Page 55 of Prince Material
“Go to sleep,lieverd,” Floris murmured, his lips brushing my forehead. “I’ve got you.”
And I believed him. Here, wrapped up in Floris, I felt safe in a way I hadn’t in a long, long time. Maybe ever. With him, I could let my guard down, could allow myself to be vulnerable. It was a heady feeling.
My limbs grew heavy as sleep tugged at me insistently. I fought it for a moment, wanting to stay awake and savor this closeness, this perfect moment. But my exhaustion won out in the end.
The last thing I remembered before slipping into slumber was the gentle press of Floris’s lips against my temple and the whispered words, “Sweet dreams,lieverd.”
17
FLORIS
I wasn’t the kind of guy to spend the night or to let my hookups stay over. Granted, part of that was also because I could hardly bring them back to the palace or anywhere where the press could easily spot them, but that was not the only reason. Staying over meant facing the morning after, meant possible complications and people wanting more than sex, which had been a definitivehell, no.
Until now.
Waking up with Orson plastered against me like a little octopus should’ve made me panic, but it didn’t. Instead, as soon as I realized where I was and more importantly, who was softly snoring in my arms, a deep peace filled me.
I stared down at Orson’s sleeping face, tracing the curves of his cheeks, the line of his jaw, with my gaze. His dark lashes fanned against his skin, his lips slightly parted as he breathed. He looked so innocent, so unguarded. So beautiful.
A lump formed in my throat. What the hell was I doing? This wasn’t me. I didn’t do feelings, and I certainly didn’t do relationships. I’d learned long ago that those things only led to pain anddisappointment. It was safer to keep things casual, superficial. To not let anyone get too close.
But with Orson… God, it was different. From the moment we met, there had been this undeniable pull toward him. Like gravity. I couldn’t resist it even if I wanted to. And if I was being honest with myself, I didn’t want to resist anymore.
Carefully, so as not to wake him, I brushed a stray curl off his forehead. He sighed in his sleep and nuzzled closer, his arm tightening around my waist. My heart squeezed almost painfully in my chest.
I was in deep trouble here.
But then Orson stirred, his eyes blinking open sleepily. When his gaze met mine, a blush crept into his cheeks, as if he too was realizing the position we were in.
“Morning,” I murmured, my voice still rough from sleep.
“Morning,” Orson replied, his eyes wide and a little shocked. “I… I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you like that. I’m sorry.”
I chuckled, tightening my arms around him. “Don’t be. I liked it.”
Orson’s blush deepened, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Me too.”
We lay there for a few more minutes, enjoying each other’s presence, until the smell of coffee and bacon wafted up from downstairs. Orson groaned, burying his face in my chest. “That’ll be my mom. There’s no way she’ll have missed me not sleeping on the couch.”
I ran my hand up and down Orson’s back. “We should probably head down there, huh? Face the music.”
Orson lifted his head, biting his lip nervously. “I don’t know what to say to her. This is all so new.”
I repressed a smile at Orson’s embarrassment, finding it absolutely adorable. “We’ll figure it out together,” I assured him,pressing a kiss to his forehead before untangling our limbs and climbing out of bed.
After a quick stop in the bathroom to make ourselves presentable, Orson and I got dressed and headed downstairs together, Orson fidgeting nervously the whole way.
Diana was at the stove, frying up eggs and bacon, humming softly to herself. She turned as we entered, a knowing smile on her face.
“Good morning, boys,” she said cheerfully, as if this was any other day and her son hadn’t just spent the night wrapped in another man’s arms. “Breakfast is almost ready. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” I replied easily, taking a seat at the table while Orson stood there awkwardly, looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
“Orson, honey, why don’t you set the table?”
“Sure, Mom.” Orson’s voice was a little shaky as he moved to grab silverware. I could practically feel the nerves radiating off him.
Diana’s gaze landed on me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Sleep well, Floris?”
