“I’m in agreement there. Oh, we’re here.”
James let us both out, directing the carriage and his knight guards to the palace. He kept no knights with him, as was his wont when he stayed over. His knights had protested because arguably, it wasn’t exactly safe. James had argued it wasn’t like he was causing trouble out here, and few knew where I even lived to look for him. He’d gotten his way, but I knew the city guard would be alerted and asked to do regular patrols along my street to make sure their prince stayed safe and fine.
We entered through the front door, hanging coats and toeing off shoes. I offered over my shoulder, “How about a nightcap?”
“Sounds splendid.”
I left him to his own devices in my living room, pouring us both a drink before returning. Only to find him staring quite intently at something that was flat in shape, like a picture—
Nimus save me, nope.
I put both drinks down quickly on a side table and lunged for the sketch I had made of him weeks ago. “James! Put that down.”
Being taller, he held it out of my reach and kept staring. “I had no idea you were this good of an artist.”
“Hardly that, I barely dabble, and will you please give that back!”
“It’s quite good. I’m trying to think of a time when you would have sketched it—ah.” A light of pure glee entered his eyes. “When I slept under your desk. You drew this then. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you’re right, dammit, now put it down.”
“Why are you embarrassed? Hmmm?” He finally put it down, on the mantel, like it should be shown to the world. “It really is quite good.”
“You are absolutely impossible.” I groaned, rubbing my forehead. “What can I do or promise to get you to ignore that sketch?”
He leaned in and smacked a kiss against my lips. “Not a blessed thing.”
I should have left it safely locked in my desk drawer. I saw that now. Hindsight and all. Was it too late to stuff it back in the drawer?
Reading him easily, I deadpanned, “You’re going to frame it and hang it in your bedroom, aren’t you?”
“Well, I can’t leave it here. You’ll get rid of it.”
Fuck a duck, of course he’d divine my ulterior motives. I could only blame myself for that.
Only one tactic on hand might get me out of this. I leapt into it wholeheartedly.
I put both arms around his neck and leaned in to nibble on his neck and just under his ear. “James, don’t you want to leave it here at least?”
“You”—he groaned, head already tilting to give me access—“are so incorrigible. No, I do not trust you with it.”
I slid a knee between his legs and pressed up, grinding against him. “You sure of that?”
He choked back another groan, eyeing me as if I wasn’t to be trusted. “We’ll negotiate this later.”
Oh, we’d negotiate. After I wore him out and the picture “mysteriously” disappeared. For now, though, I had a willing man at hand, and I was absolutely taking advantage of him.
Forty-seven
James
For once, I was doing something without Edwin.
On purpose, I should say.
After the dinner date with Lucien, I felt compelled to do this now. I wanted all to know my heart, and there shouldn’t be any doubt about who I’d choose as my life partner. Seeing how well Edwin got along with my nearest and dearest made me think now was the best time to make a move. Besides, he was doing very sweet things like reuniting me with Titan. How could I not act upon his open generosity and try to keep this man properly at my side?
Captain Rowan rode with me today, along with Dame Temperance. I wanted this to be a surprise, so I had to make my custom order outside palace grounds. Otherwise Edwin would hear of it. Edwin heard of everything.
