22

Finally warm, I float in the hot tub and sip whisky as Chris stands across the room staring into the fire, a towel around his waist as he waits for his turn in the tub, his chest still bare.

One of his wings is unretracted and hanging down. The flight obviously took more out of him than he was letting on.

After he’d flown me home he’d ensured I was in the tub and nursing a drink before he’d circled back out to rescue everyone else. He hadn’t stopped until all the people were safe. I knew he’d dropped everyone besides me off in the treeline just outside the lodge to avoid being seen by the huge number of people waiting for their loved ones. Even so, I’m sure the whole lodge will be abuzz by now about a Christmas miracle and an angel.

I haven’t managed to ask him about this. I haven’t said anything at all since we’d returned to the chalet. I’m too overwhelmed with feelings to know where to begin. But I know I must.

Finishing my drink, I clear my throat.

“Chris.”

“Mmmm.”

“I owe you an apology.”

“No.”

He frowns and walks to where I sit submerged, and I hastily scoop more bubbles to hide my body under the water.

“I need to apologise to you , Merri. I forget sometimes that you’re still nursing a broken heart. It was unconscionable of me to joke about something like jealousy when you’d been cheated on.”

“I overreacted…”

“And I was insensitive.”

He sits on the edge of the spa and runs his hand in the water.

“I thought you’d leave,” I whisper, not raising my eyes to his.

“Leave?”

“Yes.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I’m so broken, Chris. I don’t know if I can ever trust a man again.”

“I’d never do anything to hurt you, Merri,” he reaches over to raise my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “And I won’t leave you unless you tell me to.”

“I know,” I murmur. “When I saw you flying to us, I can’t explain it,” I swallow hard. “But I knew then. I believe you. How did you find me?”

Still looking into my eyes, he shakes his head.

“I was in the bar when I heard the emergency announcement that the ski lift was stuck. I was already feeling shit about what I’d said to you, but when I heard the news I began to feel a gnawing worry that something had happened to you. I determined to ride it out; you’d made it clear you wanted some space, and I didn’t want to smother you. But as the time went on and you hadn’t returned I knew I had to brave your displeasure and go looking for you.”

“I’m very relieved you did,” I smile gently. “No displeasure here.”

“Like I said, I’m your guardian angel. I don’t want us to be apart like that again.”

I feel the tears threatening. His words hold so much sincerity, his eyes so much honesty.

‘I don’t want to be apart either. But how can we possibly be together?’

“But now you’ve strained your wing,” I murmur. “And it was only just starting to heal.”

“A little soak, and time, and it will be fine,” he says quietly.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been selfish. You take the spa,” I blurt. “I’m warm now.”

“Stay where you are, Merri,” he shakes his head as he stands and slowly reaches for his towel, “and we’ll both get warm.”

I gulp, my heart speeding up as I quickly turn to look away, my face reddening.

“Look at me, Merri.”

I shake my head and bite my lip.

“Merri.”

I turn and look quickly up from his hips to his face. My eyes, I’m sure, are saucers.

“But, you’re an angel. You’re not supposed to get those,” I point to his pelvis where his towel is barely containing his obvious arousal.

“I’m an angel, sure, but I’m still a man.”

“No. You’re an angel.”

“Yes, but,” he frowns, throwing his hands into the air in frustration and causing the towel to slip from his hard hip bones and puddle onto the floor.

I gasp as my eyes fly south before swiftly darting back up to his grin.

“I’m fifty,” I whisper, as he moves to sink into the water with me, his eyes sparkling.

“And I’m 1500,” he murmurs as he reaches me and slides his hand behind my neck to pull me close, “so I’ll take note of your innocence.”

‘Oh, boy.’