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He could hear her steady breathing next to hi to e to this time after time, he felt an undeniable wave of panic

They headed back to London today Reality was hitting How on earth would things be when they got back to the real world?

He worked goodness knearound the world between various hotels There was no way he had time for a relationship

It was as if a cold breeze swept over his skin

Guilt was creeping in around the edges of his brain He’d brought another woan Castle and slept with her there He’d let Grace decorate, feel at horound Most of the tian he’d enjoyed He’d only thought of Anna in fleeting ator of that when she’d brought out the cerael His last physical link to Anna

The wo of Not Grace

He shivered as her war’ Her sexy sh his body and he pushed the duvet back and stood up quickly

‘Morning I’ve got soht be a few hours I’ on his jeans and pulling a T-shirt over his head as he spoke Grace sat upright in the bed, her mussed-up hair all around her face She looked confused—and a little hurt ‘Oh, okay No problem I’m sure I can sort myself out’

There was no excuse None But he couldn’t help it His head was so mixed up he just needed some space

And that was easy Under the fake guise of work his hted to entertain Grace for the next few hours Right up until they were ready to head back to the helipad at the castle

His ood to see you, honey She’s fabulous I love her Bring her back soon’

His hand gripped the steering wheel the whole way back to Druan Castle’s helipad All of a sudden he didn’t feel ready for this It seemed rushed It had coht nohen he’d spent the last five years shut off?

He couldn’t help the way he ithdrawing It see to do

‘I think I should be honest, Grace The past few days have been wonderful But up here—in Scotland, staying in the castle—this isn’t the real world I’ you up here I kne you were feeling about Christain, and I think Iidea I’m just not ready for another relationship Not yet, anyway I’ive you what you want, Grace, or what you deserve You should have a partner who loves only you, ants to settle down and can coy to your family I’m sorry, but I’m just not that person’

She’d stopped noticing the whirring of the helicopter blades All she could hear right noas the quiet voice next to her It was al in hushed tones so she’d have to lean closer to hear But the truth was, these ords she’d never wanted to hear

Thishad been aard This afternoon had been worse She’d aloodbyes to Finlay’s lovely family and driven back to the helipad at the castle

She hadn’t been able to ask Finlay why he was on edge And now that et naked and h to ask rong Now, after giving her a Christmas she could only have drea her And he wasn’t even doing it that well HeAt least then she could have walked straight down the stairs and into the bar

She tried to push all the angry thoughts aside Finlay looked terrible He was pale and his hands were constantly twitching on his lap He wasn’t the cool, re businessman either Who was it she’d actually fallen in love with?

Her heart stuttered That was it That hy those feords felt as if they renching her stomach inside out Slowly but surely over the last few days Finlay Ar had stolen piece after piece of her heart Fro, fro trip for the decorations, the drinks at the staff party and that first kiss under the lamppost