The Ending I Want(62)

The better part of his life.

That sentence alone makes me want to wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. After learning how his early years were, the feelings I have for him have grown. Knowing how hard he had it in the start of his life to where he is now—where he’s brought his life to be—makes me admire and respect him even more.

And like him more.

It’s not good, I know that, but it is what it is. And, as long as I keep my feelings to myself, which I intend to do, then everything will be fine.

I can’t stop thinking about his life, how he was raised in two completely different ways.

Thank God for his grandpa.

I was already looking forward to meeting him. Admittedly, I feel a little intimidated after discovering that he’s a lord. An actual freaking lord. And he lives in a castle. I don’t care what Liam says. It’s a castle. But after learning everything his grandpa has done for him, I’m more than looking forward to meeting him.

“So, what do I call your grandpa? Lord Hunter or just Lord? Or, like, Your Royal Highness.”

Liam laughs loudly. It’s a really good sound to hear after the intensity of today.

“Boston, Royal Highness is reserved for the monarchy. Kings, princes, that kind of thing.”

“So, he’s not actually royalty? I thought lords were royalty.” Not that I know much about lords or anything to do with the British monarchy—except the Queen is cool, and Prince William and Kate produce the cutest kids ever.

“My grandpa’s title was given to him by the Queen. And he is distantly related to the royal family but way, way down the line. Tenth cousin once removed or something.”

“But he’s actually related to the Queen?”

“Technically, yes.”

“That means you’re related to the Queen.”

He chuckles. “Well, no…”

“Um…your grandpa is your blood relative, and he’s related to the Queen—I don’t care how many times removed.” I stop him when his mouth opens to speak. “So, that means you’re related to the Queen.”

“I guess, if you look at it that way, then, yeah, technically…but not really.”

“Oh my God!” I cover my face with my hands. “I’ve been having sex with royalty!”

“Boston, I’m not royalty.”

I wave him off with my hand. “Oh, you are so royalty! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this before! I’m so adding that to my list. This…you being royalty…and you and me doing the dirty—like, numerous times—I think this might actually top meeting Jake Wethers.”

His brow creases. “So, you have to discover there’s a drop of seriously diluted royal blood in me in order for me to top Jake Wethers? God, I feel so f*cking special.”

I can tell from his tone that he’s playing with me.

“What can I say? Monarchy just marginally tops rock royalty.”

He laughs again. The sound is so rich and pure that it reaches a hand inside my body and wraps around my heart.

“Anyway, don’t worry, Hunter. You already made my list way before Jake Wethers did.”

“I did?” He glances at me, the look in his eyes suddenly tender.

“The first thing I checked off my list—kiss a stranger. You were my stranger.”

He reaches his hand over and takes mine. He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it.

That theoretical hand he has around my heart squeezes.

We’re coming up close to the castle, and he still hasn’t answered my question.

“So, what do I call your grandpa then?” I ask again.

“Most people just call him Bernie.”

“Bernie?” I frown. Doesn’t sound very lordlike.

“It’s his name—well, Bernard is, but I haven’t heard anyone ever call him by his given name.”

“You’re sure I should just call him Bernie?” Feels weird to address someone of nobility by their first name like that.

“Well, you can call him Lord if you want, but I don’t think it’ll stick. It’s just not him. You’ll know what I mean when you meet him. Now, me, on the other hand? If you at any point want to call me Lord or Sir or…God, then feel free, babe.”

That earns him a jab in the arm.

“Hey!” He rubs the spot I just hit. “Easy there, Boston. I bruise like a f*cking peach.”

“Sure you do.” Fighting a smile, I shake my head at his smirking face.

“Still, you pack a hell of a punch there for such a tiny person.”

“Yeah, well, make sure to remember that the next time you have a smart comment ready to roll off your tongue.”

“I’d much rather roll you off my tongue.”

Oh my God.

A shudder runs up my spine, desire suddenly coiling in my stomach.

I love it when he says things like that to me.

Liam brings the car to a stop outside the castle just as a man comes out the front door and heads straight for the car.

Liam’s grandpa.

Lord Hunter.

Or Bernie.

I can’t call him Bernie. It doesn’t seem respectful enough.

I don’t know what I was expecting…but the guy walking over to the car isn’t it.