Page 33 of Tantalizing Kings

But I couldn’t just let Sadie run off like that after what Grayson did. She looked a little ashamed, and she should never feel like that.

I was there for the whole thing, watching with Preston, so I know Grayson didn’t force her to do anything, but he should have been more careful. They were out in the open and could have been seen by anyone. I know Grayson doesn’t care what people think about him, he does what he wants, but I don’t want Sadie’s name to be sullied and have people talk bad about her or mess with her because his lack of care.

But fuck, the noises she made had my dick so damn hard. I wish I could have seen her face when Grayson made her shatter.

“Oh, hey, Declan,” Mia’s voice has my head snapping up as I enter the building.

I stop and give her a friendly smile. “Hey, Mia. What’s up?” Mia is a nice girl, and it’s still really odd that technically she’s my fiancée.

“I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a moment?” she asks, giving me a small smile back. I look down at my phone and see that I only have fifteen minutes left of my class so there’s no real point in trying to rush to get there anymore. I’ll have to watch the class footage online later to catch up.

So I nod and put my phone away. “Sure, what’s up?”

“It’s about Sadie.”

I freeze, my heart starting to speed up. “What about Sadie?”

Mia crosses her arms and gives me one of her sassy brow lifts. “She’s my best friend. And I know the deal she has with you and the other Host Club members. I mean, we’re the ones who convinced her to ask you guys in the first place.”

“I know. She told me.”

“She did? That doesn’t matter—what matters is, I know you a lot better than I do the other guys. You’re a good guy, and I know Sadie is in good hands with you. But Grayson and Preston? I need you to make sure they don’t hurt my best friend.”

My brows furrow. “They would never hurt a woman,” I say urgently.

“I don’t mean physically, although that counts too! I mean with her heart,” Mia explains.

“What do you mean, her heart?” I ask, brow furrowing. “She just wants us to teach her... things.” It’s still going to take some getting used to.

Mia sighs, scrubbing her face with her hands. “I’m totally risking her getting mad at me for this, and I know it’s not my place to say anything, but I can’t stand by and let them mess with her emotions. Because you’re not the only one who saw what happened outside just before you walked her home.” She gives me a knowing look.

“Fuck,” I groan. “I’m going to kill Grayson.”

“Please do. Anyway, me and you, we might be engaged, but you know that’s bullshit. Nothing will ever happen between us. You’re too head over heels for Sadie and Preston, and I’m not into dicks. Although, if I was, I’m sure yours would be nice enough.” She grins.

My eyes widen at the mention of Preston. “I—ah—”

“Relax.” She rolls her eyes. “Your secret is safe with me. But, dude, you look like a love-sick puppy when he’s not paying attention.” My face heats.Has Preston noticed?And if he has, does it bother him? “But I’ve also been watching for years how you are with my girl.” She smirks.

“Doesn’t matter. Even if Sadie felt the same way about me, we can’t be together past this agreement. She deserves someone who can show the world how much they love her. Not to be hidden away or be someone’s mistress.” I’m not even going to comment on the Preston thing.

“That’s the thing. She does have... some kind of feelings for you. An attraction for sure, but I think it could lead to something more. And while I know you would be the best person to spare her heart, I don’t trust that the others would.”

Does Sadie like me, or all of us?God, I sound like some confused preteen.“So, what are you asking?” I question, my brows furrowing.

“I just want you to know that if you fall hard enough for Sadie, and she feels the same for you, I’d end things between us so that you two could be together. Believe that,” is all she says before turning around and heading down the hall, leaving me there with my mouth agape.

Why did she have to say that?I’ve grown to accept that I could never have Sadie the way I want her. This arrangement we have is the closest I’ll ever get to being with her, and that alone is a fucking miracle. Now Mia tells me that being with Sadie could be in my future, if that’s what we wanted.

Is that something I want, knowing I’ll never be able to be with Preston if that’s the path I choose?

How fucked up and selfish of me to want two people at once. Would it be fair to be with Sadie while also having feelings for someone else as well?

I can’t fucking be with either of them. At least, not without causing a lot of issues with more than one family.

I really can’t think about this right now.

The bell chimes and I turn in the direction of the Host Club room to give Grayson hell for the little stunt he pulled.

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