Page 16 of Princess For All

It was nice when things worked out.

I shouldn’t have been surprised when James was there waiting for us, but I was… And Darius wasn’t happy.

James shrugged. “The chopper was my thing with her and Ty. I think it’s great you want to learn, but—I didn’t trust anyone else to teach my sultry snack.”

I turned up my nose at that. “That’s not as good as sexy bite.”

“Besides, you like when she puts you in your place,” Darius said as he walked over to the chopper. “That makes her sassy or spicy to you, not sultry like she lured you in. You were always all over her from the first moment you saw her.”

My face flushed so hot it was almost annoying. I was shocked Darius saw me like that—paid attention enough to understand all of that.

Kind of like he’d used to.

I was thinking about that and missed James coming over by me until he cupped my face.

“He’s right. I’ve loved your spice from the moment you told me to fuck off when I asked for sexual favors to test you like an asshole. You are my spicy snack that I crave most and want to eat constantly, but if you don’t like that name, I’ll think of a different one. Because I do care about what you want and how you feel.”

“I like it now that you explained it,” I muttered, pulling away and rubbing my cheeks when they felt hot again. “We have a flying lesson, and this is my time with Darius.”

“Whatever you say, spicy snack,” he chuckled deeply as I walked briskly to the chopper.

Dickhead.

“I’m getting him a pink collar and leash,” I grumbled as I got on board.

“You keep saying that, but you don’t, and we all know you’re not going to really try that with him,” Darius said, his tone amused. He didn’t even give me a chance to reply. “I assume you want her to go first?”

“No, you go,” I argued. “It was your idea. You strap in up there.”

Darius smiled. “Okay, thanks.”

I smiled back but felt sad. I used to feel everything when Darius smiled at me, but now… It was just like someone I didn’t know smiling at me.

That was better than always being angry at him though, right? Even looking at him hurt, so… This was better?

It didn’t feel like it.

James got in and was professional, realizing that he was close to overstepping instead of being cute. I appreciated him wanting to be involved with my life, but he tended to take over, and that was potentially problematic.

“I’m glad it was you instead of who I asked,” Darius said when his part was over and we landed. He nodded when James seemed shocked. “You’re an excellent teacher. You’re patient and for—I was worried with your smart-ass attitude that it would be counterproductive. I stand corrected. Professional James is a great teacher and this was amazing.”

I thought I saw James actually blush. That didn’t make sense to me. He’d been an officer in the military with lots of people under him. He was the type of person that people liked and would praise.

But then it hit me.

James was the eldest of his family. Darius was older and giving off big brother vibes. An elder sibling saying they were wrong and you weren’t actually a butthead was probably something everyone wanted to hear.

“Inez?” James asked gently as he moved his hand to my arm.

I blinked into his pretty and worried golden eyes. “Yeah?”

“We were talking to you for a bit. Where did you go?”

I swallowed loudly and looked away. “Nowhere good. Sorry, what did you say?”

“Nothing important or that can’t be repeated.” He leaned in and rubbed his nose along mine. “Where did you go? Talk to us.”

“I think I want to talk to Hope,” I heard myself say. “Sorry.”

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