Page 61 of Royal Desire

I look around at the ridiculous room that we’ve eaten so many tense family dinners in. I’ve tried to block them out. “This is no prize. No one would choose this. When I graduate, I’m out of here. And I’m never coming back.”

I start to leave, but Mom calls for me. “Where are you going looking like that? People will ask what happened. You can never tell anyone your father did that.”

“I’m not hiding shit. And if you don’t know where I’m going, then you really haven’t paid attention to anything.”

She doesn’t try to stop me. I’d say she’s too busy worrying what the rest of the world will think, but I bet she’s ready for me to leave so she can pour herself something stronger.

This fucking house. It’s nothing but a smokescreen for the shitshow life of the Deacons. I hate it more than anything.

I’ll do what I always do, sneak into Ruby’s room and stay with her. It’s the only place on earth I want to be.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHOKING THE CHICKEN

Payne

Present

The door to my suite slams behind me. I don’t worry about how loud I am when I dump my laptop bag on the entry table. If Ruby isn’t up by now, she needs to be.

I call for her. “Wake up, Rubes. I have an hour before I have to be back.”

She doesn’t answer, but I see the pillow and blanket in a mess still on the sofa. She worked all day at the Combover and performed for hours last night, and that was before I kept her up as she spilled her guts and more.

There were parts of last night that reminded me of when we were young. We didn’t need TV, movies, or even music. We’d get lost in each other for hours. I’d fight sleep for as long as I could just to have a few more minutes with her.

Just when I think she might have done the one thing I told her not to do, I hear the shower. I follow the sound like I’ve been lost in a desert without water for days.

The door to the bathroom is open by a few inches. What I’d do to give into every selfish whim coursing through my body and walk in. But pissing her off is the last thing I want. I sit my ass on the bed next to the overflowing bag Blake delivered this morning and wait.

I was in a hurry to talk when I got off the elevator, but the thought of her naked and wet ... that’s something I can be patient for.

I recline back on my elbows and enjoy the break from my clients for a few minutes. Then the water goes off.

And all my blood runs to my dick. This is becoming a common occurrence when I’m anywhere in Ruby’s proximity, but I’ve held out. I have not once beaten the meat since I found out she was back in town. Call it a Ruby distraction or just pure masochism, but it’s not like me.

My hand has been my dick’s closest relationship for years. After all, ejaculating twenty-one times a month reduces the chances of prostate cancer by twenty-two percent, and I’m nothing if not a freak about my health.

But the thought of choking the chicken by myself sounds lame if Ruby isn’t involved. Not only do I feel like I’m going to lose my mind, but even my prostate health is in danger thanks to her.

She must not feel like shit, because she’s humming up a storm. My gaze is glued to the bathroom door when the humming gets louder.

She screams. “Payne! What are you doing here?”

My lips pull up in the corners as I take her in, dripping wet and gripping the white fluffy towel at her tits. Her face is flushed, either from the hot water or standing in front of me almost naked. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. You’re in my room and in my shower.”

“You could’ve waited until I was done.”

“And you could’ve used the other bathroom.”

“But this one is bigger and nicer. This will be my only opportunity to experience the manor like this. And Blake is amazing, but he forgot to pack my shampoo and conditioner. I had to use yours.”

I stand. “Now you’re just flirting with me.”

She surprises me and cuts the distance between us. With the towel fisted at her tits, she bends to grab the bag with her other hand. “I don’t know what shocks me more—that you’re all of a sudden not pissed at me or that your choice in hair and body products are top of the line.”

I fist the bag to hold her in place. “I’m glad you approve.”