Page 42 of Undercover Savior

“Is there anything else we need to discuss at this time?” I asked.

“I don’t believe so.” Con looked between the two men, who shook their heads. “Only whether I should arrange the meeting with Ms. Wallace.”

“Sure, and thanks.” I pushed away from the table and left the room, but rather than going upstairs, I went into the library. I hadn’t had time to explore it yesterday, but with David gone for several hours, doing so today would help keep my mind off when he’d return.

The Glenshadow library was among the most beautiful I’d ever seen. There were hundreds of books in the floor-to-ceiling shelves, comfy, oversized chairs were placed throughout the room, and plush, handwoven rugs kept the space as warm as the fireplace that was lit both yesterday and today. My favorite thing about it was the window seat that looked out over the loch. If I ever had a room such as this, it would be hard for me to leave even to sleep.

I stood by the window, clutching a throw pillow to my chest, and raised my face to the sun’s warmth streaming in through the panes.

“It’s a lovely spot.”

I opened my eyes and spun around when I heard David’s voice.

“It is,” I said, turning back toward the window and placing the pillow where it had previously rested on the cushion.

He walked closer and stood beside me. “Not quite as nice as the library at Ashcroft, though.”

“No? That’s hard to even imagine.”

“Sullivan?”

I wished I still held the pillow and could hug it tight to my chest. Perhaps then, the ache I felt from my overwhelming need to put my arms around him wouldn’t hurt as much.

“I’m sorry.”

I blinked away ridiculous tears and folded my arms. “No need.”

“I wish I didn’t have to return to Edinburgh today.”

What could I say? That I wished he didn’t have to, either?

“The good news is I won’t be gone nearly as long as I thought. Gus was able to arrange for air transport. In fact, I believe I hear the helicopter arriving now.”

The sound of blades got louder, and when I leaned forward, I saw it landing on the lawn below.

“I should be on my way.”

“Safe travels,” I said, still unable to look at him for fear my every insecurity would play out on my face.

“When I return, we should talk.”

I bristled but nodded. “Of course,” I mumbled, wishing I had the option of leaving before he got back so I could avoid the inevitable letdown he planned to deliver.

“Bye, David,” I said, turning in the opposite direction and walking over to the closest bookshelf.

I felt him behind me, close enough that if I leaned back just slightly, my body would rest against his.

“This is, err, unfamiliar territory for me. I, uh, that’s to say, I’m not one who has ever…” he stammered.

“Me either,” I whispered.

He put his hands on my shoulders and spun me around. “The connection I feel between us may be something I’ve made more of than it really is.” He smiled and touched my cheek with his fingertip. “As my three closest friends would attest, I fancied myself quite smitten with you when we were children. Silly, I suppose.”

“Not silly.”

“You’re being kind.”

I shook my head.

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