Page 92 of Royally Benevolent

“I understand.”

Wyatt played with my hair absentmindedly. I sensed he was about to kiss me, something I longed for. He leaned in with complete eye contact, gently brushing my face with the back of his hand, and then kissed me. He took my glass and set it on the coffee table. The ease at which he did this astounded me. Heknewhow this worked. He had it figured out. I was a lost babe in the woods, but he was glad to guide me.

I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled him closer. Our breath quickened as things heated up. I loved kissing him like this—for an eternity and with nothing holding us back. His tongue—magical only hours before in places unmentionable—never disappointed. His kiss was neither too sloppy nor too prudish. This was just perfect.

As he kissed his way down my neck, I wanted more. I couldn’t have more, but I craved it. Wyatt ran his hand up my sweater, toying with my bra. He found my hardened nipple and ran his thumb over it, eliciting a moan. I couldn’t help myself. The feeling of him within me and everything we’d done made me want more of it soon. I thought about how sore I was and pulled back. I had to tell him.

“Wyatt, I cannot have sex,” I said. “Not again. Not… so soon.”

He cocked his head. “Is something wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“No, no. I mean… yes… but it was very much worth it. I’ll take a bit to recover. I want to do it again, but…”

My voice trailed. This was it. I either told him everything, or I glossed over why this was so notable. Wyatt gave me sad puppy eyes. He felt genuinely upset for hurting me. I couldn’t let him think he’d done anything wrong. He’d been a patient, unselfish lover. I wasn’t going to let him beat himself up over this.

I took his face in my hands and shook my head. “You did nothing wrong. You were so wonderful and giving, Wyatt. But… I’ve never been with anyone else before. I… I’ve done… things… but never that. Not until today. And I bled a little, and I’m a bit sore, so…”

My voice faded, and I waited for the result. His face went from concerned to empathetic.

“Well, uh… I am sorry you’re sore. I probably would have been more gentle if?—”

“It was perfect.” I kissed him slowly. He needed to know how much it meant to me.

“Well, okay, but… I am sorry. If something is wrong or?—”

“Stop worrying, Wyatt,” I laughed. “It’s nothing bad. We’ll have to give it a bit. I’m sorry if I disappointed you or if this made it weird, but we need to be honest if we’re to trust one another?—”

“Yes,” Wyatt agreed. “You didn’t disappoint me. I doubt you ever would. It’s not weird. I am grateful you trusted me. That’s all.”

“I was so worried since you’re much more experienced?—”

He burst out laughing. “Odie, baby, I am notthatmuch more experienced. I had a wife. And she taught me a lot. Thank God she was patient with me, and I could pass it on to you in a way. I am sure I was terrible the first time. You weren’t. You were great. I just… I don’t have a lot of experience either. You’re only the second person I’ve been with.”

My jaw dropped, “Really?”

He chuckled, “Yes. I’ve only been with you and Isla. That’s it. It’s why I was glad not to rush things with you and didn’t want to just… fuck you in the hotel room. I mean, I did. I would have if matters were different. But I wanted to savour you. That first time… I wanted it to feel meaningful. Last time, it didn’t. And although it ended up being a love-of-my-life situation, I was paranoid I’d fucked it all up with a one-night stand.”

“But you didn’t?”

“Nah. Isla was in love with me. I finally gave her a chance. She was totally out of my league—like you are. I’m grateful you told me, Odette. But don’t feel sorry for it. You don’t hold back. It may take some getting used to with naughty French, though.”

“I can try to stop, but I struggle and get all… I go like jelly.”

“It’s good. That’s a sign I’m doing my job.”

I bit my lip and asked, “You two never… Isla never… spoke French?”

“We didn’t speak French much, period. We moved back to Neandia for the pace of life and to spend more time around her parents. But… uh… not in bed—pretty much never in bed.”

“Well, that makes it feel oddly special.”

“You are special,” Wyatt promised. “You are enough.”

I kissed him again, feeling as special as I ever could.

53

WAKEUP CALL

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