“Not always,” he admitted. “But I try.”
He unpacked the food: cheese, olives, cured meats, pastries, crusty bread and bright yellow butter, and a tiny jar of caviar. Several other accompaniments to go along with it. Lastly, he pulled out champagne and a bottle of orange.
“Fancy,” I said. “I was thinking, like, sausage biscuits or something for breakfast. Do you people ever slum it? Do you even know what Taco Bell is?”
He snorted a laugh. “I’ve chowed down on a few five-layer burritos in my day. I did, however, forget wine glasses for the mimosas. Are you okay swigging from the bottle?”
I giggled. “Now you’re speaking my language. No more of this prim-and-proper princely stuff.”
“Here,” Aurelius said. “Try this. It’s a type of smoked cheese. We actually make it by hand here on the estate.”
He put a small wedge on a cracker and held it to my lips. I opened my mouth, and his thumb grazed my lips. A tingle coursed down my spine, and heat pooled in my belly as I remembered the salty-sweet taste of his cock.
Aurelius must have noticed my reaction because he gave me a sly grin but said nothing. He took a swig of champagne.
“Good?” he asked after lowering the bottle.
“It’s amazing.
So good.”
“Our numbers are dwindling, but the few that are left? Dad makes sure they have the best training and education. Our businesses are still flourishing, so he spends all that money on our people. He sends the kids to the best colleges. Engineering schools, culinary schools, art institutes. Our people are the best of the best. Which basically means we get really good food all the time.” He shrugged and smirked at me. “One of the perks, I guess you could say.”
“I’ve noticed.” I put my hand on his, gingerly running my fingers over the healing wounds on his wrists.
“How are these?”
He glanced down. “Pretty much better. A little sore, but nothing like they were. They’d have already faded by now if not for the Dragon’s Blood fibers in the ropes.”
“Good.” I lowered my voice. “I’m still sorry that happened to you. I know I’ve already said it, but I don’t feel like I can say it enough.”
“It’s fine, Elle.” He popped an olive in his mouth. “I’m back now, and that’s all that matters.”
I wondered if I’d feel the same way if I’d been in his position. I hoped so, but I could never be sure. Part of me-a deep, masochistic part-wanted to go through it, if only to prove to myself that I could come out the other side like he had.
When I looked back up at him, he was gazing at me like I was something precious he’d lost and had found again. It made my heart flutter pleasantly.
My lips twitched into a smile. “Have you got something on your mind, Aurelius?”
He glanced around, then raised one eyebrow. “I do. Can you guess what I’m thinking about?”
Images of our bodies twisted together in a sweaty, moaning heap flashed through my mind, and heat pooled low in my belly. “I think I might know.”
Aurelius’s eyes shone with mischievous glee. “Elle?” he said, a scandalized tone to his voice. “I was thinking about how delicious this food is. Were you thinking about something else?”
“The food is good, but I was thinking of something a little better.” I leaned forward, turning my hand and tracing my fingers over his palm. “Or wouldn’t you agree?”
He bowed his head. “I think I might need a refresher course.”
I kept my eyes locked on his even as a shiver of desire ran down my spine. “I think that can be arranged.”
An intense and palpable sexual tension simmered between us as we finished the meal. No matter what, it was always there, right beneath the surface, making every interaction loaded with heat and nearly overwhelming desire.
Aurelius glanced up and let out a little chuckle.
“What’s so funny now?”
“You’ve got a little butter on your lip.”
Before I could wipe it away, he leaned in and swiped his thumb gently across my lip.
Something about the gesture made me swoon. I imagined his thumb sliding into my mouth, tasting his flesh while I lost myself in him. It was more than lust, more than desire. I was completely and utterly in love with him. It hadn’t even occurred to me that it was more than sex and attraction until the night he was taken. I still remember staring up at the vacant sky, knowing he was gone, and feeling that deep aching pain of loss.
Did he feel the same way?
Could he feel that? I didn’t doubt that he cared about me, but love? Was that bridge too far?
Taking another hunk of bread, I smeared some jam on it and bit down, chiding myself for the thoughts. Of course, he wasn’t in love with me. He was a prince. Heir to the dragon kingdom. Iwas the rejected daughter of his rival, and a wolf shifter at that. The fact that I couldn’t shift didn’t matter.
Even if both of us wanted more than what we had, it wouldn’t come to fruition. His duty was to his people, and one of those duties was to provide an heir. A wolf and a dragon together couldn’t do that-no matter how much Delphine harped about me being safe, I knew it simply wasn’t a possibility. If there was one thing I’d learned about Aurelius, it was that he was very serious about duty. Duty and honor. He’d never let his people down, even if that meant forgoing something he wanted.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, nudging my chin up.
Deciding I’d rather not express the thoughts going through my head, I chose a different subject, and hoped he’d buy it.
“I’m thinking about this war,” I said. “The fighting hasn’t really started yet, and everything is already so messed up. People have already died. I’m worried.”
“Don’t be.” There was no hint of doubt. Only strong, powerful confidence.
“Are you serious? How can Inot be worried?” I asked incredulously.
“I have faith,” he said, tossing a slice of prosciutto into his mouth.
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