Page 71 of Arrogant Heir

‘Well, that’s not news, is it?’ Her eyes narrow. ‘Have they only just found out we were a fake cover story? Maybe we’re better at the fake dating game than we thought.’

‘Perhaps, but what got my attention was they mentioned your ex-fiancé.’

‘Ah, what did they say?’

‘Only that he’s your ex.’

‘I’m not following you. What’s new about that?’

My heart leaps and seeds of hope spiral through me. ‘So, it’s true?’

‘Of course, it’s true. I told you months ago it was over.’ She looks at me, confusion etched across her face.

‘But he came to Greystone to take you home.’

She sighs. ‘Oh, that was a horrible day. He never had great timing. Turned up just as my mum and I were ready to leave. Said he wanted to marry me, after all.’

‘And? Wasn’t that what you wanted all along?’ I can barely breathe as I say the words.

She nods. ‘I fell hook, line, and sinker for the fairy tale, but it was too little, too late. Unfortunately, by the time he got his act together and figured out he still wanted to marry me, I didn’t want it anymore. I mean, I didn’t wanthimanymore.’

Her cheeks flush, and she looks at me with such adoration, I know I was right to come.

My eyes well up and waves of emotion wash over me. I’ve held back my feelings for so long, but the sight of her, so close to me I can reach out and touch her, undoes me. I can’t hide my love for her anymore. I don’t want to. What’s the point?

‘Jamie,’ I say, my voice husky and thick with emotion. ‘I’m sorry I left you at the ball and got caught up with Steph. But it wasn’t what you thought.’

‘You’re not back with her, then?’

‘No. I’m not with her and haven’t been with her for years. She’d seen us in the paper, and it must have stirred up old feelings. She came to tell me she left my former best friend and was sorry for what she’d done. I heard her out as she was in a bit of a state, to be honest. By the time I came back, you’d left—with Seb. I did not know she’d even be at the ball.’

She sighs and I hear her pain. ‘I wish you’d told me that.’

‘I tried, but you wouldn’t return my calls.’ My voice sounds peeved even to me, and the hurt rings through my words.

Her hand reaches out and rests lightly on my chest. The mere touch sends a tremor hurtling through me.

‘Sorry for jumping to conclusions,’ she says. ‘I was angry and felt rejected. Two rejections so close together were too much for me to take, and I overreacted. You don't owe me anything. I've had time to think. It was just a fake date. You don’t need to apologise.’

I cover her hand with mine. ‘But that’s just it. It wasn’t. I wanted nothing more than to spend the night with you like we planned, but it all went to shit. I was—’

She opens her mouth to speak, but I say, ‘Please let me finish telling you what I came here to say, or I may lose my nerve.’ I smile but can barely breathe.

My hand’s still on hers and she caresses my palm with her thumb. I feel her touch shoot right through me again and I’m like a dead man coming back to life.

‘I love you, Red. The first time I saw you, I fell for you. I’ve never had such an intense reaction to a woman, and I behaved like an arrogant twat swinging my dick around. If I could take it all back, I would, please believe me. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t wait for each session with you just so we could spend time together. But I’d backed myself into a corner and was too scared to tell you how I felt. You coming to Greystone is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve been beating myself up ever since the ball about how I let you slip away.’

She touches my face gently with her other hand and moves into my arms. I feel the beating of her heart in every cell of my body, and for the first time in years, everything is exactly as it should be in my world.

I continue speaking as her head rests on my chest. ‘I was so confused. You were off-limits, but I had feelings for you all along. Not only were you the family ghostwriter, you were also engaged—or at least I thought you were. And then I worried you had a thing for Seb, anyway.’

Jamie rolls her eyes. ‘Seriously? Seb? I told you nothing was going on.’

‘When you danced with him at the ball, I was seething with jealousy. It wasn’t my finest hour, I’m afraid.’

‘You had nothing to be jealous about. Seb and I have been friends since the beginning. I think he may have a soft spot for his daughter’s nanny.’

It’s my turn to laugh wryly. ‘He’s been keeping that under the radar, if so. God help him if my grandfather finds out.’