Page 89 of Tangled Control

Idon’t let go of my grip on Catriona’s hand as I lead her along the path from the dock. Instead of turning up to the main house and the gates, I guide her to the light woodland on the outskirts of the property where I walked with my family earlier this evening.

It feels like a lifetime ago. In a way, it is. My steps are lighter. My lungs are no longer restricted, but between them, my heart is thumping an irregular beat of hope and nerves.

“I grew up in these woods,” I explain, eager to fill the silence between us. “From playing hide and seek as kids to having our first cigarettes and drinks when we were older. I even got my first glimpse of real tits here when Maggie O’Leary trapped me behind a tree and flashed me.”

There’s no reply. I swallow tightly and glance down at the blonde by my side. Her hair hides part of her face. I stop myself from reaching out to touch it.

“Most of us had parents who were way too busy to spend time with us, so our lives were formed here. Well, and of course atthe yacht club, the tennis courts, the high-end summer camps, holidays abroad… We were snobby rich people, after all.”

Her mouth curls ever so slightly at the corners. It’s the most encouraging little smile I’ve ever seen.

“I’m sorry I hurt you by going on the date with Alexandra.” Catriona’s lips flatten. I stop and turn her to me. I need to see her face. For her to seemyface. “But I’m also not sorry that I did it.”

Her head snaps up and her eyes narrow. “You’renotsorry?”

“That’s right.”

“You’renotsorry that you persuaded me to give us a chance, made me open up to you, and then, within two weeks, you go on a date with someone else behind my back?”

It’s such a relief to hear the fire in her words – I’ve hated her withdrawn coldness and barely veiled hurt.

“That’s right. Well, not exactly, but—”

“But what?” she snaps and pulls her hand back, but I don’t let her slip out of my grip. Instead, I walk her backwards until she’s up against a tree trunk. It may be the one Maggie had me pressed up against all those years ago.

“I’mnotsorry I went out with Alexandra.” My voice is hard as I emphasise every word. “If Ihadn’t, then you and I would have continued dating, and both wondering if I’d ever leave you. Forher. Now we know I won’t.”

Catriona’s mouth clamps shut and her eyes flick between mine as she digests my words.

I gentle my tone. “It’s the truth, you know it.”

My actions weren’t honourable, far from it. But they have forced me to see what’s truly important to me. They forced me to admit that I don’t love Alexandra. That I can’t live without Catriona. I can only hope it’s not too late.

“I get it.” The soft material of her cream top ripples with a deep inhale, and pain sears through my gut as her wordstremble. “But it still hurt like hell. You acted like afeckingimmature prick.”

“I’m so sorry. For that, I’m so, so sorry.” I cup her face, knowing my words will do nothing to repair the damage I’ve caused.

“I get what you’re saying,” she adds with a sigh and closes her eyes. “From the moment we…hooked up, I was waiting for the end. But I don’t know how easy it will be to trust you again…”

“You just have to find a way.” Her eyes snap open at the arrogance in my tone. I look down my nose at her. “I’ll not let you go, Miss Taylor. So you better forgive me already.”

Catriona snorts, then lifts her chin. “Since when did I ever do as you say, Mr Kearney?”

“I can think of ways to sway you.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively, but my kiss at the corner of her mouth is soft and humble. “Please forgive me,” I breathe, and repeat the motion and the words against her upper lip and her lower lip, the other corner. “Please forgive me.”

Her mouth moves against mine. My chest expands and my heart thumps in a faster and deeper rhythm, as if it’s been cut from the ties holding it down and is free to beat the way it was destined to.

“Keep begging,” she mumbles as I deepen the kiss.

“You’re mine,” I growl and fist her hair, tilting her head back.

She stutters, “T-that’s not much of a beg.”

“How about I tie you to this tree trunk and tease a forgiveness out of you with some stinging lashes of a branch?”

“Rian!”

I chuckle and give her one last quick kiss. “One day, soon. But not tonight. Come.”