13. Chapter 13
~ELLIE~
I wish I was part feline, because I want to purr when Liam touches me like this. His hands are over my shirt, cupping my breasts.
“Just take the bloody thing off,” I breathe, tipping my head back to give him easier access to my neck.
“We’re out in the open,” he reminds me, but doesn’t stop touching me. “But I’m damn grateful for this blind spot.”
I smile and then bite my lip when Liam’s lips close around my earlobe.
I was out here under the pergola on the dock, reading and minding my own business, when Liam came out to look for me. It’s become routine now. If he can’t find me in my flat, I’m usually here in this little corner that’s hidden from the prying security cameras.
Liam hasn’t bothered to fix it. It’s our little secret.
My hands roam freely over his back, and he doesn’t even flinch anymore. The trust that’s grown between us in the past week is truly wonderful. He’s been more open, more vulnerable, and it’s touched me deep in my heart.
Liam isn’t just sexy. He’s also a good man, through and through.
His lips graze my jawline, and his hand drifts farther down my stomach to glide over my shorts. To my utter surprise, he pushes a finger under the hemline and right to my hot center.
“Oh, my,” I breathe, my hips moving, inviting his finger to slip inside of me. “Liam.”
“God, you’re sweet,” he growls, but his head pops up as if he’s listening.
And then I hear it, too.
“Shit,” Liam mutters, jumping away from me and sitting a good five feet back.
I straighten my clothes and smooth my hair. When I glance over to where the footsteps are getting louder, I feel the smile spread over my face.
“Callum!”
I jump up and run to give my older brother a hug. He holds me close and then frowns down at me when I pull away. His gaze shifts to Liam and then moves back to me.
“What’s going on here?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Well, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
I whip around to Liam. “Did you know?”
“Of course,” he says with a satisfied smile. “My security spoke with his team yesterday.”
“It was a plot against me.” I grin at both men. “I’m so happy to see you. I didn’t realize how homesick I was until I saw you.”
“I’m happy to be here,” Callum replies. “Have you enjoyed relaxing the way you hoped?”
“It’s been wonderful,” I assure him.
“I’m going to check on a few things at HQ,” Liam says, leaving Callum and me alone on the dock. We settle onto the sofa, and I find myself chattering on like mad.
“How are Mum and Father? And everyone else?”
“They’re doing well,” he replies. “You haven’t been gone that long.”
So much has happened since I left London, it feels like I’ve been in Montana for months.
“And what have you been up to?”
Callum smiles. “I was in Paris for a couple of weeks, and then Scotland. I was supposed to go back to London, but you were on my mind, so I decided to take a little side journey.”
“Yes, because Montana is on the way to London.” I roll my eyes but offer him a grateful smile. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I am, as well. Now, what did I really interrupt when I found you?”
I frown as if I don’t know what in the world he might be talking about. “Absolutely nothing. Really. Liam was just filling me in on some things, and it’s a nice day, so we decided to have our meeting out here by the water.”
He watches me silently, chewing on his lower lip.
“You’re being silly,” I continue, waving him off. “There wasn’t anything going on.”
“If you say so. I ran into Beau a few days ago.”
I scowl. “What did he want?”
“He was asking after you, wondering if you’re okay.”
“I’m perfectly wonderful, not that it’s any of his business. Beau is a boring, overbearing, pompous ass, and if I never see him again, it’ll be too soon. He had the nerve to send me lacy knickers.”
Callum cringes. “I’m sorry about that. It’s my fault. I didn’t know you’d broken things off with him, and he rang me up and asked where you were.”
“He texted me from several different numbers, I’m sure just in case I’d blocked him. He’s not normal. ” I murmur. “Beau’s not a nice man, Callum. I can’t believe he’s your friend.”
“I never said that.” He holds up a hand. “He’s an acquaintance, and because he was interested in you, I was kind to him. I don’t know him well at all.”
“Don’t bother getting to know him,” I reply and watch as Callum yawns. “You look like you have jet lag something awful.”
“I believe I’ve been awake for nearly thirty hours or so. I lost count.”
“Well, you can’t go to sleep now, or you’ll be knackered tomorrow. We should go get you some coffee. Drips & Sips is my favorite place in town.”
“I usually drink tea, but I could use a coffee or two.” He smiles at me. “Look at you, fitting in like a local citizen.”
“I love it here,” I reply honestly. It’s the truth. I do love Cunningham Falls, especially my little flat above the boathouse.
I love being with Liam the most, but I’m not ready to share that with my brother quite yet. I like having Liam all to myself.
“I’m on board then,” Callum says. “Show me this wonderful café of yours.”
“The weather has been incredible ,” I say to my brother as Liam and David, Callum’s personal security guard, drive us into town for our coffee. “It’s rather warm during the day, but it cools down nicely in the evening. And there aren’t many bugs to speak of.”
“Sebastian probably has pest control,” Callum reminds me.
“Oh, of course. I guess I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s not something you typically need to worry about,” Callum replies. “I’d like to go for a run this evening, if you’re up for it, David.”
“Of course, sir,” David replies.
David has been Callum’s security for roughly two years. He’s young, in excellent shape, and can keep up with my athletic brother. If Callum wasn’t a prince, he likely would have played rugby professionally.
He’s very physically fit.
It’s one of the reasons he’s Britain’s most eligible bachelor.
Something I enjoy ribbing him about quite often.
Liam pulls up to Drips & Sips, and we walk in. It’s mid-afternoon now, so there aren’t many patrons inside, which makes me happy.
We approach the counter, and I smile when Aspen turns around and sees us.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” she says, smiling at both me and Callum.
“We’re in need of caffeine,” I inform her and then gesture to my brother. “I believe you’ve met my brother, Callum.”
Aspen opens her mouth to reply, but Callum shakes his head. “No, I don’t think we have.”
She blinks rapidly, and her smile immediately falls.
“What can I get for you?” she asks.
We order our iced coffees and some fresh cookies that Aspen just took out of the oven, then make our way to a table against the wall.
“You sit here,” Callum says, pulling out the chair for me. “I want to sit over here and enjoy the view.”
I sit, then turn around to see what he’s looking at.
Aspen.
“Don’t look at her like that,” I plead. “She’s my friend. ”
Callum just waggles his eyebrows. “Challenge accepted, darling baby sister.”
I sigh in exasperation and turn to Liam. “Just shoot him. Go ahead, you have my permission. Make it a headshot so he doesn’t suffer too badly.”
Liam’s lips twitch in humor, but he doesn’t make a move to follow my command.
“Killjoy,” I mutter. “How long are you staying?”
“I haven’t decided. I might just hang out and go back to London with you for the state dinner next week.”
“Not if you’re going to be an arse to my friend.”
“I’m not an arse,” he says, his face showing fake insult. “I’m charming. I’m a rather interesting bloke, truth be told.”
“You’re ghastly,” I say, shaking my head, just as Aspen brings over our coffee and cookies. “Thank you, Aspen, these look delicious.”
“You’re welcome,” she says and pats me on the shoulder. “Just let me know if you need anything else.”
“I could use something,” Callum says before Aspen can turn and walk away. She sighs heavily and turns back to him. Her expression is not friendly.
“What?” she asks.
“I’d enjoy taking you out for dinner later. What do you say?”
She blinks and then taps her lips as if she’s thinking it over. “I believe it would be a cold day in hell before I ever went to dinner with the likes of you.”
She offers him a fake smile and then pats my shoulder again. “Ellie, you let me know if you need anything.”
And with that, she storms off, leaving my brother shell-shocked, and me giggling like crazy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before,” I say when I’ve caught my breath.
“Me either,” Callum mutters, scowling down at his coffee.
I pull my phone out of my Chanel bag and snap a photo of my pouting brother, then tuck it away again.
“Why on earth did you do that?”
“I’m documenting this momentous occasion,” I inform him. “My brother, the most eligible bachelor of Britain, was just told to bugger off by a beautiful woman.”
“You’re not kind, Eleanor,” he says.
I turn to Liam, who’s standing a few feet away with his focus on the door. “Am I unkind, Liam?”
“No, ma’am.”
“See? Liam thinks I’m kind.”
“He’s not your brother,” Callum points out.
“Thank God for that,” I whisper and take a bite of my cookie. We call these biscuits, but the Americans call them cookies.
No matter what you call them, they’re delicious.
Willa Hull comes into the shop with her son, Alex, and gives us a wave when she sees us. Willa is a good friend of Nina’s, and she came to London for Sebastian and Nina’s wedding.
She’s a wonderful businesswoman and has always been kind to me.
“You’re still in town,” Willa says when she approaches the table. “Alex, I’d like to introduce you to Princess Eleanor, and Prince Callum.”
The little boy’s eyes widen in surprise.
He looks up at his mother.
“Like, a real princess and prince?”
Willa nods, and Alex turns back to us and then bends in half, bowing for us.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highnesses.”
He’s added a fake accent to his charming welcome, making me laugh in delight.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Alex.”
“We’re just grabbing a treat before we pick Max up at the airport. He’s been in California all week.”
“My dad is pretty important,” Alex says with pride.
“Yes, I know,” I say. “I’m sure you’ve missed him this week.”
“Yeah. We’re going out on the boat tomorrow. Do you like boats?”
I share a look with Liam, remembering the last time I was on a boat and how Liam had to rescue me from drowning.
“Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of them, but I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time.”
Alex nods, and Willa ruffles his hair. “Come on, we’d better go get your dad. It was good to see you, Ellie. Callum.”
We wave, and Willa takes her son to place their order. I turn back to my brother, but he continues watching them. When Aspen laughs at something Willa says, Callum’s eyes go round in surprise and then in shock.
He hangs his head.
“Fuck.”
“What?” I turn in my seat, but I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Willa and Aspen are just chatting and laughing. “What’s wrong?”
“I do recognize her,” he says. He clears his throat and glances back up. “I slept with her last summer after she brought breakfast to Sebastian’s home after the boating accident.”
“Callum.” I sit back and stare in horror at my brother. “You’re a complete arsehole. What is wrong with you?”
“It’s been more than a year,” he says defensively. He glances over at Liam and David. “Help me out here, guys. That’s a long time.”
Neither replies, and I fling my foot out under the table to kick Callum in the shin.
“Hey! That hurt.”
“You deserve more than that. For fuck’s sake, Callum, why do you always have to sleep with my friends? Can’t you ever keep it in your trousers?”
I sigh in exasperation.
“I mean, I understand that she’s beautiful, and that you’re a sucker for red hair, but she’s my friend. ”
“It was just a misunderstanding. I’ll apologize to her.”
“No, just leave it be. You’ve hurt her feelings enough for one day.”
“Which is exactly why I have to apologize,” he repeats. As Willa and Alex leave out the front door, Callum gets up from the table and walks over to where Aspen is standing behind her counter.
I don’t want to miss a moment of this, so I stand and walk closer so I can hear every word.
“Aspen,” Callum begins. “I owe you a big apology. I just got off the plane after being up for thirty hours, and?—”
Aspen holds up a hand, making Callum’s mouth stop moving.
Impressive. I’ve never been able to shut the man up.
“Was there something else you needed?”
“Yes, to bloody apologize,” he says, but Aspen shakes her head. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“Let’s get something straight,” she replies. “You didn’t hurt me. It takes a hell of a lot more than an egotistical, full-of-himself prince to hurt me. Besides, you don’t know me, remember? What do you care?”
“Well, I?—”
“That was a rhetorical question,” she interrupts. I want to applaud her. Aspen is what the Americans call badass. “Now, if there’s nothing more I can do for you, I’m closing early today.”
“We’re leaving,” I say, pulling on Callum’s arm. “Thank you, Aspen. Let’s get together soon, okay?”
She smiles at me, and I’m immediately relieved that my idiot brother didn’t just ruin a friendship that I’ve come to cherish in such a short time.
“I’d love that, Ellie. I’ll text you soon.”
“Lovely.” I push Callum toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Once we’re seated in the car and on our way back to the house, I look over at my sibling. He’s scowling at his shoes.
“You deserved that.”
“I know.”
“You’re still an arse.”
“I know.”