8. Alexi

8

ALEXI

I didn't know what had gotten into me when I asked Troy about room service. It's not like we were going to be in the same room.

But I wanted it. God, I wanted it so badly.

Being able to touch Troy, to kiss him, had opened Pandora's box for me. There was no way back now. I needed to know how good it would be to do more.

The drive to the hotel was in relative silence. But the outline I saw in his jeans, the same one I'd noticed after our first kiss, was as loud as if he were shouting and saying he wanted this too. And fuck, it made my mouth water.

There was no way Troy didn't want more.

He was an experienced guy and had probably dated a lot, which— "Are you dating anyone right now?" It fell out of my lips.

"You, I hope," he said with amusement.

"You know what I mean."

"It's okay, Lexi. It's been a while since I've dated someone, so yes, I was very much single until this week."

I tried to hide my smirk. "Good to know."

Looking relaxed after learning Troy considered what we were doing officially dating while also trying to hide an erection was hard, especially when we left the safety of the car to go inside the hotel.

Thank fuck for the cold spring weather making my coat a necessity.

While Troy gave the receptionist his details to check us in, I pulled out my phone to message my parents. They were happy to see me but annoyed that they'd have to wait an extra day because we were driving instead of flying, especially when their private jet was already in Connecticut and at my disposal.

"Here are the keys to your room," the receptionist said. "You're in your usual room, 3406."

"3406 and 3408, right?" Troy asked. "I booked two rooms."

"I can only see one booking. Let me see if there are any notes on here."

She tapped away at the computer and then picked her phone up.

Troy looked at me, and I mouthed, "It's okay."

He smiled, but I couldn't tell how he felt about us maybe sharing a room.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Mason. I made contact with my colleague who dealt with your booking. She thought it was an accidental double booking because you always just book one room with us, so she canceled the other one. I'm really sorry, but we're fully booked because of a wedding, so I don't have anything else." She was really apologetic, but all I wanted to do was say I didn't want another room. I wanted Troy's room.

Troy still hadn't said anything, so I excused us and pulled him aside.

When we were out of earshot, he blurted, "I'm so sorry. I always stay at this hotel. I can ask them to check if any nearby hotels have two rooms. Or at least one with two beds."

"Why?" I placed my hands over the lapel on his coat. "I promise I won't snore."

"That's really not what I'm worried about."

"Then what is? Because from where I'm standing, sharing a bed with you isn't so much a complication but a perk."

"Because…I don't know. God, Lexi, you have no idea how much I want you. Sleeping in the same bed and taking things slow is going to be hell."

No, it's going to be heaven.

I smiled. "Tom is going to kill you." I pointed at the small hole in the lapel.

"Oh, that. Yeah, between the present I got for Miles and the hole in the jacket he designed and made for me, I'm in the top spot to win worst brother-in-law in the world."

I ran my hands up to his neck, feeling the way his corded muscles reacted to my touch.

"I'm sure there are a lot of other prizes you can win."

"Oh really."

"Yup."

"Such as…."

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with oxygen and courage.

Rip off the Band-Aid.

"Such as being my first. Besides, unless you want to take things slow, I'm good with shifting it to top gear."

I left him standing there, absorbing my words, and practically ran to the receptionist.

"We'll take the room." I grabbed the keys from the desk and asked her if she could arrange for someone to take our luggage to the room before I walked back to Troy.

"Come on, let's get some food. I need something that isn't greasy fast food."

He trailed behind me quietly. Okay, so maybe I'd fried his brain with my confession. Hopefully, if he had time to get used to it during dinner, it wouldn't feel like such a big thing after.

The host wasn't entirely happy that we didn't have reservations, but after assuring him we'd be quick and just wanted something to eat after traveling all day, he sat us at the bar.

We both ordered steak and salad with a side of fries to share.

"So, tell me what you're hoping to do after you finish your degree," Troy asked.

Okay, so we weren't going to talk about my little announcement.

"I'm not sure yet. My…position within my family comes with responsibilities." I looked around to see if there was anyone within earshot. "Parliament has just voted to include adopted children in the line of succession. Aunt Aleksandra put it forward because she doesn't want my cousin Arabella to ever feel like she has to have biological children. That puts me firmly third in line, but it's unlikely I'll ever be king."

"Fuck, Lexi. How do you even come to terms with being in that position?"

I sighed. "My parents are great, and we talk a lot about it. I could work with my dad, Charlie, and his arts charities. I'd actually love to do that very much. I want to give back and support children from poor backgrounds like mine."

"I think whatever you want to do, you'll be amazing." He put his hand on my knee, and warm sparks went all the way up my body.

"Thank you. I still have some time before I need to make any big decisions, but I do know I never want to stop drawing and painting."

Troy sat up straight on his stool and raised his head, showing me his profile. "Would you paint me?"

"Maybe, if you didn't look like you have a stick stuffed up your ass."

He laughed and slouched on the stool, draping one arm over the back. "Better?"

"Too many clothes."

His eyes darkened and he leaned over until his face was almost flush with mine.

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Lexi."

I whispered, "It's not a threat. It's a promise."

The bartender bringing our dinner moved our focus to the food, but it didn't stop the conversation.

I never knew so much could be said with a look, and Troy was saying a lot. His gaze mapped my body slowly, and even the way he put food in his mouth was like a prelude to what would come later.

"My body is so confused right now. What's making me horny? The cow or you?" I asked, taking a bite of the butter-smooth steak.

Troy laughed. "No judgment here. This food is delicious, but you might want to hurry up."

Message received.

The confidence I showed in the reception area with my confession all but abandoned me when we walked into the room and reality hit.

I was going to sleep with Troy. In the same bed. We were going to have sex.

Wait—were we? Or was I getting way ahead of myself?

"Lexi. About what you said earlier." Troy swallowed, closing his eyes and leaning against the closed door. "I…um…you…are you…"

I pinned him to the door with my body, and even though I wasn't quite as tall as him and a lot smaller, I still delighted in the shiver I saw run through him. "Totally inexperienced? No. I have blowjobs, hand jobs, and frotting in my repertoire, but like I said, I've never had penetrative sex."

"Why?"

"Because I've never wanted anyone else to do it. I've never felt like I needed to be that close to someone else. And also, the palace is huge, but the walls have eyes and ears." I shrugged. "It was never the right time."

"And now?"

"Now, we can go to bed and sleep…or you can show me how powerful your dragon is."

He laughed but helped me out of my coat, bent his knees, lifted me, turned around, and pressed me against the wall.

"Your dragon is so strong," I joked until his mouth was on mine. I felt his erection through his jeans. A shiver ran up my spine, but there was no fear or anxiety over what we would be doing. It was one hundred percent anticipation.

"Please, Troy."

"What do you want, baby?"

"Everything. Take me to bed."

"Wish granted."

I couldn't tell where any of our clothes ended up, except that they weren't on us.

Troy was big but gentle and controlled as he covered me with his body, mouth, and hands.

He explored every inch of my body until I was trembling with need.

"It's as I thought. You blush all over and your beautiful freckles are like my own personal map of your body."

"Please suck my dick, Troy."