Page 15 of Royal

That meant a lot.

I haven’t had anyone put so much thought into my well-being to ensure I’m good.

I put extra effort into how I look today, knowing Royal is coming to take me to work.

Donovan looks cute in a pair of pants and a dark blue t-shirt. It should be a crime for someone to be as pretty as my boy.

He eats scrambled eggs while I pace in front of the window to see if I can spot Royal. My nerves are hitting me harder this morning than Friday because I really like the guy.

I like him more than I ever did my ex. This is different and the best yet scariest feeling I’ve ever felt.

I’m trying not to get ahead of myself and jinx it, but I can’t help myself. I hear a truck and run to the door, peeking out of the blinds. I see a massive black truck, and Royal steps out, shaking hands with the guy on the bike outside my trailer.

Holy shit, he is here.

I open the door and step out on the deck barefoot. “Good morning,” he greets me. Wrapping an arm around me, he pulls me to him and presses a kiss to my temple.

“Good morning,” I say back.

I lead him into my place, where Donovan is chugging his cup of milk. “How is he this morning?” He walks to Donovan, who lifts his chubby little hands for Royal to pick him up out of his seat.

Fuck me.

I cover my mouth with my hand because I’m grinning like a loon. “I’m going to grab my bag and finish getting ready.”

I hurry to my bedroom, grab my purse, and then Donovan’s bag for day care.

In the living room, I see Royal snuggling with Donovan, and by boy is eating up the attention, his hand twisting the dog tag Royal wears around his neck.

Royal gives me an appreciative look, his eyes taking me in from my toes to the top of my head.

I know I’m dressed basic in my scrubs, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like I’m dressed in my best clothes.

“Ready?” he asks me, and I nod. He carries Donovan and takes my bags from me.

“I can carry my things.”

He gives me a look. “Yeah, right. You don’t carry shit around me.”

I giggle at his tone, then open the back door to his truck and then my car. “Let me get his car seat.”

“Don’t need to. I got him one this morning to keep in my truck.”

He steps past me like he didn’t just drop a bomb like that on me. He went and bought a car seat for Donovan? Holy shit, he is planning on us being around.

He buckles Donovan in the brand-new car seat that has been put in expertly and sets the bags on the floor. On the seat behind the driver’s side is a booster seat, and I know it’s for his daughter.

He shuts the door. “I’m going to kiss you now,” I tell him plainly. He has me feeling some way with all his thoughtful gestures.

He chuckles, his eyes shining. “Fuck, yeah.”

But I don’t end up being the one to kiss him, no. He takes charge and lifts me off the ground with an arm around my back. Royal kisses me deeply. This is not a peck.

This is so all-consuming I feel it in every nerve ending. No doubt, he controls this kiss, and I love every second of it.

The kiss is one a girl never forgets, one that nothing compares to. He gently kisses me, his hand cupping my jaw tenderly before setting me on my feet.

Royal then steps back and looks down at me. “You just sealed your fate.”

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