The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(53)

Everyone stopped as they approached the driveway to what looked like a comfortable pack house. It was very modern, and had sleek white walls that curved around a small courtyard that the cart could maneuver up to drop Kit by the door. Luca was fascinated to see the servants all step out, each looking happy and well-fed in crisp, white uniforms.

Sascha showed them up to the beautiful bedroom where they would be staying, then left them alone. Kit collapsed onto the first chair as soon as they walked in.

“How much do you love me?” Kit groaned, resting his head back against the wall.

Luca walked into the bathroom and stared at the huge bath. Within minutes, he had turned the water on and it was filling nicely. He walked back into the bedroom. Kit hadn’t moved—he just moaned.

Luca chuckled and stepped out of his pants. “You’re gonna love the bath. Alpha Jace has one.” He threw his clothes on a chair. He started undressing Kit and gently unfastened the shirt that was stretched taut across his belly. Luca rested his large hands on the bump. “You know, I think you’re bigger than even yesterday,” he said in awe.

Kit pouted. “Don’t be mean.”

“I wasn’t being—”

“I’m the size of a barn,” Kit wailed, opening his beautiful blue eyes. “All I’ve done in two days is sleep and throw up, and when I’m not doing that I just want to pee all the time. Look!” Kit stuck his foot up. He’d kicked his shoes off and he didn’t have socks on. He’d complained earlier that his feet were itching and Luca had taken them off for him. Luca looked at his very cute toes. He opened his mouth, thought better of it, and closed it again.

“It’s swollen,” Kit announced.

Luca gazed solemnly at it. “It is?” he said cautiously, not completely sure if he was supposed to agree or not.

Kit groaned again and thunked his head back against the wall. “Henry’s wife had swollen hands so big they had to cut her ring off.”

Luca blinked. “You know, I’m not sure you listening to their horror stories all day is a good thing.”

“Well at least they talk to me.”

“I talk to you,” Luca said indignantly.

“You’ve spent more time with those horses than me.”

“There’s two that’ve gone lame.”

“I’m lame!” Kit stuck his other foot out and promptly burst into tears.

“Oh sweetheart,” Luca breathed, his voice catching. He bent down and lifted Kit in his arms as Kit turned his head into Luca’s chest and sobbed. Luca sat down on the bed and curled Kit into him, nestled in his arms. He kissed him everywhere he could reach.

“You hate me, don’t you,” Kit said between sobs.

“What?” Luca said incredulously. “I love you,” he insisted and kissed Kit on the mouth. Kit broke off after a couple of seconds.

“I can’t breathe,” he stuttered and more tears leaked out. Luca picked him up and walked into the bathroom. The bath was running, and Kit gaped.

“I know. You ever been in one?” Kit shook his head. Luca was pleased it had at least stopped him crying.

Luca stripped and then did the same to Kit. Kit tried to cover his belly, but Luca just bent down and pressed gentle kisses all over it. “You’re beautiful.”

Kit sniffed again, but he looked a little happier.

Luca groaned as he stepped into the bath. It was huge—definitely big enough for both of them. He held his hand out, and Kit stood and padded over to him. He stepped in and went to sit opposite Luca but Luca wasn’t having any of that nonsense.

He fixed both of his hands on Kit’s hips to steady him. “Turn around,” he growled. He caught the flare of interest in the big blue eyes staring at him. Luca just lifted him, turned him around, and sat him down on his lap, pulling Kit flush to his chest.

Kit wiggled. “Mmm.”

Luca swallowed, lust sparking immediately between them. His semi-hard cock swelled as it was nestled in the crease of Kit’s ass.

Kit tilted his head to look at Luca, and pouted. “I know you don’t want to touch me anymore because I’m fat.”

Luca gaped. He had no idea what to say. Everything he had done today had been wrong in some fashion or another. Whether he agreed or disagreed it would be wrong. Kit’s shoulders fell and Luca realized he’d kept silent way too long. “Kit?” Kit didn’t reply, so Luca leaned forward and kissed the smooth skin at the base of his neck. “I don’t think you love me at all.”

Kit stiffened. “What?” he said in a shaky voice.

“You haven’t told me you loved me today, not once.” He let that sink in and gripped the side of Kit’s hips firmly.

Kit twisted his head back to look at him. “B-but you know I love you.”

Luca smiled. “Because you tell me?” Kit nodded. “So...when I tell you how beautiful you are you think I’m a liar?”

Kit’s blue eyes filled again and Luca swore. He was making this worse.

Luca cuddled Kit close. “You are my life.” He breathed out and nibbled Kit’s ear lobe, gratified at the answering shiver. “Every second of every day I thank the fates for being poisoned.”

Kit tried to turn to see him, startled. “What?”

“It was one of the worse days of my life, but at the same time it was the best day of my life.” Luca smiled as realization shone in Kit’s eyes.