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And she was nerdy Macey Clifton, typing away in her basement in a too-big T-shirt, yoga pants, her hair in a severe bun, her glasses on for protection.
He looked her over and breathed out, “Ah, Macey … how I’ve longed for you.”
Her heart took off at a gallop. She pushed her glasses on firmer and then folded her arms across her chest.
He took a step closer.
“How is Tristan?” she asked. She’d seen the reports online, but she needed a deflection.
“Good. They think he’ll heal … for the most part. A lot of scarring, and it’s been a painful recovery, but he’s happy to not be so handsome.”
He smiled briefly then. That dimple appeared, and Macey’s knees went weak. He was here. Was he really here for her? Had he really missed her? He’d let her go so easily a week ago, hadn’t chased her down and declared his love. Not that she blamed him. It had been an awful night.
“Emotionally? He’s dealing all right?”
“Yeah. He’s tough. He’ll be all right.” He took another step toward her.
She wanted him to close the distance and at the same time she wasn’t ready.
“Kiera? Is she holding up okay?”
“She’s doing better. Except she misses you almost as much as I do.” He took another step, almost close enough to touch her. The pulse point in her neck raced out of control.
“I miss her,” she admitted.
“Do you miss her older brother?” he asked, smiling again. Dang that dimple.
“Yes, I’ve been longing for Malik to give me something to laugh about.”
He laughed in surprise, and she joined him. It should’ve relieved the tension, but it ramped up quickly when Ray said fiercely, “I’ve longed for your laugh. I dream about it. I dream about you.”
He took that last step, and his strong body overshadowed her. He wasn’t touching her, not yet. She wanted to arch closer so he would, but she stayed pressed back against her desk like a mousy coward.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “You had no problem letting me go a week ago.”
“Macey …” He pushed out a heavy breath. “I’m sorry. I was full of guilt and anger at myself for letting T get hurt and for my mum’s death. I thought the world revolved around me and if I let loose, it would all come crashing down. I blamed myself for Mum, and for T, and it turns out, I’m not Superman. And I’m not the center of the universe. After all my guilt and self-sacrifice and control.” He shook his head. “No one was happy. My playing the martyr and letting my pride rule my decisions cost me everything. It cost me you.”
All she could do was stare at him and try to process. She knew he’d taken it all on his own shoulders, and now he was saying it had cost him everything, cost him her. Was she his everything? Her heart raced faster.
“T said I was being stupid and an idiot for letting you walk away.” He smiled briefly again. “Can you ever forgive me for letting you go?”
She swallowed. Of course she could forgive him, but she couldn’t be with him. She wasn’t right for a prince. She wanted to be the most important person to him, but she’d caused his family more heartache they didn’t need—Kiera crying, Tristan burned, Ray with all the angst and torture in his blue eyes.
“You’re not stupid or an idiot,” she managed through her thick throat. She was sad that his pride had cost him everything, and that T had been hurt in the process, but it wasn’t his fault. She hoped he could see that. “You’re honorable, and your family and duties should come first.” She wanted to be as honorable as he was.
“No.” He shook his head and lifted both of his hands, reaching for her. Her eyes widened but she didn’t move away.
His hands went to her hair. He gently worked the elastic out of her hair and tossed it on the desk. Her hair fell around her face, and she pulled in a quick breath.
Ray wasn’t done, though. He ran his fingertips through her hair, massaging her scalp. Tingles went through her. “I love your hair. It’s like silk.”
Macey was going to pass out. Right here and now, if he kept this up.
“What do you mean ‘no’?” she asked.
He stared at her and then he ran his hands through her hair and to her face. He trailed his fingertips along her cheeks, then slid her glasses off and set them on the desk. It felt so right to not have her shield up with him here. “There you are. I missed those deep-brown eyes. I love your eyes.”
Macey’s cells swirled with love for him. She loved his eyes.
