Accidental Surrogate

Ella

Calvin nods to me, just once, and then stands, moving his hand from mine and going to speak to the waiter, nodding towards the terrace. As he does I turn to Conner, who raises his eyebrows at me. I know he heard, and now he’s asking if that’s what I really want.

I hesitate, but then I nod and he does as well, putting his phone back into the pocket.

Calvin’s at my side then, gesturing towards the terrace, and as I move with him I hear Conner walking up behind me. As we step outside, Conner moves to take a seat at the table we just vacated so that he can keep his eyes on me with this change of venue.

I send him a little smile, and Conner gives me a wink, as Calvin and I step out into the fresh night air.

“Your man,” Calvin says, leaning against the balustrade and glancing in at Conner before smiling at me. “He keeps a close eye on you.”

“Conner is a friend,” I say, smiling at the waiter who comes and brings us two cocktails. “As well as one hell of a fighter. He’ll kick your ass if you try anything.”

Calvin laughs at this, shaking his head. “Well then he’s going to have a boring night,” he murmurs with a bit of a sigh. “You’re safe with me. Not that your mate the King hasn’t already made his own assurances.”

“What?” I ask, pausing with the drink on the way to my lips.

Calvin nods over the balustrade down to the street. “Six men,” he says, “on the street and in front of the restaurant.” Then he takes a moment to turn and peer upwards. “Probably more on the roof.”

“Really?” I ask, turning and peering up, though I can’t see anything. “A bit of overkill,” I murmur, scowling a little. Sinclair so overprotective. Somehow, instinctually, I know that Calvin has no ill intentions towards me honestly, I knew he was my friend before, but tonight really solidifies it for me.

But Sinclair? Well. I suppose he doesn’t know it the way I do.

“Nah, it’s not overkill,” Calvin says, sipping his drink and smiling at me. ” With you as his Queen? I get it.”

I smile at the compliment, but I also narrow my eyes a little. Because that? That was…a little closer to hitting on me than he’s ventured all night.

I’m definitely bringing up his wife. “How many guards

me laugh.

“Thousands!?”

in the palace,” he says with a shrug, “with my entire extended

her name?” I ask,

out over the streets, his voice flat like he’s simply reporting

his body language that he very much does not want to talk about this, I change the subject, looking down

it. “I had it brought from Atalaxia to share with those I hoped would be my new friends. It’s a traditional summer drink. Try it,” he says, giving a little shrug. “I think you’ll like

sip, pleasantly surprised at the rich taste and the crisp little bite of the chilled liquor. It tastes

the stone balustrade against which he leans. Then I lean on it too,

closer towards him, gazing at

smile drops from his face a little, his expression matching mine. “Why won’t

his hand and I think taking a breath. “I’ll tell

why do I have

even without us touching. Almost unconsciously, he takes a step closer to

her with you,” he murmurs

honesty but… “Why?” I ask, my voice breathy, a little stunned. Because this man stunning, his entire presence consuming. And

his voice now. “It is not right, Ella. Not

again, pushing, shaking my

angry now. “Because if you’re just toying with me, Ella, making me say

about?” I say,

me, surprised, and then he leans forward, closing the distance I created in moving back. We’re not

between us, I swear