Page 32 of Tantalizing Kings

But the way Declan is looking at me makes me think, maybeI’mwrong. “You are stunning, Sadie. You don’t see how amazing you are, do you?” He leans forward, putting his forehead against mine. I close my eyes, loving the feeling of his touch. “Don’t worry, Sweetheart. We plan on showing you.” He pulls back and places a soft kiss on my forehead. My heart does stupid things, and I have to remind myself that I can’t fall for these guys.

They’re doing a job. And they are all engaged to be married to other women. None of them are my future, and never can be.

So why does it hurt a little when Declan says goodbye and walks away, leaving me in front of my doorstep?

Something is telling me by the time these guys are done with their end of the deal, I’m going to be more broken than I was when I proposed this idea.

Chapter 10

Declan

Ihate that she thinksof herself like that. That we wouldn’t want her. She has no idea just how much wedowant her. That we’ve wanted her for years.

When she came to us with this deal, I was asking myself if any of it was real. That the girl I’ve been silently pining after for years wants us, me, to teach her sexual things.

It’s not something the Host Club does. At least, not during school hours. We have a time and place for that.

The only one who is the exception to the rule and does do sexual favors for payment is Preston. He has his own fucked up reasons for that. And while I can see why he does it, I don’t like it.

Sadly, Sadie isn’t the only one I’ve been pining after. I’ve been in love with Preston since we started University. Spending a lot of time with him at the Host Club, getting to know him better, I fell hard and fast. Unfortunately for me, I don’t think Preston feels the same. Not that I’ve said anything about my feelings. I don’t want to risk getting hurt and make things awkward. There’s no point. We can’t ever be together, even if he did feel the same way.

Everyone sees Preston as a broody asshole, but for some reason, he shows just the smallest glimpse of the man he really is when it’s just the two of us.

Preston probably has it the worst out of the three of us. Hell, probably out of most people in this school. His dad is a horrible man. He belittles Preston, makes him feel like nothing he does is good enough. He’s arranged to marry a terrible woman. I’ve never been inside his house, but the times I’ve gone to pick him up, I’ve heard the screaming and yelling coming from inside, and I can tell it’s not an environment anyone should be in.

Collin is lucky, he has nothing to do with his father, and his mom is a good woman. Grayson’s mom passed away when he was a kid, but his dad is a good man. He cares and loves his son.

As for my parents, they’re not the worst, but they are very absent. I’m the only one out of the three of us who lives on campus in the dorms because my parents are never home.

Do you have any idea how lonely it is to be in a mansion by yourself? Only the staff to keep you company?I hate it.I’d rather have a smaller room to call my own and be close to other people.

Even then, we spend most of our time at Grayson’s house. He lets us stay in the guest rooms.

We weren’t friends growing up, the only thing that we had in common back then was our desire for Sadie. But once we joined the Host Club, we slowly became friends. I wouldn’t call us best friends, but we have each other’s back if needed.

The further I get from Sadie’s cottage, the more I want to turn around and go back. I would if I didn’t have a class to get to. One that I’m already late for.

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