Page 27 of The King's Fake Bride

He cracks open the bottle and takes a swig before handing it to me. “Because I didn’t know about it either. Daphne just found me and told me that you came out here and why.”

“Well, I was supposed to meet you out here anyway.” I force a smile and take a sip from the bottle. “I’m not ready to have kids yet, Xander. Definitely not one that I would have to leave here while I go back to New Jersey or wherever it is I go after this.”

“First of all, I’m not going to let them push this on us, okay?” He sits beside me and loops an arm around my waist, fingers brushing against the sheer panel. “Second, I would never keep you from our hypothetical child.”

Shivers run down my spine as I look over at him. I try not to think about the way his fingers linger on the curve of my waist.

I shuffle a little closer to him. “I think I believe you.”

He takes the bottle back, smirking as he brings it to his lips. “Is that the only thing bothering you right now?”

“Not just that.” I cross one leg over the other, the slit of my dress opening wider.

Xander’s gaze drops to my leg before it meets mine, desire running rampant. “What else?”

“Yorgos wanted the crown to be able to pass to the women in the family line too. Daphne said he was going to change the succession rules, but he died before he could.”

“And you want to know if I share the same thoughts?” He hands me back the bottle, and I take a sip while he considers it. “I don’tever want to see a world where any potential daughters I might have don’t have the same options as any potential sons.”

“So that means that you’re going to be changing the line of succession?” I hand the bottle back to him.

“Yes.” He smiles and takes a long drink of the champagne before handing it back to me to drain the last bit.

“I’m glad. I think you’re going to do good things for the country.” I set the empty bottle to the side, swaying just a little. “And whoever Davis is, he’s a dickhead and doesn’t know anything.”

Xander leans a little closer to me, his mouth hovering inches from mine.

There’s laughter as the doors open and more people spill outside, drinks in their hands while they gaze up at the night sky.

“We should go get a little more privacy.” He stands and holds out his hand, laughing when I nearly stumble back into the fountain. “Maybe we should put you to bed.”

“No.” I put one hand on his arm to steady myself while reaching down and taking off my heels. “I’ve never been good at walking in these damn things.”

Xander chuckles and takes the heels from me, tossing them into one of the bushes near the stairs. “We can get those later. Now, come on.”

He pulls me into the labyrinth lined with rose bushes, their scent sweet even though the blooms aren’t full yet.

I follow him deeper into the maze before he turns a corner, stopping at a dead end.

When he spins me around, pulling me close to him, my heart skips a beat.

His gaze is burning hot as he leans closer, arms banding around my waist. Xander pulls me flush against him as my hands go to his chest.

I’m torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

Luckily, I don’t have to make the decision.

One moment we’re locked in a staring contest, and the next his hand is sinking into my hair, cupping the back of my head and pulling me closer. His lips mold against mine, tongue sliding along my bottom lip.

Xander tastes like champagne and possibilities.

My hands climb higher, linking together behind his head. His hand slides down the slit in my dress, fingers tracing my skin before he picks me up.

I moan into the kiss as my legs lock around his waist.

His fingers sink into my flesh as I reach for the top buttons of his shirt, loosening them.

“If the two of you are done, you should probably come inside and say goodbye to the guests that are leaving.”

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