“I can’t believe he went for it,” I said.

“He didn’t, at first.” Freddie tapped his hand against his thigh. “I had to level with him. It was…specific. I apologize if any of that violates anything you consider your privacy, but…” He swallowed hard. “We got through last year with me doing a minimum of opening up, and that needed to change.”

“No, of course,” I said. “I’m just always surprised when Richard forgets he’s supposed to be an ogre. And I wish the answer wasn’t putting your life in danger.”

“I’ll be all right,” he said. “Father pulled some strings to get me into the selection program, but I earned my qualification, so I’m ready. It’s not like they’re going to let me take the lead on anything that requires finesse. And we both know that they have loads of protocols in place to yank me if things go really pear-shaped.” He leaned his head back. “Mostly what I need, I think, is to figure out how to grow up. I’ve been spending this entire year dating proper adults but I was still the same old me.”

“Please don’t change too much,” I said, nudging his calf with my foot. “A lot of us like you, just as you are. How long are you supposed to be gone?”

Freddie shrugged. “Father thinks I’ll be able to swing it for a couple of months. Everyone’s going to be distracted by your North American adventure, and then we can vamp until someone realizes I haven’t popped out to kiss a baby in a while,” he said. “The plan is for no one to know I’m gone until I’m back. And maybe then…maybe it will have been long enough for him. For both of us.”

We smiled at each other, a little sadly, as a light breeze ruffled the leaves above us. I reached out and took his hand, and we sat there in the peaceful quiet of the park until dusk fell.

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

That was…was.…” Nick reared back his head and unleashed a loud sneeze. “Outstanding,” he finished.

“Gesundheit,” I said, taking a running leap and flopping onto the bed in our cabin. “Damn, your horse allergies won’t quit.”

“It’s worth it,” Nick said. He sniffled. “Who knew I was so good at picking winners in barrel racing?”

He collapsed next to me and crawled over to press a kiss against my clavicle. “We should have done this sooner,” he said. “No one told me how hot you’d look in a cowboy hat.”

“Yeah, I finally understand the upside of a long overseas tour,” I told him.

He sat up to face me. “The thrill of international travel?” he asked. “Meeting world leaders? Getting to sample all the local delicacies?”

“Hotel sex,” I said. “It’s the best.”