Royal Watch (Royal Watch #1) - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,74

know you texted saying she was fine, but when neither of you answered your cells last night. My mind got the better of me. I got on the first flight this morning. What were you doing anyway?”

“Nothing,” I shot out. “I watched a movie and went to bed.”

All true. But for some reason, it felt like all lies.

Theo’s gaze darted to Lennox’s. “You’re here really early.”

“I stayed here. Thought without you here and after what happened, it would be better.” Lennox’s declaration fell off his tongue with ease, not a hint of untruth to it.

Maybe that was the only reason he stayed. Not for me, but because of his job.

“Yeah.” Theo rubbed his head. “Thank you, mate.”

“Of course,” Lennox replied, the room going quiet. Strained.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, filling the silence. “I feel awful you came all the way home for me.” I stared up at Theo, his handsome face squeezing my heart.

“Don’t be. I should be thanking you.” Theo reached for me, pulling me into his arms. “It was dreadfully boring. Honestly, I think I used it as an excuse to come home.” He brushed his lips over my forehead. Relief eased my prickles, and I let him pull me tighter into his body. Warm and comfortable, I let myself drown in his familiar scent.

“Missed you,” he muttered in my ear.

“Missed you too.”

He tipped my head back, his mouth descending on mine, kissing me.

Aware of Lennox in the room, I couldn’t fully give over to the kiss. Theo broke away, keeping his head tilted into mine.

“I will excuse myself,” Lennox said formally behind me.

“Take the day off, mate,” Theo said to Lennox, his gaze never leaving mine. “Don’t think we’ll be leaving the palace today.”

His innuendo was clear.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Lennox replied firmly. For a second, his gaze slid to me. It was only a second, an unsaid moment between us—agreeing to keep our day together quiet, then he swiveled around, his boots clipping as he walked out of the palace, the door shutting behind him.

“Good.” Theo smiled, nuzzling into my neck. “I want nothing more than to spend the rest of the day alone with my girl. Make up for the time I was away.”

Shoving out my unwarranted guilt, I focused all my energy on the boy in front of me. Theo was back. He was who I loved, and I felt his presence ease me. Comfortable.

“Really?” I slid my arms over his shoulders, wrapping around his neck. “That sounds like a good plan to me.”

His mouth met mine.

Theo.

The comfort in his presence fired desire up through me; this time, I submerged myself in his kiss.

“My room?” he muttered in my ear, need thick in his throat.

“Yes.” I didn’t want to think. Just feel.

Theo didn’t hesitate for a moment, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the kitchen and down the hall, his feet moving like they were on fire.

His room was perfectly Theo, traditional with a twist of modern. The huge dark leather sleigh bed was swathed in dark greens and whites and subtle plaids. Sheets, blankets, and the duvet in the most luscious textures and fabric. Facing the fire was a leather sofa with two sleek modern chairs and a coffee table. A printed rug covered most of the wood floor, with heavy green curtains on the windows. Theo’s crew paddle leaned in the corner, and a huge telly hung above the fireplace. A few pictures of his friends and me were situated on his desk.

“You are all I thought about.” He walked me back to the bed, his lips skimming up my neck. “So bloody dull. I only got through with naughty thoughts of you.”

My legs hit the mattress, falling back onto it, his body following mine. His mouth was hungry over my own, racing my heart.

“I can’t believe we’ve waited this long.” His hand moved up my side, sliding beneath my sweater, pulling it over my head and tossing it on the ground, settling deeper between my legs.

“That’s was all you.” I grinned against his mouth, my fingers trying to unbutton his dress shirt. “I tried many times in school.” I nipped his throat, my body screaming for more, the feel of his faux fur blanket silky against my bare skin.

“I know, but with you, I wanted to wait.”

“Wait for what?” My brows crinkled.

“When I could claim you to the world.” He rolled his hips into mine, tipping my head back as heat zinged up my spine. “I knew the moment