She raises a dubious eyebrow. “Never underestimate an old woman, Sebastian. We happen to know everything. Even before it happens.”
“Is that so?” I challenge.
She throws her hands up. “Rowan and I spoke about it last night. I also agree with him on Bellamy. I think she is the light to your darkness. The light this kingdom needs to break whatever spell you’ve felt cast under.”
I sigh. It’s a heavy fucking sigh. “I’m going to shower and take Bellamy to visit her father.”
“What?”
I grin at the shock and alarm striking Althea’s features. “If my children get to go out, I do too.”
Her eyebrow raises in a perceptive arc. “Is this an official date?”
“A date? I’m an old man. A king. She’s the nanny. How could I ever truly date her?” I’m not sure who the question is for. Me or her.
“You’re allowed to move on after Nora. Besides, I think the country would like to see you with someone. It would be good for your people to see you happy. To see the children happy. Love has a way of unifying and recharging.”
“Love? Who said anything about love? A moment ago you were talking about dating.”
“What did I just tell you about trying to fool an old woman? Besides, women talk. I’ll get the details from her. Enjoy yourride.” She pats my shoulder and continues down the stairs. This has already gotten out of hand, but Althea doesn’t seem put off that I’m with Bellamy. If anything, the grin on her face indicated she was pleased.
It’s been quite the morning, and it’s not even nine yet.
Clamoring up the remaining stairs, I head straight for Bellamy’s room. Maybe I should have put more care into preserving this as a secret, but it seems the time for that has passed. I knock on her door, only there is no answer.
“Bellamy?” I whisper-shout into the door and press my ear to the wood. There is noise inside, but I can’t quite discern what it is. I knock again, and when she still doesn’t answer, I test the knob. “Bellamy?” I call out, creaking her door open no more than an inch or two.
The sound of water running through the pipes hits me, and I grin.
What do you know? I need a shower myself.
Slipping into her room, I shut and lock the door behind me. This is likely crossing every line, but the temptation of her in the shower is too great to resist. I push the door to her bathroom open, and there is Bellamy in the shower, washing her hair, the foggy wet profile of her body instantly making me hard.
I tap on the door so I don’t startle her, but I do anyway, and she jumps, twisting to face me. “What the hell?! You shouldn’t be in here.”
“But I need a shower too.”
She shifts her stance, her hands going to her hips. “And you think I should let you join me?”
“I wasn’t asking for permission,” I tell her as I strip out of my sweaty running clothes and open the glass door to step under the scalding spray. In a flash, just as she’s opening her mouth to no doubt give me shit, my lips are on hers, my body pressing her against the cool tile wall. “Are you sore?” I ask asmy fingers glide down her wet body, past her breasts until I’m cupping her between her legs.
On a moan, she shakes her head and repeats, “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why?” I question as I hoist her up in my arms and force her legs to wrap around me. “Everyone already knows.”
Her head falls back and her eyes close as I start to play with her, rub her, work her up and get her nice and wet for me. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”
“Are you ashamed of me?” I half tease.
“I’m going to look like the floozy nanny. The harlot who seduced a king.”
I smile against her lips. “Open your eyes for me, Bellamy. Let me see all that beautiful blue.”
Reluctantly she blinks them open, and though I’m touching her and her face is flushed and her pupils are wide, there is dismay twisting her pretty face. I shift my hand to her ass, pressing my body in to support her weight so I can cup her face in my hand. For a moment, I just stare into her eyes as the sound of the shower serenades us.
“What are you worried about with me?”
She licks her lips and tries to look away, but I won’t allow it.
