Chapter 26

26

ADRIAN

"Before I explain, I need to ask. Did you really doubt me?"

Isaac drops his chin, but only for a second. His eyes are fierce. "You have a habit of running away from things."

It hurts to hear him say those words. But I'm done running. Done letting others shield me. Mrs. Glenn died years ago, and I never knew. I'd been too afraid to ask the questions. "That's exactly why I didn't contact you."

"For the love of God, Adrian."

I hold his arms because I can't stop touching him. I need that connection. "I wanted to have everything in place. Our parliament is old-fashioned, unlike my parents. And they have some power. I needed to talk to them and see if this would remove me from the line of succession."

His hand flies to his mouth. "Can they do that?"

"Yes. But I don't think it would go their way."

"So us being together depends on a bunch of stuffy old men?"

I can't help the small smile that slips through. "Not all stuffy. Not all old. Not all men."

"Oh. Sorry."

"And us being together doesn't depend on any of that. Only on whether I would be the future king or Phillipe would take my place. Just to be clear, Phillipe does not want the job."

His eyes widen. "You would give up your crown for me?"

I kiss him, lingering a moment. "Do you not get it? I would give up everything for you. I love you, Isaac."

"You do?"

"How can you doubt it?"

"Unfortunately, doubt is my default setting."

I cup his face and rub our noses together. "I'm here to readjust those settings."

He laughs. "You're a goof."

But my stomach still swoops—a minor revolt—at the thought of causing him distress. I stare into his warm blue eyes. "I'm madly in love with you, Isaac," I say, kissing him again. "Don't ever doubt that."

"Do you love me too?" Simon stands beside us, and Reginald is holding his hand.

"Yes. Absolutely."

Simon rushes me, and I pick him up for another hug. "I love you, dear Simon." I kiss his forehead.

"I love you too, Prince Adrian."

"You can call me Adrian."

He grins, and then his smile drops. "Thank you for coming back, Adrian."

I hug him again, holding in my emotions. This is why I waited. Everything had to be in place. Nothing uncertain. Simon and Isaac have had nothing but uncertainty in their lives. This—us—is a certainty.

"I'll always come back."

Reginald clears his throat. And this time, it's not to get my attention. Are his eyes damp?

"What did they decide? Your parliament, I mean," Isaac asks. "Are you still the future king?"

"Let's just say Phillipe can live the rest of his days in his dungeon with no worries."

I kiss Isaac again, this time a bit too long. His eyes shine with happiness. I clear my throat. "Are you ready, Reggie?"

"Ready, Your Highness."

"Then let's go meet Noelle."

Simon stares up at Noelle and her new calf, Zuri, with his mouth open and his eyes bulging. "Where's the baby?" he asks his dad, looking adorably confused.

"That is her baby."

"But she's bigger than me." He waves his hands at the giraffes. "She's bigger than you."

"I think I'm taller than Zuri," Isaac says with a snort. "I'm over six feet."

"Barely." I kiss the top of his head, and he scowls in return.

The mother giraffe dotes on her calf, reminding me of this sweet man. I wrap my arms around him and kiss the back of his neck.

He leans against me. "Can you imagine having a child that big? Mama giraffes are badass."

"Badass," Simon agrees.

"No, don't—" But he stops and shakes his head with a laugh.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly, kissing below his ear.

He leans into my touch. "I'm perfect."

We walk around the zoo, and I show Simon my favorite animal. Geese. Most people don't like geese because they can be very aggressive, but they are just protecting their own. Isaac squeezes the back of my neck. He reminds me of a goose. A gander, actually. He's very protective of those he loves.

And he loves me. Something that still seems unreal.

Mrs. Glenn would be happy I found my person. Isaac says he wants to visit Sumner. I would love to meet her daughter and give my belated condolences. She shouldn't be difficult to find. The population is around seventy-eight.

And we can visit Maxie. I can imagine Simon's eyes at seeing this forty-foot-tall fiberglass goose with a wingspan of almost sixty-five feet. They say on a windy day, it looks as if she's taking off. He would love that.

Next, we visit the elephants. They are Reginald's favorite. Simon chatters with excitement as he pulls Reginald toward the exhibit. It's a treat seeing the world through Simon's and Isaac's eyes.

"Holy sh—cow!" Isaac tilts his head back as he gapes at the majestic animals. "They're beautiful." He wrinkles his nose. "And smelly."

I laugh, taking his hand and kissing it. How can one person—no, one family—make me so deliriously happy?

As we eat cotton candy and watch the monkeys squeal and play, I'm reminded of my words to Phillipe. Words that seemed dramatic at the time but are now the absolute truth.

I am forever changed.

Fine, those words are still dramatic. Maybe they've helped me find the person hidden inside. Not a prince—not just a prince. A person who loves with all his heart. And deserves to have all that love returned.

Simon's actual birthday party is at Christy's Café. Christy baked the cake, and it's a little too elaborate for a six-year-old's birthday party. At least, that's what Isaac says. In my family, nothing is too elaborate.

Miles and Zye are there, of course. As well as Isaac's parents. They're warm and welcoming and hug everyone, including me. It's so completely different from my own family that I stare at them for a moment. Isaac threads our fingers together and leads me over to Christy and his daughter.

"Hello, Lanie."

"Hi," she says with a shy smile.

Christy rolls his eyes and waves someone over.

The man is taller and more muscular than Christy. A look of fondness, normally reserved for his daughter or Simon, flashes momentarily in Christy's eyes.

"Uncle Garrett!" Simon squeals when he sees him, throwing himself in the man's arms.

"Munchkin. How are you?"

"My name isn't Munchkin. It's Simon."

"Oh?" He glances around the room, his mouth open in mock surprise. "When did this happen? Nobody told me."

Simon giggles. "You know my name. It's me, Simon."

"Right. Simon. Simon Garrett. A very good name." He kisses him on the cheek, which Simon promptly wipes off.

Reginald is also there, but, as always, he tries to hang back. Simon refuses to let him remain in the background and tells him right off that when it's time for cake, he will sit next to him.

A few of Simon's friends from school are there, and Simon runs off to play with them.

"So, this is your prince, Isaac?" Garrett crosses his arms, a cheeky smile on his face.

I hold out my hand before Isaac can respond. "Adrian, just call me Adrian." He has a good, firm grip. "And if Reginald gives you looks, just ignore him. That's what I do." Isaac pokes me, and I wrap my arm around him and kiss the side of his face.

"They're so cute," he says to Christy, who growls in response. For some reason, this makes Garrett laugh. Christy tries to hold in his smile, but he can't. When he looks at Garrett, his eyes are…soft. Is there something going on between them? I was told they disliked each other and argued all the time. And I can see the last part but not the first.

We sing "Happy Birthday" to Simon, and Isaac and I sing off-key. Just because it makes Simon laugh. The cake melts lovingly in my mouth. Which seems weird but accurate. I swallow so I don't get yelled at by Isaac and Simon. "This cake is amazing, Christy."

"Thank you. It's triple chocolate. It has white, milk, and dark chocolate in it."

"It's delicious." I nod to Reginald. "Reggie, make a note to have Alonso add Christy's triple chocolate cake to our desserts."

"Nope." Christy wags his finger. "You can't have this recipe. It's a family secret."

"But…I'm family." I feel like family. I feel more like family here than when I'm with my own.

Christy shakes his head. "Did you put a ring on it?" My mouth opens, and I look at Isaac. I think he's joking, but I'm not sure what to say. I would marry Isaac in a heartbeat, but it's more complicated than that. And not only because being a prince consort involves many, many things, but because I'm not sure Isaac is ready or even wants that.

"Stop harassing my boyfriend, Christy." Isaac threads our fingers together and kisses my cheek. "Ignore him. I think it's because Garrett's playing nice, and he needs someone to fight with."

Christy glares at Isaac, and Garrett laughs.

When everyone's focus is elsewhere, I lean in so only Isaac can hear. "Is there something between Garrett and Christy?"

"What? No. I mean, Garrett had a crush on him, but that was a while back. They can barely stand each other now."

"Really?" I glance over to where they are laughing and arguing. But it seems friendly.

He shrugs. "They're getting along for Lanie's sake."

"Of course. I heard Garrett say he stayed here last night."

"Why get a hotel if you have family around? And he wants to see Lanie."

"Yes, all reasonable things. Except…" I tilt my head as if thinking. "Didn't Lanie stay the night with her friends?"

"I think you're reading too much into it." But his voice sounds less sure than before.

Simon opens his presents, which are what you'd expect a six-year-old to get on his birthday. I try not to squirm as Isaac hands him mine and helps him open it. It's not an action figure. Or a dinosaur. And now I'm regretting all my choices.

Simon's eyes widen, and when he grins, relief surges through me.

"Did you draw that?" Lanie asks, staring at me. I nod, and Isaac kisses my cheek. It's a sketch of Isaac, Simon, and me. One happy family.

"You're so talented and sweet, babe," Isaac says, whispering in my ear, "And you are so getting lucky tonight." I almost choke on my tongue. He gives me a quick kiss full of promise.

"I love it, Adrian! Daddy, can I put it on my wall?"

"Wherever you want, bud."

After the presents, people start packing up to leave. Garrett clears his throat and stares straight ahead as if frozen. Christy stands off to his right, not looking at anyone. "I have an announcement to make," Garrett says. Everyone turns toward Garrett. Everyone but me. I watch Christy. He glances at Garrett with something close to panic in his eyes. There is definitely something going on. He opens his mouth like he's going to interrupt him. But then he snaps his mouth shut. "I'm…I'm moving home."

"Oh my God," Isaac says, staring in disbelief. "Seriously? It's been fifteen years. You're leaving New York?"

Garrett's eyes flick to Christy and then back. "Yes, well, I've had a good career. No doubt. But I miss being with my family." He looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn't. Everyone congratulates him. Isaac gives him a hug and slaps him on the back. Simon jumps up and down, telling Garrett everything they can do together when he moves home.

It reminds me that I'll be leaving again. And again. How will we make this work with me leaving all the time? And not just out of the state but out of the country. I can't let the doubt cripple me because I know we'll do whatever it takes to make this work.

I would never give up on Isaac. And he'll never give up on me.

Lanie hugs her uncle. "Thank you, Uncle Garrett."

Which seems like a strange thing for a teenager to say. "You're welcome, Tato."

She sighs. "Don't call me that."

And I think this must be a regular thing because he's grinning at her like that was the reaction he hoped for.

"Where are you going to live, Garrett? Here with Christy and Lanie?"

He ducks his head, and there's an almost blush on his face. Am I imagining that? "Nah. I bought the Stryker farm." Lanie squeals and hugs him again. I remember Simon telling me about her horse.

That night, Simon falls asleep before the bedtime story ends. It's been a long day for him. Isaac and I snuggle on the couch. The television is on, but neither of us is watching it.

"You still don't think there's something going on between Christy and Garrett?"

"There's nothing going on. I promise. Don't you think it would be weird? Getting together with your brother-in-law?"

"Weird?" I glance down at him and smile. "Weirder than a European prince falling in love with a single dad in Burger King?"

"You have a good point."

"I have many good points."

"Yes," Isaac says, kissing me, "you do." He jumps to his feet and holds out his hand. "I think it's time to explore some of your finer points."

I'm no longer anxious about doing everything right as I follow Isaac to his room. Isaac is patient, kind, and full of love. I feel cherished and adored. But not as if he's telling me what I want to hear. Isaac genuinely loves me. Cares for me.

He leads me to his room and starts undressing. I do the same, and we lie on his bed facing each other.

His fingers trace the bones in my hip. "Sorry my bed isn't as big as yours."

"It's perfect." I move closer and pull him against me. "Who needs all that room, anyway?"

"Not me," he says, rolling us until he's on top, his body pressed into mine in all the right places. My heart pounds as my body sings with pleasure. Isaac kisses my neck, and my hands go to his hips. I'm already hard and not sure how long I will last. As he sucks on my collarbone, I close my eyes, giving in to the sensations of his mouth. His tongue. The smell of coconuts surrounds me. He bites my earlobe, and I moan at the sensations of pleasure and pain.

"Hold on." Isaac gasps for breath. Then distinctly, he says, "Hey, Google. Play fire."

The crackling of a fire fills the room. It reminds me of the many fireplaces in the palace. It's romantic. Seductive. I raise a brow.

He laughs and hides his face. "You were getting loud. I can change it to ocean waves or a storm or…music." He shifts, and guessing his intent, I hold him tighter so he can't get up.

"This is perfect. You're perfect."

"Far from it."

"Don't argue."

He grins. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"God, you're cheeky." And then we're kissing, desperately, frantically. His tongue in my mouth. I clutch him, trying to pull him closer.

This is what I want. Him inside me. Part of me. I swallow the lump in my throat. "Isaac, please."

"Please, what, my sweet prince?"

Asking for what I want has never been easy. His smile is patient. Loving.

The crass words spring to mind, but I can't bring myself to say them. "I want you." I slip my hand between us and grab his cock. My mind stops working. Strength. Velvety warmth. Pulsing…it gets larger in my hand. "This. I want this."

He moans and thrusts into my hand, and my grip tightens. "God, babe. If you don't stop, this will be over too soon."

The power in his words. I'm doing this. Still, the word slips out. "Sorry."

"No. You're not allowed to be sorry for almost making me come." He kisses me. "Do you want this to be quick and dirty, Adrian?"

I want that. I want everything. I thrust against him, trying to get friction. "What's my second choice?"

"Slow and torturous."

Want surges through me. "Yes, that one."

He chuckles. "Do you want me to fuck you?"

I swallow and nod. Words are impossible.

"For that to happen," Isaac says, and then groans, which has me gripping him harder. "You're going to have to let go."

"Oh." I release his cock, holding in the word sorry, and he chuckles again. Then he's kissing his way down my chest, down my stomach, and…completely bypassing where I want him most. "Isaac."

He kisses the inside of my leg and bends it up. He sucks at a spot on my inner thigh, and I gasp, already close. I want his mouth on me. Instead, he bends my other leg and grabs a pillow. "Lift up, sweetheart."

He places the pillow under me and has me hold my legs, putting me on display for him. I feel vulnerable, but my cock is hard and leaking precum.

"Even your asshole is perfect," he says, brushing a kiss against my hole. It's teasing and light, and I need so much more. But before I can say any of that, he's licking and lapping and jabbing his tongue into my hole. I sling my arms out, my body on fire, matching the crackling in the room. I tense. I'm so close. A quick kiss to my hole, and he backs away. "Not yet, sweetheart."

Isaac moves up on the bed, and I'm left with my ass in the air, exposed. I shift to see what he's doing.

"Don't let go," he says, and then he's back. He squirts lube on his fingers, and I pull my legs back and apart, my ass clenching at the thought of having him inside me.

We've done this much before, so I'm ready this time. He slips in a finger, and I push against him with a moan.

"Adrian," he asks, sounding delighted and not at all reproachful, "have you been practicing?"

I nod. "Yes. A lot."

"Very good, Adrian. I fucking love how your body just sucks me in. I can't wait to fuck you."

I'm close. It's not just his words. His finger pumping in and out, increasing in speed, and then a second finger. I gasp as he hits my prostate. Pleasure ripples through me. "So close."

"I need you to wait, Adrian. Can you do that?"

I nod, even though I'm not sure I can.

"Are you sure?" he asks, adding another finger, and God. "Can you obey me?"

At that moment, I'm not sure I can. But I want to. Lord, do I want to.

He pulls back. Is he taking pity on me? But he kisses my sweaty brow, and then he's rolling on a condom and adding more lube.

This is it. The nerves return. His cock is much bigger than his fingers. What if I can't? What if I disappoint him? I push back against those thoughts. This is Isaac.

"I'm going to take care of you, Adrian." His fingers return to prepare me, and then his cock is pressed against my entrance. My body tenses.

Isaac must notice because he pulls away, and my doubts return. He grins and sucks the head of my cock into his mouth scattering my thoughts. He pulls the foreskin back and sucks again, and I can no longer remember my name.

Isaac strokes my cock as he returns to his spot and pushes inside, past the tight ring of muscle. He fills me inch by slow inch, pulling back and moving forward until he's seated.

It's not enough. "More, please. More."

"There is no more, sweetheart. You've got all of me."

I tug his hair. "You know what I mean."

"I do." He crushes our lips together as he pulls all the way out and thrusts back in. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes," I say, unable to catch my breath.

When I'm close to losing it, Isaac slows the pace. Everything intensifies. The crackle of the fire. His breath on my face. His hand on my nape. His blue eyes never waver as he pushes into me again and again. "I love you so much, Adrian."

My eyes squeeze shut as the intensity of my feelings—mind and body—overwhelm me. I kiss him, putting everything I'm unable to say right then into it. It's messy and needy. He increases the pace, slamming into me. "Isaac, my love," he says as I bury my fingers in his hair and hold on, getting lost in his blue eyes as I come. His body tenses and I feel him pulsing inside me.

We slump on the bed after, and he kisses me. "Was that okay?"

How can this man be so commanding one moment and insecure the next? I brush damp curls from his forehead. "I love you, my adorable, geeky man. You're absolutely perfect."

Doubt still flickers in his eyes, and I hate that it's there. But it lessens every day, and one day, it will be erased completely. He'll believe that he's good. Worthy. Deserving of love.

Undoing the damage from the past might take weeks, months, or years. Doesn't matter.

Isaac and I have the rest of our lives.

We have forever.