“Just think quickly because I need to know so I don’t have to go trolling Grindr for a new potential suitor.” Sawyer started to say something when Carter added, “And yes, of course I already tried that before I asked you, so pretty please, just help a pal out here.”
“I’ll think more on it than I was before,” was all Sawyer was willing to concede, but I could tell by the victorious expression on Carter’s face that he figured he had this in the bag.
While Carter dumped some of the deets about the auction on Sawyer, Owen and I slipped away to work on the pig pen for the petting zoo.
“So they’ll come here to pet pigs?” Owen asked.
“Yeah. Although, I can’t say that someone who’s the prince of a place that’s into cosplay as much as you guys are can judge us for our little petting zoo.”
He laughed. “That’s true.”
Without his shirt on, his muscles flexing as he connected two pieces of the fence… I couldn’t help but check him out again, and he seemed to notice. “What?”
I pushed to my feet, glancing him over. He looked all sweaty and dirty in his jeans. “Awfully rugged for royalty.”
“Rugged royalty. I like the sound of that.” He rose, and as his lips mashed down against mine, I enjoyed the way his tongue invaded my mouth. I hooked my arms around him, embracing my boyfriend eagerly.
“Mmm…you taste like sweat,” I said as I pulled away from him.
“You say that like it’s a good thing.”
“It’s only good since I like the way your sweat tastes.” I went back for seconds. “Owen, we can’t fuck right here.”
“Well, Sawyer’s not in the barn, and…” He retrieved a condom from his pocket.
“In that case, we definitely can and should get in the barn.”
We slipped away, enjoying a much-needed break before returning to our work.
We had plenty to do before the festival’s inaugural event, particularly with the King of Parlaisa granting us a speech during the ceremony the following day. So once we finished our playtime in the barn, Owen and I took care of our remaining responsibilities and then helped out wherever we were needed. The festival was always fairly chaotic to prepare for, and this year even more so with the added stress of a king planning to attend.
Lucas had only managed to arrive that morning, and Carter and Dax orchestrated his appearance with the royal guard. Owen had gone to visit him and help make necessary preparations, but considering he didn’t seem wildly excited after their visit, I didn’t imagine they had made much progress on the sibling front.
Still, I kept reminding myself that despite how hectic everything was, we’d all be able to relax after the ball, when I would finally have a chance to dance with my prince.
* * *
“Well,King Lucas didn’t do such a bad job after all,” I said, sidling up beside Owen after King Lucas’s speech at the kickoff event, one that had been recorded by local, national, and international news stations.
The turnout had been phenomenal, with a crowd of attendees dressed for the auction and subsequent ball. Everyone looked so elegant and regal, O especially. In a navy tux that complemented his steel-blue eyes, he embodied everything I could have expected from a royal.
But as he stopped and turned to me, despite all the beauty that stood before me, I could see the sadness in his expression too. King Lucas had more than given his approval of equal marriage, celebrating the love that was so freely shared in the States and hoping for the same in his own country, but it clearly wasn’t enough for Owen. If anything, it seemed his brother’s presence only reminded him of their strife.
“Yes, he did the right thing,” Owen said.
I interlocked my arm with his as we headed to the bachelor auction Carter was hosting. The crowd enjoyed the sexy men basically handpicked by Carter, who was offering up clever banter as members of the audience selected potential suitors for the night. I searched for Casey and Steve, but neither was anywhere to be found.
I texted both before hearing back from Steve.
STEVE: He’s not there?
ME: I haven’t seen him.
STEVE: Rodney bailed on him. :( Told you that guy was no good. I’ll be there in a bit.
It seemed Steve had been right all along about that asshole.
I searched around for my friend, hoping he was all right.
