Chapter 20
Courtney
I come awake slowly, stretching and luxuriating in the soft sheets and comfortable mattress. This is the first time I’ve slept in the bed and it’s much more comfortable than my mattress at home. Sunlight is streaming into the room, and I sit up in a panic as I realize how late it must be.
Micah!
I’ve just gotten to my feet when I see the piece of paper on the pillow.
Courtney,
I hope you had a chance to catch up on sleep. Don’t worry about Micah. I took him to the gym and, if you’re still not awake, he’ll join me for this morning’s security briefing. Take your time—I don’t have to leave the palace today, so we’ll be around. Text me when you’re up. –Daniil
I want to be annoyed that he took my son without asking but that’s ridiculous.
It’s his son too. And he essentially took him to work with him, which is kind of hilarious.
But that means I can take a shower without rushing.
Maybe enjoy a cup of coffee for once. I love my baby, but I don’t have much time to myself, so I won’t waste this opportunity.
This rare moment of privacy also gives me time to think about what happened last night.
Daniil putting me to bed. Rubbing my back.
Lying beside me and just stroking my hair, my arms, shoulders…
until I fell asleep. No expectations, nothing but gentle consideration because I admitted I wasn’t sleeping.
I’ve been exposed to playboy Daniil. Bodyguard Daniil. Prince Daniil. And sex god Daniil. I’ve never met last night’s Daniil. The guy in a tank top and flip flops who rubbed my back and didn’t try to get in my pants. Didn’t try anything.
I’m not na?ve. I’m aware that he potentially has an end game here—to get me to agree to bring Micah to Limaj and permanently into his life.
But there are a million other ways for him to make that happen.
Ways that have nothing to do with rubbing my back or making me feel safe in a place that seems to bring out the worst in me.
But last night wasn’t a game. Ulterior motives aside, he just wanted to help me relax.
And it worked. Because I feel like myself today for the first time since he showed up at the house that day a few weeks ago.
Technically, nothing has changed but there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to change your view of the world.
I shower, blow dry my hair, slap some mascara on my lashes, dab on a little lip gloss, and decide to wear capris and a blouse. I have no idea what the rest of the day will bring but I figure I should take a little extra time since I’m going to go wandering around the palace to find Micah.
Once I text Daniil and he tells me where to find them, I make my way to the floor where the offices are. There are no signs, which I was told was done by design, so I follow the instructions he texted me: Right off the elevator, left at the second corridor, first door on the right.
And that’s right where I find him—along with a handful of others.
“Hey.” Lennox is holding Micah, who has a teething ring in his mouth and is drooling all over himself and her.
“Hi.” I lean over to kiss the top of Micah’s head. “Have you been a good boy?”
I’m not sure if the raspberry he blows in response is a yes or a no.
“He’s an angel.” Daniil smiles at me. He’s sitting in a chair with papers spread out before him, looking just as magnificent as always in a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to halfway up his forearms.
“Thank you for letting me sleep,” I say. “I can’t remember the last time I slept until ten o’clock!”
“You needed it,” he says. “Are you hungry? We’re going to have lunch soon but I’m sure the cook can make you breakfast if you prefer?”
“No, I had coffee. I can wait until lunch. Honestly, I can take Micah out of your hair so you can get back to work.”
“Meh.” He lifts one shoulder. “If I never look at this bill again it’ll be too soon.”
“I heard that!” someone calls from the hallway.
“You were meant to!” Daniil yells back.
Was that Erik? Does he really talk to the king that way? I understand that they’re first cousins and have a special bond but he’s still…a king. The dynamics here are a little confusing.
“Sandor and I are considering taking the boys to the beach tomorrow,” Lennox says.
“Just overnight. Why don’t you and Daniil join us?
There’s a private island we go to, you get there by boat, and we hired someone to take us.
The boys haven’t been to the beach yet so we figured we might as well, before the weather changes. Winter comes early here.”
I hesitate, cutting a glance at Daniil.
“Would you like to?” he asks quietly. “It might be nice to get away from the palace, go somewhere relaxing.”
I want to ask about sleeping arrangements, food, a million other things but it’s exhausting always being on alert. For once, I want to just go with the flow.
“I…that sounds nice. Sure. When are we leaving?”
We discuss details for a few minutes, and I realize Micah will need sunscreen and the diapers made specifically for swimming.
“I have all that,” Lennox says, waving a hand when I mention it. “Believe me, we are well-prepared for baby boys.”
“Four boys under two?” I ask, biting back a laugh.
She narrows her eyes. “Don’t look at me—this is all Prince Neanderthal’s fault.
He’s so desperate for a big family. I told him if it was twins again, because we were warned it might be, he was in charge of finding another nanny and all the logistics.
No one on my side of the family has twins.
” She gives him the side eye, and he just leans over to kiss her.
“Do not touch me,” she says, swatting at him playfully. “I hope the night you got me pregnant was good for you because you are never having sex with me again.”
He just laughs. “Yes, dear.” Then he turns to Daniil. “That’s not what she said last night.”
Daniil snorts and I feel a pang of envy at the light-hearted banter and how easy it seems for Lennox to be in love with a man who’s much like Daniil.
They have different personalities, of course, but from the outside looking in, they’re very similar.
Tall, blond, and gorgeous. Both princes.
Both Royal Protectors. Both involved in politics.
Both heavily invested in their families, their culture, and their country.
Yet one is a family man who absolutely adores his wife while the other is a bisexual playboy who hasn’t shown any interest in settling down since his divorce.
I have to remember that even as we’re starting to build a friendship and trust. This is about Micah, not about us.
I spend the afternoon packing. I’m glad I brought a bathing suit but it’s old and kind of ugly, something I threw in at the last minute because I hoped I could swim some laps in the heated indoor pool.
Instead, now I’m going to the beach in it, and I wrinkle my nose in frustration.
Is there time to go shopping? I wouldn’t even know where to go, so I call Lennox.
“Oh, for sure! There are some great stores in Hiskale. I can’t get away this afternoon, but I can have someone take you. I bet Natalia would love to get out and do a little shopping.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“I really don’t need a bodyguard.”
“No, but you’ll need a guide, a driver, and maybe even a translator. Did you make any Euros before you came?”
Foreign currency never even occurred to me, and I groan.
“No worries. I’ll lend you some.”
“Lennox, I don’t want to take advantage like that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Go have fun.”
“One more question.”
“Shoot.”
“Is there someone who can watch Micah for me? I don’t want to drag him in and out of stores, especially if I’m trying on bathing suits.”
She laughs. “Well, one person comes to mind.”
“Who?”
“How about his father?”
“Oh.” I pause.
Why didn’t I consider asking Daniil, who’s been so invested in spending time with his son?
“He’s not a bad guy, Courtney. You know that, right? No matter what happens or doesn’t happen between the two of you, underneath that hot exterior and slight rough-around-the-edges interior is a really good human being.”
“I’m starting to see that,” I admit.
“Then trust your gut. I always have.”