Royal Watch (Royal Watch #1) - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,48

I had him. In my bed. Wanting me.

Wiggling closer, I placed my head on his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his waist. He took a breath, his arm curling around me, his eyes shut. The fire crackled, flicking light over his face. He was beautiful. A figure most of the female population dreamed about and would give anything to be with.

I really was so lucky.

“I love you,” I whispered into his chest.

Theo was passed out cold, his soft snores his only response.

Chapter 13

A thud on the door bolted my eyes open, sunlight bathing the room in a soft yellow. I lifted my head from the pillow of Theo’s arm, his body outstretched on his back. Light streamed over him as he faced me, sleeping peacefully. He was such a mixture of a boy and a man, his face still innocent and sweet, while his body was showing signs of being a man. It felt nice to wake up next to him. Safe and warm.

A knock tapped the door again, reminding me what had woken me up. As I crawled over Theo, he stirred, muttering as I slipped out of bed. Still bleary-eyed, I veered for the door, sleep thick in my head.

“Coming,” I muttered as another thunk hit the wood. I imagined it was the maid waking me for breakfast. “Yes?” I flung the door open, rubbing at my eyes.

It was not my chambermaid.

Adrenaline shot through me like an espresso, widening my eyes with a jolt.

Lennox, dressed in his dark suit, which was cut to curve his form like a glove, stood in front of me, my shoes in hand. His blue-hazel eyes, intense and predatory like a wolf’s, moved down my figure, making my skin prickle with awareness. His nose flared, stirring something in me I couldn’t even recognize.

But I was acutely aware I was only wearing panties and a white see-through tank.

“My lady.” His gaze darted up and off to the side as he thrust the heels at me.

“Uh.” I grabbed the shoes from him. “Thank you.”

“I also wanted to check on you—”

“Who the hell is waking us up this early?” Theo’s voice groaned from behind me, freezing the oxygen in my lungs, my attention stalling on Lennox’s. He stiffened, and a flutter of surprise mixed with something I couldn’t identify crossed his face quickly before he cleared his throat, standing fully upright.

“Sorry, my lady. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His response was stiff, his role as bodyguard back in place.

“Lennox?” The bed creaked, and Theo padded across the rug, rubbing his face, wearing only his tight boxers. “What are you doing here so early, mate?” Theo came around, stopping next to me, his hand going to my back.

Lennox’s eyes shifted to mine for a millisecond.

“He was bringing me back my shoes.” I held up the excuse. “Took them off the moment I left the party and discarded them along the way. You know me. The moment I can be barefoot, I will be.”

Theo chuckled, probably recalling all the times when we got tipsy at school together. I ripped off my shoes, no matter where we were, loving the freedom from them.

My attention went to Lennox, watching to see if he would dispute me and tell Theo the truth. Not that it was even a lie; I was just not recounting the whole story. But the secret between Lennox and me felt tangible. Heavy.

His gaze found mine, his lips pressing together with irritation, his head tilting slightly.

Please. The unsaid word hung in my gaze.

“Well, thanks for returning them.” Theo’s hand moved closer to my ass, squeezing. “I have a feeling the biggest expense in my future will be replacing her lost shoes.”

There was nothing wrong with what Theo said, but it scratched me like claws running up my spine, forcing my shoulders to wiggle with discomfort.

Theo peered down at his watch, his hand dropping away from me. “Bloody hell, is that the time?” He whipped around, sweeping up the clothes strewn on the floor. “Bollocks. I’m late. Father wanted me to meet him this morning with the ambassador of China.” He tugged on his pants, grabbing the rest of his items in his arms. “I’ve got to go.” He came up to me. “I will see you later at the polo match. Don’t let Eloise talk you into betting. Especially against me.” Kissing me quickly, he beelined out the door toward his side of the palace.

The moment he was gone, awkwardness crammed itself into the air, billowing out