe ask me again when you’re not addled by dopamine and endorphins and I might take it more seriously,’ Xander said.
Immy didn’t say anything else. She wasn’t sure what she could say.
Tell him she was just teasing him, ask him to set a date, agree with that fact that her euphoric brain had acted without her consent or just pretend it never happened?
The latter seemed like the safer option because if he stopped now and asked her that question she knew she would say yes.
So she lay there and concentrated on every touch, focussed on what his hands were doing, how good it felt, rather than what an idiot she’d been to say those words.
Ten minutes later she was fast asleep.