The Hero and the Hidden Royal - Renae Kaye Page 0,15
sending me alone.”
Derek knew she was fibbing, but it was amusing to think it might be true.
“Anyway, sweetheart,” his mother continued before he could reply, “Your father and I are having dinner with the Santoses, we’re pulling up outside their place now, and you know how they like to go to bed early, so we’ll be finished about nine. We thought we would pop over to see you and maybe have a bit of dessert?”
Oh, help. This was going to get awkward. His mother would be suspicious if he said he was going out, because he never went out. Being less than visible was all sorts of dangerous.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Not tonight. I have a friend coming for dinner.”
His mother completely missed the point.
“That’s okay, we can all share dessert together. Your father was going to go to that café near you that does those pastries. We’ll bring extra for your friend. Who is it? Abel? Francois? Or someone new? I like meeting your friends.”
Derek closed his eyes. “No, Mom. It’s someone new, and no, you can’t come over and meet him. Not tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s a friend, Mom.”
“Yes. So?”
Derek rubbed at his face. “Put Dad on, will you?”
His mother was so clueless. His father would get it.
“Why? What are you not telling me, Derek? Are you in trouble?” Then her voice came from a distance as if she’d pulled the phone away from her face. “Frederick? Derek wants to talk to you. I think he’s in trouble. He won’t tell me something. Speak to him and find out what’s the matter.”
There were some muffled movements on the other end of the phone, and Frederick came on the line. “Son? What’s wrong? Why are you scaring your mother?”
This time Derek’s sigh was audible. “Nothing’s wrong, Dad. Mom’s just being obtuse. She wants to come over and share dessert, but I can’t because I have a friend coming over for dinner.” He paused and said with emphasis. “A friend.”
“Oh, God.” Frederick’s groan was sympathetic. “Gotcha, son. Have a good night and I’ll see you another time.”
There were some more muffled crackling sounds and Frederick’s voice came from a distance again. “Here, Peg. Hang this damn thing up, will you? You know I don’t like technology.”
Peggy protested. “But what’s wrong with Derek? You know how he is. We need to go over and—”
Frederick cut her off. “We’re not going anywhere near Derek’s place tonight.”
“But we said—”
“Derek’s romancing what could be our future son-in-law. He doesn’t want us there.”
Peggy gasped. “Derek has a date? That’s wonderful! I want to meet him. It can be a quick visit. We said nine o’clock. Surely they’ll be finished with their own dinner by then.”
Derek knew he should hang up the phone and not listen any more, but it was impossible. He pressed his lips together and tried not to groan as he heard his father say, “Peg, Derek and his date probably want to be naked by nine o’clock.”
There was a silence laden with meaning, then Peggy asked quietly, “Are you sure that’s what he meant? He’s not in trouble?”
“He’s not in trouble, Peg. He’s just horny. Let’s give him some space.”
That was it. Derek couldn’t listen any longer. His dad mentioning that Derek could be “horny” was the limit of his rope. He hung up and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Hell, yes, he was horny. And he fervently hoped Sam was interested in a little clothing removal, but knowing that his parents knew that was a big pill to swallow.
But he had to choke down the pill because the buzzer from the lower entry sounded. His date had arrived.
~~~~~~~~
Chapter Six
SAM WAS WONDERFUL AND DIDN’T freak when a pair of pants opened the door to admit him.
“Are you wearing other clothes, or have you decided to test the limits of my control and start early?”
Relief flooded Derek—thank goodness Sam was interested in that clothing removal after all.
“Come in. I’m sure that within a couple of minutes you’ll have the answer to that yourself,” Derek said, and waved his hand to give Sam permission to move into the room. Then he remembered his arm and shirt weren’t visible, so he stepped back against the wall, hoping to get the message across.
Sam made a beeline for the table and placed several bags on the surface. “I have a feeling that the answer will be the one I don’t want, but that’s okay. I promised myself food and talk first. Then we’ll see.”
“Or not see, depending