22. Gabriel
GAbrIEL
ALEJANDRO HAD WOKEN before me, but that wasn’t the surprising thing.
No, that would be the fact that he’d shared the same bed with me all night and was still there, though he was standing by the window with a pensive expression.
And in nothing but a pair of unbuttoned trousers hanging low off his hips.
Damn, now that was a hot view to wake up to, and with his attention elsewhere I could really take my time looking at all that tanned skin in the sunlight.
I hated to admit the way he made me hard without touching me.
Every muscle in his back was so clearly defined, from his broad shoulders that tapered down to his trim waist. His hair was still mussed from sleep and it made me want to run my fingers through it, to untangle the knots before twisting my grip in the strands and yanking him in for a kiss.
God, the man could kiss. He could kiss, he could fuck, he could role-play better than anyone I’d ever met. I doubted there’d ever be a day where I didn’t think of him as the sexiest pirate I’d ever let conquer me.
He glanced over his shoulder suddenly, catching me watching. “If you’re thinking about asking me to tell you you’re the best thing I’ve ever woken up to, I’m throwing myself overboard.”
“I don’t need to do that. You already admitted I’m the best you’ve ever had. That’s all I need.”
He turned, and my eyes caught on the dangerous V of his abs, where I’d licked the path down to his delicious cock.
“Maybe some food first?” He smirked and buttoned his pants, then went about searching the room for his shirt. I couldn’t even begin to guess where my clothes were. I’d been hoping I wouldn’t have to put them on anytime soon, but my stomach was starting to growl, so maybe Alejandro had a point.
Apparently the water was still too rough to take the yacht back out, even though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, so we’d remain docked for the day at one of the small villages, which Alejandro said had the best breakfast in Solterra.
Good thing, because we’d both worked up quite an appetite for something other than each other.
“This is interesting,” I said, walking side by side with Alejandro as our security guards stayed far enough behind us that we could all blend in with the crowd. “Seems like we’re two guys going out for breakfast…together…alone.”
“This is not a date,” Alejandro replied as he led me down a narrow stone street that led to the café.
“Of course not. That would be against the rules. And you’re such a rule follower.” I grinned as I side-eyed him, but with his sunglasses shielding them, I couldn’t see the eye roll I knew was happening.
The café sat nestled between brightly colored buildings, white with blue shutters and baskets of red flowers hanging beneath the windows. It looked quaint and inviting, like the kind of underrated place you’d get amazing homemade food.
Inside was much the same, with mismatched chairs and tables, but small vases of flowers on each one.
“Look at you, taking me somewhere charming,” I said. “I thought your taste only extended to Michelin-starred restaurants.”
“That a problem for you?” Something about his tone sounded a little defensive, and I bumped my shoulder against his.
“I’m saying I’m impressed, Your Highness.”
We got in the short line and Alejandro took off his sunglasses and tucked them into his shirt. “You’re exhausting.”
“I think you mean exhausted. And that would be entirely your fault.”
He looked like he was biting back a smile. “You’re welcome.”
When the bell over the door chimed with our security guards coming inside but still keeping their distance, the woman behind the counter looked up at them and then quickly scanned the café. Her eyes found Alejandro, and she clapped her hands together and smiled before coming around the counter.
“Your Highness, please, you don’t need to stand in line,” she said, greeting him with a small curtsy.
“I know how to wait my turn.”
When I made a noise at that, it earned me a swift elbow to the ribs before he turned a friendly smile in her direction.
“I brought company, though I don’t know how welcome he’ll be.”
The woman looked at me, and surprise flitted through her expression before she curtsied again.
“This is—” Alejandro started, but she quickly finished for him.
“Prince Gabriel, yes, of course I know who he is. Everyone knows who he is. My niece has watched the grape video about thirty times.”
Alejandro closed his eyes, but I only grinned.
“Who did she think had the better fall? It was me, wasn’t it?” I leaned in close and gave her a wink. “You can tell me.”
She only laughed and made a motion of zipping her lips.
“That tells me all I need to know,” I said. “Your niece obviously has impeccable taste.”
“She does indeed. What a delight to have you here at our little café.”
“Alejandro kept talking about this being the best breakfast spot in Solterra, so we had to stop in. What was your name?”
“Edith, and really, he’s too kind.”
“It’s the truth,” Alejandro said, but then gestured toward the growing line. “Why don’t we find a table so Gabriel can look over the menu and you can get back to your guests?”
Those in line were starting to look at us now, and there were various bows and curtsies that Alejandro waved off.
“Thank you, but there’s no need for all that. Enjoy your meals on me today.”
As the guests’ mouths all dropped, I said, “I will definitely be taking you up on that. And if anyone has a recommendation, I’ll gladly hear it.”
“You must try the Tortilla Espanola, Your Highness,” one of the older gentleman waiting by the counter said. “Or the Huevos Rotos.”
I nodded. “Excellent suggestion. Since this is all on Prince Alejandro’s tab, maybe I should just order one of everything?”
Alejandro rolled his eyes, which had them all laughing, but then said, “One of everything.”
After many thank-yous, Edith assured us it would be right out, but I wasn’t in a hurry. Yes, I was hungry—who wouldn’t be after being used so well the night before? But I was also enjoying my time out in the sun after the stormy night.
The company wasn’t too bad, either.
“This work for you?” Alejandro said, gesturing to a small table by the window.
“I’m easy.”
“A little too easy, some might argue.”
“Who?” I said, taking the seat on the opposite side of the table. “Definitely not you. In fact, I think that might be one of the things you like best about me.”
“That would imply I like anything about you.”
“Oh, come on now, don’t be like that.” I stretched my legs out and gently brushed one up against his. “We both know there’s at least one thing you like about me. One very big thing.”
“Your mouth?”
“Okay, make that two things.”
Alejandro snorted and was just about to respond when a young woman wearing an apron stopped by our table.
“Your Highnesses,” she said, and bowed her head before sliding two small cups onto the table. “Two café con leches.”
“Thank you…?” I looked for a name badge, but didn’t spot one.
“Maria.”
“Thank you, Maria.”
Alejandro nodded and thanked her also, and as she hurried off I reached for a small packet of sugar and noticed him watching me from across the table.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
“Do you make it a habit of knowing everyone’s name?” he said as I tore open the packet and poured it into the thick espresso and milk.
“As much as I can. Plus, it’s good manners to know those whose establishments you frequent, no?”
He seemed to think about that for a moment before picking up his coffee and taking a sip. “You’re nothing like your brother. Sometimes I forget you’re even related, let alone twins—which is strange, since you share the same face.”
“Not true,” I said, crossing one of my legs over the other as I leaned back in my seat. “I’m much more handsome. My smile’s what makes the difference. He never does that.”
“He doesn’t get to know his waitress’s name either,” Alejandro pointed out, his eyes flicking over to where Maria was smiling and laughing behind the counter with Edith.
“No, I don’t suppose he does. But rules and expectations have been drilled into him from an early age. He was groomed to be king. That meant he was to follow certain traditions, uphold the prestige of the crown. I’m sure your upbringing was much the same.”
Alejandro frowned, and I cocked my head.
“Am I wrong?”
“No.” The deep V between his brows grew, and I waited to see if he’d expand on that.
But when he stayed quiet, I said, “That’s the way of it for the firstborns. Always watched, always expected to be on their best behavior—or at least keep their dalliances a secret.”
Alejandro’s eyes found mine, a curious expression in them. “And the second-born? What’s expected of them?”
“They’re the spare. No one cares what they do.” I shrugged. “That’s why I can ask a waitress her name and play poker with the downstairs staff. It won’t cause an international incident like a king marrying his—”
I quickly bit off my words. Good job, genius.
“Footman?” Alejandro put his cup down, and I wondered if I’d just ruined our morning. “I don’t know, I think it’s more than that. You getting to know those around you.”
“Oh?” I couldn’t wait for whatever smartass comment he had about this.
“You like people,” he said, looking around the café.
“You’re a social person, and I think your family was so consumed with making sure Nicholas was fit to be king that you were left to your own devices.
So you made friends where you could find them, and as you got older, it translated to the outside world.
That charm of yours doesn’t hurt either.
It endears you to everyone you come into contact with.
Your brother and I would both be smart to take some lessons from you. ”
Wow. That was the last thing I’d expected him to say.
I sat there trying to think of some kind of witty response, some off-the-cuff reply to such a thoughtful and, honestly, kind analysis of me, but I had nothing. He’d completely and utterly blindsided me.
“You go out of your way to put people at ease,” he said, and reached across the table to touch my hand. “That’s not an easy feat for someone in your position.”
I swallowed, trying to clear the lump in the back of my throat. I wasn’t used to someone being so direct, so intentional in their praise for me—and the fact it was Alejandro had me at a complete loss.
I didn’t know what to do, say, or feel in that moment—something he seemed to realize when he chuckled and broke the ice, poking at my hand.
“Which makes me wonder why you were such a pain in the ass when we first met.”
I let out a sigh of relief, happy to finally be back on familiar ground, and just as I was about to reply, two men stopped by our table with massive trays full of fried eggs and potatoes, sausages and fruit.
I never did answer his question, nor did the strange feeling in my stomach completely vanish, but we did manage to get back to familiar territory where he’d take a jab at me and I’d parry back.
It was much more comfortable that way, when we were sparring with each other. Much more manageable than when he was touching my hand and telling me I was charming and put people at ease, because that Alejandro I didn’t know what to do with.