“Oh, that. Yeah, between the present I got for Miles and the hole in the jacket he designed and made for me, I’m in the top spot to win worst brother-in-law in the world.”
I ran my hands up to his neck, feeling the way his corded muscles reacted to my touch.
“I’m sure there are a lot of other prizes you can win.”
“Oh really.”
“Yup.”
“Such as….”
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with oxygen and courage.
Rip off the Band-Aid.
“Such as being my first. Besides, unless you want to take things slow, I’m good with shifting it to top gear.”
I left him standing there, absorbing my words, and practically ran to the receptionist.
“We’ll take the room.” I grabbed the keys from the desk and asked her if she could arrange for someone to take our luggage to the room before I walked back to Troy.
“Come on, let’s get some food. I need something that isn’t greasy fast food.”
He trailed behind me quietly. Okay, so maybe I’d fried his brain with my confession. Hopefully, if he had time to get used to it during dinner, it wouldn’t feel like such a big thing after.
The host wasn’t entirely happy that we didn’t have reservations, but after assuring him we’d be quick and just wanted something to eat after traveling all day, he sat us at the bar.
We both ordered steak and salad with a side of fries to share.
“So, tell me what you’re hoping to do after you finish your degree,” Troy asked.
Okay, so we weren’t going to talk about my little announcement.
“I’m not sure yet. My…position within my family comes with responsibilities.” I looked around to see if there was anyone within earshot. “Parliament has just voted to include adopted children in the line of succession. Aunt Aleksandra put it forward because she doesn’t want my cousin Arabella to ever feel like she has to have biological children. That puts me firmly third in line, but it’s unlikely I’ll ever be king.”
“Fuck, Lexi. How do you even come to terms with being in that position?”
I sighed. “My parents are great, and we talk a lot about it. I could work with my dad, Charlie, and his arts charities. I’d actually love to do that very much. I want to give back and support children from poor backgrounds like mine.”
“I think whatever you want to do, you’ll be amazing.” He put his hand on my knee, and warm sparks went all the way up my body.
“Thank you. I still have some time before I need to make any big decisions, but I do know I never want to stop drawing and painting.”
Troy sat up straight on his stool and raised his head, showing me his profile. “Would you paint me?”
“Maybe, if you didn’t look like you have a stick stuffed up your ass.”
He laughed and slouched on the stool, draping one arm over the back. “Better?”
“Too many clothes.”
His eyes darkened and he leaned over until his face was almost flush with mine.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Lexi.”
I whispered, “It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”
The bartender bringing our dinner moved our focus to the food, but it didn’t stop the conversation.
