Prince Ezra
"Are you ready my Prince?" Strong hands held onto my shoulders before giving them a gentle yet reassuring squeeze.
"No," I chuckled as his hands moved down my chest before wrapping around me as I sat down on the chair.
The scent of coffee and the forest surrounded me as he leaned over to me then pressed the side of his face against mine. The scruff tickled my skin as I smiled. He turned to press a kiss to my cheek before my lips.
"I never thought I would see the day that you would prefer suits over your cargo pants," he laughed, "and formal shoes instead of your stinky hiking boots."
"They're not stinky," I scowled and turned to look at him. His light coffee eyes with hints of green practically burning through my brain. "They're well seasoned and you're one to talk."
"I am one to talk," he smiled. The slight crows feet wrinkles at the corner of his eyes revealing how he had aged throughout the years. "I have to share a room with those smelly boots."
"They're always in the closet."
"And that seeps into the bedroom," he laughed as he pulled away from me to stand in his full imposing height. "I have to go soon."
My heart fell as I turned in my seat to look back at him as he fixed his cuff links. "So soon? I thought you were going to stay longer this time. Our schedules are always missing each other."
He looked back at me with pure adoration in his eyes. "I wish I could stay but you know I have my-"
"Duties and what not," I rolled my eyes as I stood up then wrapped my arms around his waist. Hugging him closely to me as I rested my head against his shoulder.
His own arms wrapped around me as he rubbed my back. "You're getting too tall for this. Soon you'll be past my height."
"Never," I smiled, "I was made to always perfectly fit against you. Never past you."
"With your genes I doubt that," he pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"Promise me you'll come for dinner."
"I'll try but I can't promise anything," he slightly pulled away from me and shook my shoulders. "Ezra. Ezra."
"I'm right in front of you," I chuckled but he continued shaking my shoulders as he called my name.
"Ezra, wake up."
I gasped as I sat up and frantically looked around the partially lit room. My heart thundering in my chest as my lungs desperately expanded to force oxygen into my body.
The sheets under me were wet with my sweat and my hair partially stuck to the back of my neck and down my back. Even though I only slept in my boxers it felt like I was in the middle of a heat wave during winter months. The feeling was starting to get sickening.
"Are you okay?" Cool, small hands held the side of my face before gentle fingers brushed away the few strands of hair that had fallen over my face behind my ear. "Do you want some water?"
I shook my head and cleared my throat. "No thank you, Thea. Is it time for me to get ready?"
Her dark hair gently swept forward as she nodded. "I tried to give you an extra thirty minutes. I know how tired you are. You should have flown in yesterday then you would have had enough time to rest."
"I couldn't, the prime minister requested dinner and I couldn't turn it down. You know how difficult it is to get his attention."
"I thought you being British would help with that," she teased.
"I'm British by accent not ethnicity. I still have to charm my ways into their hearts," I gave her a small smile.
"Spoken like a true politician," she winked before she leaned forward and gave me a kiss. Her lips tasted like peaches and honey. Always her go to juice when she needs something sweet. "Go take a shower. Your beauty team is waiting for you."
"Gag, I hate it when you say that," I stood up from the bed and took in her appearance. Long black sequin dress that had a knee length slit and long sleeves that made her look modest, however the low back that showed off her tanned skin reminded everyone that she was impossible to tame. "The tabloids are going to love the dress."
"They should be grateful I didn't pick the one with cleavage," she winked.
"You look beautiful," I kissed her cheek. "I'll be out in twenty minutes. They can prepare the escorts in the meantime."
"I'll make sure to let them know," out of habit she slightly bowed before leaving the room and me swirling in my own thoughts.
I walked over to the mini fridge and took out a bottle of water. With quick gulps I emptied it of its contents then threw it in the bin before making my way to the bathroom.
Flying out of London to Sweden just after coming back from Canada had taken its toll on me. I hated sleeping just before an event but I was desperate for just a few hours. The little escape from reality was what helped keep me sane at times.
My reflection at least didn't show a ghastly pale man at least. Yes there were slight eye bags under my eyes but a good shower would help take care of that.
Within an hour I was dressed in a black suit, white crisp shirt and black bow tie with formal shoes. My long hair let down but gelled slightly to keep it away from my face. I had doubted whether shaving was a good idea but I hated the feeling against my own skin.
It reminded me of too much and it was the last thing I needed tonight. All I had to do was survive these few hours and the tight knot in my stomach would finally disappear.