Page 37 of Coral Prince Conundrum
The next twenty-four hours have Daryl and me staying put in our chambers. I wish it were for sexual activity, but instead, we get to work. We pore over the sheets and slide deck scattered on the living room table. Priya occasionally checks in on us, but leaves quickly every time. Imelda provides us with food since we don’t leave the room.
Meanwhile, my brother supplies us with all the waterproof digital technology that he has on hand. As part of the information technology, he and Daryl are apparently texting now. Their chats tug on a concerned part of my heart. Is Oroy interested in him? I do not even know if my own brother is gay. This is my fault for being raised apart from my siblings. I understand that isolation is the role of the Coral Prince, but still, after the past few years of getting to know them, I would hope Oroy would talk to me about personal life.
Gay or straight, my brother needs to recognize that Daryl is off-limits.
That afternoon, as Oroy chats with Daryl about something called Wi-Fi, I also hope he leaves the room promptly. Daryl may be a fake fiancé, but my brother doesn’t know that. And regardless, I want my alone time with Daryl.
When my brother dashes away, relief swells in my chest. Daryl continues typing away at the laptop with the intense scrutiny of a true researcher. His thirst for knowledge is commendable and attractive. He bites into a sugary plantain roll, and his eyes never leave the screen. Powder gets on his lips, and I want to lick it off.
“You, uh, have something.” My words make him pause and look up. I point to my mouth. “On your lip.”
Instead of wiping it, his tongue darts out and he licks it away.Ocean god, that was sexy.
“Is it gone?”
“Yes,” I reply in a whisper. I’m so pent-up and aroused, and being with him alone on this floor is making my hormones spike.
He must notice I’m flustered because he asks, “Hey, you okay?”
I clear my throat and shake my head. “Just…tired, I guess.”
“We’re almost done.” He shuts off the laptop and approaches. “You had already made most of this progress beforewe left America. And you’ve been rehearsing so much, I bet your throat is sore.”
I snicker. I almost want to say,“I can make my throat sore in other ways,”but I bite back that remark.
“Yes, well, this is a high-pressure presentation. A defining moment in my early political career as future king.”
He frowns and places his hand on my shoulder. “You’re going to do great. Believe in yourself, Seero.” When I touch his hand, a cautious, almost hopeful smile grows on his lips. It would be so easy to lean over and kiss him.
Before I can do anything regrettable, my phone vibrates on the table. I find it curious since almost no one has my number. Daryl pulls back, and I pick up. “Hello?”
“My son. How would you like to take your soulmate and go to the water mystic theater show with your mother and me? It would give us all a better chance to meet him on the surface, since he was unable to speak the other night.”
Perfect. I grin at Daryl and nod, knowing he doesn’t understand what I’m saying to my father on the line. “That would be great. I’ll ask Imelda to send for a boat.”
I bid Father goodbye, then hang up. “Everything cool?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply with a nod. “We are being invited to a water mystic show by my parents.”
“What’s that?”
I grin. “It takes place in an outdoor surface theater, so you will be fine. It…is glorious. A true marvel of the Coral Kingdom.” I casually lead him to the bedroom area. “Get dressed. We will take a long tour of the outskirts of Port City, go to my favorite restaurant for dinner, then meet my parents there.”
“But what about?”
“We deserve a break,” I retort, lightly pushing him into the room. “You said it yourself, we are nearly done. And I have practiced over and over again so that my mouth is sore.”
He grins. “A show in the Coral Kingdom does sound fun.”
“Great. This will be, as Oroy says, so totally rad.”
Daryl rolls his eyes while smiling, a gesture he taught me was friendly. “Alright, alright. You’ve convinced me, Seero. Hopefully, your country can show me a good time.”
I beam as he closes the door. Tonight is going to be phenomenal for Daryl. I will make sure of it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Daryl
