Page 114 of How to Date a Prince

“Spending time catching up with the man I love,” says Thomas, grinning. “That’s what I want.”

There’s more thunderous applause as Wilson sits, shaking his head. I’m gestured over by Colin to stand beside Thomas. I have goose bumps. Thomas hugs me, and the crowd goes wild, giving a standing ovation. Including my father. And the roar of the audience leaves my ears ringing for some time after the show ends.

“Take me home,” I murmur in Thomas’ arms backstage, after we’ve caught up with the other men, shaken lots of hands, and I’ve provided many assurances to my castmates that I’m on the mend. My father texts that he’s happy for me, and that he would like to meet Thomas soon. He and Anne are quickly whisked away by security after shaking a few hands and taking photos with guests in his own right. My head pounds between the lights and emotions. I close my eyes for a moment. Thomas’ fingers are light through my hair. His hand slides to the nape of my neck for a gentle massage. I shiver.

“Let’s go, gorgeous,” Thomas whispers against my ear. “God, I’ve missed you. We have so much to catch up on.”

We make our way to the car and across town to Thomas’ flat. By the time we arrive, I’m admittedly a little green around the gills. I’ve definitely overdone it between the lights, the movement of the car, and the emotion of everything said and witnessed that evening. Thomas leads me by the hand to the sofa.

“Rest a minute. What can I get you?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” I give him my most convincing smile.

“You’ve gone white,” Thomas says critically. “And you look like you might faint. Or something.”

“Maybe some rest,” I confess. “It’s been… a lot tonight. But—” I gaze at him, my expression soft. “—I’m so happy to be here with you.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” Thomas murmurs. “Let me make up the bed. I can stay out here or leave?—”

“Stay with me. Please.”

Soon, I’m in Thomas’ arms in bed, in a T-shirt of his over my boxers, with everything still buzzing, my head most of all. He’s brought me a heating pad for my neck, and he holds me with care. I’m comforted by his nearness despite the protests of my body.

A while later, with my eyes closed, I press my face against his shoulder. He smells like fresh laundry and soft, cedar-based cologne.

“Tomorrow morning,” I murmur, “I’ll ravish you. Mornings are fantastic for me.”

“It so happens that I love being ravished in the morning.” Thomas’ eyes dance. His fingers run through my hair, trace a leisurely path along the nape of my neck till I shiver.

“Mm, brilliant. I’ll have your people talk to my people.” I open my eyes to gaze at Thomas in the low light. I give him a lazy smile.

“The ravishing department is open for business.” Thomas grins at me, rumple-haired and flushed, and all I want to do is rumple him further and thoroughly. The sight of him and the sensation of being pressed against my body thrills me. Morning can’t come soon enough.

And then I kiss Thomas like my life depends on it. His and mine. The heat between us sears. I let up before too long since my head’s pounding, but the pain’s absolutely worth it. I settle comfortably against him, my leg over his.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk, but right now, I’m the happiest man in all the kingdom. Being together with Thomas is far better than any dream I could have ever imagined.

Because, after all, our love is real.

Epilogue

We’re at the stables in the South Downs on a fair day the following spring. Thomas is in a sky-blue shirt with his riding gear, while I’m in a lightweight coral anorak with riding breeches and boots. We’ve led our horses out to the arena. Tufts of cloud drift by overhead.

Thomas gives a meaningful glance to the sturdy wooden mounting block usually used by children, and quite reasonably by most people, for their lessons at the estate. I shake my head, looking back at my horse fromRenaissance Man, Midnight. I hold him by the bridle and scratch him under the chin with my other hand. He nuzzles my chest.

“Let’s try this the usual way.” I turn to adjust the stirrup to mount my horse in the way I’ve done so many times before. I’ve kept up my stretching routine through rehab. That is, before I did my best to end it all during the steeplechase event. It’s kind of funny that in my years of jumping, I’d never taken a fall before. It took reality TV to take it to the next level. I was always praised in the past for having excellent balance.

“Are you sure?” Thomas gives me a concerned look.

“I was Olympic track, remember? Getting on a horse is one of the first things they teach you, believe it or not,” I quip and buckle the chin strap of my helmet. “Also, they point out which end has teeth. And which end poops. Very useful.”

He snorts, holding the reins of his horse.

With a deep breath to fend off any lingering nerves, I climb onto my horse in a practiced, fluid movement. The leather creaks, and Midnight doesn’t protest. And a moment later, I’m looking at the world from between a pair of curved horse ears.

I grin and pat Midnight’s neck.

“Your turn,” I tell Thomas.

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