Felix and the Prince (Forever Wilde 2)

As I said my polite thanks to the instructor and my two companions, I left the music room to go on to another appointment at the salon with my thoughts reeling. The next thing I knew, Grandpa was trying to get my attention.

“Are you listening to me, Felix?”

I turned my head and focused on him. He was in the stylist’s chair next to me at the salon. Arthur had herded us there for a haircut and shave, mumbling something to the stylist that sounded suspiciously like “eyebrow wax.” At this point, I was beyond caring. Whatever he wanted was fine with me. I’d begun a silent countdown in my head until our return flight home. I needed to keep reminding myself this was all a weird time out of time, that my real life waited for me back in Texas.

“I’m listening, Grandpa. What is it?”

“I met your young man last night.”

I began to swivel my head to him, but the stylist’s strong hands held my head in place.

“You did?” I asked in surprise. “When? Where? What did he say?”

Grandpa paused for a moment, and I noticed Doc watching him from his seat on the other side of Grandpa.

“I like him, Felix. He’s a good man.”

“Yeah,” I agreed quietly. “He is.”

“That doesn’t mean I agree with what he’s doing, mind you.”

“No, sir,” I said automatically.

“But I’m not so sure he agrees with it either. He seemed awfully torn up inside,” Grandpa said gently. “I can tell he cares about you very much.”

“Mm,” I mumbled, when what I really wanted to say was pfft.

“I ran into him in the hallway. I couldn’t sleep, and apparently, neither could he.”

“Mm,” I said again, thinking about Lio restless in a bed, thrashing in the sheets and frustrated. I remembered miles of Lio skin, warm and sleep-scented in bed with me at Gadleigh. The memory of his naked body washed over me with such clarity, it left me feeling tight-skinned and antsy.

“Felix?”

“Huh?”

Grandpa’s smile was devilish, and I could see Doc chortling out of the edge of my vision.

“Is your mind wandering, son? Care to share?”

“Shut up,” I muttered. “At least now you know how freakishly good-looking he is.”

Doc’s laugh was boisterous, booming his joy throughout the small salon and making the stylists snicker. I couldn’t help my own smile even while sending up a mental thanks for Arthur’s recent departure to grab us some hot drinks from a nearby cafe.

Once we were done at the salon, we returned to our guest suite to relax.

Or so I thought.

Chapter 35

Lio

Felix was avoiding me.

I’d tried to get him to introduce me to his family the night before, but was rejected. I’d tried joining him for breakfast, but found he’d gotten up and out the door early to be primped by Hen’s minions. I’d even been hoping to meet him somewhere for lunch, but Hen had informed me he was at some damned spa being pampered with massages and whatnot. I didn’t find out until later that it was actually Arthur taking care of them and making sure they had everything they needed not to feel out of place at the events the following day and night.

By the time Jon did as I’d asked and informed me of Felix’s return to the palace, I was vibrating in my office chair. I needed to see him with my own eyes again, even if only for a minute.

I’d just finished the press briefing and didn’t have anything else important on my schedule until it was time for the rehearsals that evening. Sabine would be joining me to go over her role as my date for the ball. Thinking of her reminded me that I needed to talk to Felix about her, but what exactly was I going to say?

Yes, we’re dating because, if I can’t have you, what does it matter?

Don’t worry, baby. When I kiss her good night, I pretend it’s your soft lips instead of hers.

I was sure those would go over really well with him. It wasn’t exactly like he and I were in a relationship, one in which either of us could expect fidelity. We’d already agreed there was no future there, but was that what I really wanted? Could I really do that—live my entire life without loving the person I truly wanted to be with?

Fuck.

I bolted out of my office in the direction of the guest wing when I almost ran right over my mother.

“Mom!” I blurted. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“Lior, I came to talk to you for a few minutes before things great crazy around here this evening.”

“Sure. What is it?”

She looked from me to our surroundings in the very public palace corridor before gesturing me back toward the privacy of my office. I tried not to clench my teeth at the frustration of being thwarted yet again at seeing Felix.