Don't Promise (Don't 3)

drinking it faster than I should.

Somehow things seemed settled between us. As if our bodies did the talking, but I did need some details.

“How is this going to work?” I asked. “My move?”

Damon refilled our glasses. “I’m not sure, to be honest. Sutcliffe has been instructed to come up with a plan. We’ll have the details when we arrive in Freychon tomorrow.”

“This won’t interfere with my dissertation work, will it?”

“No. Other than the inconvenience of having royal escorts, you can do anything you normally do. Although, I think the royal library has a lot you can use. I can fly in anything you request.”

“You’d do that?” I had to keep my lips together.

He smiled. “Yes.”

“True, but I do have a roommate.” I tried to think how Brooklyn was going to handle this news.

“She was the one with you at the gala?”

I nodded. “It was actually her night. Something on her bucket list. I tagged along to supervise.”

He laughed. “That’s such an American concept.”

“Why do you say that? Everyone should have a bucket list.”

Damon leaned against the table. “What we did five minutes ago—was that on your bucket list?”

I blushed. “It should have been.” My bucket list consisted of seeing rare collections of text, visiting historic libraries, and traveling to New Zealand. It was probably a one-of-a-kind combination of wanderlust and thirst for knowledge.

“Just live, Molly. Don’t worry about crossing things off an imaginary list. I promise you’ll have more fun that way. Maybe even tonight.” He winked.

I didn’t want to tell him Brooklyn would severely disagree.

“You must have something,” I pressed. “It’s not only Americans. Kings can have goals.”

“I made one happen tonight.”

I tried to think of what we had done that might have given him a sense of accomplishment. “Which was?”

“We’re not locked in separate hotel suites, are we?” I saw the Cheshire cat grin on his face.

“And why is that? Ayla told me not to enter your suite no matter what. She is strict.”

“We’re on international waters. There are ten state rooms on this ship. My crew isn’t going to report anything that happens aboard. It seemed the only way to have you to myself.”

“Is this what happens when we return? We have to sneak to each other’s rooms like we’re in a dorm?”

He laughed. “There is an elaborate tunnel system in the palace.” He paused. “But I’m not using it. You’ll be in my bed.”

The way he said it made me shiver. It was just as possessive and controlling, but I had seen underneath Damon’s hard exterior. I knew there was an emotional side he guarded tirelessly. And for some reason he had peeled back the curtain and given me a glimpse.

“And you think you can pull that off? Upend your family’s history?”

The flicker in his eyes dimmed. “Do you know how I became king?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t.”

“Everyone else in the country knows. You should too.” His voice was smooth.