Chapter 27
Daniil
We’re slightly sunburned and wonderfully exhausted when we get back to Hiskale. I have a few things I have to take care of, but I tell Courtney I’ll meet her for dinner. She plans to nap when Micah does, and I really want to nap with them.
The extra day we spent by the sea was incredible. The seven of us stayed at the beach until the sun was starting to go down. We cooked a fabulous dinner and the adults stayed up far too late talking about anything and everything.
I don’t even want to think about how good the sex was when we finally got to bed.
I’ve always been a little on the kinky side.
Nothing too over-the-top but some spanking, a bit of bondage, and a lot of voyeurism.
I like to watch and be watched, and while Courtney knows that, I haven’t had an opportunity to bring it up since we started sleeping together again.
Marcus likes to watch too, but Sandor and Lennox aren’t into it so I would never suggest something like that with them in the house.
Jesper and Joe can take it or leave it, but they go at it like bunnies whenever we’re partying.
They don’t care if we watch or don’t watch, but Joe has a fascination with breasts.
He’s gay, but he loves watching a woman’s tits bounce as she’s getting fucked—and I’ve provided that for him many times. Including with Courtney.
But that was then, and this is now.
That was nothing but a fun fling.
This is what I hope will be a relationship.
The beginning of something meaningful and long-term.
At some point, we need to discuss my sexual proclivities and make sure we’re on the same page.
It makes me a little nervous, though, because my gut tells me she’s a lot shyer than I am.
But I’m also worried that if she draws a hard line in the sand, it may be a deal breaker for me.
I can’t imagine spending my life with someone who doesn’t share an interest in the things that turn me on. That was part of the issue with Jesper. He doesn’t mind people watching him getting laid, but he wants no part of spanking, bondage, any of those things. All of which are important to me.
This will be my first relationship since my divorce.
There’s been plenty of sex, one-night stands, and even flings, but nothing even resembling a serious relationship.
And I’ve wanted Courtney from the beginning, so I don’t want to add any more stress to a situation I know is already stressful for her.
I’ve done a lot of thinking, and the truth is, I don’t want to put my son in danger.
I love him and want to be part of his life—both of their lives—but if there’s a way to do it so that the world thinks he’s my stepson, instead of my biological child, that might pave the way for the compromise we’ve been desperate to find.
Instead of focusing on work, I make my way back to her suite, but she’s fast asleep and I don’t want to wake her. A nap actually sounds like a good idea, so I crawl in beside her and pull her against me.
“What are you doing here?” she whispers since Micah is still asleep.
“I took care of the two things I needed to do and decided I could take a little nap with the prettiest girl I know.”
She nestles against me. “I’m glad. How long have we been asleep?”
“About two hours.”
“Mm.” She closes her eyes again, and I wrap my arms around her.
Micah’s cries wake us, and I realize we both dozed off.
“I’ll get him,” I say, sliding out of bed and padding over to the crib. “Hey, big guy. Did you have a good nap?”
“Da-da-da.”
“I know. Me too.” I bring him to the bed and get back in, putting Micah between us. He immediately crawls up my chest and starts gnawing on his fist.
“He’s teething,” Courtney says. “The first tooth is going to appear any day now.”
“Have you kept a book for him?” I ask. “You know, writing down all the firsts and such?”
“A baby book? Yes. It’s digital, so I always have access to it, but I can print the whole thing or just certain pages whenever I want. I’m going to wait until he’s a year, include photos of his first birthday and everything, and then print it into a hard cover book.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“Sure. I can send you a link. It allows you to invite people to view or contribute. I’ll make you a contributor.”
“Thank you.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes, as Micah babbles and plays.
This probably isn’t the time to talk about sex, but I could bring up my compromise idea.
“I had a thought,” I say quietly. “About…our future.”
“Oh?” She turns to look at me.
“What if—now hear me out—what if I claim him as my stepson? You had an affair with someone who didn’t want to be a father, so you opted to raise him on your own. We got reacquainted and decided to begin dating. The only people who would know he’s my biological child is our inner circle.”
She’s thoughtful, frowning a little. “What about Micah?”
“Well, assuming he isn’t my child, you and I started a relationship when he was five months old. I’m going to be the only father he ever knows, so I’ll be his dad. If and when the time comes to tell him the truth, when he’s old enough to understand why no one knows, we will.”
“It’s something to think about,” she concedes.
“What are you thinking?” I ask. “Talk to me.”
“What happens if he somehow feels slighted because he isn’t a prince like his cousins?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with a compromise and only thought of this today. I wanted to run it past you.”
“It’s an option,” she says, nodding. “Do we have to decide now?”
“Of course not, but people around the palace are starting to wonder. We’re running out of time to say something, because talk is inevitable.”
“Are you worried about that?”
“About gossip? No. About the wrong information getting out, yes. We want to control the narrative, not gossip mongers.”
“Right.” She sits up and reaches for Micah. “He needs a fresh diaper and I’m starving. Do we have dinner plans or are we on our own?”
“I think we’re on our own tonight. Sandor and Lennox are both working, Marcus has the night off, and Xander and Elen are at their house.” Xander and Elen are the only members of the immediate family who don’t live at the palace anymore.
“That’s fine with me. I’m still dragging a little after two glorious days at the beach. And anyway, it’ll give us some time to talk about your idea.” She gets out of bed and starts changing Micah’s diaper.
I never in a million years would have imagined that watching my woman change our child’s diaper would be hot, but for some reason it is.
“I think if you did that naked, I’d attack you,” I say drolly.
She arches a brow. “Seriously? This turns you on? I think that’s a little kinky.”
I laugh. “I’m kinky but not that kind of kinky—it’s more about the fact that you gave me the most incredible gift by having my son. And watching you care for him brings out the Neanderthal in me.”
“I kind of like it,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
“What about my actual kinks?” I ask carefully, since this is a convenient opening. “Do you like those?”
“What kinks are we talking about?” She seems totally relaxed as she puts a fresh diaper on the baby.
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“Spanking me? Tying me up? You know I’m down for all that.”
“What about the rest?” I almost hold my breath, waiting for her to respond.
“You mean letting other people watch us?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes meet mine as she lifts the baby. Then she comes back to the bed and perches on the end.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. It’s not a no but it’s not a yes.
When we did it before it was fine because I didn’t plan to see you—or any of them—ever again.
I mean, maybe briefly when I came to visit Lennox, but not every day.
I don’t know how I feel about doing those things regularly with people I spend time with. ”
“Wouldn’t it be safer with people you know and trust versus strangers?”
“I guess?” She shrugs a shoulder. “Is that…mandatory? Like, is our sex life no good unless people are watching?”
“What? No. God, no.” I get up and move around the bed so I can sit next to her.
“Our sex life is amazing. You are amazing.” I reach for one of her hands and kiss it.
“I love everything we do together. I’m not talking about the norm…
just letting loose once in a while. It would be like a treat, not an everyday occurrence.
And if you prefer not to do that kind of thing with people here at the palace, we could certainly go to places like Club Inferno once in a while. ”
“This is important to you,” she says after a moment.
“It’s not a dealbreaker if you’re into bondage and spanking, but I do enjoy being watched. And watching others. I think you do too, at least a little. You were very turned on when we did it.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and she dips her head. “I only ever did that with you, so I’m not sure it’s my thing. But I’d be willing to…try again.”
“I’d like that, but I also don’t want to force or guilt you into it. If you’re uncomfortable with it, we can find a compromise. Maybe instead of letting them watch us fuck, they can watch me spank you instead. Something like that.”
“I’m game to try,” she whispers, turning to look at me. “I trust you not to push me too far.”
God, I love hearing that.
In response, I lean down and kiss her, firmly.
“I’ll never push you past your comfort zone. You have my word.”
“If I thought you would, this conversation would be over already.”
I lean over and press my forehead to hers, digging my fingers into the hair at the back of her neck. “I’m fucking crazy about you, Courtney. I don’t want to do anything to scare you off.”
“I’m not scared—I’m excited. Just being a little cautious because some of it is new to me.”
“I can live with cautious. Your comfort will always come first.”
Her eyes reflect a plethora of emotions. “I’m crazy about you too, Daniil.”