I wasn’t sure if it was due to jet lag or how comfortable I felt sleeping next to Sophia, but after a repeat of the other night, we fucked twice before we both passed out, and then neither of us woke until early evening on Sunday.

I awoke too late to get any real work done, but I called Maddox to figure out what needed to be done before I left again. Then I checked in with my father, who was still feeling good and energetic.

While I took care of those responsibilities, Sophia insisted on preparing dinner for us. Having her in my house, flitting around the kitchen as if she belonged there all along was playing tricks with my mind. This was the life I wanted, but choosing this life was no longer an option for me.

I tried to conceal my disappointment at that fact, while keeping it from Sophia. As much as I preached to her about being honest, she didn’t need to know about the worries going through my head. Forcing my insecurities upon her over and over might end this relationship before it even started. If I finally agreed to become king, then Sophia would be my queen. Was that something she wanted?

Selfishly, I wanted to hold on to what little time we had left together before we returned to the palace. There, we would have to deal with my mother disapproving of our relationship and the likely chance that Father would give up the throne to me. Sophia’s decision would be her own, but I wanted to influence it if I could. I couldn’t deal with Father’s passing, becoming king, and losing Sophia all at once.

On the other hand, I wondered if I could make the prospect appealing to her. We had a strong connection, so I didn’t see why she wouldn’t want to be with me. Sure, it was a quick transition from the subject of an article to fake boyfriend to real boyfriend and husband, but I couldn’t go into being the king without knowing her plans.

When I woke up Monday morning, I had zero desire to get out of bed. I wished I had drunk too much the night before so I could skip work, along with all my other responsibilities, and lounge around my flat with a half-naked Sophia.

She was curled up next to me, her ass inches from my crotch. I wondered if I had time for a quickie before work, but the pressure of responsibility forced me out of bed.

I hopped into the shower and changed. I hoped Sophia would still be sleeping when I finished so that I could sneak out without her eyes and sexy as hell body beckoning me back to bed.

I had no such luck.

When I entered the bedroom, she rolled over and faced me. The blankets covered her body—which was a shame—and she was wide awake. “Heading to work?”

I straightened my tie and nodded. “For a bit. As much as I hate to leave, it’s the only reason we came back to London. There’s no avoiding it.”

She jutted out her lower lip, and I crossed the room to kiss it. I dragged my teeth over her lip so she could know how much I wanted to jump back into bed with her.

“I’ll try to get out early so that we can have a late lunch,” I said.

“Let me know,” she said. “I know you have a lot to cover with Maddox. I’ll make my way around on my own.”

“There’s a spare key in the table by the door,” I said. “Grab it if you go anywhere.”

“A key to your apartment?” she said, placing her hand on her chest and fluttering her eyelashes. “Is this serious?”

I laughed, and I kissed her again. “I’ll see you later.”

---

I couldn’t stop smiling on my way to work. Thinking of Sophia’s naked body in my bed gave me all sorts of feelings that rushed much of my blood supply to my lap.

Once I pulled into my spot at work, I put on my game face. Maddox’s Maserati was parked next to me, and I was happy he was here to meet me like I asked him to. He was rarely late, but he also tended to arrive just before the rest of the employees. I wanted to have a private conversation with him before alerting anyone that I had arrived back into town.

Heading up the elevator, the sound of the elevator music made me tap my toe in time with the beat. No matter how hard I tried to appear completely professional and like the workaholic that everyone at the company knew, Sophia had changed me. For the better, I thought. As happy as I was, I couldn’t help but wonder what our future held. We were walking a tightrope together, and I needed her to firmly grip my hands or risk losing her and our relationship.

I thought back to the first time I met her when she barged into my office for an unwanted interview. Back then, I had no idea we would end up in this situation together. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Getting out of the elevator on my floor, I headed in the direction of Maddox’s office. Outside, the sun hadn’t risen yet, so the lights in the hallways seemed bright against the darkened rooms I passed on the way to my best friend’s secluded corner of the building.

My stomach growled as I rounded the corner into Maddox’s office. I’d forgotten to eat that morning, and two cups of coffee sat on Maddox’s desk next to a large bag filled with delicious smelling pastries.

Maddox was fit and rarely indulged in junk food, but when he did, it was over the top for anyone, never mind someone as in shape as he was.

I leaned against the door frame and attempted to stifle a smile. Maddox sat in his chair with his head leaned as far back as comfortably possible. His eyes were closed, and his mouth was slightly open.

I rapped a hand on the door, and Maddox jolted in his chair. He blinked a pair of blurry eyes at me. “Morning, mate.”

“Out late last night?” I asked, stepping into his office. The food beckoned to me.

He grabbed one of the cups, and I took the other. “Not really. You got me up so bloody early that I didn’t do my workout. That usually wakes me up.”

“You might be missing a lot more workouts,” I muttered to myself as I took a swig of the coffee.

“What’s going on with your dad?” Maddox asked, not hearing my remark.

I opened the bag and grabbed a chocolate croissant. The very mention of my father made me lose my appetite, but if I was going to function at all, I needed fuel. “It’s not great.”

“Fuck. Sorry, mate.”

I nodded at him and forced myself to eat. The normally sweet chocolate tasted chalky in my mouth as I chewed. I had to take a swig of the coffee to force it down my throat.

“Are you headed back there soon?” Maddox asked after grabbing a flaky pastry. As he bit into it, the flakes scattered all over his desk. He didn’t seem to notice as all his attention was on me.

“Looking to go back this weekend,” I said.

“With Sophia?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

I narrowed my eyes. “How did you know?”

He smirked. “She was asking for you.”

“And you assumed she’s here?”

“I assumed she flew to Qatar to be with you,” he said. “But now she’s here? Interesting.”

Since when was he so observant? Although when it came to my love life, he had pushed me for years to meet someone. He was probably more aware of my relationship than I had been.

“She is.”

He clapped his hands together. “I knew it, mate. She’s got it bad for you.”

I sat down in the chair across from his desk. I knew what I was here to do, but talking about Sophia was a welcome distraction. “I’d say it’s mutual.”

“What happened?” he asked, grabbing another pastry.

I told him how Sophia had arrived at the palace gates and how she barged her way through there and into my heart. “Father likes her.”

“What about your mum?” he asked.

I shrugged. “We’re working on her.”

“That’s great to hear,” he said. “Not the situation with your mum, but overall. Glad to see that someone has cracked through your icy exterior.”

“I’m not icy,” I said.

“Not anymore.”

After polishing off three pastries, Maddox guzzled down the rest of his coffee. His eyes were much more alert from the sugar and caffeine rush.

“What do you need me to do?” Maddox asked. “I’m here for you and your family. If you need anything, I’m your guy.”

“I know,” I said. “I appreciate that. Right now, let’s keep Father’s illness between us. You’re the only one that knows other than Sophia.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Since I’ll be flying back this weekend, I’ll need you to take over operations again.”

“Got it,” he said, checking his phone after it pinged several times. He put down his cup and typed a reply into the phone.

I wasn’t sure why I was hesitating to ask him. He was my sole confidant in England. Why was it so hard to give him the best opportunity that his career might ever offer?

Part of it was my hesitation to let go of the life I’d been living for years. Unfortunately, I had responsibilities. It wasn’t like I was handing over the company that day; I wanted him to put it in the back of his mind so when the time came, I could count on him. Maddox was the perfect employee. He was intelligent and a swift businessman. I was the lucky one to have him by my side.

“How would you feel about taking over the company?” I blurted out.

Maddox’s finger stopped moving across his phone screen. He looked up at me. “You serious, mate?”

“Hypothetically,” I said, backpedaling. “I don’t know what the future is going to hold for me. I need to know you have my back.”

“I’ll always have your back, but if you want me to take over the company, does that mean you’re going to stay in Qatar? Long term? Possibly with a crown on your head?”

I glanced behind me and then walked over to the door and closed it. I didn’t want anyone to catch wind of our conversation before I made my decision. “I haven’t decided yet, but I would like you to be ready if the time comes.”

Maddox dragged a hand over his face. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to make a decision right away,” I said. “Think about it. You’d make a great CEO, and I feel comfortable leaving my family’s business in your hands.”

He nodded. “So you really haven’t decided?”

I knew what he meant, even though he didn’t say the words out loud. “I haven’t.”

I left his office, needing to escape that space. I’d done it, but I still didn’t feel right. I didn’t think I would until I made a choice and stuck with it.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, Sophia had sent me a text. I hadn’t realized my phone was on silent still. There were several texts from her. She sent pictures of herself in her pajamas, sipping coffee, and wandering around my house.

The sight of her calmed me.

Entering my office, I flipped on the light and closed my door. It was the universal sign for “don’t bother me.” I had a lot of work to do and zero motivation to do it. All I wanted to do was get into my car and drive back to Sophia.

I had to force myself to get my ass into the chair and get to work. The faster I got my responsibilities dealt with, the quicker I would be able to see her again. And that was more than enough motivation for me.