“Uh, you okay over there?” Lucien frowned at me. “You sound like you’re choking.”
I cleared my throat and shook my head. “It’s a little warm in here, don’t you think?”
“No. You sure you’re feeling all right?”
I cracked my neck from side to side and turned back to face the front, where the two royal brothers now stood, and felt my breath catch.
God, I felt like I was going to hyperventilate.
“Seriously, man?—”
“Leave it alone, Lucien,” I snapped, and immediately regretted it. But the more he talked, the worse I felt, and the last thing I needed was to pass out at the royal wedding.
Luckily for me, that was when the music started up, and as everyone turned to look for Katerina—the bride—I found myself locking my eyes on Theo.
Somewhere between ourinterludeand this moment, he’d brushed his hair back from his face, and as his eyes scanned the pews and found me, they glittered with teasing delight. I knew I should turn away, focus on the beautiful bride walking up the aisle, but, not daring to relinquish my stare on the troublemaker standing at the altar, I kept my focus centered.
At least, that was what I told myself.
It had nothing to do with the fact that Theo’s cheeks were deliciously flushed, his suit lapels were ever so slightly creased, and those taunting lips curved into a smirk, reminding me what a royal pain in my ass he was.
Great, now I was busy remembering his suggestion.
“…maybe you need the serious fucked out ofyounext time.”
“Maybe something is going around?” Lucien said, and I finally tore my eyes away from the altar and focused on the bride.
“What’s that?”
“You’re not feeling well. Theo looks a little flushed too.”
I spun to face Lucien, whose eyes were twinkling.
“You think he’s coming down with something? Did he say anything when you found him?”
Other than begging me to fuck him?“No. I’m sure he’s fine. I told you, it’s warm in here.”
“Hmm.” Lucien nodded as we all faced forward and Katerina finally reached her groom. “Maybe. If not, I’m sure you’ll take care of him.”
And that was the problem. I’d been sent to take care of Theo and had just plaintakenhim instead. So much for being the good soldier King expected me to be.
The priest moved to stand in front of the couple, and as the music faded out and everyone finally took their seats, the ceremony began.
“THAT WAS THE best wedding I’ve ever been to,” Kai said as we all filed into Villa Monaco later that night. The mansion sat on a cliff overlooking the crystal-blue Mediterranean below and was owned by all of the Libertine Kings for our many trips to the South of France—and for Theo to escape to when palace life got to be a little too much.
But he wasn’t here tonight, thank fuck. It’d been all I could do to avoid him during the hours-long reception, though given our titles, we were obligated to take photos for the press. The fact that he’d restrained himself from doing something stupid like grabbing my ass was shocking, but I didn’t linger in his presence for long. No need to tempt the beast.
“The best, huh?” I said to Kai. “I thought you said it was your first.”
“Firstandbest. What’s gonna beat a royal wedding?”
Lucien smirked at me over Kai’s head, and he didn’t have to say what he was thinking. That look said he’d be taking that comment as a challenge for whenever he decided to pop the question. Something I had a feeling was coming sooner than later, but my lips were sealed.
Lucien strolled past me and winked as he followed after Kai. “Did you choose a room for us yet?”
Kai whirled around, excitement sparking in his eyes. “Actually, I thought we could call dibs on the outdoor bed. You know…like last time.”
God, I didn’t want to know what happened out there last time, or any time. If that was where the lovers would be tonight, I’d find a room on the opposite end of the house.
