“Not like he does. You know he’s still been fucking around.”
“I haven’t touched another woman since we met, and why are you even saying anything?”
“She should know what she’s getting into.”
“I’m well aware of everything, Noah. Everything.”
“And this conversation is over,” Brayden says, looking like the prince he is.
Noah clenches his jaw, biting back the reply I know is on the tip of his tongue. He really needs to get it together. I know he’s been Brayden’s best friend for years, but I’m no threat to him, and I have to let him know that. I get my chance once we’re inside the palace walls. Brayden says he has to check on something, so we’re left alone.
“I’m not trying to take him from you, Noah. I would never do that.”
“He’s going to hurt you.”
“No he’s not. I know what this is, and what it isn’t.”
“He can’t keep it in his pants.”
“I’m not a naïve teenager. I’ll be fine. I appreciate your concern, and I promise to try and stay out of your way.”
“You don’t need to do that. We should be…friends. If you want, I mean,” he says, shrugging his shoulder.
“I’d like that.”
Without thinking, I launch myself into his arms and hug him tight. After a second, he wraps his arms around me as well. We stay that way for almost a minute.
“Well, this is…umm…a surprise,” Brayden says.
Shit. “We decided to call a truce.”
“And hug?”
“Why not?” I ask, trying to be casual, even as my heart is racing.
He looks at Noah, who shrugs again. It must be a “thing” with him, the shrugging. “She jumped into my arms.”
“I did. I just want everyone to get along.”
“O-kay. Still a little weird, but I’d rather have the two of you playing nice.”
“We will,” I assure him.
“Great. Now, can I show you the surprise I have for you?”
“You have a surprise for me?”
“I do.”
“Oh. Is it a pony?”
“A pony? You want a pony?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. My best friend bought one for his girlfriend, and she loves hers.”
“We have polo ponies, and I guess you can have one, but I got you something better.”
“Take me to this ‘better than a pony’ present,” I tell him, grabbing his hand. “Bye, Noah.”
“Bye Darcy,” he says with a chuckle.
* * *
Brayden
I told Darcy that her surprise was better than a pony, and I think it is. I’m a little worried now, though, because maybe she’d rather have the pony. I’m just giving her a little bit of her normal life. That’s not exciting, so I may have to resort to an animal. Maybe something more exotic than a pony, though.
“You’re being awfully quiet.”
“I’m just all of a sudden worried that my gift won’t be enough.”
“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I’m a sucker for any gifts. The prize in a Cracker Jack box makes me happy.”
“So I could’ve just gotten you a box of popcorn?”
“With a prize in it? Totally.”
“You’re serious.”
“I am. There were several years of my life when I had almost nothing, so I appreciate everything I get now. Big or small, everything has meaning to me.”
I can’t help but kiss her, so I don’t even try to stop myself. I pull her to me in the middle of the hallway and kiss her softly. I want her to feel treasured, because she just humbled me. I went into this thinking she was some heartless thief, but I know now that she’s not. I don’t know why she did what she did all those years ago, but it wasn’t for a cheap thrill, or riches. I still have to get the jewels, but I’ll do everything I can to do it without harming her in any way.
We kiss for several minutes, with just our lips. I finally pull back and smile at her. “You’re amazing, Darcy.”
“On occasion.”
“I have a feeling it’s more often than that.”
“You’ll just have to find out for yourself, I guess.”
“Will you let me?” I ask as I continue leading her down the hall.
“I’ll give you my answer after I see what you got me.”
“I thought you love everything you get.”
“I do, but there’s varying degrees of love. You know, I may hug you, or I may be inclined to kiss you.”
“Is there a third option?”
“Like what?” she asks, trying to look innocent, but failing.
“Oh, I don’t know. Something involving other body parts,” I tell her with a wink, stopping at the door I can’t wait for her to enter.
“Is this it? Can I go in?” she asks, ignoring my third option explanation.
“Yes,” I tell her, laughing as she claps her hands.
She opens the door, and I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction. It doesn’t take long.
“Oh my God. You-you did this for me?” she asks, looking from the room I had transformed into the ultimate gamer’s paradise, and then back to me.
“Well, I don’t know anyone else who would use it.”
“It’s perfect. But why?”
“You’re tolerating all the clothes and public appearances. I wanted you to have some place that you can come to and just be ‘Darcy.’ I didn’t know which gaming system was your favorite, so I just got them all.”
She turns and grabs me, pulling me into the room, and then pushing me against the nearest wall as she kisses me like her life depends on it. Option number two is definitely working for me, and I think we may be well on our way to number three as she pushes my suit jacket off of my shoulders. I start to unzip her dress, but she pulls away.
“Not that. At least not yet.”
“You just let me know when you’re ready, Cat. I’ll be waiting,” I tell her as I rub my thumbs over her hips. I don’t want to stop touching her yet, especially since she’s still got her hands on my shoulders.
“Will you play with me after dinner?”
“I’ll play with you whenever you want.”
She playfully swats my arm. “I meant play some games with me.”
“Isn’t that what I just said?”
She reaches out to hit me again, but I dodge her. “A video game, Crown.”
“I suck at video games, but I’ll play with you.”
“I can help you get better. As long as you wear something comfortable.”
“I can’t play in a suit?”
“You can, but I really do want to see you in something casual.”
“For you, I will happily throw on some basketball shorts and a t-shirt.”
“I can’t wait. Now can I see my room, so I can unpack before dinner?”
“Right through that door, and we have maids who will unpack for you.”
“Why would I have someone else do something I can do myself?”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m going to leave before you keep saying things that make me not want to stop kissing you.”
She leans up and kisses me softly. “Thanks again. I mean it. I appreciate this room so much.”
“I’m glad. See you at dinner.”
We kiss one more time, and then I leave her to unpack. Things are going better than I planned. At least in regards to starting something with Darcy—which I know isn’t the smartest idea. I don’t want to use what’s happening between us to get information from her, but I can’t pass up the chance to have her in my bed. Even if it means she’s going to hate me later. It’s not like we’re really getting married. I still feel a little sick to my stomach, though. Having a conscience can really be a bitch.
Chapter 6
Brayden
I thought my mother was going to have a coronary when I showed up at dinner in my casual clothes. She held her tongue though, because
she agreed to Darcy’s condition that we be less formal when not in public. For mother, less formal means no diamonds—she’s still in heels, and a designer dress. That’s comfort for her. Even in this private room in her quarters.
There are a few extra women at the table, and I know they’re Darcy’s co-workers. Not just because I’ve never seen them before, but also because they’re glaring at me hard enough to fell a lesser man. I get it—I don’t like what I did to Darcy, either. At the time, it felt like the right thing to do, but now I know better. I’m not trying to catch any bees, but I do need to catch a thief, and I’m not just pretending to be sweet. I truly like Darcy, which means I need to convince her to willingly help me.
“Darcy,” the sexy nerd sitting across from me exclaims as the object of my thoughts enters the room.
“Ainsley, it’s so good to see you. Faith? Ellie? Audrey? I didn’t know all of you would be here.” She had to know, but it’s cute that she’s pretending not to.
“Your safety is important to all of us. Everyone else wanted to come, too,” the sexy woman on my right says. She’s a little older than I normally go for, but I’d make an exception for her. Well, I would if I wasn’t into Darcy.
“They need to be working on regular missions, not watching over me. I feel bad enough that all of you are here already.”
“No one is suffering because we’re here. We wouldn’t all be out anyway. You know that,” Ainsley tells her.
“Would you care to formally introduce us to your friends, Darcy?” my mother asks.
“Umm…sure. These are my friends Ainsley, Audrey, Ellie, and Faith. Guys this is the queen, Noah, and Brayden.”
I already knew the blonde was Ainsley. Now I know that the sultry one is Audrey, the Asian one is Faith, and the one who looks like a brunette Barbie is Ellie. They’re all smoking hot. And all still glaring at me.
“Do you think you can call them off? I don’t really care that they’re glaring, but I was hoping for a nice dinner with you.”
“You threatened her, and now you want a nice dinner?” Faith asks me, and I’m man enough to admit that the look in her eyes scares me.
“We’ve called a truce,” I say, swallowing hard, but somehow maintaining eye contact.
“Have you? Darce?” Ellie asks.
“Yeah. We’re good. For the moment.”
“Please sit down everyone. I’m afraid that we’re going to have to discuss all of your roles here over our meal. It’s not the kind of conversation I’d usually encourage at the table, but nothing about this whole situation is within my usual protocols.” My mother is barely holding it together. She’s used to formalities, not female spies, at her dinner table.
“We appreciate that, Your Highness, but your son brought this all down on you. We wouldn’t be here if Reina didn’t think the threat was real.”
“It was real. I really threatened Darcy. I was an ass, and I own it. I’m truly sorry for what I said, and how it caused her to feel.”
“So she trusts you?” Audrey asks me.
I look at Darcy, but she can’t meet my eyes. It feels like I’ve been stabbed in the heart, but I know I deserve it. “No. I don’t believe she does.”
“Then neither do we.”
“Understood.”
“So, about our jobs,” Ainsley says, obviously trying to ease the tension in the room. “I’m part of the tech team, Audrey is an event and press consultant, Ellie is assisting the event planner, and Faith is your new chef.”
I scoff at that last part. “No way is Anna going to let her in the kitchen.”
“I already have, and she’s a dream. You’ll be eating some of her cooking tonight,” Anna says, coming into the room and smiling at Faith.
“Seriously?” No one is allowed in the kitchen. My mother and I included.
“Have you ever known me not to be serious?”
“Umm, no.”
“Then there you have it. Eat up and be prepared to ask her to marry you afterwards; although, I’ve heard that she’s taken.”
“So am I.”
Anna looks over at Darcy in her fitted t-shirt and yoga pants. “I think you should be, but you’re not. She’d be good for you.”
“It’s a good thing almost all of the staff has retired for the night. This conversation is delving into areas that shouldn’t be overheard,” my mother says.
“This room, as well as the surrounding ones, are secure and safe from prying eyes and ears. Even those belonging to your security team.”
“I’m still uncomfortable with letting someone have access to our security systems.”
“No offense, Your Highness, but I’d have access even if you didn’t let me.”
“Nice,” I tell Ainsley.
“Yes, well, let’s eat,” my mother says, clearly uncomfortable with having to answer to anyone, much less women who are a few decades younger than her.
She’s a good woman, and she did a great job raising me, even if that hasn’t been too apparent lately. Navigating all of this without my dad is hard for her, though. Even though she was a princess before marriage, she wasn’t prepared to be Queen. I mean, who really is prepared to rule a country alone? I’m supposed to be, but I have my doubts now and then. I’ll do it, though, because it’s what I’ve been raised to do—and to alleviate the pressure from her.
The rest of dinner goes pretty smoothly, with the women all talking about our home and catching up with Darcy. I know our “date” is off now that her friends are here, and I won’t even pretend that I’m not disappointed. But there will be other nights to play games—video and otherwise.
“Dinner was delicious, Faith,” I tell her, honestly.
“Thank you, Brayden.”
“I’m going to go look over my schedule for tomorrow. I’ll see everyone in the morning.”
I get up and walk towards the door, but Darcy steps in front of me. “We had plans tonight, didn’t we?” she asks, looking a little hurt.
“I thought you’d want to hang out with your friends instead.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t. I mean, I love them, but I see them all the time back home.”
“I’ll miss you when you’re gone,” I blurt out.
It’s not a lie. I’m not in love with her, but I definitely care for Darcy. I have a feeling that love is going to come into play before this is all over, but, for now, I just know the thought of being without her fills me with a sadness I wasn’t expecting.
“Let’s go take advantage of the time we have together.”
I reach out and pull on her little orange ponytail. “Whatever you want, Cat.”
“You may regret saying that later, Crown, but I’ll take you up on that offer.”
I lean down and kiss her, before leaning my forehead against hers. “I honestly hope that neither one of us is going to regret any of this.”
“Darce?”
“I’m fine, Aud.”
“He scared you enough for us to be here, and now you let him kiss you? That’s not fine.”
She sighs, but doesn’t move away from me. “I know. You just need to trust me. If I feel like I’m in danger, you’ll know it.”
“I have eyes everywhere, and my team back home is monitoring the feeds 24/7,” Ainsley reminds us.
“Turn off the cameras in my new game room, please.”
“Game room?” Ellie asks.
“He built her an awesome room with every gaming system imaginable,” Ainsley says, with a hint of admiration in her voice.
“You can borrow it whenever we’re not using it.”
“Umm…you’re asking me to turn the cameras off, so I’m not sure I should.”
“Shut up, Ainsley. I just want some privacy.”
“You’ve got it.”
“I really don’t like this, and Reina won’t either,” Audrey says.
I have to speak up. “I know none of you—including Darcy—really trusts me, but I swear on the memory of my father that Darcy is safe with me. I w
on’t stop trying to get the information I need from her, but I will not harm her physically.”
“Bye,” Darcy yells behind us as she pulls me out of the room, clearly wanting to be done with the conversation.
“They’re tough.”
“They are.”
“I meant what I said. You’re safe.”
“As long as you get what you want from me.”
“I need that information.”
“And I don’t have it to give to you.”
We both know that’s not true, but I don’t want to fight. Not now, or ever. I’ll focus on the present. “Let’s just try and forget it all for tonight, and focus on how bad I suck at video games.”
“Okay, and you’re going to need to practice if you really suck. No fiancé of mine can suck at video games. I’d be laughed right out of my gamer groups.”
“I promise I’ll try to get better.”
“Thank you.”
I spend the rest of the evening showing her just how bad I am. At every single game. It doesn’t matter if it’s Pac Man, Call of Duty, or even Tetris—I suck at it all. Darcy even tries rewarding me with kisses, but I’m still horrible. She finally gives me one long and sexy kiss to thank me for trying, and we part ways for the night. I promise to visit this room with her every night to practice. I do want to get better, because I know it would make her happy. And I really, really want to make her happy, even though I know I probably can’t.
* * *
Darcy
The last two weeks have been trying—and fun. During the day, I get lessons in Parliament and History of Cyndryann. I also have to keep demonstrating my training from Paris while attending lunches and dinners as a future royal. One thing I really hate is that I have to walk behind Brayden. I understand that I’m just a commoner and he’s a prince, but it still rubs me the wrong way. Thank God for the nights, where we can just be a girl and a guy.
Brayden has kept his word and come to my game room every night in casual clothes. He still sucks at the games, but I know he’s trying. It’s partly my fault that he’s not getting better since our make-out sessions are becoming longer than our playing times. It’s just getting harder and harder to keep my hands off of him, even though I know I should.
Tonight, he had a dinner with some businessman from the island—no women allowed. I don’t know how late he’ll be, so I’m surprised to see him standing there as my opens. He’s still in his suit, and I can’t resist teasing him as I pause my game.
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7) Page 5
