Page 30 of Royally Drawn (Resplendent Royals #3)
Aftermath
KEIR
“ I ’m simultaneously exhausted and still horny,” Ingrid groaned, resting her head on my chest.
We arrived hours ago but hadn’t left the bed. This was round three. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep my hands off Ingrid. She was irresistible. Ignoring her was torture. And lying naked in bed with her could have cured any man’s ills.
I kissed the top of her head. “I hate to tell you I’m done, but I am done. There is a limit, Ingrid, and you’ve reached it.”
She stared up at me, pouting. “Forever or just for this evening.”
“I need eight uninterrupted hours to recharge,” I explained.
“Hmm. So, I’ll wake you at four-thirty. Anyway, I’m hungry,” Ingrid said.
“Why don’t you dress, and I will make you dinner?”
“Late dinner?”
“It’s still dinner, darling.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
I pulled myself out of bed, dressed, and padded to the kitchen to make a garlic butter chicken dish she’d die for. It was simple but came out delicious. If there was one dish I could count on to impress a woman, it was this. Not that I needed to impress her. I don’t even know why I bothered. I had every ounce of her in the palm of my hand. I set her ablaze with just my fingers.
Duncan appeared as I was laying out the ingredients. Fuck!
I wasn’t sure how I forgot this ripple in my plan, but I did. I’d have to come clean before Ingrid appeared, and this got beyond awkward. It was best to be honest.
“What are you making? And can I eat it?” Duncan asked, dropping into the chair at the small kitchen table.
“Garlic butter chicken. I don’t know,” I sighed. “I am not cooking for you.”
“Who did you shag? Do you have a girl here?” Duncan asked. Even he was onto my usual go-to recipe.
“I…” I turned from where I prepped the broccoli and stared at him. “You’re like an annoying younger brother, so I will be honest with you, Duncan.”
“Uh-huh. So, there’s totally a girl upstairs. You thought I would be gone, but I can’t leave. So, I’m cramping your style. Is she hot?”
“Duncan, can you get any more immature?”
“What? It’s a valid fucking question.”
“Is it? Yes. Of course, she’s hot.”
He wanted more answers out of me. I decided to give them to him.
“It’s Ingrid.”
“Ingrid? Like… Cici’s friend? The Neandian girl? The smokeshow?”
“Yes.”
“She’s here… and you’re trying to get in her pants?”
I shrugged.
“Oh, wait. Have you already fucked her? God damn you! Does Lars know? He’s going to beat you to a pulp?—”
“Lars isn’t going to do shit. And… I’m not getting into details.”
“Is she fun?” Duncan asked. “Fuck, I bet she’s fun. I bet she’s a screamer.”
He’d bet correctly.
“Well, if she is, keep it the fuck down. ”
“I’m on the other side of the house from you. Don’t be a whiny little cockblock, okay?” I pointed the chef’s knife at him.
“Does that count as a threat?” Duncan joked, then looked at the doorway.
I turned to see Ingrid coming in wearing only one of my T-shirts. As soon as she saw Duncan, she panicked.
“Oh shit! Oh my God! I forgot and... shit!”
“Calm down,” Duncan sighed. “It’s just me. I know about you now. He just fessed up. Apologies for surprising you.”
She choked in French, “I’m going to change now.”
She disappeared, and Duncan sighed. “She’s so hot. How did you manage to hide that? I mean… I’d not be able to get anything done.”
“I’m a human, not a dog,” I said, annoyed. “I can manage things, okay? And yes. She’s fucking beautiful. But this stays here. Besides you, Nate, and Leah, no one knows.”
“Leah knows?”
“Leah is good for wing-womaning,” I said.
“That’s because Leah thinks she’s hot.”
“Leah is friends with her.” I rolled my eyes. “You are perpetually twelve, Duncan.”
Duncan ignored me. “So, at what point is this a thing, then? Because we’re off to Cici’s wedding in a week. And Lars is going to?—”
“Fuck off about Lars. He doesn’t need to know. Unless you tell him, we’re chill,” I said. “This is between us.”
“So, you’re just shagging her? Because if you’re seeing her, you might want to let at least your mum know so she can prepare everyone. She would help you.”
I wanted to say yes, it was just sex. I tried to play it cool.
“It looks like more since you’ve flown her here. You’re making her dinner.”
“I can make a woman dinner.”
“Yeah, but this is like the crown jewel of dishes. And you only trot it out when you like a woman.”
I groaned.
“You like her—really like her. Just admit it. She grinds your gears. It’s fine.”
But was it?
“I’m not taking advice from you, Duncan.”
“If you don’t tell your mum, you’re a fool to think the two of you can keep this under wraps the entire time. You won’t fool your mum, and she’s one of four people who can talk Lars down. The other two are the father and mother of the bride, and then…”
“Your mum,” I sighed.
“And you don’t want mum involved. Now, are you making me dinner or what?”