“Why the French army if you’re from Monaco?” I asked.
“The French military defends Liorland. We don’t really have our own armed forces,” he explained.
“What did you do while you were in?”
“I was part of a division that provided support to global health initiatives in war-torn countries. Basically, we protected the doctors and nurses trying to help the civilians caught up in the fighting.”
“Wow. That must have been both horrible and amazing,” I said, imagining the evils he must have seen during that time.
“Witnessing innocent bystanders hurt because of political shit going on without their input was heartbreaking,” Lio said. “Especially the kids. Seeing children growing up in a town that’s been decimated by bombs and starvation, lack of clean water or medical help… it’s devastating.”
“I can’t imagine. How long did you stay in for?”
“Only three years. I was able to leave early to work directly with a global children’s charity.”
“And what do you do now? For a living, I mean?”
His eyes shifted to his hands, where he twirled the stem of his wineglass. “I work for the government. And I still try to spend as much time as possible supporting that charity.”
“That’s admirable, Lio. One of my grandfathers is a doctor and would love to hear more about your experiences. He works on some of our local rural health initiatives for children living in poverty. Even though he’s retired, he still volunteers for projects when they need him. Things like vaccinations during flu season and helping with wellness exams before each new school year.”
Finally, I remembered his poor friend outside, wandering the cliffs in the cold December night.
“Shit, your friend Jon!”
“He’s fine.”
“He’s got to be frozen solid, Lio. Maybe we should head back so you can put him to bed,” I suggested.
Lio’s blue eyes smoldered at me. “I’d rather put you to bed, Felix.”
I felt my heart lurch into my throat and my cock hop in my pants. Then my mouth just fell open and out came stupidity. “Oh… um… yes, please? That would be nice. Good. I mean… yes. Please.”
Way to stay cool, Felix, I thought.
Lio’s eyes lit up in a predatory glint. “Then it’s settled. Let’s pack up so I can get you into bed.”
My stomach nearly fell to the floor, and I wondered if I’d be able to even walk as far as the vehicle parked outside. A stupid gathering of brain cheerleaders shook their asses and cheered loudly in my psyche. Gonna get fucked! Can I get an F? Can I get a U? Can I—
“Felix, you coming?”
I shook myself out of my mental pep rally to glance at him. He stood by the wooden door with the picnic basket over his arm. At some point he’d managed to pack everything up and douse the fire while I was mentally calculating the distance between the dovecote and naked time.
“Hell yes.”
I am definitely coming.
Chapter 9
Lio
I’d tried to tell myself hooking up with Felix was some kind of last chance intimate connection with a man, but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized sex might not be enough. He was interesting in a way I hadn’t come across before. His entire face lit up when he talked about glass, and passion simmered under his skin anytime I got near him.
I wanted to fuck his brains out, but I also wanted to hear more about what made him tick. He had intellect and a kind of sweetness I was unused to seeing in anyone I partied with. Maybe it was simply that I’d never really given anyone the chance. I didn’t date, really. I hooked up. I was beginning to realize there was a noticeable difference between the two.
Despite Jon shooting me evil eyes the entire drive back to the castle, I was giddy with excitement. The voice of reason had long since deserted me, leaving me free to anticipate sex with Felix. I kept trying to remind myself it could only be physical. Two men using each other to meet some needs. It wasn’t like it was even possible for there to be more between the future king of Liorland and a small-town Texas college professor. But I couldn’t help the twinge I felt in my chest every time I thought of using Felix for sex.
I really liked the guy. He was cute and smart and sweet. I had to admit, the fact he didn’t know who I was checked a major box in the pro column of whether or not I could get away with sleeping with him. Not that I thought he was the type to sell me out to the tabloids, but I’d learned early on, looks could be deceiving when it came to who one could trust not to blab to the press.
After we ditched Jon and the picnic supplies in the kitchen, I grabbed Felix’s hand and led him toward my royal bedroom. It wasn’t until we were halfway up the stairs that I realized he’d know a visitor, no matter how close to the family, would never sleep in the royal apartments. Plus, how the hell would I explain having a valet?