Page 24 of The Royal in Room 3

“Okay.” Disappointment colored his tone, but I waited until we were well on our way before turning to him.

“When are you going to tell Phoenix you’re in love with him?”

“What? Who says⁠—”

“Don’t bother lying. Everyone in the house knows it.”

For a few seconds he didn’t answer, then he said, “If everyone can see it, doesn’t this mean he also knows? Why hasn’t he said anything? It’s been five years already.”

“Five years!”

And here I was going on a date at the home of a man I’d only met three times! If I were back in Belvaria, protocol would have demanded that he be investigated and cleared before I could even be alone with him. Being a commoner sure made for easier dating.

“Enough about us. Tonight is about you. Are you certain this is what you want?”

“Why? Do you think I’m making a bad decision?”

“No,” he said, though he sounded reluctant to admit it. “Jude really is the best Daddy you can find.”

Comforted by his admission, I relaxed in the seat and stared through the window. The sun had begun its slow descent, streaking the sky with soft bands of gold and peach. The closer we came to the beach, the prettier everything became. Palm trees leaned toward the road, sea grass shifted in the breeze, and glimpses of blue flashed between the houses.

Aaron slowed and turned onto a quiet coastal road lined with charming homes. A few moments later, he pulled into the driveway of a two-story house with weathered blue siding, white trim, and a wide porch wrapping around one side. Warm light glowed through the windows, and flower boxes crowded the railing beneath them.

“This is Jude’s?” I asked.

“Yep.” Aaron switched off the engine. “His workshop is in the back.”

I looked back at the house, surprised by how quickly I loved it. It was smaller than any place I had ever called home, but there was something warm and inviting about it, like it was the sort of house where people were expected to come inside, take off their shoes, and stay awhile.

I could hear the waves rolling in nearby.

“It’s practically on the beach,” I said in awe.

Aaron smiled. “You like the beach?”

“Love it. My father said I take after my mother. She’s from here, you know. It’s why I moved here after…everything.”

“It’s a lovely place. Do you want me to go in with you, or are you okay?”

I unbuckled the seat belt quickly. “I’m okay to go up alone. It’s not like no one knows where I am in case I turn up missing.”

Aaron frowned, reached into his glove compartment, and brought out a phone, which he gave me.

“Oh no, I can’t accept this.”

“Please do.” He pushed the phone back toward me. “It didn’t cost much. I already did everything to get it up and running for you, and my number’s programmed in it. You’ll feel much better knowing you have a way to contact me if anything goes wrong. Not that I think anything will, but it should make you feel safer.”

“Thank you, Aaron.” I slipped the phone into the crossbody bag I’d borrowed from Dean to carry my essentials—condoms, lube, lip gloss, painkillers, tissues, and a travel-size body spray.

“Condoms?” Apparently, Aaron had gotten a peek into my bag. “Didn’t Phoenix tell you that Jude doesn’t do sex with his subs?”

I quickly zipped up the bag. “He did, but I haven’t been laid in almost six months. It’s best to be prepared just in case.”

“But—”

“Thanks a lot, Aaron.” I didn’t have the words to explain that I’d felt something between Jude and me, and I didn’t buy that he wouldn’t have sex with me. It might not happen tonight, but it eventually would, and I wasn’t going to say no. If he fucked as well as he hugged, then I was in for a treat.

Aaron watched me walk up to the porch, and I waved to show him I was okay, but he didn’t drive away. I knocked on the door and nervously waited for half a minute before the door opened. Only then did Aaron honk his horn and drive off.