A knock at the door startled her. She’d only been home a minute or so. Bella answered it to see Nick on the old stone doorstep. Without saying a word, he stepped forward so his body was tantalisingly close to hers. His strong hands reached up to her face cupping her cheeks and with an intent gaze he pressed his mouth to hers. The gentle touch of his lips filled her body with longing, and she reached her hands to his chest. It was more forceful than their first kiss. More urgent and eager. When it ended, he rested his forehead against hers. She regained her breath, though it fluttered around her chest, and as longing took over, she kissed him once more. The strong sense of connection, of love, consumed every inch of her body and mind and rooted itself deep in her heart.

Nick gently pulled away, breathing as heavily as she was, and he whispered, ‘Merry Christmas, Bella.’

The seconds stretched out between them, him still cupping her face, his warm hands breathing life back into her. Was this it? Was this the kiss that said goodbye? She couldn’t help but feel it was the full stop on the romance that could have blossomed between them.

‘I love you.’

The word resounded around her head. Had she heard right? Was she imagining it? He raised her head a little, kissing her again, a short, sweet kiss and she knew it was real. He loved her and she loved him. Her words were breathy, nothing more than a whisper that faded into the snowy air drifting in from outside. ‘I love you, too.’

After a moment, Bella finally found the power to speak again. ‘But … Paige? Freddie?’

‘I don’t love her anymore, Bella. I haven’t for a long time. She’ll always be Freddie’s mum and I’ll never stop her seeing him, but it’s you, Bella. I love you.’

Tears of happiness stung her eyes, and she took in a deep breath, the muscles of her stomach shaking. She didn’t know if he’d already opened the present she gave him, but if this was the type of thankyou she got for buying him a jumper, what would she get when she bought him a really good present? As he kissed her again, and desire, love and hope rose like a tidal wave within her, she couldn’t wait to find out.

Chapter 32

It was Christmas Eve and Paige stood in the queue with Freddie to take him to see Santa at Bluebell Park grotto.