Reluctantly Royal (22 page)

I didn’t do a lot of talking. Partly because I was exhausted, but also because I was enthralled watching how this family worked. If I didn’t know better, I would think they were a normal family getting together for a weekly dinner. Cathy asked about Max’s art show in London, Max teased Alex about carrying a diaper bag, and Sam asked my opinion about the nursery.

“Did you co-sleep? I’m scared I’ll squish her.” Sam sighed. “Alex’s family all co-slept when they were little. He thinks I’m silly.”

“I didn’t really have much choice.” I shrugged. I’d been lucky to have a bed at all. My father had kicked me out as soon as he found out I was pregnant. I’d lived with my granddad until I could stand on my own two feet. “There are things you can buy to help with that. Little beds that go on your bed so you can’t roll over and hurt him. Or bassinets that go right next to the bed.”

“It must’ve been very difficult.” Sam looked at me with compassion-filled eyes. “But what an amazing job you’ve done.”

“Thank you.”

By the time dinner was finished, I could barely hold my eyes open. Marty was leaning against me, his little fingers wrapped around my arm as he fought to stay awake.

“Come on, big guy.” Max stood up from his seat and swooped Marty into his arms. “I think it’s time for bed.”

“I just need ’nother nap,” Marty mumbled into Max’s shoulder.

“Sure.” Max smiled at me over my son’s shoulder. “You look tired too.”

“Gee, that’s what every woman wants to hear.” I raised an eyebrow.

“Come on. I’ll tuck you in.” Max held a hand out to me with a mischievous smile.

“What did he say he was going to do to her?” Sam mock-whispered loudly.

“Tuck. He said he was going to tuck her in,” Cathy answered in a stage whisper.

“Ah.” Sam nodded her head. “I thought he said f—”

“Cut them some slack, ladies.” Alex didn’t bother to hide his smile.

“You guys are a riot.” I shook my head. “Pay back is a b— not good.” I shot a look at Marty and changed my phrase.

“Ignore them.” Max rolled his eyes. “Come on.”

“Good night.” I took Max’s hand and let him pull me from the room.

He didn’t say anything as he took us up the stairs and to Marty’s room. He set Marty down on the edge of the bed and undid his shoes. My heart did something funny as I watched him. The tender way he pulled the shoes off and talked quietly to Marty made my mind spin. I swallowed hard and tried to keep my emotions in check. To keep myself from staring I went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas.

“Brush your teeth, buddy.”

“But I’m so tired.” Marty fell back on the bed and covered his face with his arm. “I don’t wanna.”

“Marty,” I said his name in warning.

“Please? I can just brush them twice as much in the morning.”

“You could be done if you’d stop arguing with me.” I put my hands on my hips. “And change into your pajamas.”

“Okay.” Sighing, he slid off the bed like he was a puddle of goo and grabbed the checkered pants and T-shirt. “I’m going.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Ma’am. Yes, ma’am. I’m going now.” Marty hurried to the bathroom and pulled the door shut.

“That’s kind of hot.” Max stood up and I could feel his eyes run over my body.

“What?” I wrinkled my nose.

“The whole ‘mom’ thing. It’s sexy when you get all bossy.” He walked toward me. “You tap your foot and put your hands on your hips. Very hot.”

“You’ve lost your mind.” I let go of my hips and shook my head.

“I think you’re right.” He narrowed his eyes. “But I’m okay with it.”

“Are you sure?” I swallowed.

He put a hand on my waist and tilted my chin so that I was looking up at him.

“Yes.” His eyes were serious as they studied my face. Leaning forward, his lips brushed mine in a gentle caress.

“Oh. Ew.” Marty’s voice cut through the room.

Max leaned back from me, his eyes twinkling in the low light.

“Teeth brushed?” I stepped away from Max and looked at my son. He was climbing into his bed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I walked over and kissed his head and tucked the blanket around his little form.

“Good night, little man.”

“ ’Night, Mom.” He yawned. “ ’Night, Max.”

“Good night, buddy.” Max lowered his voice and hit the light switch by the door. “Have fun tomorrow.”

I made my way through the room carefully and out into the hallway where Max was waiting.

“Your turn.” He nodded toward my door.

“You really don’t have to tuck me in.” I smiled at him. “I doubt I’ll be able to fall asleep anyway.”

“I could help with that too.” His fingers wrapped around my wrist and tugged me after him.

Once inside my room, he turned me loose and closed the door. As he walked toward me, his eyes ran over my body, and my heart started to beat faster. He began to undo the buttons of his shirt as he walked toward me, and I didn’t waste any time pulling my dress off. If I was only going to have Max for a little while, then I wasn’t going to let any moment with him escape. His eyes stayed fixated on mine and he brushed my hair over my shoulders.

Tilting my head back, he kissed me. His lips were soft but hungry as he explored my mouth. His hands traced the lines of my body with just his fingertips. The feel of his hands on my skin elicited goose bumps, and I shivered. He chuckled, a deep masculine sound that sent my body into overdrive. When his lips left mine to trail down my neck I let my eyes close.

Pulling me closer, he swept me up into his arms and I squeaked in surprise.

“You’re a tiny thing.” He looked down into my eyes as he crossed the floor to the bed.

“Maybe you’re just unnaturally large.” I raised an eyebrow.

“Now, that’s what every man wants to hear.” His smile made me giggle.

He set me on the bed so that my legs were hanging over the edge. Kneeling in front of me, he slid my legs apart so that he could move close enough to kiss me. His hands grazed my breasts and moved down to grasp my hips, his thumbs tracing circles just inside my thighs.

Leaving my mouth, he trailed kisses over my body until his warm breath spread over my warm center. He looked up at me with a small smile before pressing his warm mouth to my skin. I sucked in a deep breath of air when his tongue darted out to trace along me. Long, slow strokes sent bursts of pleasure over my body.

Falling back on the bed, I closed my eyes and reached down to tangle my fingers in his hair. He shifted my legs so that they were thrown over his shoulders, giving him better access. My body bucked under his delicate attention, and his hands gripped my hips to keep me in place.

When the end came it hit me like lightning. I cried out before biting my lip as pleasure exploded over my body in wave after wave. Kissing my throbbing center delicately, he untangled himself from my legs and crawled onto the bed, pulling me up to the pillows.

I turned to him, ready to repay the favor, but he stopped me.

“Tonight was about you.” He kissed my forehead. “Get some sleep.”

He pulled the blanket out from underneath us, lay back and held his arm out to me.

I looked at him for a minute before doing as he suggested. His arm wrapped around my shoulders and he kissed my head. I’d never slept with a man before. Not even Marty’s father. That had been all quick tumbles in a car or hasty, quiet meetings in dark places. I wasn’t sure what had prompted me to ask him to take a nap with me earlier. My heart had been heavy and sore; I’d just wanted someone to hold me. No, not just someone. I’d wanted Max to hold me.

And now here we were again. Curled up against each other as our breathing seemed to match. He reached out and ran his hand along my hip before pulling my leg up over his. His hand stayed on my knee while his thumb rubbed small circles against my skin.

I’m not sure when it happened, but I fell asleep. I had been prepared to spend the night stressing over what would happen at the reading of the will. Instead I spent the night in the arms of the man I loved. Too bad he didn’t know it and I was too scared to tell him.

When I woke up, Max was snoring gently in my ear, and I didn’t try to hide my satisfied smile. A girl could get used to waking up next to a man who looked like Max. I sat up on my elbow and looked around the room. The alarm clock blinking next to the bed said I didn’t have long before I had to leave.

“Good morning.” His voice rumbled beside me and I turned to look at him.

“Good morning.” I leaned back so that I was propped up on one elbow.

“How’d you sleep?” He reached up and tucked some of my hair behind my ear.

“Good.” Leaning down, I kissed him softly. “How about you?”

“Like a log.” His eyes ran over the bits of me that were exposed by the blanket. “I especially like waking up next to a gorgeous, naked redhead.”

“Down, boy.” I put my hand on his chest and lowered my eyelashes. “I’ve got to get ready.”

“Go take a shower. I’ll get Marty dressed.” He looked up at me with warm eyes.

“Are you looking for brownie points?” I smiled at him. “Because you’re definitely on the right road.”

“Mission accomplished.” He leaned up and kissed my nose before yanking the blanket away from me. “Now go get clean.”

I shook my head and stood up, reveling in the way his eyes traveled over my body. As I turned to head for the bathroom, his warm hand smacked my ass, making me jump.

“What the hell was that for?” I shot him a glare and put my hands on my hips.

“Well, I didn’t want you to start thinking I was too perfect.” Lying back on the pillow, he tucked his hands under his head. “Plus you’ve got a really great ass.”

I rolled my eyes at him but didn’t say anything. I was scared if I opened my mouth I’d laugh. Instead I did as I was told and went to take a shower. I wasn’t in there long. As a mother, you learn to be quick in the bathroom or you could walk out to find the house on fire. I was wrapped in my robe drying my hair when Marty walked into the bathroom. He was trying to stuff a jacket into his backpack.

“We’re about to leave!”

“Already?” I set down the hair dryer and knelt down so I could hug him.

He rushed into my arms and squeezed me tightly. “Yeah, we’re going to eat in the car.”

“I want you to listen to Ms. Sam, okay? She’s pregnant, so don’t run her ragged.” I looked him in the eyes. “If I find out you were bad I’m taking your game system”

“I’ll be good.” He almost rolled his eyes but caught himself. “I promise.”

“Good.” Pulling him forward, I gave him a big kiss and then pushed him toward the door. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too.”

Hearing someone shuffling in the hallway, I went to the door and stuck my head out.

“Sam?” I called.

“Hey.” She turned around and gave me a small smile.

“Will you please let me know if he misbehaves? You can call me anytime and I’ll find a way to come get him.”

“Pfft.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s perfect. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks, but he has his moments.” I shook my head. “No kid is perfect all the time.”

“We’ll be fine.” She put a hand on her stomach and made a face. “This kid is going to play soccer. She’s practicing with my bladder right now.”

“Yikes.” I winced in understanding.

“She’ll move eventually.” Sam shook her head. “It’s nice to be able to say ‘her’ instead of ‘it.’ ”

“With as much publicity as you two get, I don’t blame you for wanting to keep something to yourselves for a while.”

“It’s part of the job.” Her mouth turned down and something passed over her face. “Anyway, I hope today goes well. And don’t worry about Marty. We’re going to have fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thank you.” I gripped the door handle. How had I gone from having no one to having so many people? “I owe you that spa day.”

“I’m going to hold you to it.” Sam smiled at me before walking away.

I closed my door and went about getting ready for the day. I only had what I’d stashed in my bag in my hasty retreat from Thysmer. Picking out dress pants, a blouse, and heels, I checked myself out in the mirror. My reflection looked tense and worried, but there wasn’t anything I could do about that.

“Hungry?” Max knocked on my door before peeking inside.

“No.” I shook my head. The thought of eating made my stomach flip and flop in a very uncomfortable way.

“Today is going to be okay.” Max walked in. He was still tying his tie, but he cut a dashing figure in a suit.

“Yeah.” I nodded out of habit. Today wasn’t going to be okay. Out of all the outcomes I could come up with, there weren’t any ones that left everyone happy.

“I’m serious.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “No matter what happens, things will be okay. The queen can appoint a steward for the township if she needs to. Several of the older dukes have stewards that help in the running of day-to-day operations. Your father will not hurt your family or the township.”

“What if . . .” I swallowed hard. “What if he doesn’t leave it all to Dad? I’ve been thinking about it and I can’t figure out why he would have sent a will to the queen if he was just going to pass the estate and title down to my father without any stipulations.”

“Then we’ll deal with it.” He tipped my chin upward so I was meeting his eyes. “You could have a steward while you finish school. There are always options. We just have to figure them all out.”

“Why didn’t he tell me though? I mean, why didn’t he let us know he was making a will?” I shook my head. “It’s so backward.”

“I don’t know.” He pulled me against his chest. “My family has always lived by two mottos: Family first, and nothing is ever as good or as bad as you expect. So try not to stress yourself out before we even know what’s going to happen.”

I looked up in his eyes and was surprised by the honesty. He really felt that we were in this together.

“Okay. Then let’s get going.” I stepped out of his hands and grabbed my purse from the dresser near the door.

He motioned for me to walk in front of him and I took a deep breath. Alex was waiting outside by the car when we got there. He was wearing a suit and had his hands tucked into his pockets.