“Starving actually.”
“We can order more.”
Riley shook his head. “I’m in that weird state of starving but nervous and not sure I can eat.”
“Nervous?”
“You’re not?”
“Not really.” He was, but it was easier to pretend not to be. “Come on and sit down, and see if you can at least eat something.” Thorne carried the tray with the wine and food to the coffee table. “Should I open the wine? It’s an excellent vintage.”
“I’m sure it’s amazing, but I think I might appreciate it more tomorrow.”
Thorne opened one of the bottles of water that had been left for them and poured Riley a glass and then one for himself.
“You can have wine, even if I don’t.”
Thorne shook his head. “We’ll enjoy it together tomorrow. Now tell me why you’re nervous. Afraid of being stuck with me?”
Riley gave him a withering look. “No, I’ve made peace with that. I… It’s silly really. We’re together now. We’ll be together tomorrow, not that much will change.”
“Kathryn says it does change things, psychologically anyway, and it’s a big step, or at least a public one. It makes sense to be nervous.”
“I just want it to be time for the ceremony. My stomach’s all flip-floppy.”
“Mine too.” Thorne stifled a yawn.
“Tired?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Thorne, you left really early for your meeting.”
He exhaled a long breath. “Yeah, and I got up at four to prepare for it.”
“Then we should go to bed.”
“But there’s so much out there to see.” Thorne glanced toward the window. He’d wanted to take Riley out on their first evening.
“We have two weeks.”
It wasn’t enough. “I want you to see everything.”
Riley laughed. “I’m sure that’s not possible, even if we stayed a month. We can come back.”
Thorne sighed. “I know. I’m just excited.” He couldn’t stop the yawn this time. “And tired.”
“Go take a shower. I’m going to take our tuxes out of the bags and unpack a few things.”
“Okay.”
When Thorne got out of the shower Riley insisted he go ahead and get in bed. Then he pulled the covers up over him and kissed the top of his head. “Good night, Thorne.”
Thorne watched openmouthed as Riley retreated across the room. “What are you doing?”
“Kissing you good night.” Something about Riley’s wicked grin made him worry.
“Wait. Why aren’t you in bed? And why did you kiss me like we were on a 1950s TV show and slept in twin beds?”
“I’m sleeping out here.” He gestured toward the couch in the sitting room.
“The fuck you are.”
“Thorne, what was the first lesson I taught you?”
Why was he doing this? “Anticipation, but you said you didn’t want to spoil the ceremony by being too horny to concentrate.”
“That was when we were talking about waiting to go bareback, not going forty-eight or…thirty-six hours without sex.”
Most days Thorne didn’t want to go six hours without sex. “But I—”
“Can’t wait?”
“Riley, what if I just want to hold you?”
Riley narrowed his eyes as Thorne had known he would. “Thornwell Shipton, that is a ploy.”
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
“Good night.”
“I’m nervous too.” Maybe that would lure him back.
Riley studied him for a few moments and then returned to the bed. This time Riley slipped under the covers and pulled Thorne to him. Thorne pillowed his head on Riley’s chest. There. Much better.
“I know you’re the man I want, but I’m still scared,” Riley said as he stroked Thorne’s back.
“Me too. I’m scared of disappointing you. After all this time I’m still worried I should have made you find someone your own age.”
“You can’t make me do anything, no matter how much you want to. I get to choose, and I choose you.”
Thorne started to respond, but Riley put a finger over his lips. “Even if sometimes I wonder if you’d be better off with someone your own age, or at least someone of your social class.”
“No, I don’t want a man like that. I want you.”
Riley nodded. “That’s how I feel.”
“Then let’s get married.”
Riley laughed like Thorne had hoped he would. “Okay. I like that idea.”
Thorne was sure he had Riley right where he wanted him, but then he pulled away from Thorne and got out of bed.
“Stay.” Thorne tried to put on his best pleading look, but Riley shook his head. “You’ll be more comfortable here.”
“I’ve slept on far worse than a sofa at the Ritz.”
Thorne started to speak again, but Riley stopped him. “I believe we could fall asleep cuddling, but I don’t trust you in the morning.”
“I’ll be good.”
Riley sighed. “I don’t trust myself either.”
“You’re determined, aren’t you?” Thorne asked.
“I am, unless you really—”
Riley was being so sweet. Thorne would survive. Somehow. “Go. Quick. Before I succeed at seducing you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
When Riley’s alarm woke him the next morning, sun was streaming through the windows. He squinted at the clock by his phone. He’d set an alarm for eight thirty, but he hadn’t expected to sleep that long since he’d been getting up at six most mornings.