THAYER
I felt drained after we visited my grandfather. He’d been in the private hospital for months. My country was praying for his recovery, but after I spoke to his doctors, I wasn’t sure if our prayers were heard. He’d been in a coma for almost three months, and they had not seen any improvements.
My family wanted to keep this bad news, but the people in the country needed to know. Despite that, they still had to keep a few details from the press.
I could see the struggle from Aunt Alessia as she joined me inside her father’s room. No one knew, except my family and the advisors, on which country my grandfather was admitted. It was for his security and privacy.
We had the best hospitals and doctors, but it was best to keep him away from media exposure. It had tight security. The staff was under indisputable NDA so that they wouldn’t leak crucial information to anyone outside this floor.
I’d known my grandfather to suffer from such illness just like everyone, but this time, he had a hard time recovering. I’d known a few people surpassed ninety or even reached a hundred years old. I wished I could still witness him celebrated his ninety years birthday, but judging by his situation right now in machines, I couldn’t let my hopes up.
“Grandfather, it’s Camren.” He was the only family who called me Camren.
I missed his voice. I held his wrinkled hand. It even felt a little warmer—a good sign. “I came all the way to visit you. I know you can hear me. Your people are praying for your fast recovery, Grandfather. So don’t let them down, okay?” I knelt and bowed my head in front of him. “Your son, Isodore, and your daughter-in-law Aimrose have sent their love.” I kissed his hand before I rose to my feet.
Aunt Alessia had not said a word since we entered. I could see she was crying, but as a strong-willed woman, she kept herself composed.
“I’ll give you some time with him. I’ll be right outside.” I gripped her shoulder before I walked out.
Ash and Lud met me in the hallway. They knew the prognosis, but I knew they wanted to hear it from me.
I shook my head before I entered the room that served as the personal details room assigned to my grandfather.
“Just stay strong,” Ash said.
The entire room went silent. I wasn’t aware they weren’t briefed with my arrival. At least twelve people nodded at me.
“When I’m in this country. You won’t do that. You can call me sir or Thayer, but do not address me by my title unless you are ready to pack your bag and hand me your resignation.”
They apologized in unison.
“Take care of my grandfather, The King.” I left the room. Ash and Lud followed me out.
“Are you okay?” Ash asked.
“Not even the least.”
“We all are, T.”
“I need you to do something for me.”
“You don’t have to ask,” Lud replied.
“We have an agreement that you both can enjoy during your stay.”
“I would feel terrible if you won’t ask anything from us, Thayer. You’re still—”
“Don’t.” I cut Ash off.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know you both bugged my room.”
They looked down. Guilt plastered all over their faces. “Following orders. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. But you still have access to security details, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. With audio?”
“No, sir,” Lud answered.
“Fair enough. I want you to check on someone.”
Their gazes flew to me. Hopes were brewing in their eyes.
I shut my eyes, sighing deeply. “She—”
“She?” they cried in unison.
“For God’s sake. Behave yourself.”
“The sooner you find her, the sooner we can get home,” Lud said excitedly.
“Are you serious? Do you plan on kidnapping her?” I shot them a murderous glare.
“You can invite her like normal people.” Ash shrugged.
“To my country? Like right now? Who stupid woman would agree to that?”
“Well, use your charm,” Lud suggested, smirking.
“Do you how hard for me to lie? To pretend as if I was just an ordinary guy walking around the city, thinking that it’s easy to bring someone home? That fact that I’m not just an ordinary man, how do you think she would react as soon as we landed in the airport?”
“Thayer, should I remind you that this is your idea?” Ash said.
“That you wanted to know if someone would accept you if you’re a nobody?” Lud added.
Fair point, but I would not admit to that. “I haven’t forgotten anything.” A painful silence followed. “Her name is Kennedy.”
God, nothing in that woman was not sexy. The first time I laid an eye on her, something inside me warmth. I’d spent my life with women who always wanted to win my heart—or rather, wanted the privilege. This time, it was different.
She had the most beautiful eyes, despite being laced with sadness. I wanted to strangle Aunt Alessia for giving her a hard time. She even looked amazing in her outfit.
I knew my aunt had a strict dress protocol. I couldn’t agree more. Besides, they worked in a leading fashion magazine.
Those lips, though. I wondered how they look without lipstick. Were they cherry red? Anyhow, I still wanted to feel them against my fingertip, my lips, and my tongue. Those pert breasts, enough the size around my palm and in my mouth as I suckled them.
I let her image invade my mind until my groin tightened.
Fuck.
The first time she saw me, I quickly noticed the admiration. And thank God, the recognition was the least I should be worrying about. She didn’t have any idea who I was.
“Thayer,” Ash called me out of my little fantasy.
I blinked away from the beautiful image of Kennedy. “Yes?”
“Do you know her surname?”
“I can give you better than that.”
“Great. What should we do?” Lud asked.
“Background check. Follow her around, but not in a creepy way.”
“We know exactly what to do,” Ash replied proudly.
“And manwhore, don’t you dare touch her.” I pointed at Lud.
He raised his hands. “I love my head intact and attach to my body.”
“And your dick too,” Ash seconded.
I joined Aunt Alessia in her car. She looked heartbroken.
I completely understood. Her mother died five years ago. That was how she found out who she was. My family quickly learned to love her, but she never forgot who she was—an independent American woman who was wed to her job.
“Not her, Thayer,” she said softly.
“Not who?”
She rolled her eyes, which was inappropriate to do to me. “I was there, watching you, admiring her, and how your eyes sparkled? I remember when your mother told me how you reacted the first time you saw your horse.”
“And why not? You can’t say no to me.”
“She’s irreplaceable.” There was sadness in her tone.
“And she’s also irreplaceable.” My corner lips tugged into a smile.
“How about that woman—? What’s her name?”
“See?” I pointed my finger at her. “You can’t even remember her name. Meaning, she’s not important.”
She sighed. “In all honesty, you deserve better than her. I couldn’t see any sincerity in her bones.”
“Let me get this straight, Auntie. You don’t like Kadynce for me?” I met her sad gaze.
She smiled. Her eyes sparkled for a split second. “How would you convince her to give up her career, Thayer? She loves her job. How are you going to drop the bomb that you’re the future ruler?”
“I don’t know. I have ideas, but after meeting her, I finally realized how difficult the task I have at hand.” I rubbed my clean chin. I used to have a day or two of stubble, which made me looked older. I kept it like that.
“She just broke up with her boyfriend.”
My eyes widened as if I just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
“You know what it means, Thayer?”
My heart sank. “She needs to move on, heal her heart before she enters into another relationship. But I don’t have that time.” I rubbed my temples.
“I already have a plan for you.”
My head snapped to her. “What is it?”
“She’s gonna interview you. And you will be exclusive on page thirteen.”
I shook my head. “No way. No way in hell.”
“You cannot lie to her. You’re gonna break her heart. Do you want that? Women like us would easily fall in love with the right man. But we also easily fall out of love by you guys lying to us, betray us, and cheating on us. And it would be difficult for us to try trusting you again. Trust me, honey, if you like her this much. Start by telling her the truth. Of who you are.”
KENNEDY I stopped dead in my tracks. My breathing held as we stared at each other for the second time. I was gripping my robe against my chest as if it would fall willingly as his gaze burned on me. My pulse quickened. I didn’t know how long I was there standing in front of him, and I couldn’t utter a word of my purpose. His lips were so full, slightly parted. I wanted to feel the softness against my finger, against my lips. I squirmed. I was tingling all over and between my thighs. I was so attractive to this man, even if I didn’t even know his full name. I couldn’t deny his physical beauty and my attraction to him. I just broke up with my ex, yet I was drawn to Thayer like I was never with any men—I was like a moth to his flame. His throat bobbed up and down. “Kennedy, what a surprise?” I gulped. My throat dried. My cheeks were burning as he waited for me to talk.
THAYER Everything about Kennedy was sexy. The way she drunk the water was sexy. The way she talked and when she blushed. And damn if it wasn’t sexy on how she bit her bottom lip, and it seemed that she didn’t have any idea what she was doing to me. An irrational surge of jealousy coursed through me. It was new to me, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I almost broke out of my disguise. And who would have thought that the first person I would see in the morning was the woman who kept me awake last night? Then she came to me only wearing a fucking robe, and she wasn’t wearing underwear beneath. Kennedy was driving me insane, and she wasn’t even aware of it. I left her in the room to take some breaths. I was jealous of Ash earlier—the way he easily handled the awkward silence in the room. I should be thanking him. Instead, I almost commanded him in front of Kennedy. “Is everything okay?” It was Ash. “No
KENNEDY One thing I was sure of, Thayer was freaking rich. If Alessia was his relative from his father’s side, then they were filthy rich. I was in his bathroom as I stared at, at least twelve paper bags from a known brand—from underwear, shoes, dress, belt, coat, and even makeup. I didn’t know which one I should try first. But of course, I should start wearing my underwear. Then I put on the peach long-sleeve mini dress, which made me surprise with the size that it was perfectly fit for me, and also the size of Follies pumps by Louboutin. I put a little make on my face. I was not ashamed to show off the freckles on the top of my nose. Then I brushed my hair and applied the nude lipstick on my lips. Once I was done, I
THAYER Damn it! What was I thinking? I was better than that. I twisted and turned in bed. The urge to knock on Kennedy’s door and pick up what we left off at the rooftop made me vibrate in anticipation. The fact that my raging hard-on in my pants jerked at the thought of those perk breasts and those plumped red lips, I was already fully awake. Fuck. I let out a frustrated sigh as I forced myself to erect to sit in my empty bed. A few seconds later, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Ash. Ash: Tea? T:Turn off the fucking feeds. I hit the send button. His reply popped up. Ash:Sparring? T:Not interested. Ash:Just knock on her door. What’s so hard about it? She’s American. T: Not gonna happen. S
KENNEDY He kissed me.Thayer kissed me. The word fuck escaped his mouth shocked me. He’d been trying hard to control whatever this lust and attraction we both felt. Then he finally gave in. Last night, I didn’t sleep a blink—that was why I drowned myself in caffeine. I’d kissed a lot of men, but damn, his kiss made me squirm and me wet. That kiss wasn’t gentle, and that was exactly what I wanted to overwhelm myself. And god, if his scent didn’t turn me on—the smell of rich and masculine that I could sniff him all day. Even his breathing fanning me right now made my toe curl. He was driving me insane, driving me mad with lust and unsatisfied hunger. And I definitely looked forward to his promise. I stepped out of the car with weak knees, his large hand on the small of my back. Despite the red minidress I was wearing, a tingle of heat radiated the spot where he touched me. I knew this w
THAYER My self-discipline is legendary. I was born with privilege—with a golden spoon. Since birth, I was molded to be a man with dignity, with class. I was taught how to act, how to smile, how to behave, and how to speak. Everything. But here I was glaring at the asshole who broke my Kennedy’s heart while I was fighting the urge to yank her head and devour her mouth for a raw kiss. Pride swelled in my chest as she remained calm, throwing curses at her ex. A woman cursing in front of people was not quite impressive. With an exemption of my woman. And watching her stand against that son of a bitch was even a turn-on. For the next couple of minutes, I leisurely observed her even though I may have fucked up in the head. I dutifully inspect the apartment she shared with that scuzzball. My chest constricted in jealousy. Then I realized what a class A asshole
KENNEDY I thought I let my hopes up. What was I thinking inviting Thayer over into my room? But what about that, we’ll continue this later speech?Oh, god!I buried my face into the pillow in frustration, hoping my embarrassment would decimate. I’d known to be straightforward, but with Thayer around, I tended to make terrible mistakes. He had just consumed me—my thought, my energy—my world in general, and the fact that I enjoyed it a lot, it should terrify me, but it was quite the opposite. I found it more liberating. In truth, if it wasn’t for the three big bad wolves, I couldn’t have faced my ex and that woman alone, but those guys boosted my confidence and backed me up, and it felt good. At my work, I shared my perspective. With my sexual partner, I voiced out my needs, but with Thayer, though, it was another story—I was a patient person. It was not that he was my sexual partner, but I nev
THAYER “So?” Lud asked. His eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Don’t stick your nose in my business.” He shook in the front seat. I wanted to hit him in the head. He thought it was funny. In my entire life, I had never encountered been turned down by a woman. I was the one who was used to turn offers down. Even if Kennedy knew who I really was, I might still be getting the same answer. She wasn’t ready to give up her job. I shouldn’t be surprised. “It wasn’t so bad. She’s in love with you, but you left with so many unanswered questions.” Ash looked over his shoulder. “I hope you’re right.” “I know when a woman has feelings or not. She wouldn’t have acted the way she did if she didn’t have feelings for you. She was confused and undecided. You have to give her time. She’ll come around.” “And that precious time you didn’t have,” Lud sang. “Shut the fuck up, Ludovic.” Ash gla