Page 27 of The Prince and the Double Shot
We got to my car and I let go of his hand before opening the back door.
“I want to change out of this shirt if you don’t mind. I know you like coffee, but…”
I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it into the back seat. His eyes widened as he looked at me. I flexed my chest quickly. I couldn't help myself. Old habits die hard. I grabbed the polo in the back and pulled it slowly over my head before sliding it down and into place.
“You are really… muscular.”
“I work out,” I chuckled. “About all I do is work, go to the gym, and have a drink at the bar. Besides that, I have no life.”
“You’re full of life. You just… ignore it, maybe?”
“Let’s not get too deep, Phil,” I smirked. “Ready?”
“I haven’t driven in years. I’m not sure that I could even be trusted any longer.”
“Well, we do drive on the wrong side of the road in America. It took a little getting used to.”
“I’m sure.” He opened the passenger door and sat down before fumbling with the seat belt.
I reached over and helped him. Our hands touched, and our faces were so close. I heard him take a deep breath, and before I knew it, I leaned in and placed my lips against his. It was careless and spontaneous, but I wanted it badly. He stiffened, and I froze.
I had misjudged. I started to pull back, and his hand caught the back of my head. His lips opened, and the fire that shot through my body as we breathed into each other… The heat of his tongue against mine. I melted. His lips were hungry as they pressed into mine. My hand slid across his firm chest and onto his shoulder as our kiss intensified and deepened.
I lost myself in him.
His deep chuckle broke us out of our reverie, and our lips slowly parted.
“Sorry, I… That was the first time that I’ve… kissed someone in a long time.”
“Was it… ok?” I asked sheepishly, feeling like I might have crossed a line.
“The kiss or the… kissing me?” He smirked. “It was… The kiss was wonderful, and I think that kissing me was not… It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed someone. It's been longer since I’ve kissed anyone but Petra. I think that I needed it, but… I’m going to have to… I feel like I should feel bad about it, you know? But I don’t – not really. I’m glad you kissed me, Zane.”
“I didn’t think about… I just… I wanted to. It’s weird. I’ve spent my whole life trying to live in the shadows, and as soon as I meet you, I start throwing it all away.”
He sighed and reached over to take my hand.
“I like you, Zane. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here, would I? But this… whatever this is… it has limitations, doesn’t it? I want to make sure that neither one of us gets our hearts wrecked in some kind of fallout from what we do. I am going to leave and go back to my country, where I will rule one day. That day will happen sooner than… Well, than I’d like. But I have a duty to my family and my people.”
“And you can’t be with someone like me?” I nodded, feeling a knot grow inside.
“That’s true. I will eventually have to marry someone of royal blood. It is what’s expected.”
“Do you wish you could just run away? Leave all of that behind and have the freedom to do what you want – to fall in love with whoever you choose?”
“Once, I did. But I didn’t.” He sighed heavily. “You have to understand that this is my life, even if it is something that I was born into and didn’t choose for myself. It’s still a worthwhile life. It’s important. The things that I do will affect all of my people. I love them and am willing to serve. But sometimes it is too much. I’m sure that it’s hard for you to understand.”
I stayed silent and let his words wash over me. “Not that hard.”
“I once thought… When I couldn’t marry Petra, I could throw it all away for love. But something inside me – the way my people looked at me – it prevented me from running away. I like my life. Isn’t that funny when your life doesn’t truly belong to you? Not in the way it does for you. You can do whatever you want or go wherever you wish, but different rules govern my life. Some are stupid, and others are for the safety of my homeland.It’s… a lot that I have to consider, and before we start something, I thought it best to put this all out in the open.”
“I didn’t expect you to marry me, Phil. I know that your life and mine are… different.”
“Good. I… I really do like you, Zane. Leaving here will not be easy when it’s time for me to go.”
“I think I’ll miss you more than I care to admit.” I dammed up the emotions that I didn’t even know I was capable of.
“So… Are we good?”
