Page 49 of Daniil
She doesn’t care that I’m a prince.If anything, that’s a deterrent to her.At this point, I don’t even know if she likes me, but there’s something there or she wouldn’t be working so hard to push me away.The danger and all the other issues we’ve discussed are just excuses.Something else is driving her away and I owe it to both of us—not to mention our son—to at least make an attempt to find out what it is.
Because even after more than a year, the attraction burns as strong as ever on my end.And I think she feels it too.There was a moment out in the gardens where I would have sworn she wanted me to kiss her.The look came and went before I could really register what it meant, but I know what I saw.
Courtney seems much more relaxed now, and her steady breathing tells me she’s falling asleep.I slide onto my side and tug her against me, her back to my front, and she moves into place willingly.Using one hand, I run it up and down her arm, over her hip, and then make soft circles on her shoulder.
Before I know it, she’s fast asleep—and so am I.
* * *
My eyes pop open early,long before the alarm on my phone, which is in the other room anyway.I can tell by the faint light that it’s probably around six, and I’d be getting up now in any case.Courtney is still fast asleep, on her stomach, face half-buried in the pillow, hair a fiery halo around her head.
God, she’s gorgeous.
Sleeping next to her was pure torture, but sleep is the operative word here, because I know she hasn’t gotten any since she arrived in Limaj.And I intend to let her sleep in today.Micah can come with me to the gym and then the security briefing, if necessary.
I slide out of bed quietly and move around the suite as noiselessly as possible.She always preps a bottle the night before, so I pull it from the fridge and make sure his diaper bag has all the necessary supplies.I dig out his clothes for the day, extra diapers, and grab the box of cereal she uses.I can make him breakfast in my suite.
Before waking Micah, I write her a note and leave it on the pillow next to hers, taking a moment to appreciate how gorgeous she looks.If I had my way, she’d be in my bed every night, but I probably have to work up to that.For now, I consider this a win.
Gently waking Micah, who was already beginning to stir, I coo softly as I cuddle him to my chest.There is nothing better than holding my son first thing in the morning.He’s so warm and soft and he gives me a sleepy smile.
“Da da.”His toothless grin melts my heart.
“You and Dada are going on an adventure this morning,” I whisper.“So Mama can sleep.”
I strap him into his stroller, grab his bag, and slip my feet into my sandals.
Closing the door behind us as quietly as possible, we head for my suite so I can change into my workout clothes and get him ready for the day.
By seven, we’re at the gym and there’s a chorus of laughter when they spot Micah.
“Who’s your new friend?”Jonas teases.“Can we play with him?”
“He’s not a puppy,” I say sternly, though I can’t help but grin.
“He’s much cuter than a puppy,” Natalia gushes, hopping off the treadmill and running over to pull him out of the stroller.“Oh my gosh, I just want to squish him.”
I laugh.“Careful, Cooper—she’s getting baby fever.”
“God, no!”Natalia looks horrified.“I’m getting my baby fix and then I’m quite happy to return him to his mother.”She shudders.“Ryan and I have no time for babies at this stage of our lives.”
There’s more banter, and everyone seems to enjoy taking a turn holding Micah.Which is convenient since it allows me to get in a workout.
“I can do bicep curls with him,” Sandor says, laughing as he holds Micah by the back of his onesie and pumps him up and down a few times.
“You have your own kids for that,” I quip.
“How’re things going?”Sandor asks me once the novelty has worn off and half the gang has headed off to shower.
“Which things?”
“The Courtney thing.”
“It’s…better,” I say cautiously.“I found out she hasn’t slept since she got here so last night I stayed with her—platonically—and I think it helped.She was out cold this morning when I woke up, so I took Micah and opted to let her catch up on sleep.”
“What’s the end game, Dan?”He fixes me with the big-brother look that usually makes me laugh.
Today it’s a bit more meaningful because I know what he’s asking.Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer.
