Page 46 of Fake Dating the Prince

BACKat the palace on Wednesday, Brayden realized he had a problem.

“You want to go shopping,” Flip repeated.

“I’m not going to be the guy who doesn’t have Christmas presents for his boyfriend’s family.” Fake boyfriend. Whatever. It was probably splitting hairs at this point. Either way, he wasn’t going to be that guy. “Clara would never forget it.”

Of course she might have plenty of reason to hate him anyway, because even if there was something between him and Flip, Brayden would eventually have to go back to work, and then what? But there was no reason to disappoint her prematurely.

Flip sighed. “I can’t go with you today. State business with my mother.”

“Two days before Christmas?”

Flip’s cheeks colored a bit. “In fairness, I did just sneak off with you for two days. We probably could’ve done this then, but the weather forecast….”

It had been snowing when they left Finland. “All right, you get a pass.” Brayden sighed long-sufferingly, but it was only partially put on. He was all too aware that their time together had an expiry date. Now every day felt precious.

Flip kissed the side of his head, a habit he’d picked up on their trip. “The crowds won’t be as bad here as they are in Toronto, but it won’t be a picnic. You sure you don’t want to shop online?”

He shook his head. “I need to get out and browse. Unless that’s inconvenient?”

“We’ll make it work.” He trailed his fingers over Brayden’s shoulder and then took the seat next to him. “I think my dad’s planning to go out. Would you mind doing your shopping together? We’ve got a skeleton crew for security around the holidays.”

“Oh my God, a few hours alone with your father? Good thing there’ll be half a dozen chaperones.”

Flip sighed, put upon. “Of course you think my dad is hot.”

“No, I think your dad isscorching. I’d use the acronym but I’m afraid you’ll never speak to me again because of the trauma.”

Flip’s expression turned wry. “Thank you for considering my feelings. I appreciate it.” Then he pulled his chair closer to the table and folded his hands, and it was like a switch had flipped. Brayden paid attention, and he noticed things. Flip got formal when he felt emotionally vulnerable—probably some kind of PR training he’d had drilled into him. Brayden wished he didn’t feel the need for it when it was just the two of them.

“My spidey senses are tingling,” Brayden said before Flip got the courage to open his mouth. He hoped a little humor might help Flip relax. “What’s up?”

“I’d like to talk to you about extending your visit.”

A little thrill raced down Brayden’s spine, but he quashed it before he got too excited. That didn’t have to mean what he thought it meant. “Oh?” He tried to keep his voice neutral, but a certain amount of hope must have slipped out, because Flip almost smiled.

“I think—I hope—we can both agree that for the past few days we’ve been… operating outside the bounds of our original arrangement.”

Brayden cleared his throat as his ears went hot. “That’s one way to put it,” he agreed.

“Yes, well.” Flip smoothed his hand over the back of his neck and then seemed to realize he was fidgeting and put it on top of his other one. “I thought—a few weeks hardly seems like enough time for us to get to know each other properly.”

I don’t know, I felt pretty well-known last night.For once in his life, Brayden bit his tongue on the instinctive quip. His heart skipped a beat. Could this really be happening? “I… could think about taking a leave of absence,” he suggested cautiously.

Flip broke into a wide grin and his posture relaxed. “Yeah?”

Brayden would do a lot for a Flip who loosened up enough to grin like that and use slang to boot. “Yeah.”

Holy shit, hislife.

“Then it’s settled.” He rose from the table, and Brayden did too—just in time to be caught in a kiss that felt almost unfamiliar, full of warmth and hope and joy. He could get used to being kissed like that.

Of course, they were still new enough that the kiss turned lustful quickly enough, and a few seconds later Brayden was humming in pleasure as Flip squeezed his ass. But no sooner did he offer this promise than he pulled away, looking regretful. “I really have to go or I’ll be late.”

Brayden sighed and rested his head against Flip’s chest for a moment. “I get it. Duty calls.” Then he cheered. “Rain check?”

“Of course.”

BRAYDENdid not have the slightest clue what to expect from a shopping trip with Prince Irfan, but he certainly didn’t expect it to begin with Irfan insisting on driving.

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