A Bride At Birralee

Her hands slid nervously down her thighs. ‘Look, what happened out there—I apologise if it looks as if I’ve been leading you on, but—ah—’ She pressed shaking fingers to her chest and shook her head. ‘I shouldn’t have let you kiss me.’ She looked distressed.

He had to clear the tightness in his throat before he could answer. ‘I’m not going to apologise for doing something I was sure we both wanted.’

‘I’m not blaming you. I know I gave you all the signals. It’s—it’s just that I shouldn’t have—’

His head was still reeling and he grabbed her hand roughly. Too roughly. Leaning close he muttered, ‘You’re fooling yourself, Stella. You were burning hot.’

‘No. No, you don’t understand.’ She snatched her hand away and looked genuinely frightened. ‘I’m sorry, Callum, but I should never have gone outside with you. I’m feeling so guilty.’ She dragged in a heavy breath and her grey eyes were dark with confusion. ‘You see, I—I already have a boyfriend.’

Just then Scott called to them from across the room. He beamed a cheery grin and waved. The giggling blonde at his side waved as well.

Stella’s twisted, sad little smile as she waved back struck Callum like a savage blow. ‘Not Scott?’ he cried in disbelief. ‘You’re not trying to tell me my little brother is your boyfriend?’

Her chin lifted and she stared directly at him. For long, painful seconds she looked puzzled and helpless, but then she answered quite definitely, ‘Yes, he is.’

He wanted to tell her she was making a huge mistake. There were a thousand reasons why she shouldn’t be Scott’s girl. Couldn’t she see beyond his boyish charm? Didn’t she know about his reputation with the ladies? And didn’t she understand that she was destined to be with him, Callum?