about him. I fill Kirsty in on how Ethan and Lucy are doing and let her know that he will be here on Sunday. I remind her again not to flirt with him; I don’t think he’s quite ready for that yet. We both laugh at that.
Kirsty stops talking mid conversation. She’s just sitting there staring into space over my shoulder. It must be the view; it does that to me as well. It’s something about the clear water going on for miles and seeing all the way over to the rolling hills on the other side. Even with the sound of boats and Jet Skis, the loch still has a calming effect on me.
“Oh my god, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Kirsty says, her head tilted to one side, her mouth open, and her eyes sparkling.
I laugh. “I presume you’ve just seen the man of your dreams.” As I finish saying it, I cringe. An icy shiver runs all the way down my back. I really wish I hadn’t said that, as I have a feeling I already know whom she’s looking at. I slowly turn. Alexander Mathews.
“Who is that?” Kirsty asks.
“ That is my ongoing problem. Could you excuse me a minute?” I say, pushing my chair back quietly to get up from the table. I draw in a deep breath and try to mentally prepare myself for this confrontation.
“No way! How could a man like that be a problem? Look at him; he is sex on legs. He can be my problem any day,” Kirsty says, all smiles. “Introduce me. I’ll deal with him for you.”
“I’m sure you could. But no.”
I walk over to where he stands, looking tall and confident. Michael had been standing with him but has just walked away shaking his head. I’m a lot more confident about this brief meeting with him; since we’re in a public place, I probably won’t need to slap him again. I hope.
“Mr. Mathews.” I hold out my hand to shake his. I hope he realises I am not intimidated by him. Well, maybe I am just a little, but I won’t admit that. He brings both his hands up to meet mine and takes my hand. The palms of his hands are warm and soft, very soft, but I already knew that from my earlier encounter.
“Miss Stewart, it seems I am going to spend my entire time here apologising to you. I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier.” He’s studying my face, which I am hoping gives nothing away, because I think I could crumble at any time.
“Are you? Because I don’t think you are. What was it you said? Something along the lines of always getting what you want?” I snap.
“Please, I’m trying to say I’m sorry. That’s not something I do very often, and so far today I’ve already had to do it twice,” he says.
“Look, I am really not sure an apology is going to cut it. What you done… What gave you the right to think it was okay to take?”
I can feel my hand getting sweaty with his hands still wrapped round mine. His eyes are locked on mine as if he’s in a trance or trying to read my mind. I go with the latter. I try to pull my hand away from his, but he keeps a tight grip.
“Miss Stewart, I’m sorry if my actions earlier upset you. That wasn’t my intention.” He looks sincere enough, but I for one am not buying it.
“Really? So what was your intention?”
“Please. I’ve obviously misread you,” he says. He looks hurt at my curtness and genuinely surprised. But really, what was he expecting? That I would just roll out the red carpet, so to speak, because he’s so bloody important? I still don’t even know who he is.
“But you have to admit there is some chemistry between us. You must have felt it earlier?”
“Seriously! That’s your excuse for your behaviour?” I snap trying to pull my hand free. “Can you let go of my bloody hand before I make a scene.”
“Alex…..” It’s Michael’s voice that distracts me from the man in front of me. Alex lets go of my hand and glares at Michael, he shakes his head at him.
“Miss Stewart, I don’t know what else to say, except sorry.” His eyes are pleading with me. “If it’s any consolation