I knew what she was referring to in an instant, and then her eyes drifted over my shoulder to where Theo stood smiling and making pleasantries with one of their donors.
“Theo is always on his best behavior when you’re around.” A soft smile tilted her lips as she brought her eyes back to mine. “Thank you for getting him to the altar on time.”
I coughed a little at her word choice, the idea of getting Theo anywhere near an altar making breathing a little more difficult. And I wasn’t even going to think abouthowI got him to behave that day.
“It was no trouble, really.”
“I appreciate it anyway. It was one less thing for me to worry about that day.”
And wasn’tthatthe story of my life? People asking me to step in and make problems disappear from their life. Just so happened the “problem” had been Theo both times of late.
“The wedding was beautiful,” I said, and snagged a champagne flute from a passing waitress. “I’m glad it all went off without a hitch.”
“As are we,” Prince Louis said as he surveyed the enormous room. “Lucien wasn’t able to make today’s event?”
“Unfortunately not. He and Kai had to return home for business.”
“Oh, that’s too bad, but I’m pleased you were able to stay.” Jacqueline gave me a sly smile, her eyes twinkling. “And tell me, did you bring anyone with you today?”
I was about to answer when I felt a hand clap me on the back. “Yeah, Shep. The public wants to know. Did you come alone?”
It took everything I had not to react to Theo’s double entendre as he stepped up beside me, and thank God I didn’t, because the smile on both his parents’ faces told me they had completely missed it.
I turned to see him smugly grinning. “I did, yes.”
“That’s a shame,” Jacqueline said. “A handsome man like you should have a lovely young man on his arm.”
“What about me?” Theo spoke up, waggling his brows at his mother. “I’m single.”
I sputtered on my sip of champagne, about to kill him for suggesting something so blatant, but his mother laughed and rolled her eyes.
“If I thought you wouldchoosea lovely young man, I would suggest you go and find one too. But you have been quite adamant that you are not interested in settling down.”
It took all I had to keep a smile plastered on my lips, because Theo was about as subtle as a freight train. Even if his parents were oblivious.
“Hmm, you’re right. I’m too young and far too good looking to settle down anytime soon. I have at least another five or ten years ahead of me to sow my wild oats. Can’t say the same about this guy.” Theo winked at me, and I took back every single thought I had about him not being the most annoying pain in my assever. “He’s getting up there.”
“Theodore.” Jacqueline frowned at her son, then gave me a sweet smile. “Ignore him. Men age like fine wine, and you, Shepard Winchester, are a prime year.”
My cheeks warmed under her praise as her husband did exactly what I wanted to and politely excused himself from the conversation.
As they walked off to chat with their many friends and citizens, I slowly turned on a still-grinning Theo.
“I don’t know about you, but I am havingsomuch fun.” He downed the last of his champagne and leaned in. “And just because you cameherealone, doesn’t mean you have to when you get home…”
Jesus.He was going to give me a heart attack by the end of this trip. Not about to play his game a second longer, I decided my best course of action was to ignore him. Theo would always have a comeback, and I knew if I stayed another second I’d do something I would…notregret.
Instead, I turned on my heel and headed out of the museum to the familiar sound of Theo’s laugh, hating the fact that I wanted him to come with me—naked.
Fuck.
14
THEO
“EXCELLENT JOB TODAY. You’re a natural…when you want to be.” Amaya side-eyed me and then went back to typing up a storm on her phone as we rode back to the palace later. Really, we could’ve made the quick walk, but after spending hours in her heels, Amaya had called for the royal car. That had ended up being a great decision, because once I slid into the back seat, I fought to keep my eyes open as a wave of exhaustion came over me.
“Nah, you’re just kissing my ass because Jean’s not here,” I teased.
