Page 59 of Shameless Royalty

“You’re so good for me,” he murmurs. There’s no smirk, no cockiness—just sincerity. “You know that, don’t you, sweet boy?”

A fresh shiver runs through me, and this time, I can’t blame it on the cold. It’s his voice, the way he says it, like he means it. Like I did something right.

I don’t understand why I want his praise. Why the second the words leave his mouth, warmth spreads through my chest, filling something I didn’t even know was empty.

It confuses the fuck out of me and the shame hits fast. I don’t know why, but it crawls up my throat and settles in my chest,threatening to choke me. I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t feel like this.

Connor sees it instantly. The change in my expression, the way my breathing stutters, the way my body tenses under his hands.

He brushes his thumb lightly over my cheek. “Don’t do that,” he says, his tone gentler now, more patient than I ever expected him to be.

I frown. “Do what?”

“Look like you’re about to rip yourself apart for wanting somethin’.”

My breath catches, and I try to look away, but he doesn’t let me. His fingers tighten, just enough to keep me in place, to keep me here with him.

“What you’re feelin’ isn’t wrong, Malachi. And I sure as fuck won’t let you pretend it is.”

I want to argue. Tell him to fuck off. Tell him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. But I can’t. Because the way he’s looking at me—fuck, no one’s ever looked at me like that before. Like I’m worth something. Like I’m not something to be ashamed of.

His hands slide down to my waist, then he’s tugging my sweats back up, covering me, before pulling me against him.

I freeze. My body locks up completely, my hands hovering in the air like I don’t know what to do with them. “Relax,” he says softly, his lips brushing against my hair. “Just let me hold you, yeah?”

My breath shudders, my heart hammering in my chest. I should fight this. I should shove him away. But I don’t, because the second I let myself lean into him, the second I let go, it’s like something in me cracks open.

His warmth seeps into me, steady and grounding. His hands rub slow circles over my back, his touch gentle, and fuck, I don’t realize I’m shaking until I feel the tremors against his chest.

He presses his lips to the side of my head, whispering soft things I don’t quite catch, things meant to soothe. Things that work. “You’re okay. You’re safe with me.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “I don’t—” I break off, my throat tightening. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Connor exhales softly, his grip on me never faltering. “There’s nothin’ wrong with you,mo stóirín,” he murmurs, his voice warm. “Not a single fuckin’ thing.”

I let out a shaky breath, gripping his shirt tighter. “Then why do I feel like this?”

He shifts slightly, tucking me closer, and I hate how much my body melts against him despite every instinct screaming at me to fight. “Because this is new for you,” he says simply. “Because no one’s ever made you feel safe enough to let go.”

The words hit harder than they should, and I clench my jaw, swallowing past the lump in my throat. Connor tilts his head slightly, his lips brushing my temple. “I need you to be honest with me about somethin’, Malachi.”

I stiffen, but he doesn’t let me pull away. “Not gonna judge you,” he says, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard it. “Not gonna mock you. I just need the truth.”

His fingers skim my back, up to my nape, tilting my chin slightly so I have no choice but to meet his gaze. His green eyes are steady, watching me carefully, like he already knows what I’ll say but needs me to say it anyway.

“Are you a virgin?”

Chapter 29

Malachi

Myentirebodylocksup. Heat floods my face so fast it makes me dizzy, and suddenly, I feel trapped. I jerk my head away, scowling. “Fuck off, Connor.”

“That’s not an answer.”

I shove at his chest, glaring at him even as my fucking face burns. “It’s none of your business.”

His brows lift slightly, but he still doesn’t smirk. Still doesn’t tease. “Itismy business.”

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