“Yes,” she answers right away. “Granted, it’s been an out-of-body experience today, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the fact that people bow and curtsy to me, but I know I made the right decision. The relationship between my grandparents and me is still new, but just from their welcoming arms, I know they’re the missing piece in my life I’ve been searching for.”
“Good.” I kiss the top of her head.
Her fingers dance across my chest. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Today, when I told Katla and Theo about our relationship, and you acted like I did something wrong... did I? Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” I say softly. “That was more about my insecurities than anything.”
“What insecurities?” she asks.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I say, but that doesn’t settle her.
She lifts up and moves so she’s lying more on my chest, looking me in the eyes. “If it’s about you, I want to know about it. Why were you feeling insecure?”
She won’t drop this, I know she won’t, and if I want her to get some good sleep tonight, then I need to tell her the truth.
“Growing up, I was told that my place in this world is to serve the royal family. Being with you, dating a future queen, puts me in a different position. In my parents’ eyes, you would’ve been completely off limits, no questions asked. But I went there because I couldn’t stay away. When we were at Harrogate, we were in a bubble, yet it still felt normal, but now that we’re here, it’s different. The vibe is different, and the people are different. I can feel my parents and what they might’ve said. I can see the looks in the eyes of the staff and—”
She presses her fingers to my lips, silencing me. “Keller, when have you ever cared about what people think?”
“It’s not that simple, Lilly. I was programmed differently. I was raised to know my place, and crossing over that line is what’s causing me to struggle mentally.”
“I was programmed differently too, Keller. I grew up in America, where royal families don’t exist. I was raised to have a mind of my own, to live freely, and here I am, lying in bed, in a foreign country, reflecting on my day as the future queen of Torskethorpe. Life changes constantly, and if you live in the past, you’re going to miss it.” She grips my jaw and forces me to look at her like I’ve done so many times to her in the past. “I choose you, Keller. I choose the man I fell in love with, the protector, the man who knows everything I need before I even know it. Your status, your job, your wealth, whatever it is that’s holding you back, that doesn’t register in my mind. All I care about is you. Just you, Keller.” She cups my cheek, her fingers traveling to the back of my head, where she sifts them through my hair. “I love you, that’s all that matters. And you love me, right?”
I nod. “I do. I love you, Lilly.”
“Good answer.” She smirks and, hell, I love that smile so much.
“I’m sorry,” I say as I shift her off my chest and back onto the mattress, where I hover over her. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I just need to work some things out in my head.”
“I get that. But while you work those things out, don’t push me away.”
“I won’t,” I say. “I’m sorry.” I brush her hair out of her face.
Her hands slide down my back to my briefs, and she slips her fingers past the elastic waistband. She grips my ass and pulls my pelvis closer.
“Lilly.”
“Hmm?” she asks as her fingers dig into my skin.
“We’re not doing that.”
“Why not?” she asks, moving her hand to the front of my briefs. She dips her fingers past the waistband.
“Because you need some sleep.”
“Yes, but I also need you. So, give me all of you, and then let me pass out from there. But I need that connection, don’t you?”
I do.
I need it badly.
It’s why I push down my briefs and kick them to the side of the bed before I pin both of her arms against the mattress and move on top of her body.
Her eyes become heavy with lust as she looks up at me and spreads her legs, accommodating my body.
