Page 146 of Shameless Royalty

Malachi’s eyes widen slightly, his lips parting. “Connor—”

I smile softly, leaning in slightly. “It’s true. I’m yours, Babyface. You’ve got me wrapped around your finger, and everyone here needs to know it.”

He shakes his head slightly, a small smile breaking through the bratty exterior. “God, you’re annoying.”

“You love it.”

Malachi rolls his eyes again, but there’s warmth in them now, affection bleeding through his annoyance. “Whatever.”

I grin, holding out my hand. “C’mon. Let’s get you another drink.”

He eyes my hand skeptically, then sighs dramatically, slipping his fingers into mine. “You’re ridiculous.”

I pull him toward the makeshift bar, feeling lighter than I have in months. Malachi walks beside me, pretending he’s irritated, but I can see the small smile he’s trying to hide.

The tension between us from before is melting, but I know he still wants his freedom, so I’ll give him all the time he needs. Because now I know exactly how it feels to lose him, and I’ll be damned if I ever let that happen again.

I hand him a fresh drink, watching as he takes a sip, eyes flicking around the party. He’s so fucking beautiful it almost hurts, his cheeks flushed from the attention, hair messy from the breeze, blue eyes brighter than ever.

“You really like making a spectacle of yourself, huh?” he finally asks, side-eyeing me with a teasing smirk.

I shrug easily, slipping an arm around his waist again, pulling him close. “Only when it comes to you. Gotta make sure no one else tries anythin’.”

He laughs softly, shaking his head, but he leans into me slightly, allowing the closeness. “You’re ridiculous. No one else is even interested.”

I snort loudly. “Are you kiddin’ me? Half the people here are starin’ at you. You just don’t notice because you’re too busy being a brat.”

He scoffs, shoving me lightly. “Whatever. You’re delusional.”

“I’m serious,” I murmur against his ear, loving the way he shivers slightly. “I’m gonna have to fight off half the school just to keep you.”

Malachi blushes deeply, his fingers curling into my shirt. “Shut up.”

I grin, dropping another kiss against his temple, pulling him even closer. “Never.”

Malachi tilts his head up slightly, eyes bright and playful. “I should walk away right now just to teach you a lesson.”

I tighten my hold slightly, leaning down until our noses brush. “You could. But we both know you won’t.”

He groans softly, but he’s smiling, his eyes shining brighter than I’ve ever seen them. “You’re impossible.”

“Aye,” I agree easily, heart racing in my chest. “But you love me, anyway.”

He freezes slightly, eyes widening, but then he smiles softly, fingers threading through mine, holding tight. “Yeah,” he whispers, eyes soft and genuine. “I do.”

I swear my heart fucking stops for a second. Malachi’s never said it so openly before, never looked at me with so much vulnerability, and the fact he’s doing it now—in front of everyone—means more than I can ever fucking say.

I smile slowly, pressing our foreheads together, breathing him in deeply. “I love you too, Babyface. More than anythin’.”

He nods slightly, eyes bright, and finally tilts his chin up, pressing a soft, quick kiss to my lips before pulling back, cheeks flaming. “Now stop being embarrassin’, Cunningham.”

I laugh, pulling him back in, unable to help myself, my heart full and aching in the best possible way. “Never, Dawson. You’re stuck with me.”

Malachi sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes, but he doesn’t pull away. He leans into me, letting me hold him close, finally letting down his guard in a way I know means everything.

And standing here with him, the bonfire roaring behind us, his hand firmly in mine, I know one thing for sure—I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to Malachi Dawson just how much he means to me.

Chapter 58

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