Page 22 of Royal Valentine

“I needed to see you.”

“Why? What else is there to say?”

“So much. First, I must apologize to you for my reaction and the things I said in that church.”

“You were being honest about what you wanted and I appreciate that.” Someday it was going to help me move past my time with him.

“That’s the thing. I wasnae being honest. Just selfish. And I regret that.”

It wasn’t often that I was at a loss, unsure of myself or what the situation called for. I’d been raised my whole life for royal protocol, to always know the right thing to say and do.

But this?

“Thank you.” That usually worked in most cases. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

He reached out and put his hands on my bare shoulders, and my skin went up in flames, like he was using a blowtorch on me. “Ilaria, please. Stay. I’m begging you.”

His plea touched me, and even though part of me still wanted to storm out, I nodded and sat down on the nearest sofa.

Callum sat next to me. Not close enough to touch me, but closer than he would if we were only acquaintances.

“When I got back to my flat, I rang my parents and told them everything that had happened. My father’s press secretary bought all the photos so that they wouldnae be released.”

Oh. That’s why there hadn’t been any pictures. “Why?”

“I looked you up online and saw how obsessed the tabloids are with you. I ken how dedicated you are to your work and your family, how important they are to you, and I didnae want my actions to embarrass you. Or them.”

“Thank you.” I was being so polite, so cool. My mother would have been proud of me.

“It was my fault the paparazzi found us. I used my credit card at that market, which I ken not to do. I dinnae ken if someone called them or if they have some kind of trackeron my card, but I’m responsible for it.” He took in a deep breath and then added, “I also ken that I was reckless with your feelings, with your heart, and I am sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.”

I opened my mouth to speak but he interrupted me. “Please dinnae say ‘thank you’ again. I cannae stand it. Not from you.”

He was teasing, but I was so close to tears that I opted to stay silent.

“My mam tore into me and called me a doaty walloper.”

“A what?”

He grinned and said, “She was questioning my intelligence. And she added several choice words in Gaelic that I willnae repeat.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I like your mother already.”

“And she would love you,” he said. “She’s already your greatest advocate. She reminded me that life was about change and taking hold of wonderful gifts when they’re offered. She told me I was being shortsighted and ridiculous and that I shouldnae walk away from someone that I liked so much just because of your royal status. That I was attempting to reject my crown again through you.”

That made sense. “And?”

“And she was right. She usually is, which I cannae tell her as it would make her even worse.”

I smiled again. “You came here just to tell me that?”

He reached for my hand and I let him take it. I saw the way the tension left his body when I didn’t reject him, and he brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. “I thought the easiest and best thing to do was to walk away, but I was wrong. Which has been known to happen from time to time.”

Callum was teasing, but I was holding my breath, waiting for him to finish.

“It was the hardest thing. The worst. The connection we have is special and I should have stayed. I havenae been able to stop thinking about you and realized that I was the world’s greatest fool. I came here because I needed to see you again.”

“You’re seeing me again right now.”

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