Page 91 of Royal Desire

After a few moments when we both come down from our high that we can only get from each other, I feel him pull in a deep breath everywhere we’re connected since he’s still planted deep within me. He angles his face to mine, takes my mouth, and murmurs, “Once I fix your problems, we’re going to put the hell of our separation behind us. There’s nothing I want more than to heal you.”

“Don’t you see?” My hold on him tightens. “You already have. You’re all I need.”

“Love you, Ruby. I’ll never let you go.”

I lean in to press my lips to his for one last soft kiss. “I wish I could remember the moment I realized I loved you, but I can’t. It’s been that long. You’re engrained in me.”

He brushes the tip of my nose with his and gives me his cocky smile I’ve been obsessed with my entire life. “We’re giving fuck it a new meaning. Bring on the future, baby. I can’t fucking wait.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

DRAMA AND EGGS

Payne

“Good morning, Ms. Sinclair. Did you sleep okay?” I pull out a chair for Alice. She’s wearing a long zip up robe, her singed hair is messier than it was when we left the hospital, and I didn’t think it was possible for her to be madder than yesterday.

“I slept. But I need my own underwear. The clothes the ladies at church gathered are either too small or too big. I want to go back to the house and see if my garden was salvaged. Then someone needs to call my insurance company⁠—”

Ruby leans in to kiss Alice on the cheek before she encourages her to sit for breakfast. “We’ll do all of that today. I promise. Have some coffee and eggs, and we’ll figure out where to start.”

I scoot Alice in when Blake walks into the dining room. “I just got off the phone with the insurance company. They’ll be out later today.”

Ruby sits next to Alice and puts a napkin in her lap. “See? It’s all going to be taken care of. I’ll take you shopping for whatever you need. Enjoy your breakfast.”

I sit next to Ruby at the head of the table. I can’t remember the last time I ate in the dining room. I usually take a plate to my office, my room, or sit in the kitchen and eat with Sadie at the island.

It’s been years since I’ve had a meal at this table. In fact, it was after the accident but before Dad went to prison. I remember it like it was yesterday, and it didn’t go well. I was summoned by my parents, and they demanded I defend my father in court. The only reason I agreed to come back here was to break it to him in person that hell would freeze over before I’d do anything for him, let alone defend him for almost killing a bus full of tourists.

Fuck you very much, Dad. It’s bad enough we share a last name. I want no association with him, let alone in the courtroom. I don’t care if he was charged with killing a gnat.

It pleased me to tell him to go fuck himself. Then I made the deal of a lifetime and made sure whoever did represent him lost that case in epic proportions. I was done with my father’s shit. And I learned last night that I didn’t even know half the shit he’d done. Had I known that I might’ve gone to prison myself for murder.

I pour myself a cup of coffee as Blake joins us. “I’m taking the day off. I don’t remember the last time I did that. Tell me where you want to go shopping, and I’ll make it happen.”

Ruby shoots me a look of appreciation. Her hair is still damp from our shower where I gave her another orgasm and fucked her against the wall. “See, Grandma? Insurance and clothes have been checked off your list.”

“Did I hear that right? Payne Deacon is taking a day off?” Sadie walks into the room with a heaping bowl of scrambled eggs in one hand and cut fruit in the other. She sets them in the middle of the table and reaches for the coffee to pour Alice a cup. “Good morning, guests. When Payne told me we’d have a full house, I was excited.” She puts down the carafe and goes straight to Ruby. “Look at you. More beautiful than ever.”

Ruby stands and hugs the woman who has been a part of this house since we moved in. She’s been more of a mother to me than the woman who’s probably still passed out from her nightly bender. “I’ve missed you, Sadie. You look amazing. How are your grandkids?”

Sadie beams. “The best. I spend two nights a week with them when I’m not here. It’s a whole new job working for Payne.”

Ruby looks from Sadie to me. “She works for you?”

I pick up the bowl of eggs and hand it to her. “There’s more I need to explain about the situation. I’ll do that today while we’re out shopping. But yes, Sadie works for me.”

“I wouldn’t be here anymore if it weren’t for Payne,” Sadie adds.

I motion to an open seat. “Sit and join us.”

Sadie waves me off. “Oh no. I could never. I’ll eat in the kitchen. If this is the new norm, you should have your meals as a family.”

“I eat most of my meals with you. And as far as I’m concerned, you are family. I insist.”

Sadie looks hesitant but she relents and takes a seat next to Blake.

Blake forks a piece of pineapple into his mouth and talks around it. “Are you sure you want to put us up for that long? Who knows how long it will take to rebuild.”