Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

And as I come around the corner, and the lake comes into view, I’m not disappointed. There she is, standing on the dock with her back to the water, facing me.

She’s in those little yoga shorts and a red tank, her hair down and wild in the light breeze coming off the lake.

My steps slow. I don’t run down to her and whisk her into my arms like they do in the movies.

I’m too raw for that.

Too heartsick.

Too fucking messed up.

Her face is solemn as I slowly walk toward her, my steps slow and measured, like a cat stalking its prey.

When I finally reach her, I cup her face in my hands, not touching her anywhere else.

“There are so many things I need to say to you, Eleanor, but nothing is as important as telling you that I love you more than anything or anyone I’ve loved in my life. You’re the reason I breathe, and I was an idiot to walk away the way I did.

“You will never be away from me ever again, do you understand?”

Her eyes well with tears, and she nods slowly.

“I understand.”

It’s a whisper and a balm to my soul. I lower my head and kiss her softly. Before we give my men too much of a show, I pick her up, unlock the boathouse, and carry her upstairs.

I want to take her right to the bedroom, strip us both bare, and claim her in the most carnal way possible.

But some things need to be said first. I don’t set her down, I sit and settle her in my lap, and she pulls away, making me frown.

“I forget myself when you hold me like this,” she says and then brushes tears away. “We’ll talk, and then you can hold me for as long as you like.”

My arms long for the feel of her, but this is the most important conversation of my life, so I nod and wait for her to speak.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think,” she begins. “And I understand why you were frustrated and left the way you did.”

“There was no excuse for that,” I disagree. “I should have talked it out with you.”

“Yes.” She looks me right in the eyes. “You should have. But I don’t know if I would have listened. Maybe it took a few days apart for me to truly understand the situation.”

She rubs her hands together and then pushes them through her hair.

“My family isn’t easy. I’m used to it because I was born into it. Being a princess has been ingrained in me literally since the day I was born. It was shortsighted of me to think that you’d come to London with me and adjust in a matter of days, just because we love each other.”

“Do you still love me?”

Her gaze whips to mine in surprise. “I’m here, aren’t I? Do you think I would have come all this way if, at the end of this conversation, I was going to wish you well in your future endeavors?”

“I’d hope not, but you never know what people will do these days.”

“Well, I wouldn’t. Yes, I love you very much. And I was angry at you, but I needed to be reminded that every relationship needs communication and compromise to survive.”

“Nina?”

“Along with Anne and my mum.” She licks her lips. “So, while you shouldn’t have left, I also wasn’t sensitive to how you must have been feeling after being thrust into the life of a royal family the way you were. And for that, I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven.”

She offers me a small smile and then keeps talking.

“Liam, I’d never thought of myself as having two different personas until you pointed it out. Again, because it’s just always been, and I was too selfish to realize it.”

“You’re not selfish.”

“I am.” The admission is soft and self-deprecating. “But now that I know better, I can do better. Princess Eleanor, the dresses and makeup, the jewelry, it’s all a mask. It’s how I protect myself from those people. You’ve met them.”

“Yes, I have.” And now I feel like a bigger asshole because I should have seen it. It’s my job to be observant, and I was too wrapped up in my head to see it. “And it makes total sense, El. I should have realized.”

She shrugs one beautiful shoulder. “We both should have. And I should have thought to warn you. But we can should ourselves all day. I’m sorry for not thinking of your feelings.”

“You’re forgiven. Now, can I please apologize, as well?”

“You already did.”

“Sort of.” I reach for her, and she comes willingly into my lap. “I love you so much I ache with it, and leaving you was pure hell. I regretted it the minute I left your apartment. I won’t leave you again, not like that. If we’re angry or hurt, we need to talk it through. No exceptions.”