“You didn’t embarrass me. I can’t believe you came to my rescue.”
Maris brushed his fingers against Ture’s chin. “I told you I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you. That includes insensitive guttersnipes.”
Ture helped Maris clear the table as amazement filled him. No one had ever stood up for him before. He glanced over to Drake who was laughing with his companion. The prince was a lot more handsome than he appeared in state photos. And Ture could understand Maris’s devotion to the royal family. They did stick together in a way few families did.
Most of all, they watched each other’s backs.
When they returned to the kitchen, Maris told the waiters to bring him the tabs for the diners who’d been present during the confrontation.
Ture touched him on the arm. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. I’m not going to have a restaurant full of people smack talk my man or his business for something I did. What kind of bitch do you think I am?”
Ture’s breath caught in his throat. It was the first time Maris had referred to them as a couple or used any kind of ownership term for him. Maris hadn’t even realized he’d done it as he resumed rinsing dishes.
But Ture had heard it and it brought tears to his eyes. For Maris, this was a major step.
And it meant the universe to him.
*
Hours later, Ture was cleaning out the oven when he felt Maris behind him. As he turned, Maris gave him a light, sweet kiss.
“I’m about to run the receipts for my charges. You want me to batch the rest?”
Ture was surprised by the offer. “You know how?”
Maris grinned. “I do. Ana showed me.”
“Then yes. Please.”
“You know, I can also enter in the orders and do payroll.”
“Oh my God, I would love you forever if you did.”
A wicked light entered Maris’s dark eyes. “Forever?”
“And then some.”
Maris squeezed his arm before he went to Ture’s office to do the paperwork Ture despised with every part of his being. He’d meant what he said. If Maris hadn’t been perfect before this, this would have cinched it.
“Ture?”
He looked over to Bertram.
“I finished the dining room. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“No. I’ll let you out. Thanks for helping.”
“My pleasure.”
It really wasn’t. Bertram had bitched under his breath the whole time. But he was reliable and, most of the time, extremely efficient at his job.
Ture walked him to the front door and bid him goodnight before he locked it again and checked the bathrooms. Satisfied everyone was gone, he headed back to the kitchen to finish the last bit of cleaning and breakdown.
As soon as that was done, he went to his office to find Maris entering orders. His hands flew over the keys. He was far more proficient at it than Ture.
He started forward then stopped as he saw a large shopping bag on the couch. “What’s this?” he asked with a frown.
“It was delivered right after Ana went home. It’s just a few things I got for the baby.”
Ture smiled. Every day something new showed up that Maris had bought for either the baby or Anachelle. “You keep this up and everyone’s going to think you’re the baby’s father.”
“I can’t help it. Zarya and Darling keep emailing me for my opinion on things they’re buying for their rugrat and when I see them and like them, I want them for Ana, too. Every baby needs to be spoiled.”
“You’re doing an awesome job of it.” Ture blinked back tears at how generous Maris was. He’d never known anyone with a bigger heart, and the fact that so many had hurt him made Ture want their blood for it.
How could anyone not love and adore Maris?
He moved to stand behind the chair so that he could rub Maris’s shoulders while he finished up. “How much more do you have?”
“Just this then I’m done.”
“Wow, you’re fast.”
“This is nothing. Try doing flight reports, schematics, checks and plans every night after you’ve spent all day on patrol. If I forget to order shallots, no one’s life is going to end and I won’t burst into flames an instant before the vacuum of space rips my ship apart.”
Ture cringed. “I don’t like that thought.”
“Neither did I. And I would have liked it a lot less had I ever done so.” Leaning back in the chair, Maris looked up at him as he sent the order in. “All done.”
“All done,” Ture repeated as turned the chair so that Maris faced him. “Hmmm, I think that deserves a reward of some kind.”
Maris arched his brow. “What kind of reward?”
Biting his lip, Ture shrugged. “I don’t know....”
Maris froze at the hot look in Ture’s eyes as he ran his hands up Maris’s thighs. He hardened instantly.
Ture straddled his legs then pulled him in for a scorching kiss.