Page 4 of Sweet on the Royal Guard

ZEKE

I squint at the sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, momentarily disoriented. Then it all comes rushing back—Benedict, last night, the mind-blowing sex. I grin, stretching like a cat in his impossibly soft sheets.

Reality sets in as I check my phone. Shit. I’m gonna be late for work.

I bolt out of bed, searching frantically for my clothes. No luck. Then I spot a neatly folded stack on the dresser—Benedict’s joggers and a T-shirt. He must have set them out for me. My heart does a little flip at the thoughtful gesture.

As I tug on the joggers, I remember they’re a bit snug in certain areas. The T-shirt isn’t much better, clinging to my chest and arms. I look like I’m cosplaying as Benedict’s slightly buffer evil twin. But it’ll have to do.

I find Benedict drinking coffee outside in the garden. On the same bench I took when I jumped the palace wall the day we met. He smiles as he sets the cup down.

“You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to wake you. Have I made you late?”

I rush over and steal a coffee-flavored kiss.

“Not at all. It just means I can’t have my way with you before I go.”

His eyes scan my body. “And you’re wearing my clothes again. I guess I’ll expect you to return them at some point.”

“You bet.” I give him another kiss and then dash out the door, jumping in my car. Thank fuck I’m close to the office and have a spare uniform in my locker. As I speed through the city streets, I can’t wipe the dopey grin off my face. Last night was…wow. Just wow.

I’m still floating on cloud nine when I walk into the security office. Big mistake.

“Well, well, well,” drawls Luca, leaning back in his chair with a shit-eating grin. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

I roll my eyes, heading for the coffee maker. “Morning to you too, asshole.”

Gabriel wolf-whistles. “Damn, Zeke. Those joggers leave nothing to the imagination.”

I pour my coffee, steadfastly ignoring them. But I can feel my cheeks heating.

“Is that…is that a hickey?” Ryan gasps in mock horror. “Our Zeke? Scandalous!”

I clap a hand to my neck, cursing internally. Benedict must have left his mark after all.

“All right, all right,” I grumble, facing my gleeful coworkers. “Get it all out of your systems. And quick because I gotta go change.”

They’re practically vibrating with glee. Luca clasps his hands together dramatically. “Our little boy is all grown up. Doing the walk of shame like a champ.”

“It’s not shameful if you're not ashamed of it,” I shoot back, unable to keep the grin off my face.

That sets off a fresh round of catcalls and teasing. I take it all in stride, laughing along with them. This is what I love about this crew—we bust each other’s balls, but there’s real affection underneath.

“All right, you vultures. I don’t kiss and tell, so you can stop fishing for details.”

“Oh, come on!” Gabriel whines, perching on the edge of my desk. “You can’t leave us hanging like this. We need the gossip!”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “A gentleman never reveals his secrets. Besides, I’m sure you all have much more exciting things to focus on than my love life.”

Gabriel snorts.

“Nope. We love hearing about your love life. For inspiration, you know?” Ryan mutters, earning a playful shove from Luca.

I’m about to retort when Gabriel’s eyes light up with mischief. “Okay, Casanova. How about this—either you spill the juicy details or buy us all donuts. Your choice.”

The others perk up, nodding enthusiastically at the ultimatum. I pretend to consider it for a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, let me weigh my options. Betray the trust of a potential…whatever this is…or spend a few bucks on sugary goodness for my favorite coworkers?”

I stand, fishing my wallet out of Benedict’s joggers. “Donuts it is, you nosy bastards.”

A chorus of cheers erupts. As I head for the door, I call over my shoulder, “But don’t think this means you’re off the hook for mercilessly teasing me!”

I step out of the office into the warm morning sun, squinting as I adjust to the brightness. The streets of Lydovia’s capital city are bustling with the usual mid-day crowd, and I can’t help but feel a little self-conscious in Benedict’s borrowed clothes.

Donuts first. Change into uniform second.

The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, the cool air-conditioned interior a welcome respite from the heat outside. I’m making a beeline for the bakery section when I spot a familiar figure browsing the magazine rack.

My heart does a little flip as Benedict looks up, his eyes meeting mine. A slow smile spreads across his face, mirroring my own.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I say, closing the distance between us.

Benedict’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “Yes, this is a pleasant coincidence.”

I notice how good he looks in a crisp button-down and slacks, a far cry from my borrowed athleisure. “Well, you certainly clean up nice,” I tease, gesturing to my outfit. “Unlike some of us.”

He laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “I don’t know. I think my clothes suit you rather well. Though perhaps we should get you some that actually fit?”

I’m about to respond when I remember my mission. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m actually here on official donut duty. Apparently, my colleagues aren’t satisfied with wild speculation about my whereabouts last night.”

Benedict’s eyebrows raise slightly. “Oh? And what have you told them?”

“Nothing,” I assure him quickly. “Hence the donut bribe. I don’t kiss and tell.”

His expression softens, and I swear I see a hint of relief in his eyes. “I appreciate that, Zeke. Really.”

We stand there for a moment, just smiling at each other like idiots, and I can’t help but think how easy this feels. How right. But a small voice in the back of my head wonders how long it can last.

“Well,” I say finally, breaking the silence. “I should probably grab those donuts before my coworkers stage a mutiny.”

Benedict nods, still smiling. “Of course. Don’t let me keep you.”

As I turn toward the bakery section, I can’t shake the feeling that this chance encounter means something. That maybe, just maybe, there’s more to this than I initially thought.

“Hey, are you free this weekend?” I ask, stopping again to face him.

“Sure.”

“I’ll pick you up Saturday morning. There’s a place I want to show you.”

He nods and smiles.

I finally go. I have a donut debt to settle and questions to avoid answering.

I grab the nearest box of apple cinnamon donuts, trying not to fumble as I feel Benedict’s gaze on me. My heart’s doing that weird fluttery thing again, and I’m pretty sure it’s not from the sugar rush I’m anticipating.

As I push through the glass doors of the store, I can’t wipe the grin off my lips.

I pause on the sidewalk, watching Benedict through the window as he browses the aisles. There’s something about the way he moves, graceful yet unassuming, that tugs at something deep inside me.

“Get it together, Ivanov,” I mutter, shaking my head. “It’s barely been a week.”

But as I start the short walk back to the office, my mind keeps drifting to Benedict’s teasing smile, the warmth in his eyes. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this…alive? Excited? Terrified?

A couple passing by gives me an odd look, probably wondering why the guy in ill-fitting clothes is talking to himself and grinning like an idiot. I can’t bring myself to care.

As I wait at a crosswalk, I find myself wondering how long this can last when my last relationship crashed and burned. The light changes, and I step off the curb, my thoughts racing faster than my feet.

Maybe it doesn’t have to last forever. Maybe it’s enough to just enjoy it while it’s here.

I reach the office, pausing with my hand on the door. Through the glass, I can see my colleagues eagerly awaiting their sugary bribes.

I fucking love them, and as I walk into the sounds of more ribbing, I try not to think of the man on the other side of the wall who could so easily own my heart.

* * *

“So, are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” Benedict asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Or is this the part where you reveal you’re actually a serial killer, and I’m your next victim?”

I snort, turning onto a narrow dirt path that winds through towering pines. “If I was a serial killer, I wouldn’t bring you here. It’s too exposed. I’d have my way with you at your place and then erase all traces of my presence.”

“Oh, so you’ve thought about this, have you?” he teases, eyes sparkling.

“Constantly,” I deadpan, then wink at him. “But today, I promise there’s no murder on the agenda. Just a little surprise.”

The trees part, revealing a secluded clearing nestled against a bubbling stream. I park and hop out, gesturing for Benedict to wait. “Give me two seconds.”

I pop the trunk, retrieving a wicker basket I’d hastily packed this morning. When I turn back, Benedict’s standing there, eyes wide as he takes in the scene.

“Zeke,” he breathes, “this is…wow.”

I shrug, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. “It’s not much. I just thought you might like to escape the city for a bit.”

Benedict’s smile is soft and genuine. “It’s perfect.”

We make our way to a grassy spot by the water’s edge, and I spread out a blanket. As Benedict settles down, I marvel at how he looks in this setting—the dappled sunlight playing across his features, the breeze ruffling his hair.

“I can’t believe you planned all this,” he says, helping me unpack the basket.

I laugh. “Planned might be a strong word. More like threw together in a panic this morning hoping it wouldn’t be a total disaster.”

Benedict’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently. “Well, consider me thoroughly impressed by your panicked throwing-together skills.”

As I look into his eyes, I’m struck by how easy this feels. How right. And for a moment, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something real.

I pop a grape into Benedict’s mouth, savoring the way his lips brush against my fingertips. “So,” I say, aiming for casual but probably missing by a mile, “tell me more about the enigmatic Benedict Montgomery.”

He chews thoughtfully, his expression growing distant. “I’m…not sure how to answer that.”

“Hey, no pressure,” I assure him, though my curiosity is definitely piqued. “We could start with your favorite color if that’s easier.”

Benedict’s laugh is soft, almost sad. “It’s not that. It’s just… I’m on a break, I suppose. From being Benedict Montgomery.”

I raise an eyebrow. “A break from yourself? That’s some next-level vacation planning.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Sometimes it’s necessary, you know? To step away, figure out who you are without all the…expectations.”

I lean in, cupping his face gently. “Well, for what it’s worth,” I murmur, “I like Benedict Montgomery.”

I kiss him then, soft and slow, trying to pour everything I feel into that single point of contact. When we break apart, his eyes are shining.

“You barely know me,” he whispers.

“I’m working on changing that,” I reply with a grin. “Now, how about some cheese to go with those grapes?”

As we nibble and chat, I find myself falling deeper. Benedict’s quick wit, his quiet strength, the way he listens like every word matters—it’s intoxicating.

“So,” Benedict says eventually, “what about you? You must have some fascinating stories from your job.”

I grin, thinking of the chaos that is my daily life. “Oh, you have no idea. Just last week, I had to tackle a guy trying to sneak a ferret into a black-tie gala.”

Benedict’s eyes widen. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I was.” I laugh. “But seriously, I love it. Every day is different, you know? And I get to help people, make them feel safe.”

“That’s beautiful, Zeke,” Benedict says softly, and the sincerity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat.

I lean in, unable to resist kissing him again. This time, it’s deeper, more urgent. Benedict responds with equal fervor, and soon, we’re tangled together on the blanket, the picnic forgotten.

When we finally come up for air, Benedict’s cheeks are flushed, his hair adorably mussed. “Thank you,” he murmurs, “for bringing me out here. It’s… I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

I brush a strand of hair from his face, marveling at how lucky I am to be here, in this moment, with him. “Anytime,” I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

The drive back to the city is filled with comfortable silence and stolen glances. Benedict’s hand rests on my thigh, a warm weight that sends sparks through my entire body. As I pull up to his place, the sky’s turned a deep indigo, stars just starting to peek out.

I kill the engine and turn to Benedict. “Well, here we are.”

He doesn’t move to get out. Instead, he bites his lip, looking at me with those soulful brown eyes. “Zeke…would you like to stay over?”

My heart does a backflip. “I, uh?—”

“You don’t have to,” he adds quickly. “I just…I’m not ready for this day to end.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Neither am I,” I admit.

Benedict’s smile is like sunshine breaking through clouds. “Really?”

“Really.” I nod, already unbuckling my seatbelt. “Though fair warning, I might need to borrow more clothes.”

He laughs, a sound I’m quickly becoming addicted to. “I think we can manage that.”

As we walk to his front door, I realize I’m in deep. Like, drowning-but-don’t-want-to-be-rescued deep. Every logical part of my brain is screaming that this is moving too fast, that I barely know him, that there are a million reasons why this is a bad idea.

But as Benedict fumbles with his keys, shooting me a shy smile over his shoulder, I know I’m already gone. I’m falling for him, hard and fast, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.