How could he let her go?
This was what he’d been looking for his whole life, to be with someone and feel truly connected to her in every way possible. She moved with him, and when he stared into her eyes, the love he felt for her grew until he thought he would burst with it. She longed for this just as much as he did.
Quincy moved his hips and each thrust was deeper than the last, hard and strong as she clung to his body. There was no rushing tonight, no hurry to reach the end. This was going to be the last time he would hold her, and he wanted the moment to last as long as possible. When they couldn’t stand it any longer, Quincy kissed her fiercely and moved one last time, driving home and sending them both tumbling into oblivion.
After it was over, Quincy didn’t let go but held Olivia tightly to him. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t going to work out the way he wanted and that tonight was nothing more than a dream he didn’t want to wake up from.
“Quincy,” she whispered as she faced him. “I just want you to know… I don’t regret anything.”
He smiled sadly as he smoothed her hair back from her face. “Neither do I, love.” All he could do was hold her as she snuggled against his chest, warm and safe in his arms. Tomorrow morning was a new day, and he was more determined than ever to find a way to make this work.
He didn’t think he’d survive if he couldn’t.
***
Olivia opened her eyes and stared at Quincy’s sleeping face. He was so peaceful, lying there with her in his arms, but she couldn’t stay. And at the same time I don’t want to leave. I can’t! God, I’m not going to last without him. The thoughts raced through her mind until she forced herself to take a deep breath and do what she had to. She slipped carefully from his arms, pulled her dress back on as well as she could, and crept out into the corridor. Thankfully, it was empty and she tiptoed to her room.
Her bags were packed and ready to go. All she had to do was change. The flight home left in three hours, and by that night, she’d be in Nebraska, carrying the memory of the man she loved and their unborn child.
One day, she hoped, he would understand and forgive her for not telling him.
***
Quincy stretched and yawned, rolling over expecting to find Olivia, but his bed was empty and cold where she’d fallen asleep. Frowning, he sat up and saw her dress was gone, too. His eyes fell to the painting leaning against his wardrobe and stared at the couple making love, just as they had that first night. He hurried to pull on a pair of pants and t-shirt before he left his rooms and knocked on her door.
“Olivia?” He knocked harder. “Olivia, are you awake?”
“Prince Quincy,” Allete called from down the hall. “What are you doing, sir?”
“I need to speak with Princess Olivia. Is she down at breakfast?”
Allete’s face scrunched up as she shook her head. “She left this morning for home, sir. Didn’t she tell you?”
Quincy felt the world spin, and he struggled to keep his face from betraying his sudden heartbreak. She’d been saying goodbye last night and he hadn’t even realized it. Why would she leave like that and not tell him? He’d been ready to give everything up, to fight for them, and she made the decision for them both.
“Sir, are you alright?”
“Yes,” he said and cleared his throat when the word didn’t come out clear. “Yes, I’m fine. I forgot she told me last night.”
“Was there something you needed?”
I need her, and I let her walk away, he thought and suddenly felt sick. “No… no, nothing. I’ll be in my room for most of the day if anyone needs me,” he said and quickly went back, locking the door behind him. She left him. Olivia was gone. Why hadn’t she just told him she was leaving?
Because you were holding on too tight and she was trying to do the right thing, unlike you.
He didn’t want to admit it, but through all of this, Olivia had put him and his duty above their love. She knew what this meant for him and had made sure he had a bright future here on the isle. Quincy’s face burned red with a newfound anger. How could she leave him like that? Damn his kingdom and his crown. That wasn’t for her to decide, it was for him.
And as the day passed, he used that anger as a shield against the pain he knew would shatter his heart if he let it fall.
Chapter 18