The cold water soothes my throat, and it feels great to wipe all the dried tears off of my face.
“Thank you,” I croak.
He leans forward and kisses the top of my head, and my entire body sags. I might just melt into a puddle of goo.
“You can go back to work,” I say.
His eyes narrow. “I’m not leaving you.”
My heart does a little flip. “I’ll be okay,” I insist. “I’m probably just going to have a nap. I know you are stupidly busy.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I nod. “As long as you are going to hold me again tonight.”
“Of course,” he agrees softly.
I give him a weak smile and flop back down onto the bed, where I close my eyes and act as if I’m about to go to sleep.
I listen to him quietly leave and I wait for several more minutes. Then I get up. I need to find a pen and paper. I need to tell my mum that I’m not going anywhere.
I’m in love.
Chapter thirty-four
Curling up in a beanbag by your man’s feet as he works at his desk is probably a very strange thing to do, but whatever. I don’t care. I’m in love with a fey prince and this is what I have to do.
I walked three paces behind him as we made our way to his office, but here, behind closed doors, things are not so formal between us.
He can give me a beanbag to sit on, and a tablet with no Wi-Fi but preloaded with movies, and appear as if he is simply pampering his pet. In case anyone walks in unannounced. He is being as nice to me as he can. And actually, a beanbag is way comfier than a chair by his side would be.
These pink cat ear headphones are a little embarrassing, but I honestly think he doesn’t realise. I’m pretty sure he just ordered someone to find me some headphones, and these are what were delivered. He is not trying to make me look like a cute femboy. I don’t think. Anyway, I’m not sure I would mind if he was. Femboys are hot.
Rhydian’s hand reaches down and brushes tenderly over my hair, between the headphones. I lean into his touch and grin. I may look nothing more than a pampered pet,but Rhydian and I know the truth. It is clear in the air between us. The very atmosphere is weighted with our true feelings. Now that I have acknowledged my love, it feels as if everything has changed. I can see everything so much clearer now.
I love that he didn’t want to leave me alone today. He knows I’m still devastated about the tylwyth. I adore that he has made being at his feet all day as comfortable as he can. He will never say soft words to me, but he shows his feelings with his actions. And his kisses.
I cough. No. I can’t sit here and start thinking horny thoughts. I need to nip that train of thought in the bud. Right now. Feeling ridiculously loved up and soppy is one thing. Lust is quite another.
I need to focus on this movie I’m supposed to be watching. I’m a grown adult, it’s about time I learnt how to have an attention span.
Rhydian taps me on the shoulder. I pull a headphone off one ear and look up at him.
“There has been an emergency,” he says, but he doesn’t look alarmed. “The prince ruling France is on his way here to discuss the best course of action.”
Okay. This doesn’t sound too bad.
Rhydian’s gaze sweeps around the room. “We need to put your things away, and put your leash back on.”
“Oh.” That’s fair enough. Rhydian can’t exactly go around looking like a big squishy marshmallow softy in front of the leader of another country.
“You’ll need to kneel,” says Rhydian with a frown.
I flash him a warm smile. “It’s okay, I understand.”
Rhydian doesn’t look convinced. His eyes look golden in this light. Golden and full of concern. “The meeting is probably going to go on for a very long time.”
That sounds unpleasant. Kneeling for any length of time is uncomfortable. Hours of it are going to be hell.
