Page 62 of His Red Carnation

Callan chuckled, smiling. “Doesn’t seem like it. God, baby. I love you. Let’s go get married. Right now.” He stood up, steadying himself by holding onto the counter.

I smiled and took his hand, pulling him out of his self-loathing, even if just for a minute. “Why don’t we take a nap? When we wake up, we can decide what to do next.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m tired. Come on, baby.” He waited until I tugged on his hand and led him to the bedroom. I closed the curtains, pulled down the comforter, then brought him onto the bed with me.

As we lay down, he began to kiss my shoulder, rubbing his hands gently around my breasts and thighs. He was turning me on, but I didn’t want to take advantage of him while he was in such a vulnerable state, especially since I was sure he wouldn’t remember it later.

“Come on, Cal.” I took his hands and pressed them to my lips, gently kissing them. Then I scooted lower on the bed, resting my head on his chest and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“I love you, Sloane,” he whispered, and just a few seconds later, he began to snore.

I sighed, letting a tear fall down my cheek. Now that I was safe in Callan’s arms, my mind drifted back to Dad. His words echoed in my head:You and Callan have ruined my re-election. My whole legacy as a president is shattered.Was that really true? How would he ever forgive me for that? And how would Callan and I ever live it down?

My thoughts raced as I held Callan closer.He is not capable of hurting someone the way Dad claimed. Who is this Sarah that accused him of something like this?I was determined to find out what really happened. But first, I needed to take care of Callan.

26

Callan

My eyes weren’t even open yet when I felt the throbbing pulse of a headache. I knew the feeling all too well—I was hungover. The memories of what happened with Jake flooded back, and I shot up, gasping for air.Sloane.

“Baby, it’s okay.” Her sweet voice was beside me in bed, and I instantly burst into tears. Tears of relief, pain, guilt, shame, and love.

I felt her warm body nestle close as I cried into my hands. “I’m sorry, baby. I fucked up. I fucked up,” I repeated through sobs.

I never cried, and I hated how shameful I felt doing it in front of Sloane.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. Everything is gonna be okay,” she whispered softly, rubbing circles on my back.

I gasped for air as my sobs began to subside. I lifted my head; the only light came from the faint glow seeping in from thehallway. I glanced over at Sloane—she stared at me, wide-eyed and worried. I fucking hated that I made her feel like that.

“Sloane, I have to tell you something,” I blurted out, afraid that she already knew. I waited for her to stop me, but she only kept her eyes on me, listening intently as she continued to rub circles on my back. “I was accused of something terrible by an ex-girlfriend of mine.”

She didn’t say anything; she only nodded knowingly. “I know,” she whispered.

My heart dropped to the fucking floor. “You know?”

She nodded again. “My dad told me. But I don’t believe it,” she said quietly.

I swallowed hard and shook my head. “It’s not true, baby. I swear it’s not. I’d never lay a hand on a woman.”

She bit her quivering lip, like she was trying not to cry. “I know you wouldn’t, Callan. I know,” she whispered.

Relief washed over me like a warm blanket. I exhaled and lay back on the bed, gently tugging her down with me as I wrapped my arm around her.

She held onto me tightly. “Why didn’t you tell me before?” she asked quietly after a moment of silence.

I sighed heavily. “Because I was afraid of what you’d think of me. I was afraid that you’d be scared of me,” I admitted.

She sat up suddenly, gazing down at me with sad eyes. “Callan, I would never be afraid of you. I know you, and despite what you may think, you’re a big fucking softie.” A small smile tugged at her lips.

I laughed. She was right. I only put on the facade of being a big fucking tough guy, but she really knew me—she brought out the best in me.

“Can I ask you something else?” she hesitantly asked, looking down at my bare chest.

I was nervous again. “Anything, baby. I’ll tell you everything.”

She tilted her head as her gaze lifted to mine. “Did you drink because you felt guilty about…about us being together?” The pain was unmistakable in her voice, and it broke my fucking heart.

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