Page 83 of Royally Benevolent

“You owe me 500 Francs!” Astrid rubbed her hands together. “I bet Alex 500 Francs you slept with him before returning.”

“I didn’t sleep with him!” I refuted. “We haven’t… not all the way.”

I wanted to, though.

“See!” Arms crossed, Alexandra sat satisfied.

“I… we… well, his mother and sister justappeared.We were in the foyer kissing.”

“Adults kiss. It’s nothing,” Astrid said.

“Yes, but thewaywe were kissing was the problem. He had my hands held up above my head. I think if I could have… you know… right there, I would have. And he was… aroused.”

“So, he popped a boner while pressing you to the wall, and you wanted to fuck him? Okay, this is getting good. Way to go, Odie!”

“Astrid, this isn’t a joke. I care for him.”

“I didn’t say it was. I want the two of you to shag so we can get past this shamefest you’re putting yourself through.”

“Not everyone so easily shakes years of guilt, Astrid. Not everyone is like you,” Alexandra said.

She was right. I hadn’t.

“Come here,” Alexandra patted the couch.

I allowed my older sister to relish me with maternal attention I didn’t know I needed. I clung to her, burying my head in her chest and smelling her perfume.

“You don’t have to feel bad to feel something,” Alexandra said. “You can just feel amorous and let it go, sweetheart. Promise.”

“I feel so guilty for letting themseeus like that.”

“He’s a hot billionaire with a cute accent. He could have any model he wanted,” Astrid sighed.

“Exactly! Why does he want me?”

“Because he likes you. He finds you sweet. And he’s cute,” Alexandra said. “Why do you feel guilt?”

“Because I shouldn’t sleep with someone. He’s a dad, and we’re not… together.”

“He’s a dad? More like adaddy!” Astrid couldn’t be serious.

Alexandra glared. “Not fucking helping.”

“Okay, fair. He can have kidsanda sex life with his charming, cute, sweet younger girlfriend, Odette.”

“People will think we’re ridiculous together.”

“No, they won’t,” Alexandra said. “If his sister and mother want to invite you for the weekend, they must think you are good for him—just like we told you to invite him to dinner, right?”

I shrugged.

“But what if I fall for him—really fall for him—after we, you know? But he doesn’t see it that way, and then I’m like this sad little puppy who chases him around?”

“Holy run-on, batman! Slow down, Odie. It’s not like a book where someone falls instantly in love with someone just because they have sex,” Astrid said. “Promise. I mean, did it help me stophatingParker? Yes. Did it make me crave him? A little. However, it wasn’t fucking magic—just like I’ve told you. It will feel good. You might like him more. You’ll probably feel closer to him, but what does it matter if you two have already nearly done the deed? He wants you.”

“And you might worry about nothing since you’ll be around a four-year-old all weekend. So, it could be a nice time to bond and get to know his family.”

“Don’t pull a face!” Astrid giggled. “Shewantsto do it. Shewantshim to shag her. Odette, admit it!”

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