“Yeah, it’s a barbeque.”
“Oh, I was invited by the Connelly family. Well, not so much invited as I was told to be there, but yeah. I’d love to go with you.”
“I don’t know if you want to freshen up, but I have an apartment upstairs with a working shower. Though the rest of it leaves something to be desired.”
“I’m okay. I wouldn’t have anything to change into.” Kerry readily offered to help Landon and he seemed happy to have her stay.
They were one of the last to arrive at the large colonial that housed the Connelly parents. It was a beautiful piece of property that Kerry could tell was very well taken care of. Even from where they parked on the street of the neighborhood, she could hear the sounds of laughter and joy coming from the backyard. She envied this family. Kerry never grew up having family barbeques or cookouts with neighbors or just spending quality time together playing the in the yard. Once, she and her sister Elliana had decided to use one of the many fountains in the yard at the palace as a jungle gym and had been reprimanded immediately and banned from that part of the garden. They had no plastic toys, outdoor swing sets, or board games. Other than a bicycle and a game of chess, Kerry had nothing that resembled a childhood. She was brought up as a mini version of her father and mother and that was what was expected.
Hell, even as a princess, she couldn’t pretend to play fairytale princess stories. Everything had to be as realistic as possible. Fake tea parties? No, she was forced to drink real tea and sit ramrod straight to practice her posture and manners.
“You okay?” Landon asked as another car pulled up farther down the street. She recognized Ryker and his wife Norah as they stepped from the vehicle and made their way to the house, holding hands and looking happier than any two humans should look.
“I want that,” she blurted out as she watched them enviously.
“That.” She pointed across the way; Ryker was stealing a kiss from Norah as they walked up the front porch's steps. “I want to have the chance to fall in love and have a real relationship, not something my parents set up just because it would look good for the crown.”
“I get it,” he sighed as he turned off the ignition to the truck.
For some reason, the way he said that he understood grated on her nerves and she spun in the seat to face him. “Do you get it? Because I know I’m not imagining things, and in the last day or so, I’ve grown to feel more for you than any boyfriend I’ve ever had.”
“Kerry. . .”
“No, you don’t get to choose who I’m attracted to. Don’t be like my parents. Don’t take that away from me. I don’t care about your past or things you’ve done. You’re a good person Landon. I believe that. I wish that you did too.”
Landon groaned as he leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes as she continued to rampage.
“And you know, I could look you up on the internet and probably find out everything I would ever want to know about you in the course of a few seconds. But I don’t want to do that. Any secrets you have, you should be the one to tell me.
“I trust you enough to know that you’ll tell me whenever you’re ready, but trust me enough to know that it won’t matter. I don’t know how long I’m here for, Landon and I think-” she continued until Landon quickly turned in his seat and pressed their lips together, his hands cupping her head.
Pulling away, Landon placed a small peck on her forehead but tilted her face toward him, their noses only inches apart.
“Are you done? I get what you’re saying, Kerry, and I do trust you. I’m more afraid that I’ll tarnish this beautiful person that you are and that everyone believes you to be. When I’m ready to talk, you may change your mind about wanting to be with me.”
“I seriously doubt it. I feel more like myself with you than I ever have with anyone else. That means something to me.”
“I get it, and I feel the same way. Just give me time, I’m not ready to share my past yet, but until I am, I’ll be a selfish bastard and keep you.”
Elation ricocheted through Kerry and she reached up on her own, grasping the sides of his head, and mashed their lips together. Kerry was so lost in their kiss that she screamed when a knock on the car window sounded.
Pulling away, she saw that Nikki and Austin were standing outside of the car with curious looks on their faces, but it was the devilish smile growing on Nikki’s lips that really gave Kerry worry.
“This is going to be worse than being interrogated by the king,” she moaned, ignoring the chuckle coming from Landon.
“Don’t you mean your father?”
“No. My dad is the king one hundred percent of the time.”
“Well, I’d almost take that over the inquisition I’m about to get from the guys, that’s for sure.”
She understood. The Connelly’s were like an extended family to her, and they’d treat her date as if she were their sister. Kerry was almost gleeful to see what they planned to do to Landon.
“Let’s get this over with.”
“In a hurry?”
“Just a hurry to get you home and to a bed.”