Page 71 of Loyally, Luke
He had so many ideas, and she’d wanted to pelt him with questions, but she’d kept her curiosity curated to fit the interior designer he’d thought she was before today. Of course, she did have a degree in interior design, so at least she hadn’t lied in that respect.
But his compassion and intelligence burst out of him when he spoke of building, farming, protecting nature, and so many other things. It was very possible he didn’t realize how much he had to offer to those around him.
The sound of men’s voices drew her down the narrow storage hall that opened into the kitchen. Pete and Luke, as she’d suspected. She smoothed her palms down her stomach and drew in a breath.
She had to talk to him.
Seek his forgiveness.
Pray for his understanding.
And release this absurd connection she had with him.
“We should be able to finish up those cabinets tomorrow and install appliances,” Luke was saying, gesturing in the various directions as he spoke. “We need to finish up some trim work, too, and work on the pantry and the adjoining room, but it looks like we’re ahead of schedule.”
“Sounds like a good day to stop in at the Kilted Duck for supper.” Pete’s voice lilted, almost drawing out Ellie’s smile. “Besides, we ate the last of what you cooked yesterday.”
She could almost see Luke’s sigh as she stood in the shadow of the door. His back was to her, his broad shoulders slightly bent. Oh dear, she’d been surrounded by those arms before. A glorious feeling.
She closed her eyes to calm the sudden rush of butterflies in her stomach.Silly woman. You are not a girl.
Her gaze flashed to him, her body in full revolt.
Losh!
“Sounds like a plan.” He waved Pete toward the door. “I’ll check the back to make sure it’s locked.”
Ellie steadied her shoulders and stepped from the hall. “Excuse me.”
Luke flinched. Pete cried out.
“I apologize for startling you.” She shifted her attention from Pete back to Luke, searching his unreadable expression. “Would you mind if we talked before you left?”
Luke stared at her a second and then turned his focus to Pete, whose gaze shot between the two before his grin tightened. “Right. How ’bout I pop on down to the pub and you join me when you’re all finished here?”
“I’ll meet you there in a bit.” Luke nodded toward Pete before walking past her to the back door of the kitchen.
Pete offered a dip of his head and half a wave before he fled backward through the double doors of the main entrance to the kitchen.
Nothing but the sound of Luke’s movements as he walked to the door filled the silence. The lock clicked into place. When he turned, he took a few steps forward, his attention fixed on her, and with a gentle motion, he leaned a hip against the nearest newly installed cupboard. “I don’t—”
She raised a palm. “Please, let me go first.”
He paused, nodded, and then folded his arms across his chest, his expression not as foreboding as she’d expected. Serious and intense, but not... lost to her?
Why did that fact bring a sudden tightness to her throat? He should be furious. Maybe even hate her, but she didn’t sense any such response from him.
Her eyes stung and she looked away to gather her thoughts beforemeeting his eyes again. “I’m sorry, Luke. I’m sorry that I wasn’t forthright with you from the beginning. At first, I didn’t think it was important because it was merely work, but then...” She swallowed and gathered another breath of courage. “But then it wasn’t merely work anymore. It was real and fun and I could live in this little fantasy where I was just me and you were just you.” Her vision blurred and she looked toward the window. “I don’t ever have that opportunity. There are always expectations of my... position. And caution for what another person’s motives might be.” Her gaze found his again. “But you are so... likable and you made me believe I could be just Ellie, the woman, instead of Elliana, the princess. And we fit like people do in those silly movies. Simple and sweet and... real.” She shook her head. “I didn’t want to give it up, you see? I liked who I was when I was with you. Because I didn’t have to be anyone else. And that seemed to be all right with you.”
He tilted his head ever so slightly, studying her, his attention unmoving, focused, warming her skin. She moved a step closer. “Please forgive me. When you’ve made such poor decisions in the past, it’s easy to doubt that when all the glitz and glamour and prestige are stripped away, you will still be worthy of someone’s affections just as you are. And you’ve shown me such tenderness and understanding. I never wanted to hurt you. And I never expected to care for you as I am beginning to do. You’ve been so authentic and genuine with me, and I didn’t reciprocate with similar honesty. I’m sorry.”
He studied her a moment longer, his gaze gentling, his lips almost smiling. And then he cleared his throat and drew in a breath, standing to his full height. “I just want to know if you’re gonna use this princess thing as an excuse to stop working. Because if you want to keep this job, I don’t plan on pampering you.”
Air burst from her lungs. “What?”
“You may have used the princess gig to get out of real work before,but don’t expect it with me, all right, Ellie?” He grimaced. “Or do I have to start calling you Princess now?”
Her mouth dropped open as she stared at him, replaying his words and attempting to sort him out. “You... you’re not angry?”
