Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)
“Yes, it does.”
“I like you, Liam. I think you’re a good guy. And from what I’ve seen, you genuinely make her happy—aside from the whole crying in her flat thing. You don’t need my blessing.”
“No, I don’t. You’re right.”
“So, get on the bloody plane and go grovel for forgiveness, or forgive her, or whatever the blasted hell it takes to make you both happy again. Unless you’ve decided that you don’t want her after all. In which case, I’ll just bloody your nose and get on with my day.”
I smirk at the thought, but Callum fists his hands, and I hold mine up in surrender.
“I want her more than I want my next breath. And you didn’t have to come here to convince me of that. I’d already decided that I was headed back to London to make it right.”
“Brilliant.” His shoulders relax, and he grins. “That’s good news then.”
“You also didn’t have to make this long trip just for this conversation. We could have done this over the phone.”
“Oh, I didn’t, mate. This was a convenient side errand. I’m here because there’s a certain café owner that I can’t get out of my mind.”
“Aspen?” He nods, his eyes lighting up at the mention of her name. “You have a thing for Aspen?”
“Quite a thing, yes. She hates me.” His grin widens. “It’s freaking brilliant. I’ll wear her down eventually.”
“Something tells me you don’t run across women who don’t like you very often.”
“It’s rare. I’m going to go see her and try my hand at wearing her down a bit.”
“Good luck.”
He places his hand on my shoulder, the same way his father had just a week ago.
“Good luck to you, mate. I think you’re going to need it.”
* * *
Hopping planes back and forth between London is a pain in my ass.
The flight is long and exhausting, and it’s even more so when all I want to do is get back to Ellie. I need to see her.
I called ahead to let Charles and his team know that I’m on my way, so I won’t have any issues getting into the palace. I haven’t spoken to them since before I left last night, but everything should be in order.
I also told them not to tell Ellie that I’m coming. I need to see her face to find out if she’s happy to see me, or if I’ve fucked up so badly that it’s over for good.
Once we land and the car takes me to the palace, I hurry inside.
“Liam—” Charles says, but I wave him off.
“Later. I need to see her.”
I don’t let him answer as I hurry through the palace, following the same route I took less than a week ago when I ran away.
I pound on her door, gasping for breath. “Ellie. Open up, babe.”
I pound again, but there’s no answer.
Maybe she’s with a member of the family.
I turn to find her and run into Nina.
“Your Highness.”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Liam, it’s just Nina. What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for Ellie. Where is she? Is she with her parents?”
She frowns, looking confused. “Liam, Ellie isn’t here.”
“What do you mean?”
“She left first thing this morning, looking for you.”
“Looking for me in Montana?”
“Of course.”
I let my head fall back and quickly do the math. “We got on the planes at roughly the same time. She’s going to get there and find out I’m not there.”
“Why didn’t you just call each other? Why doesn’t anyone talk to each other in this family?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“That’s what she said.” She throws her hands up into the air. “And now, you’re here, and she’s there, and you’re no closer to fixing this.”
“Thanks for the rundown.” I pull my phone out of my pocket. No missed calls. So, I pull Ellie’s name up and press send.
It rings twice before she answers.
“Liam?”
“Where are you?”
She’s quiet for a moment, and I can’t stand it.
“Ellie, I’m a little impatient right now. Tell me where you are. Please.”
“I’m at the lake house.”
“Stay there.”
“I hadn’t planned on leaving.” There’s my sassy girl. “And why is Callum here?”
“Ask Callum. I’m serious, Eleanor, stay exactly where you are. I’m leaving London right now.”
“You’re in London?”
“That’s right. And you’re not. Do. Not. Move.” I hang up and put the phone back in my pocket, then lean over and kiss Nina’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“Good luck. Tell her I said hi.”
I wave and jog back to the car. I’m going to get my girl.
* * *
I’ve never been good at sitting still. Combine two, nine-hour flights back-to-back, and I’m like a caged animal.
I’m coming out of my skin by the time we pull through the gate of the lake house. I’m out of the car before it comes to a complete stop and immediately run down to the boathouse.
I’m positive that’s where she’ll wait for me.