Happy Lunar New Year! A Westin & Prince Jin Short Story #2
Every so often, West would sneak a wink or a small touch Jin’s way, but otherwise, they were both too busy to spare even a second for each other.
And it was so hard to pay attention to his work when his fiancé was looking so debonair and handsome in his dark suit and bright-red tie.
His blond hair had grown long, stretching just below his shoulders.
Today, it was secured with a red ribbon at the nape of his neck, but there were a couple of thick strands left loose to frame his face.
They fell forward every time West dipped his head to bow or lean in to hear what someone was saying to him.
Jin longed to reach out and thread those strands behind his ears before capturing his mouth in a long, slow kiss.
Later. Later. Later.
The moment this long day was finished, he planned to spend as many hours as he could steal kissing and worshiping his sexy man.
As soon as the last envelope was handed out, the royal family was rushed the room where they were hosting a special luncheon for a number of elected officials and department ministers.
While the atmosphere was less hectic, it was far from relaxed.
Jin could only watch as the different officials surrounded West and took turns grilling him on a variety of topics in a “friendly” manner, putting his language skills and etiquette lessons to the test.
Every fiber of Jin’s being demanded he race over to rescue his fiancé, but he couldn’t.
These people felt the need to make sure the royal family was making the right choice about who the crown prince was marrying.
After all, West would one day be the emperor’s consort and be the most well-positioned person to whisper in Jin’s ear.
While he might not be able to shield West directly, he did send Qin to monitor things. He could interject and assist West if it grew too heated.
Thankfully, after a short time, people were seated and several people gave speeches, blessing the royal family, the hard-working civil servants, and the country. Finally, food was served. Jin was so hungry, he’d grown light-headed.
However, the emperor didn’t remain long.
Shortly before the luncheon was scheduled to close, Shen Xiao Dian ushered away the emperor with the help of a couple of nurses who commented that the emperor needed to rest. The plan was for Emperor Jin Jiang Yu to retreat and rest in his private apartment for the rest of the day.
As the emperor retired, he accepted a deep bow from West, whom he patted on the arm. He also stopped to hug both of his sons in a rare display of public affection.
“Relax,” the emperor admonished in a low voice as he hugged Jin. “Your fiancé did wonderful today.”
“Thank you, Royal Father. Get some rest,” Jin murmured, his throat tight.
They had scarcely caught their breath at the luncheon when Jin found himself pushed and prodded out the door yet again.
He was whisked down the hall, to his private apartment, where he would change from his suit into a set of heavy robes that were styled after the ancient dynasties.
The royal family only wore these during New Year celebrations and other big events, such as weddings.
While always beautiful, they were also dangerous. The long, voluminous sleeves and length of the robes made them difficult to move in, slowing him if he needed to make a sudden escape. However, he knew he had nothing to worry about because West would be at his side.
Except, where was his fiancé?
Just as he was being rushed out of the luncheon, he’d lost sight of West. Had he been taken away first? But he wasn’t going through an elaborate costume and hair change.
Jin pouted on his way back to his rooms. He’d thought they would at least be able to walk together and talk for a few minutes.
As soon as he changed, they’d be taken off to the outdoor celebrations with the populace.
It would be far too loud and chaotic to talk.
They wouldn’t have another free moment until after midnight, and by then they would be exhausted.
As they reached his room, Jin was only half listening as Qin rattled off a near endless list of what people had said during the red envelope ceremony and luncheon. He moved on to all the things they would need to do and see while at the evening celebration before the clock struck midnight.
Normally, he would have been excited. The New Year celebrations were always so amazing.
There was a big concert with performers from around the world coming to sing and dance.
There was also a lion dance competition that he looked forward to every year.
Of course, there was also an endless amount of street food Qin’s various minions would sneak that to him.
And the night would end with a fabulous fireworks display.
He had been excited to share all this with West for the very first time, but everything had felt off since he’d first woken up.
How could he start his day without his fiancé there to smile at him from the next pillow?
Where were his morning cuddles as they discussed their plans for the day?
Yes, West had stolen a kiss while he was getting ready, but it wasn’t the same.
This was ridiculous, and he knew it, but he couldn’t shake his poor mood.
His evil brain kept whispering that it was only going to get worse from here.
The emperor wasn’t likely to resume his old role of governing full-time.
Most things were going to remain in Jin’s hands to handle.
By taking on the official title of fiancé, West’s daily schedule was going to grow more hectic, with it exploding after they were wed.
Were his lazy mornings with West at an end?
Were they at the point where they would need to schedule in brief moments just so they could greet each other every day?
Lost in these bleak thoughts, Jin didn’t notice the bathroom door open as he approached.
A yelp jumped from his throat when a hand roughly grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside, only to have the door slam shut behind him.
His back hit the door, and West’s wicked grin filled his vision.
His heart raced and a hundred butterflies took flight.
“West!” he gasped.
“I missed you, baobei2,” West purred, and Jin couldn’t stop from melting in his arms. Just as West’s lips were about to touch his, Qin cried from the other side of the door.
“Please, Dianxia! Mr. St. James! You can’t do this now. We don’t have time. You both need to get ready. We have to stick to the schedule,” Qin moaned, the door failing to muffle his complaints in the slightest.
“Ten minutes, Qin,” West called out.
“We can’t afford ten minutes. Dianxia’s hair needs to be restyled, and the various layers of robes that he has to put on take a great deal of time.”
“Ten. Minutes.” His tone was unyielding. Yet, as he looked at Jin, his smile grew so very evil. “And I would go block people from entering these apartments, or they are going to hear some noises from their crown prince they would rather not know he could make.”
Jin’s heart pounded, and he was only dimly aware of the distressed cries coming from Qin while quick footsteps pounded through the rooms, followed by a series of slammed doors. They were alone. But only for ten minutes.
West captured his mouth against for a bruising kiss that left Jin sighing.
Jin wrapped his arms around his fiancé, clinging to him with everything he had as he returned the kiss.
All the feelings of loneliness and misery evaporated with a sweep of West’s talented tongue.
How could he feel anything other than joy when he clung to his beloved?
Strong hands dug into the tense muscles of Jin’s back and swept down to mold his ass and squeeze his thighs. It was as if West couldn’t get enough of touching him, but needed to memorize every single centimeter of his body before they dared to part again.
“Missed you. So much,” Jin forced out between kisses. His lips felt raw, but he couldn’t stop. Never wanted to stop.
He could feel West’s grin as he dragged his mouth along his smooth jaw. “We’ve been together the entire morning and afternoon.”
“I could see you, but not talk to you. Not even a little touch. It was torture,” Jin complained, not caring if West thought he was being too clingy. They were still in the early part of their relationship. It was the one time he was allowed to be clingy.
West hummed as he placed a kiss on the tender flesh just behind Jin’s ear. “But you have to know…anytime I can see you, I’m imagining all the wonderful things I can do to your body the moment we’re alone. All the ways I can make you cry out my name.”