Royally Not Ready(78)
“Good, Princess Lilly. Those things are helpful to note,” I add. She’s actually right, although I’m not sure if she picked that up during the simulation or from being around them for a week. At least she gave good reasoning, and that could be helpful.
“Anything else you can tell us?”
“Ah, yes, one more big thing, they both reeked of fish. Absolutely atrocious, I nearly passed out from the smell.”
Lilly lifts her brow, and I laugh out loud as Brimar sniffs his shirt.
“We do not.” Lara sniffs herself as well while Lilly chuckles.
“That’s what you get for shining that light in my eyes for so damn long.”
I lift from the table and say, “I think that concludes our kidnapping training. You did brilliantly, Lilly.”
“You really did,” Lara says.
Brimar breathes into his hand and smells. “I brushed my teeth.”
Lara pokes his stomach. “She was joking.”
“Well, just in case, I’m going to go take another shower.” Brimar takes off, Lara following him.
“Yeah, maybe I’ll change my clothes.”
When they’re gone, I help Lilly up from her chair and bring her wrists up to my mouth. “Are you okay?” I kiss her sensitive skin. “Are your wrists sore?”
“They’re okay.” She sighs against me and asks, “So I really did a good job?”
“You did. I’m really proud. You were composed, calm, and despite enduring a stressful situation, you remained poised. I was really impressed.”
She smiles. “That means a lot to me.” She drops her hands to my chest. “Now what?”
“Now, we take a break, and then after lunch, you’re going to learn a new tradition.”
“Ooo, I can’t wait.”
I tilt her chin up and move my mouth over hers, stealing a kiss before pulling away. It’s going to be really fucking hard keeping my hands off her now that I’ve had a taste. I just need to make sure it’s the right place, the right time.
Chapter Fifteen
LILLY
Keller: THE INFORMATIVE: A town is at the mercy of a love triangle. Fights have broken out on the streets, friendships have been lost, and family rifts have become so strong that businesses are now suffering. Shame has been thrown toward the angler’s wife as she strolls the cobbled streets of Kirkfell. And now that the town is in shambles, she has decided to walk away from both men and is harboring with her sister to help heal the town.
“Holy shit,” I whisper as I read the text a few more times. My phone chimes with another text message.
Timmy: Okay, I’m going to need an update. You’re all over the news here. Is what they’re saying true?
Lara, Brimar, and Keller are all preparing lunch, so I sink onto the couch next to the fireplace, one of my favorite places in the “castle”, and text Timmy back.
Lilly: Long story short, I’m next in line for the crown here.
Timmy: WHAT? I mean, I knew you were royalty, but the next in line? So, if something happens to the king, you’re the next monarch?
Lilly: Correct, but they’re giving me the option, and I haven’t decided what I want to do yet.
Timmy: Which way are you leaning?
I look up from my phone and stare out at the quaint living room. The rich history that these walls must have experienced. The people who’ve walked in and out of the front entryway. The wood-carved doors that replicate the landscape of the country. The wooden bowls carved by Torskethorpians from the past. The embroidered table runners and doilies. The oil paintings on the walls. There’s so much about Torskethorpe that just feels right. That feels like home.
I turn back toward my phone.
Lilly: I think I’m leaning toward saying yes. And that seems so crazy because my life is in Miami, but since being here, I’ve felt closer to my mom. There’s so much of her here, I just . . . I feel like I don’t have that in Miami.
Timmy: Because you lost everything, even the house you grew up in.
Lilly: And you know I love you and our wagon, we worked so hard creating the brand around it, but I just feel like I could make an impact here, you know?
Timmy: You make an impact every day on South Beach, showing off wet nipples with your wet T-shirt contests. But if you’re speaking of more of a humanitarian impact, then, yes, you probably belong up there. LOL.
Lilly: I do kind of miss the wet nipples.
Timmy: They miss you, but you aren’t needed here. And I mean that in a loving way.
Lilly: I know you do. God, Timmy, do you think I’m crazy?
Timmy: No, I think this is admirable. You’re taking on a huge responsibility, putting others first over yourself. I’m proud of you.
Lilly: That means a lot to me.
Timmy: Now, tell me about Thor. How are things with him?
I smile and bring my knees closer to my chest as I text him back.
Lilly: Things are good . . .
Timmy: Umm, you’re going to need to elaborate. Is that ellipsis alluding to something naughty?
Lilly: It is. After a lot of push and pull, Keller finally kissed me last night, and it was everything I hoped for. God, Timmy, he’s so sexy, and not just in his looks, but in the way he grips me, how he talks to me, how he treats me like I’m the most precious thing to walk into his life. This might sound cliché, but he honestly treats me like a queen.