He tilted his head.“I was what?”
“You were walking with Flora and you two looked so well together.So easy.”
“Are you…were youjealous?”He could hardly believe that as he said it.
Her lips pursed.“No, of course not.”She dropped her gaze.“I don’t know.I don’t want to be jealous.I have no right to be jealous.Or angry if you don’t want me anymore.We never made any promises except for a bit of fun.You owe me nothing.I’m being a little fool and I hate myself for it.”
He stared at her, hands clenched at her sides, shoulders trembling.For the first time since they’d begun this affair, he felt her lean toward him, but this was not the way he wished for it.He had never wanted to make her feel insecure or in pain.
Slowly, he moved toward the library door.He turned the key and then faced her.Her eyes were wide again and she looked at the door and then him.
“Callum?”she said softly.
“You are all I want,” he said.“Do you understand that?You are all I want, Valaria.Constantly.Like a heartbeat that I can hear all the time.Thatis my desire for you.”
Her lips parted and she took a step toward him.“Then why have you stayed away?Avoided me?”She huffed out a breath.“God, I sound so needy.”
He shook his head.“No, you don’t.I should have reached out.Idefinitelywasn’t trying to avoid you.And I’m sorry I wasn’t clearer when that was what you needed.”
“It shouldn’t be what I need,” she whispered.“If this is just an affair.”
Just an affair.Those words stung.But he ignored it as he crossed to her, cupped her cheek.It did feel like a lifetime since he’d touched her and he let out a ragged sigh as he did so.
“Isit just an affair, Valaria?”he whispered before he ducked his head and kissed her so she couldn’t answer and destroy his dreams.
