Page 93 of Kingly Bitten

My head spun with confusion. I didn’t understand this show of affection.

Then I overheard Darius snort and say, “She’s his newest toy, and he can’t keep his hands off of her. It’s making me second-guess Juliet’s allure.”

“Oh, we both know my desire for yourErositais still very much alive,” Jace promised as he used his free hand to pull Juliet toward him. “I’m particularly enjoying these two together.”

“And that’s why we will be staying in the same suite. Two bedrooms are fine, but the common area needs to be shared,” Darius said in his crisp English accent.

“Of course, Sire,” a feminine voice replied as Jace pressed a kiss to Juliet’s collarbone. I could see it in my peripheral vision, and the sight of it made my gut twist in discomfort.

The ease with which he feigned his affection toward her had me lost in this land of truth versus fiction once more.

Does he mean it? Is he attracted to her?The very notion of a positive response had my lips wanting to curl down. I didn’t appreciate that idea at all.

But I was equally perplexed by the concept of him faking it with her because that would imply he had faked it with me as well.

Stop with this foolishness,I chided myself.These sorts of thoughts are a waste of time.

They weren’t practical or helpful, just distracting and irritating.

“A two o’clock pickup would be ideal, yes,” Jace said, responding to some inquiry I hadn’t heard while lost inside my mind.

Which was exactly why I needed to pay attention.

But his hand distracted me entirely as his palm released my nape to slide down my spine to my ass. He gave it a sharp squeeze, making me wonder if it was meant as a punishment or another one of his ploys.

I tried to focus on the latter, to understand his strategy here as he started to order an in-room breakfast for a midnight delivery.

He requested two meals, presumably for me and Juliet. Then he added, “An O-negative server would be delicious as well.”

“I will make sure the kitchen staff is aware of your request, My Prince,” the female cooed. “Will you require any additional services to aid in your late arrival? An afternoon delight, perhaps?”

“Hmm,” Jace hummed, his lips returning to my breast as he nipped my opposite nipple—the one without the wound. “No. I think Calina will do nicely tonight, and if I require more, I’ll borrow Juliet. Her link to Darius’s immortality is most beneficial.”

“Happy to oblige,” Darius returned.

“As is Juliet,” Jace replied as he lifted his head away from my breast. “Thank you for your help, Mika. You’ve been most accommodating.”

“Anything for you, Your Highness.”

I couldn’t see Jace, but I sensed him smiling. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Please do.” The sultry quality of her voice told me either these two had a history together or she wanted to create one.

And I found that almost as troubling as Jace desiring Juliet.

Truth or fiction?

Stop thinking about it.

Everything Jace did was methodical and strategic. He needed to put everyone else at ease. And I was doing us no favors by overanalyzing his intentions.

I forced my mind to shift into logic mode and began evaluating our surroundings. My visual vantage point only allowed me to see the ground and a few items in my periphery—which was mostly consumed by Jace and Juliet. But to one side, I also noticed brightness, suggesting the windows here were not blacked out like those in Jace’s building.

From what I knew of our location, we were in the former Hawaiian Islands. The balmy weather outside had definitely confirmed that. There were floral fragrances as well. And an underlying scent of salt.

The ocean.

Would Jace let me see it? The shades on the plane had been pulled down throughout our flight, disrupting my view through the windows.