Page 80 of Never Till Now

“In all seriousness, you really don’t want to get married? Ever?” Adam scans my face looking for answers.

“I thought I was clear about everything from the start.” I roll my lips in, feeling my heart quicken. “I know I said I want to try to feel… more with you, but that doesn’t mean I will or can in the long run.”

I would have missed the flash of pain across his face if I hadn’t directly looked through his eyes or known him as well as I do now. He pushes it down and shoots a cocky, charming grin my way.

“I get it. It’s just a legal contract anyway.” He shrugs.

“I’ll be with you because I want to,” I assure him. “That hasn’t changed whether we have that contract or not.”

“I just wanted to test how head over heels you are for me.”

“I’ll let you know depending on how many times you make my body shake tonight.” I let a seductive crack lace my voice as it drops.

“Sounds cheaper than your three-carat oval diamond on a rose gold band.” He says as I nudge him. “Engraved.” He laughs.

“Ugh, you’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Come on, we should chase the kids so they’re tired for Kelsie.” He taps my arm with a childish smile. “Tag! Lauren’s it!” He runs toward Mallory.

Where normal people climb into minivans after leaving the park, we climb in a limo and head back to the hotel. James yawns, cuddling up to Adam and I fight the urge to let my heart beat in this strange melting way. Mallory whines, clearly tired but still doesn’t want the night to end. Adam and Max go over what the kids need to do when they get home and to listen to Kelsie when it’s bedtime. It’s a strange dichotomy seeing two tall alpha men gently tending to children with empathy.

“Princess Lauren, are you coming up with us?” Mallory bounces on the seat, clearly, she didn’t burn as much energy as we did.

“I’m going to your uncle’s. You don’t have to keep calling me princess.” I smile. “I’m far from one.”

“I wish my mom was a princess.”

“Hey!” Adam and Max speak at the same time.

“Your mom is a flipping queen.” Max points a finger at Mallory. “You have no idea how much she deserves a pedestal.”

“Exactly.” Adam nods. “You kids are her first priority and her whole damn world.”

“Dang world.” Mallory tilts her head and sasses back.

Her arms cross as she falls back to the seat with a huff. I notice her smile falter as she fidgets. Something else is bugging her. I sense it.

“Mallory, you know, since your mom is a queen, that makes you a real princess.” Her body perks up. “Yeah, you even get to live in a tall tower. That’s pretty cool.”

“It’s just…” Her shoulders deflate. “Every queen has a king and her king left.”

There it is.

“Emotions are hard to deal with, aren’t they? Some things don’t seem fair.” I empathize as Adam and Max watch me, stunned. “How about next time when you feel upset, instead of being sassy and getting yourself in trouble, you tell people how you really feel?” I feel myself healing from past wounds as I tend to hers. “We are all here to listen and help you, babe.”

“Hey, I know!” She smiles and looks at Max. “You’re always the king when we play together. You could be mom’s king to protect her. Maybe she’ll stop crying at night.”

“That would be awkward.” Adam laughs as we climb out of the limo.

“Why would that be awkward?” I pry as we all head toward the elevator.

“Short brunette Kelsie is not his type.” Adam raises his eyebrows. “This guy has never dated a brunette or any woman close to my sister’s resemblance.”

Maybe there’s a reason for that. Also, why do I feel so invested in these two?

I watch Max’s jaw tic. It’s not my business anyway, so I keep my mouth shut.

“Aunt Lauren, you’re going to be the best mom ever one day.” We reach our floor and Adam and I walk to his door and Mallory runs for a hug. “Thanks for the park.” She smiles and runs into her penthouse.