Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Chalisa didn't wantto leave Aiden's side. They received loads of congratulations and then they were able to escape to their suite, shower, and eat the lunch that was waiting for them. Alone. Finally.

They cuddled on the couch after lunch. She wanted to talk to and kiss him for hours, but she was drained. How could she be so exhausted? She'd slept well last night, and he'd carried her that last terrifying and exhilarating bit of the race. She couldn't believe how strong he was, but even more, she couldn't believe the words he'd said. The most important person in this world. He'd said that while looking at her as if she were his world, and then he'd kissed her.

She'd won the million dollars. It was thrilling, but not as thrilling as the time she'd spent with Aiden.

She fell asleep dreaming of them being together beyond this week.

When she awoke, she was cuddled into Aiden's side on the couch. His blue eyes were open and focused on her.

"Did you rest?" she asked, instead of the dozens of other questions she needed to ask him.

"A bit." He traced his fingertips over her cheek. "I can't stand to miss a minute of being close to you."

"You'll walk away tomorrow?" She shouldn't have brought it up.

He didn't even flinch. His blue eyes looked tortured. "I will," he confirmed.

Chalisa swallowed and stared at him. She had no idea what to say or do. He'd been honest with her, and she'd still fallen in love with him. She told him she'd always forgive him. She would, but she wanted him with her.

"I guess we'd better get ready for the dinner and ball," she said because she didn't know what else to say. She couldn't change his mind or his path and she didn't know that it was right to try to.

He looked like he wanted to protest, but he only nodded.

Sliding out of his arms and off the couch, Chalisa hurried to her bedroom and was able to close the door before the tears escaped.

She took her time getting ready. The dress Mercedes's people had designated for tonight was gorgeous, a silver material that draped perfectly on her. She put on the Maquech Beetle necklace and cried again. She had to say a prayer, dry her tears, and reapply her makeup.

Finally, she knew she had to walk out and face Aiden. It was heart-wrenching. She wanted to relish each moment with him, but every moment made her more deeply invested and he was going to walk away tomorrow. She didn't blame him. Who was she to come between an oath and a promise to his own father? Yet Reagan had made a deathbed promise to their father and their mom had been the one to break it. Could anybody help Aiden break his promise? He didn't seem to even want to try, and she felt horrible for wanting to make him.

She opened her door, and Aiden was obviously pacing the main area. He spun to face her, looking devastatingly handsome in a dark-gray suit and silvery tie that matched her dress. His beloved face was her favorite part. Especially as his blue eyes softened and lit up as they trailed over her and his jaw slackened.

"Chalisa." He said her name reverently, as if she were priceless to him.

He darted across the room but stopped in front of her. His eyes swept over her again and he brushed the skin next to her necklace.

"Chalisa …" He swallowed and dropped his hand. "I'm a mess, and I've never in my life been a mess."

She wanted to smile, but this was too serious.

"I've sworn to focus on my life path and not let anyone into my heart, but I never saw you coming. How could I possibly resist you? How right it feels to be with you?"

Her lip quivered, and she wanted him to wrap her up tight and reassure her that he couldn't resist her and would never walk away.

"But how can I break my oath and promise to my dad?"

"I don't know," she admitted. He looked even more miserable. Before he could say anything, she rushed on. "I told you Reagan and Kingston's story. How he didn't know how to leave his responsibilities on Magna, but she didn't think she could leave me and my mom."

He nodded.

"Reagan made a deathbed promise to my dad to take care of my mom. That was the biggest reason she wouldn't leave Oceanside, and my mom kept saying she didn't want to move. But when my mom and I heard about that promise, we were both upset, and my mom told her it was fulfilled."

He studied her.

"Not the same, but similar." She lifted her hands when he still said nothing. "I have no answers either, but God does. I'll pray for us. For you."

He gave her a sad smile. There was obviously no faith in it. Would he ever drop his pride and turn to God? For her? Even as deeply as he felt for her, she didn't know that he would.

"Thank you." Extending his hand, he said, "Would you please accompany me to the royal dinner and ball? Our celebration party, coincidentally."

"I'd be honored." She forced her own smile and put her hand in his. As always, she felt the rightness of them being together. It made it even harder to think about separating tomorrow.

They walked down the hall and stairs together, both quiet and reflective. As soon as they started running into royal couples, they each did a great job of smiling, laughing, teasing, celebrating. The cameras were on them, but she'd grown used to that.

The dinner was delicious and the time sped by. Chalisa could feel the distance growing between her and Aiden and they weren't even apart yet.

After dinner, they joined many of the Magnites in the ballroom.

The celebration started with Mercedes presenting her with a million dollar check for Nursing Kindness. Chalisa had done it. Exactly what she had come here to do. Well, mostly Aiden had done it. He was her hero in so many ways.

She glanced at Aiden, who was cheering for her along with everyone else. He'd quickly become her entire world. After tomorrow, she'd never see him again.

The presentation ended and Mercedes whispered the money was already deposited. Chalisa thanked her, tears in her eyes. This money would make healthcare available to so many who were slipping through the cracks. It was huge. They hugged. "Thank you again," she told Mercedes. "This will help so many."

"Thank you." Mercedes squeezed her arm and smiled at someone over Chalisa's shoulder.

Chalisa turned.

Aiden waited with a broad smile. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes," she said breathlessly.

He clasped her hand and wrapped his other hand around her waist. She palmed his muscular shoulder with her free hand. No matter how often they touched, she felt the spark and desire and rightness of being together. His blue eyes feasted on her as they waltzed around the room.

Dancing with Aiden was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Every moment there seemed to be a ticking clock in her head. Neither of them brought up anything substantial. What would rehashing their bleak future do but make her cry some more?

Still, it was hard not to get caught up in the beauty and magic of this gorgeous room, the royal ball, the special night celebrating their win, and especially the man holding her.

The night sped by, and they danced, talked, and laughed with each other and all these Magnite people that she loved, and even with Jagger and Hays.

They walked hand in hand back to their room. It slammed into her anew that their time together was almost over.

Aiden swept the keycard over the door, held it for her, and then walked her to her bedroom door. He turned to face her. "Paul was in Italy with an assignment and is almost here with my plane. He'll rest and then fly me home in the morning."

"Oh." There it was. He was flying away. Not even waiting until tomorrow night for Mercedes and Shawn.

He rested a hand on the doorframe above her head and leaned in. At least she'd get one last kiss. "Could I fly you home?"

Chalisa smiled at those words.

"What?" He gave her his patented smirk.

"I've never had a boy ask to fly me home before." She reclined against the doorframe and smiled up at him.

"That's because I'm not a boy. I'm the Bionic Man."

"Yes, you are."

He bent down and gave her a soft, tender kiss. "Yes, you'll fly home with me," he whispered against her lips.

"Yes," she agreed.

"Thank you."

She could only nod. Her throat was tight, and emotion filled her.

Aiden lifted his hand from the doorframe and traced the skin around her necklace. Everlasting love.

Not if she couldn't be with him.

The skin of her neck tingled with warmth. He trailed his fingers up to her jawline and cupped it. His blue eyes were fixed on her, and she prayed he'd give her some hope, some indication that they had a chance.

Aiden bent and gave her a lingering kiss, and then he backed away. "Goodnight." He turned and strode into his room, shutting the door firmly behind him.

Chalisa slowly made her way into the bathroom and attached closet. Tears stung her eyes. She'd have the plane ride home with Aiden, but it felt like he'd already closed his heart.

She sank to her knees in her fancy dress and said a very long prayer.