
Rock Me

Avery Katz

Published by Avery Katz, 2019.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

ROCK ME

**First edition. July 16, 2019.**

Copyright (C) 2019 Avery Katz.

ISBN: 978-1393009290

Written by Avery Katz.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Also by Avery Katz

Forgive Me

Marry Me

Protect Me

Rock Me

Watch for more at Avery Katz's site.

# Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Avery Katz

Prologue

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Nathan

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Danny

Nathan

Epilogue

Further Reading: Marry Me

Also By Avery Katz

About the Author

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# Prologue

DANNY

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED States was not my cup of tea, especially this time of year. Lizzie, my cousin, and confidant insisted we come here to 'attend a concert'.

Yeah.

Right.

We could be on our way to the Maldives right now, or better yet, Japan. We were two Raplen royals bitten by the travel bug. I had no idea why Lizzie chose to come here of all places. Sure American guys were easy on the eyes but I was looking forward to exotic men with caramel skin and sexy accents.

"So, are we going to stand out here until the next solar eclipse?" I asked, fanning my face with our tickets. "Because it's getting hot and you know I hate sweating. I hate it with a passion."

Lizzie ignored me and checked her phone for the hundredth time. "Stop complaining. You're starting to sound like the spoiled brat they write about in tabloids."

I studied her face, knowing she was keeping something from me. Her freckled face looked uneasy. Everything about her body language screamed uncomfortable and anxious. She tapped her ankles on the ground and blew out a frustrated breath.

"Lizzie."

"What?"

"Spill the beans already." I nudged her with my elbow. "Since when do we keep secrets from each other? I used to play Ken to your many crazy Barbies." I pouted, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. "You owe me complete and utter transparency."

She flashed me a tiny smile in return. "Promise me you won't yell at me for being naive or foolish."

Uh-oh. This must be serious. "Oh, you know me. I'm the last person to judge anyone, especially you. So spill your guts already."

"Fine. If you insist." She gave me another sheepish smile. "So I met this American guy online. Danny, he is so handsome and incredibly witty. We clicked almost instantly." She gushed. "We made plans to meet tonight at the concert. I brought you along for selfish reasons. I didn't want to come here by my lonesome. You know your cousin can't survive without her wing man." She winked at me.

"Oh hell to that." I frowned. "We need to leave now. Nothing good ever comes out of online relationships. The guy probably wants to meet you because you're a princess."

"Thanks for raining on my parade." She pouted.

Lizzie was officially out of her mind. Coming from a royal family, it was hard to make genuine friendships. People were only interested in our titles and lifestyle, not actually interested in us. It had always been this way. It took ages for me to differentiate between fake and real friends. Lizzie had her fair share of ups and downs when it came to relationships too.

"Sorry, but have you learned nothing after watching all those episodes of Catfish on MTV?" I asked. "The last thing I want is for you to get hurt by some random asshole who smokes weed all day and lives in the basement with his mother."

She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted like we were back in kindergarten. "Wow. You are nothing but a dark, pessimistic cloud right now. I have no idea what to do at this point."

Just as we were talking, a guy walked up to us with a nervous smile on his face. "Liz?"

"Mark?" Her jaw dropped open as he reached out to shake her hand. He seemed awfully dazzled by my cousin. "Oh my goodness. You came!"

He pulled her into a hug. "I really am sorry for being late. Traffic was awful."

Lizzie blushed like a virgin and linked her arm through his. They sure seemed to be hitting it off.

She introduced me as her fantabulous cousin, smiling from ear to ear now that she was finally with her internet boyfriend. Mark was smitten as a kitten. I allowed myself to relax and told her to stay in my line of sight. Kidnapping royals and asking for hefty ransoms was a very lucrative business those days.

The three of us made our way to the VIP area where large posters of The Moonstones were plastered all over the walls. I was not really a fan of rock music but the lead singer was hot as hell. I stood and stared for what seemed like hours at the dark haired man with the glint of danger in his emerald eyes. Now that was one fine specimen.

The crowd erupted into loud cheers as the band took the stage and started playing their first song. I dragged my eyes away from the poster to glance up at said stage. That's when I saw him. He looked better in real life than the poster. Pictures did not do the guy justice. He was ridiculously gorgeous. He had long, disheveled hair and a deliciously husky voice that made my cock jerk to life. I was hypnotized by his presence and charisma.

"Hey, Lizzie, I have two questions for you. One, what is this hunk's name? And two, is he gay by any chance, because-" My voice trailed off the second I realized she was no longer there.

"Oh, rats!" I spun around, searching the crowd for her. She was nowhere to be found.

If the Queen found out that I lost her only granddaughter, she would disown me. Lizzie was the only hope for the family bloodline to continue. She held the keys to our kingdom's future.

Where the hell did she go?

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# Danny

1 YEAR LATER

FAMILY MEETINGS WERE the worst. My grandmother enjoyed dragging us out of bed at the ass crack of morning. She loved uniting us all in one room and making fun of our choice of nightwear. Yes, Queen Emmeline was hilarious in her own right. She was also open minded and extremely generous with her time. I absolutely adored her. She was unlike anyone I had ever met. I only wished she would choose a different time for these meetings.

I shuffled down the hall, knowing it was going to take me around seven minutes to reach the conference room. Living in Lockridge palace may seem like a fantasy from the outside, but it really is one ridiculously large historical structure from the inside. My ancestors probably wanted to build a maze but changed their minds at the last minute. Growing up, I always managed to get lost in the many corridors and towers. My brothers and I used to play hide and seek until midnight. Our governess had such a hard time putting us to bed.

I wrapped my fluffy robe tightly around me and stepped into the paneled room. My two brothers and cousins were already there. We all looked like we could use more sleep, to be honest. I for one was looking forward to waking up late and having breakfast in bed for a change.

"Good morning," I grumbled, dragging my feet to my usual chair. "Any idea why grandma summoned us all here this fine Sunday morning?"

"Uncle Timothy is probably getting another divorce," Greg answered from beside me. "His marriages are like a revolving door. Out with the old wife, in with the new."

"Good God, I've lost track of his army of ex-wives." I snorted. "I do think he's been through our share, gentlemen."

I reeled in my laughter. My brothers and I exchanged knowing glances. Uncle Timothy was like James Bond. He had to have a new model on his arm every year.

Greg chortled, earning himself a glare from our serious aunt Edith, who said, "Perhaps the reason behind this meeting, Gregory, is for us to discuss the GGs."

I frowned in response. Our aunt has been openly vocal about her anti-gay sentiment. She should go take a hike and get that rigid stick out of her arse.

"GG is short for Gay Grandsons." Freddy, her son explained. He rolled his eyes at his mother who kept on giving us her usual judgmental looks.

"The monarchy is forever tainted with this perversity. It puzzles me how your grandmother continues to encourage this behavior of yours." Aunt Edith continued to feed us spoonfuls of disapproval. This woman was absolutely incorrigible.

Our Queen grandmother finally graced us with her presence. We all stood up to greet her. How was she capable of looking so fresh and flawless at eighty? This was a question for the ages.

"Oh Good. You are all here. Excellent." She sat down and motioned for us to do the same.

The servants finally walked in with fresh coffee, croissants, and our very own Raplen raspberry rolls. My stomach growled when they brought in hot, sizzling omelets with bacon and hash browns. We ate in silence for a few minutes until grandmother cleared her throat and finally revealed the reason behind this early meeting.

"I asked you all to come here so we could discuss Lizzie's marriage. We need to gift her something grand and memorable. The future of this monarchy rests on her shoulders after all."

"This is a wonderful idea." I smiled. Lizzie was a big fan of unexpected surprises.

"So, any suggestions?" Emmeline asked.

"How about a treasure box filled with sex toys." Greg cheekily suggested.

I know he did it on purpose to annoy aunt Edith. She predictably blushed and made a boring suggestion of her own. "A set of Prince Albert teacups will do the trick."

"Sheesh. Lizzie hates china of any kind." I remarked.

"Since when?"

"Since we were kids." I rolled my eyes at my clueless aunt. Did she even know her daughter anymore? "She also hates high tea with a passion."

"Can we please focus on the matter at hand?" Grandmother gave me a pointed look. She knew I enjoyed arguing with precious aunt Edith, how I loved rufflng her constipated feathers.

After thirty minutes of brainstorming and coffee drinking, we finally agreed on sending her on a luxury cruise for her honeymoon. She loved traveling in style, so this was more than perfect.

Everyone was pleased with the idea of sending her off on a memorable trip to the Seychelles.

I finished the rest of my coffee before following everyone else out of the room. We were suddenly ambushed by none other than Lizzie. "There you are. How come you called for a meeting without me, grandmama?" My cousin pouted.

"Good morning to you too, child." Emmeline gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Freddy and my brothers snuck off to the gardens before Lizzie could stop them. "What on earth were you all discussing?" She called out after them.

I whistled and tried to walk away but she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the side. "Spill it, Danny." She demanded.

I pretended to lock my lips and throw away the key. "Nope. There will be no spilling. I can't tell you anything. Not even if you bribe me with limited edition Swarovski crystals."

"This is about the wedding, isn't it?" She tried to read my poker face. "Everyone is making such a big deal out of it. It's starting to freak me out." She complained.

"Well, you are the chosen one. The princess who will save our holy bloodline." I snickered. "Of course the family will make a big deal out of it. You only get married once, unless you are Uncle Timothy, then it's seven."

Lizzie reached up and pinched my cheeks. "Danny, please talk to grandmama. Convince her to tone things down. I envisioned a small, intimate ceremony rather than this extravagant affair her highness is planning."

I detached her cold fingers from my face and shook my head at her request. "Request denied. Sorry darling but your wedding is the highlight of Emmeline's year. You're her only granddaughter so get ready to invite Prince William and Duchess Kate to your fairytale wedding." I fluffed her strawberry blond hair. "Besides, you are probably the only grandchild who's going to get married."

"Nonsense. You will get married someday too. Your prince charming is somewhere out there, waiting with a glass slipper in hand." She smiled.

"I'm more of an Italian loafer type of guy."

She linked her arm through mine and guided me down the hallway. "You'd better get me something awesome for my wedding or I will ruin yours."

"Sheesh, cousin. What did I do to earn your future scorn?"

The lead singer of The Moonstones suddenly popped into my head. Ever since I saw him at that concert, his voice and those hypnotic emerald eyes kept on making an appearance in my dreams. I needed to book his band for Lizzie's surprise bachelorette party.

Speaking of Mr. Rockstar. I needed to get in touch with his manager as soon as possible.

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# Nathan

FUCK. WHAT THE HELL?

I woke up to find Cassie, our new band member, climbing into my bed. I quickly sat up and glared at her. She had no business slithering under my silk sheets.

"What the fuck, Cassie?" I growled.

She placed a hand on my thigh and bit her lip, clearly trying to be seductive. I was having none of it. "Come on, Nathan. The guys are sleeping like logs. Nobody has to know."

I quickly rolled out of bed. "I would know." I ran my fingers through my hair. "Nothing is going to happen between us. Ever."

She pouted and leaned over to show me her tits. "Why not? Your body definitely wants me." She insisted, nodding towards my morning wood. I move a hand to my boxers and adjust my fucking hard-on. If only she knew the kind of dreams I had every single night. It had nothing to do with her at all.

"Look, sex is not in my vocabulary when it comes to band mates. I consider you all like my family. I already see you as a sister, Cassie." I told her in a calm voice.

"Oh hun, sisterly is not what I would call the red neon sign that's hanging between your legs." She chuckled and tossed her hair back.

"Fuck this shit." I turned around and stormed to the bathroom.

Last night, we gave an epic performance in my hometown so I invited the band to crash at my house for a change. We all needed a break from the crowded tour bus. I stepped into the shower and washed my hair. I never thought Cassie was into me. She always played it cool. I guess that was her plan all along. She wanted to ride me like a fucking bronco and brag about it to our horny groupies. Everyone wanted to screw the lead singer of The Moonstones.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. Good. She was no longer in my bedroom. I needed to put a lock on the fucking door. This shit was unacceptable.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs to find Scott making himself a smoothie in my kitchen. He was my best friend and our lead guitarist. "Good morning, sunshine. Why do you look so damn grumpy?"

"Cassie just tried to jump my bones," I told him, hopping on the bar stool.

He handed me a tall glass of berries mixed with bananas. "So what, man? If she gave you the green light to fuck with her then by all means, go ahead and do it."

"No. I prefer to keep the dynamic of our group intact. There is no need to complicate things. If something goes wrong, the tension on the tour bus alone will be fucking unbearable."

The kitchen door swung open and Eric our manager came strolling in. He looked awfully chirpy for a night owl. He usually showed up at night to update us on everything related to our finances and hand us our weekly itinerary.

"Hey! Where the hell is everyone?" He skipped past us and started shouting for the others to come down to the kitchen. "Boy do I have some exciting news to share with you." He grinned.

We all gathered around him. I chugged down my smoothie and waited for him to announce the so-called exciting news. It was probably a new endorsement deal or something. "How do you boys feel about doing a gig abroad?"

Calvin groaned. "Oh come on. I thought we were finally going to take a break after all that touring. I already made plans for my fucking break." He protested.

"I know. I know." Eric tried to placate him. "But listen, this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I'm talking royalty here. You've all heard of the royal family of Raplen, right? They want you to perform at the bachelorette party of Princess Elizabeth, including her wedding!" He exclaimed.

"I don't want to go to stuffy Raplen." Our bassist remarked. "Kings and queens are a thing of the past. Why people still honor and respect them is beyond me." He added. "And why the hell is their Queen the fucking boss? This shit is just weird."

I rolled my eyes at our ignorant member. The dude needed a course in modern history and feminism. Eric sighed and leaned against the marble counter behind him.

"The family is offering to pay you half a million dollars for the bachelorette party alone."

Scott spat out his drink while Cassie pretended to faint.

Holy shit. That was a shitload of money. That was one million dollars in total. We never made that much money during a single event. Ever.

"Oh, we are so going!"

"Yeah. When is the next flight to Raplen?"

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# Danny

EXCITEMENT FILLED ME on my way to my car. I was about to pick up The Moonstones and their hot lead singer. I was beyond thrilled that they agreed to come to Raplen. Everything was going according to plan. Lizzie was going to be so incredibly stoked. Having them at her bachelorette party and wedding was on her wish list for some time now. I was looking forward to seeing the look on her face when she sees them. It was frankly worth every Raplen dollar I had ever spent. The band will always be a reminder of her fiancee and the day she met him at their concert.

I actually met someone that night too. As I was frantically searching for Lizzie, I ran into an older gentleman named Peter. He asked me if I was okay and was kind enough to help me find my lovesick cousin. He was incredibly charming and easy on the eyes. We exchanged numbers and met a couple of times while I was in Chicago. Lizzie was getting her fill of her fiancee, so I offered to stay and keep her company. Peter and I went out on more than one date. We hit it off almost instantly. He was a seasoned traveler and a wine connoisseur. He was more interested in me as a person rather than my status. I fell head over heels for him but unfortunately, Peter wanted to remain deep in the closet. I even flew back and forth like a fool just to spend more time with him. The last time we met, he told me he was going to get married to a woman. I was speechless and heartbroken.

All those memories came rushing back as I was leaving the palace. I was too lost in my own thoughts that I ran smack into Lizzie. "Ouch. Sorry."

"No. No. I'm sorry." She apologized. "My head is somewhere else."

The bride-to-be looked worried and kept on wringing her hands. "What's wrong?"

She shrugged and held onto my arm. "I just want to talk to you. You always manage to calm me down. I have these annoying pre-wedding jitters that I need to get rid of."

"Well, I'm on my way out, so.."

"Great! May I tag along with you, cousin?" She asked, giving me her best puppy dog eyes.

I started to panic. I needed to say no. It was one easy word. No.

The last thing I wanted was for her to find out about her epic surprise. The Moonstones were supposed to be top secret. They were going to stay with me on my estate, far far away from Lizzie and her prying eyes. The bachelorette party was still two nights away. I had to find a way to throw Lizzie off my scent. Otherwise, she would show up unannounced like she sometimes does and ruin the whole thing!

I needed to cook up a story and fast.

"Lizzie. I love you but you cannot come with me right now."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm going out of town for a few days." I lied. Lying was not exactly a skill of mine but I was great at storytelling thanks to my wild imagination.

Her face fell right before my eyes. I felt like such a jerk. "What for?"

Good question.

"You can't possibly leave right now." She shook her head in disbelief. "What about my bachelorette party? You promised to wear a feather boa and sing All the Single Ladies with me."

I swallowed and tried to remain cool and detached while talking to her. "You'll do fine without me, cutie pie." I leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "All of your friends will be there. I'm sure Samantha would love to take my place. She's always been jealous of our friendship."

"You're so pulling my leg, aren't you?"

"Nope. Sorry. I really am leaving."

She scowled at me. Her freckled face was the color of my red jumper. "Whoever you're planning on hooking up with can freaking wait." She huffed.

We stood there awkwardly until I cleared my throat. "The world waits for no one, love."

"Fine!" She stomped her feet and walked away.

"Lizzie!"

"What?" She spun around and gave me the finger.

"Don't have too much fun without me."

She gave me another finger in response. "Fair enough. I deserved that."

My Mini Cooper which was also known as Sarah Jessica Parker, was waiting for me in the driveway. I had it cleaned and polished just for today's airport ride. I climbed behind the wheel and switched on the engine. The weather was perfect today with light, fluffy clouds in the sky and a soft summer breeze that made the drive to the airport short and sweet. I ordered a limousine along the way to help me pick up the band and their many guitars.

As a royal, I had my very own parking space close to the arrival doors. I parked my Mini and headed straight to the large hall. My casual outfit and cap helped me blend in while I waited for the band to show up. The doors finally slid open to reveal the hunky lead singer. My God. Nathan was sexier than ever. He had more swagger than Mick Jagger.

I remembered the first time I ever saw him at that concert and I couldn't help but smile.

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# Nathan

A SWARM OF LOUD, EXCITED fans greeted us at the airport. They wave their posters at us, begging for autographs. I already felt jet lagged and tired as hell. I was hardly in the mood to smile and pose for selfies. That was the last thing on my mind. Cassie was freaking relentless as well. She kept latching herself onto my arm. I had it up to here with that woman.

"Where the hell is our ride?" I grunted as our two bodyguards cleared the way for us.

"The Moonstones, right?" A deep, baritone voice sliced through the screams and chants.

I turned around and the rest of the band followed.

Fuck me. Who was that hottie?

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the gorgeous blond who stood there to greet us. He was a few inches shorter than me with baby blue eyes, high cheekbones, and broad shoulders. He had perfect posture and a disarming smile that made me want to kiss those soft looking lips.

He started talking to our manager but his words drifted to the background. I was too busy taking notes of the excited glint in the young man's eyes. He introduced himself as Daniel and told us that he was stoked for our visit. His exuberance spilled over and infected most of the band. He shook everyone's hands starting with Eric who was one second away from losing his shit. The man did not shut up about the million dollars we were about to earn. He was walking around the jet with dollar signs flashing in his eyes.

Cassie suddenly moved from beside me to get closer to the prince. I felt a pang of jealousy hit me out of nowhere. "So, are you really a prince?" She asked, giggling and tossing back her purple curls.

Daniel turned pink at her words. It was fucking adorable. "Yes, but you can call me Danny. Royal titles are only used in ceremonies and formal occasions really." He said with a laugh.

It was finally my turn to shake his hand. A jolt of electricity flowed between us like some kind of magic.

Startled, I looked into his eyes and saw him staring at me with the same lustful expression on his handsome face.

Shit. I had to have this blond eye candy all to myself.

Prince Daniel guided us to a limousine. I checked him out from behind while he walked to the driver and gave him the keys to his car. He apparently drove a Mini Cooper. Everyone here drove a freaking Mini Cooper. They were everywhere.

"You will be all staying at my estate. I hope this is okay with you." He told us, flashing the group an apologetic smile. "Princess Lizzie, the bride, has no idea that you're coming and I would like to keep it that way."

"No problem. We are simply happy to be here." Eric replied on our behalf.

"Good to know." The Prince ushered us into the limousine before getting behind the wheel. I thought he was going to follow us with his car but he seemed to be taking this whole royal hospitality thing seriously.

"Shotgun!" Cassie jumped into the passenger seat with a loud squeal.

What a loud, obnoxious person she turned out to be. I felt a cocktail of relief and disappointment. A small part of me wanted to ride next to that royal beefcake. He seemed like an interesting guy and humble as hell. Were all Raplen royals like him?

I sat next to Scott and glanced out the window. Raplen was a lot different than the States. It had old, historical churches and medieval towns. There were no towers or skyscrapers. Instead, the landscape was picturesque with pine trees and hills. Everyone was taking pictures with their phones. We came across two lakes, a waterfall and a herd of wild horses. They looked stunning against the backdrop of emerald mountains.

"Raplen is rad, man." Adam, the bassist remarked beside me.

We all heard something pop before the limo titled sideways.

"Fuck. We blew a tire, didn't we?"

The prince parked the limo on the side of the road and apologized to everyone. I climbed out of the car and volunteered to change the flat tire. It felt like the decent thing to do after everything he did for us. Calvin helped me carry out the spare and place the jack under the car. I took off my shirt to protect it from grease and Cassie was instantly on me all over again. She leaned against the passenger door and watched me loosen the lug nuts.

"Thirsty?" Calvin teased her. "Because I saw you drooling over the prince."

"Of course I am. Have you seen the guy?" She said.

"Make up your mind then. You can't have both men, Cass."

Prince Danny walked up to us with a playful smile playing on those pillowy lips. "Well, you may have one man but not yours truly." He told her. "Actually, I'm gay. Sorry."

The limo went silent all of a sudden. My interest peaked and my mouth went dry at his confidence. He was so casual about his sexual orientation. It was fucking refreshing to hear him say it out loud. This is too good to be true. Christmas came early this year in the shape of this fine man. My band mates piled into the back of the limousine without a word. See? That was why I was so terrified of coming out of the closet. Their cold reaction was hostile as is.

I quickly changed the tire and joined the others.

"What the hell. I did not come all this way to be hit on by a prince." Ryan commented.

"Don't flatter yourself. I highly doubt you're his type anyway." I told him, feeling a lot more irritated than usual. How did I put up with him all these years?

"And you are?" Ryan raised an eyebrow at me.

"Shut up." I looked away, pretending to be uninterested. "And don't cause any trouble. The last thing we need is to lose this gig because of your homophobic ass. Let's enjoy our time and make the most of our stay with the prince. Three more days and we'll be back home where we can all enjoy our break." The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wanted to get to know Daniel and spend more time with him.

He was a rare find, like a unicorn or blue diamonds.

Fuck. He made me think about unicorns.

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# Danny

PLAYING HOST WAS MY favorite pastime alongside breeding horses of course. It was a lucrative business that helped me carve out a name for myself in Raplen. Royals from all around the world were always criticized for living off taxpayers' money. I wanted to break that stereotype and earn my own living. My estate needed regular upkeep, especially the stables and my precious rose garden, so getting a job was a no-brainer for me. The renaissance style mansion was a thing of beauty. I had it purchased years ago when it was time for me to spread my wings and leave Lockridge Palace. The Moonstones were predictably impressed by the sheer magnificence of it.

I parked the limousine in my cobblestone driveway and greeted my butler who was waiting for us by the door. The servants rushed to carry the heavy equipment and luggage while I showed the band the living area of the mansion. I was not particularly fond of walls so there were plenty of open spaces and French windows overlooking the backyard. Camille and Bella, my swan statues caught their attention. I purchased them a while ago from a merchant in Venice. They were made entirely out of Murano glass.

John, my loyal butler offered them refreshments while they marveled at the Renoir painting which hung above the fireplace. It was my favorite art piece but it cost me a fortune. I used to make fun of people who attended art auctions until I became one of them. Oh, the irony.

I took the group on a tour around the mansion, showing them the different rooms. They seemed a little less tense. I guess the jet lag had something to do with it. "If you prefer staying at a hotel, I can book the entire floor at the Four Seasons for you." I offered.

"That is incredibly generous of you, Prince Daniel." Eric the manager said.

"Please, call me Danny." I insisted.

He nodded, clearly dazzled by the chinoise wallpaper I personally chose for the dining room. It was a blend of burgundy and gold. "This won't be necessary. We're more than happy to stay in your lovely house."

"Excellent." I rubbed my hands together. "Please feel free to ask the servants for anything you need. They've already cleaned and prepared your rooms."

They followed me upstairs to the guest wing. It featured six bedrooms and five bathrooms with a large terrace overlooking the outdoor tennis court and swimming pool. They were all stunned by the sheer size of each room. "You may switch rooms or even relocate to a different room if you like," I let them know. "The mansion is your oyster. Please do take advantage of the available amenities. You can chill in front of the TV, use the home theater or swim in the pool. It's all up to you. There is also a sauna downstairs if you would like to unwind after your long trip."

"That's so cool, thanks!" Cassie, the only female member in the band grinned from ear to ear. She wouldn't stop gushing about my accent on the way to the mansion.

"You're most welcome." I smiled. "Oh, and one more thing. I will be taking you to dinner at seven. You need to sample true Raplen cuisine before you leave."

"That's very kind of you."

I retired to my study with excitement coursing through my veins. Everything was going according to plan. It felt good turning my party plans into a reality. I ticked the band off my to-do list and sat down at my desk. It was time to call Ruppy and ask him for a big favor. My brother helped me keep The Moonstones under wraps as well by paying off the paparazzi. If Lizzie saw tabloid photos of her favorite band all over the city, then all of this would have been for nothing.

"Hello, Ruppy."

"Hey. Did the eagles land on time?" He asked, using the code name I chose for the band.

"They did," I replied. "Listen, I need you to keep Lizzie busy so she doesn't stop by the estate."

"Sure. Not a problem."

"Thanks. I really appreciate it."

"She actually showed up a couple of minutes ago and yelled at everyone."

"Oh dear." I sighed. "Well, I did tell her that I was ditching her bachelorette party."

"Good luck with that." He chuckled.

"I know. I'm in deep water with Lizzie. She's going to murder me."

"She'll kill you and then resurrect you after she sees her surprise."

"Well, I hope so."

I made him promise to keep everything under wraps before hanging up. Ruppy had a habit of spilling the beans prematurely. I made myself a cup of tea and glanced at the pile of paperwork on my desk. I sat down and hummed an old tune while reading the most recent folder. I had a shipment of premium horse feed coming in. It was mainly grains and concentrate mixes. My babies deserve the best of everything, especially Onyx, my new Arabian stallion. Now he was one fine specimen, much like Nathan Jay. I couldn't stop thinking about him while I finished my overdue paperwork. There were plenty of documents to sign and e-mails to send.

Two hours later, I decided to check on my guests. They should have unpacked by now. I headed downstairs to the kitchen and found Nathan standing there in his black silk shirt and tight dark washed jeans. I licked my lips and watched him from the doorway. His long fingers were busy preparing that tasty looking sandwich. I had no idea we had Emmental cheese in the fridge. I tried to remain calm as I walked over to him. He turned to glance at me so I pretended to be the epitome of cool. My hands were itching to feel those tight muscles that were hidden beneath his shirt. He was surrounded by this aura of sexiness that was so hard to resist.

I could feel my erection making an appearance inside my pants, so I quickly stood behind the marble island to camouflage it. This was not the time to turn into a horny teenager.

"Hello." I managed to say without sounding like an eager slut.

"Hey. It was pretty cool of you to invite us to your massive crib." Nathan smiled, moving his long hair out of his eyes. His shiny locks reminded me of Chestnut, my beautiful palomino. She took first place at Raplen's annual horse pageant last year.

"If you think my house is massive then wait until you see Lockridge Palace." I chuckled.

"Performing inside a castle is actually on my bucket list." He revealed. "The acoustics must be freaking amazing."

"Yes. Swan Hall actually has excellent acoustics. The ceiling is dome shaped so we host a lot of musical events there." I told him. "So, what is your impression of Raplen so far?"

"Your country is old but charming. There's so much history here. I wish we had time for sightseeing but everyone wants to head back home after our gig, so.." His voice trailed off and he shrugged. "This seems to be the case with every country we visit. We barely get to see much of anything."

"This is very unfortunate. Traveling to me is all about exploring the city and its many hidden treasures. You should allocate at least one day for touristic activities. Raplen is rich with medieval and renaissance architecture."

"Yeah. You're right." He nodded. "Imagine, we've been to Tokyo twice, but the only thing I remember is the wallpaper at our hotel and the koi fountain in the lobby."

"Tokyo is beautiful. I've been there a couple of times myself."

"Nice. We have quite the fan base there. Japanese girls are really into rock stars."

"In this age of bubblegum pop, rock stars are a dying breed."

"True." He nodded thoughtfully. "Would you like some protein shake? I made two extra glasses in case somebody was interested."

"Sure."

The protein shake trend never made it to Raplen, so drinking a mix of veggies and fruits was not really my cup of tea. I was willing to indulge him though.

"This is the first time I've offered a drink to a prince." He grinned, his emerald eyes twinkling like two jewels. I could feel something in the air between us. Our conversation flowed so easily.

"Thank you." I took the glass from him and sniffed the strange concoction. "What's in it?"

"Your resident cook showed me your pantry, so I kind of went overboard. I added spinach, beetroot, rocket leaves and a bunch of other stuff."

Oh dear. I took a large gulp and my taste buds almost died.

What fresh hell is this?

I coughed and spluttered, accidentally splashing Nathan in the process. His shirt was completely ruined. "Oh rats! I'm so sorry."

"No worries. I have plenty of shirts upstairs." He chuckled.

I rushed to the sink and grabbed a dish cloth. Silly me. I should have told him that I was not a big fan of spinach. "This was so incredibly rude of me. I was just surprised by the intensity of that shake."

I wiped his chest down with the cloth. His stomach was hard and flat. Every inch of his torso was graced with muscles. I glanced up and found him staring at me. My breath hitched in my throat as my fingers continued to explore his magnificent body. Those green eyes had lovely golden specks in them. I was entranced by those magical orbs.

Nathan suddenly takes the cloth from my hand, his fingers flirting with my own.

"It's okay. Really." He said.

One of his band mates suddenly walked in, bringing our intimate moment to an end. I stepped backward and wiped my mouth with a tissue paper. Fortunately, the guy did not seem to notice the tension in the air.

"Oh damn. Did Nathan trick you into trying his horrible protein shake?" He snickered.

The man in question grinned mischievously and shrugged in response. "Fuck you. I make one hell of a shake. Danny here is just not used to our American stuff."

I felt a bit hurt by his response. He did laugh at me when I coughed out that terrible drink.

"If you'll excuse me. I have a bit of work to do."

"See you later." The short bassist said before raiding my fridge.

I glanced back at Nathan on my way out. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but changed his mind at the last minute.

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# Nathan

DAMN. I COULD EASILY get used to this.

The mansion glowed in the afternoon sunlight as we lounged in the infinity pool. There was something incredibly serene about Raplen. Time seemed to move slower and everyone was just calm and chill. I sipped on my pink lemonade and watched the trees sway in the cool breeze. The lush green landscape was a lot different from Chicago. Here they had pine trees and a weird tree with rainbow leaves. I also spotted a couple of roses bushes near the tennis court. The estate felt like a secluded country club rather than the residence of a bachelor prince. At least the paparazzi managed to keep their distance. Eric told us that the Royals had a respectful relationship with the paps here. It was refreshing for a change. I also had it up to here with our fans. Raplen fans, however, were much laid back. No one was trying to climb the mansion walls trying to get to us. My ears were still suffering from our recent trip to Rio.

Cassie jumped into the pool with a big splash, disrupting the calm atmosphere. Why the hell did I agree to hire her? Seriously. She swam over to me and fingered my hair.

"Hey, handsome." She grinned. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

She bobbed up and down in the water before getting rid of her bikini top. "I heard nudity was a thing here. Everyone just loves being naked. I'm an advocate for Free the Nipple by the way. Have you heard of that campaign?"

"Nope. Can't say I have." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's all about discovering your sexuality as a woman and baring your soul to the world." She ran her fingers up and down my arm.

"Okay." I moved my arm and finished the rest of my drink.

Her incessant flirting is getting out of hand.

I needed to have a word with our producer. Cassie had to be replaced before she fucked up the dynamic of our group. We worked incredibly hard on creating our brand. If she stayed much longer, she would ruin everything.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

I brushed her off and climbed out of the water.

I padded barefoot past Guy and Calvin who were drinking beer by the pool. I needed to find Danny and apologize to him on behalf our bassist. He can be such an idiot sometimes. I only wanted the prince to try the protein shake. Period. No one was trying to play games or trick him. He seemed like a sensitive guy who probably drank the shake out of politeness.

We had a very interesting conversation back in the kitchen. He was just fucking adorable. I could easily tell that he was into me. He knew so much about the world and it showed. I suddenly spotted the handsome prince going inside a long building so I decided to follow him. The building turned out to be a state-of-the-art stable. I was amazed by how clean and airy it was. The lighting was also warm and inviting. A couple of horses reared their heads in greeting.

It must be freaking amazing to be in the presence of these magnificent creatures. We once shot a music video featuring a bunch of white horses. It garnered more than fifty million views on Youtube. Speaking of views, I was very much enjoying the way Danny's ass moved in those jeans. He had a firm round butt and broad shoulders that made my cock throb inside my swim shorts.

I could feel myself hardening with each step I took. I needed to get out of here before the prince caught me. I tried to tiptoe past a large horse with a shiny black coat but he suddenly reared up and scared the hell out of me.

"Fuck. What the hell?" I jumped backward, drawing attention to myself.

Danny turned around and laughed when he saw my expression. "Ah. I see you've met Diablo." He said. "He is not yet trained, so be careful not to get too close to him in the future."

"Sure. Yeah." I took a deep breath and made a beeline for him. "Listen, I wanted to apologize on behalf of my idiot band mates. We never meant to offend you in any way. I offered you that protein shake because I genuinely thought you might be interested in trying it."

"Oh, no worries. It's all water under the bridge." He smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It was my fault anyway. I hate spinach with a passion but I was too stubborn to say no."

"Really? I never pegged you for a stubborn guy."

"Oh, you have no idea how stubborn I can be. Much like Zeus over there. Now he's the epitome of stubbornness." He motioned for me to follow him.

"Were you always this passionate about horses? Your stable is unlike anything I've ever seen. It doesn't smell of horseshit at all." I let out a nervous chuckle.

"We have a modern ventilation system installed. Plus, my stable hands are remarkable people." He gushed. "We specialize in breeding horses and we occasionally take in abused cases as well."

He walked over to a sack filled with apples and offered me two. "One for you and one for Zeus."

The chocolate brown horse greeted us with a shake of his head and a cute neigh. "How long have you been doing this?" I held out the apple to him and he instantly opened his mouth to take it. He slobbered all over my palm, making Danny laugh. He had a great laugh.

"Right after graduation, so almost eight years ago. It took me a while to learn about running such a risky business. Raplen is filled with breeders with far more horses and decades of experience under their belts. My parents warned me against it. They thought it was such a commoner thing to do. Luckily, I proved them wrong. There's no shame in choosing to make a living, even if you're a royal."

"Wow." I was impressed by his ambition. He was more than just a pretty face for sure. "You must have faced a fuckload of scrutiny over your decision to work and run a stable."

"Yes. I did." He nodded, playing with Zeus's mane. "Growing pains are normal for any business. Being in the public eye is both good and bad. It helps me market my brand but at the same time, the smallest mistake can harm my image."

"I can only imagine."

"Caring for these animals is worth every penny." He smiled. "They are strong yet sensitive creatures. They're also extremely loyal and loving."

The passion in his voice was just too damn irresistible. And the next thing I knew I was closing the distance between us and pulling him into a kiss right then and there. I parted his lips with my tongue and explored that sweet, sweet mouth of his. He froze for a few seconds before kissing me back. His hands tangled themselves in my hair as I deepened the kiss. Our tongues did an erotic tango as I tasted every inch of his lips. He was too fucking delicious. I just wanted to swallow him whole.

Our kiss was long and passionate. I never wanted it to stop. Danny suddenly pulls away with a stunned expression on his flushed face. "Holy shit you're gay."

I pressed a finger against his swollen lips to shut him up. "Shh. No one knows about this. No one."

"Except me." He whispered.

"Except you." I stroked his cheek. "Just you."

I gave him a saucy wink before turning around. Every single part of me wanted to ravage him right there, right now.

Fuck. I had to calm my erection down before anyone else noticed.

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# Danny

IT WAS HARD NOT TO yawn when everyone around you was dull and monotone. The family insisted on throwing Lizzie a bachelorette party. Of course, their version included finger sandwiches and classical music. Grandmother Emmeline invited a group of relatives we hardly knew. They were conversing over champagne flutes and cheese. Greg and Ruppy looked like they were about to die of boredom, while Freddy couldn't just stifle his laugh. I loosened my tie and stifled another yawn. Poor Lizzie. She looked miserable. Of course, she had no idea about her super secret second bachelorette party. She sat there in her fabulous organza dress with a frown on her freckled face. She downed another glass of champagne while Mark rubbed her slumped shoulders.

Our family always wanted to keep my cousin right under their noses. They always acted like a bunch of overprotective idiots when it came to Lizzie. They were so afraid she'd get cold feet and cancel the wedding. They were all desperate for new blood. Someone who will carry our family's name and keep our legacy alive. It was way too much pressure to handle, especially for Lizzie. Our distant relatives had their eye on the throne so grandmother was more paranoid than usual. She wanted her grandchildren to reign. I reached out and squeezed Lizzie's hand. Her parents already thought it was bad enough that she got engaged to an American. He was a commoner who was 'not worthy of their only daughter'. Mark was well educated and incredibly smart but they failed to see that. They only saw him as a foreigner who wanted a piece of their royal pie.

Aunt Edith was also afraid Lizzie would have a wild party and cause a scandal. Keeping up appearances was her main concern. The double standard in our family was complete and utter bullcrap. I glanced around the room and tried not to snort when I saw a group of old women drinking earl grey in the corner. The servants were actually walking around serving tea like this was some sort of evening brunch. Who does that? I tapped my polished shoes against the ancient carpet and yawned.

Greg suddenly grabbed my hand. "Please, Danny. For the love of God. Save us. Tell us you have something exciting planned for the night."

I stood up and pulled him aside. Lizzie was about to burst into tears. "You're talking about your brother here. Of course, I have something planned. Duh. Lizzie is going to need a ride home after this, so I'll volunteer to be her personal chauffeur and take her to this club I rented. Her bachelorette party will be in full swing by then."

"Brilliant." He grinned. "Text me the address."

"I already did."

He patted my arm before walking off towards the terrace. I returned to my seat and checked my watch. Grandmother was dragging out the party. No one was in a hurry to leave except for us. Time was moving exceptionally slow in the stuffy ballroom. The Mozart music was putting me to sleep. Lizzie took off her high heeled sandals and wiped her red lipstick.

My phone suddenly buzzed with a text message from Nathan.

Nathan: Is everything going according to plan?

Danny: We'll be there ASAP once the snooze fest ended.

Nathan: Can't wait to see you. ;)

Yeah. That stunned me. I felt butterflies in my stomach for the first time in months.

I took a deep breath and cooked up a story with Lizzie. She pretended to be sick so I would take her home. Aunt Edith eyed us with suspicion while I escorted her daughter out of the ballroom. My cousin was on the verge of crying. She muttered something under her breath and climbed into the passenger seat. "See? This is why I hate celebrating anything with my family." She huffed. "They only care about appearances. God forbid we played a bit of funky pop music and danced like normal human beings do at a bachelorette party!"

"Well, we are talking about grandma Emmeline here. Her idea of a party includes tea and a splash of Beethoven music. Imagine if we actually hosted a real bachelorette bash at the palace. Everyone would clutch their pearls and faint on the spot, especially your mom."

She snorted. "Yeah. I swear my mother has zero sense of humor. She also talks to Mark in a very condescending way. She still wants me to date that jerk from Waverly."

"Who? Prince August?"

"Yep. He's famous for being a womanizer but she's okay with that as long as royal blood flows through his veins." She ranted.

I drove past the palace walls and over the bridge that led to the club. She still had no clue whatsoever about her big surprise. "Prince August comes from a long line of inbred asshats. They have no loyalty and they lack decorum."

"Wait. Where are you taking me? This is not the way to our estate."

"Oh. I need to pick something up from The Silver Spoon."

"Since when do you hang out at a non-gay nightclub?" She suspiciously asked me.

"Since never," I replied. "A friend left a package for me with the bartender."

"Just to be clear. I'm not going in with you."

I pulled up in front of said club and unbuckled my seatbelt. "Why not? Let me buy you a drink. We can drown our sorrows together."

"Not funny." She glared at me.

"Come on. Live a little." I nudged her elbow.

"Fine." She sighed and followed me out of the car.

I knocked four times on the door before leading her inside. The band started playing the second she appeared in the doorway.

"Oh my Goodness!!"

The look on her face was priceless. She jumped up and down like an excited kid. Nathan grinned from the stage and gave me a heated look from up there.

It was beyond thrilling.

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# Nathan

DANNY FINALLY SHOWED up with Princess Lizzie in tow. She wore a designer dress with a pair of silver Louboutin heels. Her face lit up the moment she saw us on stage. I started singing her favorite song of our sophomore album. It was called Love Nest. The beat was incredibly catchy and she instantly recognized it. She jumped up and down before pulling Danny into a hug. I felt jealousy coursing through my body at their display of affection. I wanted to pull him into my arms like that. They were obviously the best of friends. Danny paid a fuckload of money to bring us here. He also brought in an event planner to decorate the club. It looked like the inside of a pink champagne glass. There were pearl shaped balloons hanging from the ceiling and dusty pink chairs everywhere. The waiters were dressed like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Lizzie was one lucky gal. It must be nice to have someone who cared. Someone who put so much effort in your happiness.

I sang with all my heart, pouring my soul into the song. Danny grinned and placed a hot pink sash around her neck. It had the word -Bride- written on it in black font. She kissed his cheek and clapped excitedly, singing the lines along with me. The song was about building a relationship based on trust. It was a hit with the ladies. I jumped off the stage and strutted towards the bride-to-be. She fanned her face and giggled while I sang to her. Danny was watching my every move. I held the microphone close to my lips and crooned my favorite hook. I glanced briefly at the prince and winked at him. Lizzie's eyes widened. She kept on glancing back and forth between me and him.

Her bubbly friends joined her. I took a couple of selfies with them while I sang. When the song ended, they all clapped and whistled. Lizzie cried happy tears so I hugged her. She was shaking like a leaf. I guess it really was her dream to meet us. I introduced her to everyone, including Cassie who of course wanted to befriend the princess. She commented on her shoes and asked if they could be besties. The poor princess was on cloud nine so she didn't mind the attention.

"It really is a pleasure to meet you, princess." I lifted her hand and kissed it. "I heard from a bird that you're my biggest fan."

She laughed. "Nope. Your biggest fan is standing right next to me." She revealed. "My cousin keeps tabs on your tours. He also owns all of your albums in vinyl."

"Really?" I raised an amused eyebrow. Danny blushed. He looked too fucking sexy in his retro jacket and suede oxfords. He wore a cute little bow-tie that made me want to grab him and kiss him right then and there.

Danny suddenly pushed her towards her giggly friends. "Go grab a drink before you embarrass me any further." He said. I turned off my microphone and returned it to the stage. The crew took Selfies with the girls at the bar while I hung out with the prince.

"Hello."

"Hey."

"So you follow all of our tours and concerts, huh?" I smirked.

"Not exactly." He said, looking adorably flustered. "I was doing a bit of research before booking you for this party is all." He added.

"Right." I cleared my throat. "I like what you've done with the place. The club has a sixties glam vibe. I love the black and blue theme with the pearls and everything."

"Thanks." He smiled his trademark charming smile. "I'm glad someone noticed."

"Lizzie is fucking lucky to have you as her cousin. Excuse my French. I usually curse like a sailor but ever since we got here, I've been toning it down."

"Oh. The F-word does not bother me at all. Please feel free to use it."

"Cool. So, would you like me to get you something from the bar?"

The lights went out of all a sudden. The women went crazy. I guess they all knew what that meant. Spotlights lit up the stage, bathing it in a rainbow of lights. A group of male strippers took the stage and the ladies went wild. Lizzie and her girlfriends rushed to the front and helped her into a fuzzy chair. She laughed hysterically and shook her head as one of the strippers started giving her a lap dance.

Danny was enjoying his cousin's reaction. I watched him intently while he watched her with amusement in his eyes. She was an adorable gal for sure. I got up and brought us two beers from the bar. Scott and the rest of my band mates were busy making fun of the strippers who were dressed like firemen.

I rolled my eyes at them and joined Danny in the back of the club. I handed him a glass and took a swig of my own chilled beer. Even the beer here was something else. Damn.

I only had eyes for prince charming while he watched the stripping unfold.

He took a sip from his beer glass and licked those luscious lips of his. Without thinking, I pulled him into a dark corner and kissed him. He held onto my shoulders while I plundered his mouth with my tongue. Fuck. He tasted so damn good. I pushed him up against the wall and made out with him until we were both out of breath.

He broke the kiss to stare at me with those wild, horny eyes. "Fudge me sideways. That was hot." He said, pulling me in for another heated kiss. He tangled his fingers in my hair and moaned into my mouth. I was ready to fuck his brains out. If only we were alone.

"I need to see you when we get back home." I squeezed his ass and added a wink so he knew what I was talking about.

"Later, prince charming."

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# Danny

NATHAN AND I WERE THE only sober duo amidst a group of drunken rock stars and bridesmaids. The bachelorette party was a success thanks to The Moonstones and the army of strippers. Lizzie had the time of her life. I loved watching her blush and giggle whenever one of the guys gave her a lap dance. We took photos to commemorate the occasion using the Polaroid cameras Ruppy brought along with him. The cake I ordered arrived after the steamy kiss I shared with Nathan. He left me in the dark all hot and bothered. It took me a while to gather my wits. He was irresistible. He kept staring at me while we gathered around the four-tier cake. It had all sorts of edible designer bags and shoes on it. My cousin loved it.

The party was over at four in the morning. Mark and I ushered everyone into two separate cars. He drove the ladies home while I took Nathan and the rest of The Moonstones to my estate. They sang strange songs along the way. Songs that had explicit lyrics. I almost crashed the car into a tree when Scott mentioned the word pussy six times. Six!

Nathan watched me with amusement in his eyes before asking his band mates to shut up. My poor ears could not withstand the hardcore lyrics they were spitting out. It was too much pussy for one night. By the time we reached the mansion, Cassie was halfway out of the vehicle. Nathan and I had to carry her all the way upstairs to her bedroom. She offered to have sex with me even though she knew I was gay. She mentioned something about a beard. Luckily, Nathan was also sober enough to help me with the remaining drunkards. The servants were fast asleep and I did not want to wake them up at the ass crack of dawn. The Moonstones sure loved their alcohol.

It took us an hour to put them all to bed. I stepped out of Calvin's room and shut the door behind me. Nathan was already out in the hallway. It was eerily quiet with everyone in their respective beds. We were finally all alone but things were a bit awkward between us.

"So.."

"So.." He cleared his throat.

"Would you like something to drink? Perhaps a bourbon?"

Nathan smirked. His leather jacket was casually draped over one shoulder and his raven hair fell into his hypnotic eyes. "Yes." He replied in a husky voice.

I had a feeling he was not talking about drinking per se. He must have had something else in mind because he backed me into the wall and dug those long fingers into my front pockets. My jeans were snug around my hardening cock. Nathan rubbed his erection against mine. I moaned, unable to control my reaction. He swallowed my moan with a searing kiss that made my knees wobble. I felt up his lean shoulders and kissed him back. He tasted like beer and sex. I rubbed my hands up and down his hard abs. He must have been carved out of marble because he had zero fat on that rock star body of his.

We kissed for what felt like hours. Our tongue battled for dominance as I kneaded and squeezed every solid inch of his back, including his tight muscular butt. He had an incredible butt. He groaned and took my lower lip between his teeth. It was the hottest thing anyone had ever done to me. I wanted him inside me. My cock was dying to meet his own.

I moved my hands to his jeans and started undoing them. Suddenly, we heard a shuffling noise coming from inside the bedroom. Nathan looked a bit panicked so I grabbed his hand and we both sprinted down the dimly lit hallway. We came across an empty room by the window, so I twisted the doorknob and dragged him inside.

"Nathan? Is that you?" A slurry voice called out.

"Shhh." Nathan pressed a finger to my lips.

"It's Calvin." Nathan stifled a laugh as we listened to him.

I pretended to wipe imaginary sweat from my brow. "That was close."

"Yeah."

"Shit. I think this place has ghosts." We heard him say before shutting the door.

I giggled at almost getting caught. It was fun running down that corridor. I needed to do it more often. Nathan, however, did not look amused.

"This is so not funny." He said.

His face was pale so I knew he was telling the truth.

"Can you please stop freaking out and kiss me?" I said in a seductive voice. "In case you forgot, there's a bed behind us. A ready made bed with silk sheets and mints on the pillows."

Uncertainty danced in his eyes. I backed away, embarrassed by my earlier brazenness.

"Fine." I sighed. "I should leave first in case somebody was out in the hall."

Bloody hell. I must have misread all of his signs.

I turned around to face the door when Nathan suddenly pulled me back. I felt his chest rubbing against my back as he kissed me on the neck. God. That was so erotic. Was I really being kissed by an international rock star? It all felt like a dream. The entire night was ripped out of my fantasy book. We had a blast at the party. Everyone had a good time. I was the hero who saved my brothers and cousin from death by boredom. They owed me big time.

Nathan showered my neck with kisses before spinning me around to feast on my lips. We made out like teenagers. Lust was thick in the air as he unbuttoned my shirt and ran his nails down my chest. I was so hard for him, my cock was about to drill a hole through my jeans.

"Look at you. You're so fucking hot." He kissed a hot trail down my chest.

"Right back at you."

He guided me towards the bed and tossed my shirt over his shoulder.

"Are you ready for this, baby?"

"Oh, I was born ready."

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# Danny

"I'VE NEVER HAD SEX with a rock star before."

Nathan flashed me a wicked smile before unbuckling my belt. "Lucky for you, there is plenty of me to go around." He smirked. "We can have all the sex you want and then some."

"Oh my." I swallowed, falling backward on the bed.

Nathan climbed on top of me and kissed me passionately. He did things with his tongue that made me dizzy with lust. I tugged on the hem of his sweater, eager to see him naked. He groaned and cupped my jaw. He held my face still while we played a steamy round of tonsil hockey. He unzipped me and palmed my cock. I broke the kiss and opened my eyes to find him caressing me with his half lidded eyes. "You're so fucking delicious. I want to lick you all over."

"Please. Let me see what you've been hiding under those leather jackets of yours."

He climbed out of bed and finally pulled his shirt over his head. "There you go. Take your fill of those six packs." He flexed his biceps for me.

My jaw dropped. He really was carved to perfection like a Michelangelo statue. I was in awe of his beauty. His body was a thing to behold. I shut my mouth to stop myself from drooling.

"Do you like what you see?" He unbuckled his own belt slowly, teasingly.

"Yes." I nodded. "You're a masterpiece. I want to hang you on my wall."

"Stop inflating my ego. It's about to explode." He kicked his jeans down his legs. He wore a snug pair of Calvin Klein boxers underneath. I could see the outline of his well endowed cock.

"Come here you sexy beast." I beckoned him over, moving to sit at the edge of the bed. He stood between my thighs and bent down to kiss me. I took advantage of our position to squeeze and knead his ass. My fingers tugged his boxers down his muscular thighs while he rained open mouthed kisses down my jaw. He was so sensual and it was driving me insane.

"Your wish is my command."

"Is it now?"

"Fuck yeah." He knelt between my legs and helped me out of my boxers. His cock was harder than a diamond. It was swollen and ready for action. He ran his fingers up and down my thighs. I begged him to touch me with my eyes. He continued to smirk and bent his dark head to kiss my inner thighs.

"Nathan." I gasped when he finally made contact with my swollen member. I closed my eyes and leaned back on my elbows as his hands took my pre-cum and spread it all over my length. He stroked me up and down as I dug my feet into the carpet and moved my hips to the rhythm of his fingers.

He used his other hands to tease my balls. I hissed and held onto the comforter. He suddenly bent over my cock and licked the mushroom tip. "Oh shit."

"Tasty." He winked and joined me on the bed. "I can't wait for you to cum in my mouth. Not now though. Now I need to fuck your brains out like I promised."

He asked for lube and condoms, so I told him where to find them. I always kept a box of sex supplies in every room just in case one of my guests decided to get frisky. There is nothing worse than getting hot and heavy with someone only to discover that you're missing a condom. Nathan opened the box, took out the lube and drizzled quite the amount on his cock and fingers. His long, fat cock was a magnificent thing to behold. It made my mouth water. I licked my lips and watched him pump it in his fist. "Tell me, do you like what you see? Is it up to your royal standards?"

"Oh yes. I give it six stars out of five." I replied, stroking my own cock to relieve the pressure.

He climbed back on top of me and gave me a kiss that took my breath away. Our cocks bumped together as he reached down and probed my ring of muscle. His long fingers worked to stretch me. His hot breath tickled my cheek when he pulled away to stare at my face. His eyes were the color of moss. My gaze traveled to those strained muscles as his fingers moved in and out, hesitantly at first and then with more confidence.

"I wanted to pound you into oblivion the moment I saw you." He whispered in my ear before sucking my lobe into his hot mouth. I moaned when his fingers twisted inside me. He hit that spot that made me curl my toes in pleasure.

"Yes! Fucking hell." I almost screamed. "Just like that, Nathan." I pushed back against his fingers. "Just fuck me already."

He chuckled, his hairless chest brushing against mine. "Brace yourself." He sat back for just a second to put on the condom and added more lube to the mix.

His head flirted with my entrance while I struggled not to cum. His eyes drifted to his cock as it slowly breached me. I felt the sweet pressure that came with that very first push. I groaned as his thick member slid into me inch by inch. Sweat started to form on his body as he finally gave me what I wanted. His hair fell like a curtain around us as he leaned down to kiss me. Our tongues danced erotically as he pulled back and slammed into me all of a sudden.

He must have hit my prostate because the blinding pleasure almost made me bite into his lips. He broke the kiss to stare at me. "Do that again!" I urged him.

He grunted like a sexy caveman and rutted into me. My cock was on the verge of exploding like a volcano. My balls were heavy and hard as diamonds. I snaked a hand between us and stroked it. Nathan suddenly pushed my hand away and took over. His slick fingers on my cock made a world of difference. He worked me in time with his thrusts and until I felt my spine tingle. The sensation was just so overwhelming. All those years of playing the guitar must have made him a pro at giving hand jobs.

"Fuck, Danny. You want me to pound that ass, don't you?"

"Yes go on don't stop!" I cried out.

I could feel my body squeezing his cock as my spine continued to tingle. Every nerve ending in my body was singing hallelujah as Nathan kept up a punishing rhythm.

"Do you want to cum, baby?"

I moaned yes and felt his talented fingers fly over my cock. He did a twisting motion that had my spine push all that tension right out of my body. I grunted and came all over his hand and stomach, shooting jet after jet of hot cum. Nathan released my cock and dug his hands into the mattress as he came inside me. His orgasm face was so erotic.

"Hot damn. That was electric." He fell on the bed next to me, breathless and sated.

He removed the condom and tied it into a knot before tossing it in the trash.

"Nice aim." I panted out, kissing his heaving chest.

We cuddled in bed and chatted about the party. Nathan teased me about my choice of music. I loved listening to Coldplay and Marina and the Diamonds. His idols were Prince, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie. We did, however, watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer growing up. I used to have the hots for Spike, one of the evil vampires on the show.

"You clearly have a thing for bad boys." He snickered.

"Oh, my fascination with bad boys started in boarding school," I revealed. "Everyone was so prim and proper except for this one boy. He refused to wear a uniform and smoked in the bathroom. To me, he was the epitome of rebellion. I admired him for seeking individuality amidst a sea of conformity."

"You're so fucking articulate for someone who just had his brains fucked out of his skull." He grinned. "Were you born this way?"

"Yes. I was born with a pocket dictionary attached to my hip."

He tossed his head back and laughed. "You're too damn cute."

"Well you're not so bad yourself." I traced circled into his sweaty chest.

"Nah. I'm bad to the bone."

"If you say so."

"Trust me. I am." He said. "Give me one hour and I'll show you just how bad I can be."

His sultry voice sent an army of shivers down my spine. "So tell me, did you always want to be a singer?" I asked out of curiosity.

He nodded. "Yeah. Singing has always been the only constant in my life. How about you? Did you always dream of becoming a prince?" His voice was laced with humor.

"Funny you should mention that." I chuckled. "When I was around five or six, I used to watch my father wear his crown during certain occasions. My definition of a prince included dressing up, going to balls and traveling the world. Fortunately, my perspective changed when I turned twelve. I learned that being a royal also meant investing in the future and giving to charity. My father is currently chairing a number of green initiatives. He cares deeply about the environment. I chose to go down a different path and invest in horses and animal welfare."

"You really do love animals, don't you?"

"Yes. Sometimes even more than humans."

"Makes sense." He remarked. "Humans can be total assholes."

"Exactly."

"Not me though. I'm awesome." He teased me

"Yes, you are."

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# Nathan

I WOKE UP TO FIND DANNY nestled against me. Last night was beyond magical. My heart was in a good place. It was warm and fuzzy and that was one hell of a feeling. It caught me off guard and made me want to stay here by his side. Our chemistry was sizzling hot and I wanted to explore it further.

I suddenly sobered up when I realized where we were. Fuck. If anyone walked in and saw us in bed together, everything will go to shit. I crawled out of bed, careful not to wake Danny. Our pillow talk was so much fun but I had to leave. I just had to.

I got dressed as quietly as possible, careful not to wake him. I was putting on my jacket when he rolled over and opened his sleepy eyes. His arm blindly searched for me but came up empty. "Nathan?" He blinked and sat up against the headboard. His confused eyes met mine. "What are you doing? Come back to bed."

I stared longingly at the bed. I really wanted to stay under those covers with his body draped over mine but I knew better. "I need to go."

The disappointment in his eyes made me stop in my tracks. I hated seeing that look on his face.

"Fuck." I walked over to the bed and pulled the sheet off him. His cock was semi-hard and begging for some attention. I crawled on top of his legs and leaned down to taste it for the second time. It was pink and slightly curved. He hissed the second my tongue swirled around the sensitive crown. He swore and gripped the sheet in his fists while I took more of him into my mouth.

I anchored his hips to the mattress and sucked in my cheeks. His cock throbbed in my mouth.

"Shit, Nathan!" He threaded his fingers through my hair as I bobbed my head up and down, licking him like a juicy lollipop. I massaged his balls with my free hand and swallowed him deeper.

He closed his eyes and bit down on his lower lip. Watching the pleasure on his face made my cock stir in my jeans. He really was one hot piece of royal ass.

I moved my lips faster over him, coaxing him to a violent climax. He pulled on my hair and came with a grunt. I swallowed his hot cum before letting him go.

I watched him while he caught his breath. His face was flushed and his ocean blue eyes were still heavy with sleep. I did fuck his brains out last night. "That should hold you until after the wedding," I smirked.

The look on his face was priceless. I kissed him and sucked his bottom lip into my mouth. Fuck. I needed to leave before I gave into temptation. "See you later, prince charming."

I turned around and left the room in a hurry. I had a hard time keeping my hands to myself when I was around him. I hurriedly closed the door and turned around to find Calvin giving me a knowing smirk. "Hey you"

"Hey." I cleared my throat and tried to act casual as I made my way over to him. "You're up early."

"Yeah. I took a dip in the pool and went for a jog." He replied. "So, I take it you finally caved in and fucked Cassie. Good for you."

"No comment." I did not deny nor confirm anything. It was none of his fucking business anyway. Touring with the band for more than two months was a pain in the ass. I had zero privacy and hardly any time to sit and write any new songs. Calvin and Guy were too damn loud and obnoxious at times. Scott and his girlfriend drama drove me crazy. Cassie was always lurking in the shadows, watching me like a hawk. I needed a long ass break from my band mates.

I went to my bedroom with a growling stomach. My Gucci suit was already waiting for me when I got there. I had one of the maids take it downstairs to steam iron the shirt and jacket. We were about to perform at our very first royal wedding, so I wanted to look my best. This gig was definitely good publicity for us. If we made that kind of money on a regular basis, we'd probably quit touring in order to dedicate more time to our next album.

I also wanted to set up a proper studio at my house and buy a pair of Bose speakers. Sound quality is incredibly important. I thought about all the stuff I needed to buy while getting dressed for the wedding. Danny and his generosity just opened a whole new door for us to explore as musicians. Our visit to Raplen was a great way to properly introduce ourselves to the European market.

Prince Danny was also worth exploring. If only my band would leave me alone so I could spend more time with him.

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# Danny

GRANDMOTHER EMMELINE did a fantastic job turning the garden into a pristine wedding venue. She went with a rose gold theme that Lizzie actually loved. They both reached a compromise when it came down to the small details. My cousin wanted glittery tablecloths with simple tulip centerpieces and heart shaped candles. She wanted her guests to enjoy themselves rather than feel intimidated by the decor. I was personally impressed by the outcome of their planning. The palace gardens looked very inviting. Soft chill out music drifted from the speakers while I stood next to Greg, Ruppy, and our cousins. Ruppy was supposed to greet the guests alongside Freddy and aunt Edith. The wedding ceremony was less than ten minutes away but he chose to hang out with us instead of listening to our aunt and her nonstop ranting. She was displeased with the whole ambiance. She said it was not lavish enough. She wanted everything to scream extravagant.

"Freddy, no offense, but your mother is driving us all crazy. She's one big ball of tension. She needs to take a Xanax and leave the servants alone." Ruppy remarked.

My older brother looked extremely uncomfortable. He hated weddings of any kind. Part of his royal duty was to have a wife and provide an heir to the throne. If our father became king, the pressure would mount on him to get married. Our parents were very accepting of us when we all came out of the closet but I'm sure they would love to have a grandchild of their own.

"Well, her only daughter is minutes away from tying the knot so she wants everything to be perfect," I said. "How the hell is she walking in that dress? The fabric looks incredibly heavy."

"Aunt Edith values form over function. She'd rather suffer in silence rather than wear something comfortable and practical." Greg said from beside me. My younger brother was more laid back and blase about weddings. He was also a commitment phobe so he hated it when our family, mainly my grandmother, tried to hook him up with anyone. He loved flying solo, especially during parties and charity events. He valued his independence more than anything.

"Why are we standing here without drinks in our hands?" Cousin Tommy finally opened his mouth. He was the artist in the family and an incredibly creative person. He sold his most recent painting for a large sum of money.

"Good point." I strode over to the swan shaped bar and ordered wine for everyone.

The Moonstones finally arrived to set up their gear. I joined the boys while we watched Nathan walk in his usual confident swag. He was the epitome of eye candy. He wore a designer suit that hugged every inch of his delectable butt. Last night, we finally slept together and it was divine. He knew exactly how to touch me. Being the center of his attention was a heady feeling. It was like being the only one at his concert. The morning blowjob he gave me was still on my mind. I tried to keep a straight face while my eyes followed his every move. He was setting up his microphone and guitar. Those long fingers of his held the instrument so delicately.

Greg, Tommy and I were staring at him unabashedly. He oozed charisma as he walked around the stage, talking to his band mates and tossing back his soft raven hair. How on earth did I manage to seduce a guy like him? My fantasy of sleeping with a bad boy was finally fulfilled. However, I wanted to get to know Nathan better. He was a man of many intriguing layers.

"The lead singer is unbelievably hot." Greg practically said what I was thinking.

"I agree. He definitely oozes charisma on stage." Tommy added. "I wonder what he's hiding under those dress pants."

"Just look at those hands. He's probably packing a monster."

I almost choked on my drink. "Guys. Behave."

"What? We are simply admiring the view." Greg gave me an innocent look. "Besides, you were checking him out just now. Admit it. You have a thing for him too."

They had no idea how bad I wanted to tell them about last night. Greg was easy to talk to about men and relationships. He was a good listener. "Maybe." I shrugged.

Nathan bent over to retrieve something from the floor. Tommy wolf whistled, making the handsome rock star look over his shoulder at us. I pretended to look elsewhere.

"Well, that was embarrassing." I finished the rest of my wine and joined the others in welcoming our guests. Grandmother Emmeline invited a crowd of ambassadors and representatives of neighboring Waverly and Kitson. Drinks and canapes were served on silver trays to the seated guests. Mother and father arrived and sat down in the front row. Of course, father was dressed in his traditional white and red tunic. Our family crest was pinned to his chest as well. Only the Queen's son was obligated to wear such formal garb. I opted for a dark chocolate suit and a dark green tie that reminded me of Nathan's eyes. In an effort to forget about him, I plastered a polite smile on my face and escorted a group of old ladies to their seats.

Mark, the groom, made his entrance along with his parents. He looked adorably nervous.

He walked down the isle in his sharp suit and tie. All eyes were on the American groom and his best man who was also from Florida. He was under a lot of pressure and scrutiny. I offered him a smile of encouragement and stood next to Ruppy.

"What were the three of you giggling about earlier?"

"Nothing really." I shrugged. "So, did Lady Vera start nagging you about marriage or not yet? The old hag loves embarrassing you in front of everyone."

"Not yet." He replied, scanning the crowd with cautious eyes. "Keep a lookout for her though."

"Will do." I responded.

Poor Ruppy. He was constantly bombarded by questions about his singledom. It was painful to watch him give gracious answers to such nosy questions.

"Here comes the bride!" He spoke in a sing-song voice.

Lizzie stood at the top of the stairway that led to the garden in her ethereal wedding down. It was designed by Alexander McQueen who was famous for making Duchess Kate's dress as well. Everyone gasped in awe as she glided down the steps with Freddy by her side. I almost teared up at the sight of her. She looked so beautiful.

We watched her walk down the isle with flower girls sprinkling petals on the golden carpet. Mark smiled from ear to ear as she slowly approached him. He truly loved her. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was going to make a great husband. He was patient, generous and had a kind heart. Lizzie needed someone to balance out her crazy. Her creative spirit was a gift but sometimes she got carried away. Mark was good at anchoring her feet to the ground.

They exchanged their vows in a hurry and urged the high priest of Raplen to marry them off. I guess they were both afraid someone would raise his hand and object to their union. I held my breath as they promised to love, honor and cherish one another.

They finally kissed and everyone started clapping. My jaw hurt from all the smiling. I rushed over to Lizzie and kissed her on the cheek. Our family photographer waited for us to assemble into three long rows with the bride and groom in the middle. Everyone said cheese as he took a family picture to commemorate the occasion. Aunt Edith demanded three more pictures just in case the first one was a bust.

We ushered the guests into the nearby reception area with its rose gold chairs and satin ribbons. The overhead tent was decorated with violet chandeliers and Swarovski crystals. They created a kaleidoscope of colors in the late afternoon sun.

Aunt Edith was huffing and puffing as usual. She was unhappy with the placement of the ice sculptures. I had no idea why she insisted on having them displayed at the wedding. Freddy took her by the arm and escorted her to her seat.

"Mother. Take it easy, will you? The reception looks flawless. There is no need for you to fret over every little detail." He used a gentle voice to calm her down.

She crossed her arms and sat down with a loud huff. "No one appreciates me at all. No one. I spent months planning this wedding with your grandmother. Months! None of the credit was given to me. They were all praising Chef Alfonso for his culinary ideas when I was the one who planned the entire reception menu."

Freddy rolled his eyes. "Contrary to popular belief, everyone here knows about your menu. You sent it to everyone on your Whatsapp list. Pope Francis at the Vatican probably knows about it too."

She glared at him. "Thanks to me, our guests will have a choice between chicken and fish."

"Good. They should also have the freedom to choose between pussy and dick but that's just me." He shrugged.

Aunt Edith snapped her mouth shut. Her face was red as a tomato.

Ruppy almost choked on his drink along with Lady Annabelle who had the misfortune of joining us at our table. Yes. We were one crazy family indeed.

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# Nathan

THAT WAS ONE HELL OF a wedding ceremony. The palace gardens were fucking incredible. They rivaled the gardens at Versailles. I was blown away by the landscape and the large horse statues at the entrance. There were guards everywhere dressed in traditional Raplen clothes. Cassie tried to take selfies with them but they told her they were part of the security detail. There were so many aristocrats and rich folks around us. I also spotted three peacocks wandering around like they owned the place. I went to check on the equipment and set up my shit and noticed Danny standing there out of the corner of my eye. He was hanging out with his cousins and brothers. He looked dapper in his brown suit with his blond hair brushed to the side.

When the bride finally showed up, cameras started flashing and a young woman with a violin started playing this really cool rendition of Coldplay's Yellow. She marched down the aisle in a lace and chiffon dress with her strawberry blond hair flowing like a river behind her. I watched from the stage as the groom held her hand and read out his vows. It was a very touching moment. They were deeply in love with each other.

I heard that she fell in love with him online. Nowadays, that was the norm for some people. I was shocked that she was marrying an American guy from Florida of all places. How the fuck did he manage to capture the heart of a princess so easily? I snuck a glance at Prince Danny. Images of our lovemaking flashed through my mind as I feasted my eyes on his perfectly symmetrical face. He looked like a mannequin from afar.

I noticed a couple of women drooling over him from their seats. There were around five hundred guests in that garden. I was blown away by how organized the wedding was. There was a dark haired woman with too much attitude yelling at the staff earlier. I felt sorry for them. Danny hardly made any eye-contact with me during the ceremony. I knew he was doing what I asked. What happened between us can never see the light. The last thing I needed was for my band mates to ride my ass about being gay. They were already making inappropriate comments about the princes behind their backs.

My decision to keep things on the down low was bothering me for some reason. I sighed and watched as Lizzie kissed her groom. The crowd began cheering and clapping like crazy. They even released a bunch of doves into the air. Danny and his brothers ushered their guests towards the nearby reception tent.

"That was fucking awesome," Cassie exclaimed from beside me. "How dreamy was that scene just now? With the doves and everything? I wish I could snag a prince or two for myself."

Danny helped a couple of old ladies into their seats. I wanted to walk up to him and kiss him in public like a normal human being. I wanted to hold his hand and show him off. That was all I could think about while I watched the party unfold.

Was I trapped in a prison of my own making?

"So, does everyone have a copy of the tracklist?"

"Yup." Scott replied from behind me.

I took a deep breath and fiddled with my guitar. We were about to perform our love song compilation. I had to sing the hell out of those lyrics. Love was in the air and I wanted to give an unforgettable performance for our Raplen audience.

"Nathan, are you alright buddy?" Calvin pulled me out of my thoughts.

I cleared my throat and readjusted my microphone. "Yeah. I was just thinking about drowning you in that lake over there."

"Haha. Very funny." He rolled his eyes at me.

The bride and groom walked around the elegant tent to personally greet their guests. Danny followed at a distance, spreading his boyish charm wherever he went. He made the women giggle and caught the attention of a few men too. I wanted to climb off the stage and tell them to back off.

One of the staff gave us the green light to start our set. Fireworks erupted from behind the stage, drawing the crowd's attention to us. We decided on a slow jam for Lizzie and her groom to dance to. They walked hand in hand to the dance floor and started swaying to the rhythm of our mellow beat.

Balloons and glitter fell from the overhead net while Cassie played her first guitar solo. I adjusted my earpiece and concentrated on the beat. "Congratulations to Lizzie and Mark." I smiled down at the newlyweds. They laughed and waved back at me.

"This first song goes out to you. It's called Love Eternal."

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# Danny

WHEN NATHAN STARTED singing, the whole tent grew quiet. His deep voice was just mesmerizing. Goosebumps ran up and down my spine to the soulful song the band was playing. The lyrics were so romantic. The Moonstones were famous for their more upbeat music but this track was sublime. It featured a guitar solo at the beginning. Nathan had his eyes closed with his long fingers wrapped around his microphone. It took so much effort on my part to avoid staring at him during the ceremony.

My head was in the clouds, fantasizing about spending more time with him. I most definitely had feelings for him, so I had to keep reminding myself that this was casual sex. We were two adults who took part in steamy sexual activities, nothing more. Therefore, I had to keep those pesky feelings in check. Mr. Rock Star was returning to his own world tomorrow and so was I. The annual Jubilee celebration was on the horizon, so I had to train my horses for the occasion. Nathan and I were headed in separate directions. There was no way we could meet in the middle.

I took a deep breath and glanced at my cousin. She was over the moon. I could see the happiness shining from her eyes. The smoke machine enveloped the dance floor in a hazy cloud. More couples joined Lizzie and Mark, prompting me to move out of the way. I kicked a couple of balloons on my way back to the table. The women of the family were gathered around said table gossiping about the American groom. Some of them were offended on our behalf as if Mark was a Martian. The idea of a commoner marrying a royal was considered too avant garde for their taste.

"Daniel. Would you care for a dance, maybe two?" Ophelia, a close relative of mine fluttered her fake lashes at me. She used to be my dance partner when we were younger.

"I would love to." I held out my hand and she took it.

Her tulle dress dragged behind her on the way to the crowded dance floor. Nathan's voice flirted with my ears as we danced to the song. The lyrics were about holding on to your loved one and never letting him go. Ophelia wrapped her arms around my neck and studied my face intently. "So, how is life treating you?"

"Well, I added a beautiful Arabian to my collection of horses. How is your precious Nougat doing? Is he still giving you a hard time when you ride him?"

"No. Not anymore." She replied. "This horse breeding business of yours is making cousin Orion jealous. He wants to become as successful as you are."

"I'm glad to know that the family considers me a success rather than a failure."

"Oh you've set the bar high, Danny."

We chatted until the song came to an end. I walked her back to the table and asked Queen Emmeline to dance with me. My grandmother was an exceptional dancer. I held her gloved hands and wrapped a gentle arm around her waist. She was a petite lady with plenty of attitude so to speak. I wish I were more like her. She inspired me in every way possible.

"You did an excellent job choosing this music group." She smiled. "Could you maybe persuade them to perform at the Jubilee? I would love to have them sing on my birthday. It's not every day that your grandmother turns eighty-two you know."

I chuckled. "This is a wonderful idea. Our guests are enjoying their songs so far."

I was thrilled at the prospect of seeing Nathan again. The jubilee was just two weeks away.

"Indeed they are." She nodded. "No celebration is complete without a group of fine men playing music on the stage." She added. "Speaking of fine men, there is someone I would like you to meet."

She linked her arm through mine and led me to a table at the far end of the reception tent. I spotted a young man with wavy brown hair and grey eyes seated next to a familiar woman. Grandmother Emmeline winked in my direction before greeting said woman. She was an old friend who traveled all the way from Cardova to attend Lizzie's wedding.

"Prince Daniel. How lovely to meet you."

"Likewise." I kissed her hand. She had lovely caramel skin and grey eyes as well.

"This is my son, Prince Zane." She introduced me to her son who seemed a little stuffy. His rodlike posture and cold handshake did not leave a good first impression. He was dressed in his home country's stately attire which looked great on him. I sat down on the empty chair next to his own and engaged him in light conversation. He was also gay and out of the closet. His almond shaped eyes were graced with heavy lashes. I wanted to put mascara on them. He was incredibly easy on the eyes.

We drank wine and talked about food and traveling. He was not so bad once you got to know him. I took a sip from my glass and looked back at my gorgeous rock star. The band took a short break to eat and sign a few autographs. Mr. Rock star was busy pretending to be straight as an arrow. He was shamelessly flirting with the bridesmaids.

There was a voice in the back of my head telling me not to fall for him. I did not need a man who wasn't true to himself. A man who hid behind a fake identity. I already had my heart broken by Peter. I didn't want to make the same mistake again. That was out of the question.

I decided to focus on having fun instead of pining after someone like Nathan. Today was about celebrating Lizzie and eating plenty of desserts. "Would you like to dance?"

"Yes please." He got up and followed me to the dance floor. "This suit is uncomfortable as fuck." He chuckled. "And so is my mother."

"Oh, I think the two of us will get along just fine." I chuckled. "I honestly thought you were a stuck up brat. Your words right now tell me another story."

"I always give that impression. Sorry." He gave me a sheepish smile in return. "Mother keeps telling me to smile more often but I hate showing my teeth."

"Why not? You have a movie star smile." I paid him a compliment he was clearly in need of.

"Thank you. So, are you single, taken or hungry?"

I tossed my head back and laughed. "I'm a combination of single and hungry right now. How about you?"

His smile faded from his lips at my question. "My love life is a tad bit complicated I'm afraid. You see, I'm in love with someone else but my grandmother doesn't approve of our union because he's not a 'blue blood' like us."

"Oh. I'm really sorry to hear that."

Relief washed over me when I discovered that he was head over heels for another man.

"Shit happens." He shrugged. "And by shit, I mean having to abide by outdated rules and family customs. Sweet, humble guys are hard to find these days."

"I completely agree with you. Going fishing in the same pond every single year is so boring. I meet the same snobbish gay royals at every function. They seem to be multiplying exponentially."

"Finally!" He exclaimed. "Someone who actually understands what I've been through."

"Prince Zane. How come we've never met before?" I grinned.

"I have no idea. And please call me Zane."

"Okay, Zane. We're on our way to becoming good friends, aren't we?"

"Gosh, I hope so. I could use a good friend right now."

"Me too."

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# Nathan

I SAT DOWN AT THE BAR and watched Danny dance another set with the handsome young man. They were laughing and chatting like two peas in a fucking pod. Yeah I was jealous as hell. How could he brush me under the rug so damn easily? How could he forget the way we pleasured each other last night? I glared at my scotch and spun the glass around on the counter. Fairy lights glowed above the bar as I finished my drink and ordered another one.

A tall woman in a long midnight blue dress sidled up to me. She was the same lady who was barking orders at the staff earlier. She ordered a glass of wine for herself and sat down next to me. I could feel her eyes on me while I drank my second glass of scotch.

"You're not so bad for an American band." She told me.

"Thanks, I guess."

She took a sip from her glass and cleared her throat. "I don't fault you for drinking around all this abomination. This is one gay circus, not a proper wedding."

I stiffened at her words. She rubbed me the wrong way. She was so fucking judgmental. "Anyone should be free to be with whomever they want"

She raised an offended eyebrow before turning to look at Danny who was having the time of his life with the other prince. "Daniel sure looks like he wants something. What a waste of a man." She said in a voice rich with disapproval.

I tightened my grip around the glass. People like her were the reason I decided to stay gay behind closed doors. I was fucking sick and tired of being labeled a certain way. Tabloids and magazines already spread false rumors about me. I didn't want to give them more shit to talk about. The world was filled with judgmental assholes. This woman was a prime example of why I kept my private shit to myself.

The bride flashed me a smile as she got up with a microphone in her hand. She was actually a very decent and humble woman for a princess. She waved her floral bouquet in the air and invited all the single ladies to gather around for the traditional bouquet toss.

"Danny! You too." She giggled.

Prince charming shook his head no. He looked embarrassed as fuck. Those high cheekbones of his were too damn irresistible.

"Come over here, Danny boy. I insist."

"Fine. Just this once." He chuckled and joined the group of women who were patiently waiting for Lizzie to toss the bouquet. She turned around and counted to three before tossing it over her shoulder. I smiled when I saw Danny reaching upwards to catch it. I wished I could be just as bold as he was. He didn't give a shit about what other people thought of him.

The flying bouquet landed in his arms. Lizzie turned around and laughed when she saw him. He walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Looks like my favorite cousin is getting married soon!" She gushed.

He pinched her freckled cheek and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Sorry ladies. I stole all of your luck tonight." He apologized to the disappointed women.

Lizzie sat down and stretched out her left leg. It was time for the groom to find her garter. He invited all the single men to gather around him as he crouched down and reached under the bride's dress. "You do know what a garter looks like, right?" She giggled as he went fishing under the puffy fabric of her skirt.

"Yeah. You showed it to me last night, remember?"

He tugged it down her leg before raising it in the air like a prize he just won. "Are you guys ready for the garter toss?" He got up and turned around. His friends gathered behind him and were joined by Scott, Calvin, and Guy. They called me over, forcing me to take part in that weird tradition. Why would anyone throw a piece of underwear during a wedding? Why the fuck was a garter considered a good luck charm anyway? It was just a piece of fabric they used a long time ago to keep stockings from slipping.

Mark tossed the damn thing in the air. It flew in my direction before hitting me square in the head. I automatically reached upwards and caught it with my hand.

Fuck.

Lizzie clapped her hands and announced that I had to dance with Nathan. "This is our tradition around here. Whoever catches the bouquet must dance with the garter guy." She explained.

I was stunned. Shit like that never happened to me at weddings.

"This is completely up to you, Nathan." She reassured me. "If you don't feel confident enough to dance with Danny, then feel free to give the garter to someone else."

"So, what exactly is the dance for?" I asked, trying to sound casual about the whole thing.

"It's an old Raplen matchmaking tradition I guess." She replied. "It's meant to cast a love spell on the bouquet and garter couple. You can simply do it to honor this tradition and make one of your fans incredibly happy. I'm pretty sure Danny won't mind dancing with you."

I glanced at her cousin who was busy handing out roses to the single ladies who failed to catch the bouquet. "I don't mind dancing with him either."

She grinned and called him over. He handed her the flowers and gave me a polite smile. "Shall we?" He reached out and took my hand. It felt odd to have a guy hold my hand in public. I tried to go with the flow and ignore the awkwardness of the situation. The Raplen crowd barely looked at us as we made our way to the dance floor. I guess they were used to same-sex couples, unlike my band mates over there. Scott and Calvin were snickering and pretending to gag. I needed to have another conversation with those two about respecting our hosts. Danny and his family were incredibly gracious and hospitable. They didn't deserve this fucking homophobic circus I brought along with me.

"Having fun?" Danny's baritone voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I cleared my throat and nodded. "Yeah. This is the fanciest wedding I've ever been to."

"By the way, my grandmother was very impressed with your performance. She wants you to perform at our annual Jubilee celebration."

"Wow. Holy shit. Really?" I stared deep into his ocean blue eyes. He was serious. Dead serious.

"Yes." He nodded. "The celebration is in two weeks."

We danced at an acceptable distance while I contemplated his offer. "I'll have to discuss this with my manager first. We don't have any more tour dates so we should be free by then."

"Good. I'm pleased to hear that." His fingers flirted with my waist.

I licked my lips and drowned in his ocean blue eyes. The soft piano ballad faded in the background along with everybody else while we swayed to our very own rhythm. He was incredibly hard to read but I could tell that he was still attracted to me.

"Can I see you later?" I whispered.

He stiffened at my question. "It's not wise of us to meet in secret anymore. Sorry."

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# Danny

I LAY AWAKE IN BED, unable to sleep. I thought about Lizzie who was probably having wild honeymoon sex by now. We drove her to the cruise ship hours ago. The wedding was an overall success. The guests enjoyed The Moonstones and their alternative music. Raplen was famous for pageantry, garden parties, and horse racing but it was not on the map when it came to music. There were very few artists who could have filled Nathan's shoes. None of them had his charisma though. None of them drove me crazy with need and lust the way he did. My heart skipped a beat when he accidentally caught Lizzie's garter. The stunned expression on his face was priceless. I was surprised that he agreed to dance with me. He kept his distance all night and chose to sit at the bar instead of joining his fellow band mates.

Dancing with him was hard because all I wanted was to hold him close and kiss him. I could be having wild monkey sex by now but I chose to stick to my guns. Why? Because I was a stubborn buffoon. Why couldn't I be having a wedding fling of my own? Why did I always have to do things by the book? I tossed and turned on the mattress for a while before throwing back the covers and getting out of bed. I quickly tied my night robe around my waist and decided to slink into Nathan's room. Grandmother Emmeline always advised me to seize the moment, so I threw caution to the wind and marched to the door.

I suddenly heard a light knock on the door so I quickly opened it.

Holy shit. "Nathan?"

"Hey." Mr. Rock Star walked right in and closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing here?" I stuttered, losing my cool for a second. I already knew the answer to my question. I felt the familiar butterflies in my stomach when he ran those long fingers through his dark locks.

"I know you told me to stay away but I fucking can't." He said. His moss green eyes traveled up and down my body. He closed the distance between us and licked his lips enticingly.

"Nathan. You can't say such hot things to me." I gasped when he inched closer and untied my robe. His breath was hot on my face as he leaned in and laid a tempting kiss on my lips.

Every little thought in my head flew out the window the second he cupped my face and seduced me with his tongue.

I threaded my fingers through his hair and kissed him back with equal passion. He oozed lust and sex as he kissed me hungrily. His hands attacked my robe, pulling it past my shoulders. My hands went to work as well, ridding him of his shirt. His muscles flexed under my touch as I pinched his nipples and caressed his hard abdomen. We fell on top of my bed like two intertwined pretzels. Nathan climbed on top of me and showered my neck with kisses. His hot tongue licked my collarbone before helping me out of my shirt. He kissed a hot trail down my stomach. My cock instantly reacted to his maddening touch.

"You naughty prince. Are you hard for me already?" He smirked against my navel.

"Less talking, more touching please." I panted. My body was aroused beyond reason. He hovered above my crotch and teased my cock over the fabric.

He tugged my pants down my legs and took my cock into his wet, sinful mouth. I tossed my head back and moaned. He swirled his tongue around the head before pulling back. "Oh shit. Why did you stop?"

He gave me a wicked smile in return and removed his loose cotton slacks. His cock bobbed in the air like a tasty, delicious jumbo sausage. I tried not to drool but failed miserably.

"I want to feel your mouth on me." He massaged my thighs before straddling me in reverse. His cock flirted with my lips. A drop of pre-cum fell onto my fingers as I stroked him up and down before taking him into my mouth. He groaned and wrapped his fingers around my hard member. Pleasure coursed through my veins and formed a growing knot in my belly as he licked and sucked at the mushroom head. I mimicked his movements, concentrating on his crown. His tongue was suddenly on my balls, kissing and sucking on them before his fingers joined the action. I raised my head and took more of him into my mouth.

He moved his lips faster and faster while teasing my puckered hole with his thumb. I moaned around his fat cock and almost came from the sheer ecstasy. Fudge me. That was the hottest thing I had ever done.

I cried out the second he deep-throated me. The sensation was overwhelming. His cock slid out of my mouth as I came hard and filled his greedy throat with my cum. He swallowed every single drop while I lazily moved my hand over him.

Nathan spun around to face me and bent down to give me a cum-flavored kiss. I tasted myself on his tongue. It was fifty shades of erotic. He pulled away to grab the lube and condoms from my bedside table. I feasted my eyes on his body as he put on the condom and drizzled his magnificent cock with lube. "You give head like an Olympic champion." I gushed.

He chuckled and kissed my chest. "You're too fucking cute for your own good."

We kissed like a couple of horny teens before he stretched me with his talented fingers.

I was lost in a big fluffy cloud of pleasure while he moved his fingers in and out of me. He hit all the right places and had me begging for him by the time he was done. He watched my face intently when he entered me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and encouraged him to go deeper. His eyes rolled back into his head as I lifted my hips to take more of him inside me.

"Fuck. Do you want me to blow my load already?"

He stopped moving for a few seconds, his body hovering over mine. I loved the way his hair fell around us like a soft curtain. I inhaled his familiar woodsy scent and felt his cock throb inside me. "Blow whatever you want. I'm here for it."

He pulled out before pushing back in with a rough grunt. His dark green eyes were almost black in the dim light of my bedroom. His clenching abdomen rubbed against mine as he quickened his pace. I felt a familiar tingle dance along my spine as his hips moved in illegal ways. He should be arrested for having a weapon of mass destruction. He pounded me with his cock, rubbing against my prostate with every stroke. I moved my hips to draw out the pleasure but I could already feel myself cumming. My hard cock erupted for the second time that night. It bathed our bodies in the sticky fluid.

"Fuck." Nathan closed his eyes and drove his cock in and out of me at breakneck speed.

I tightened my muscles around him and felt him cum inside me. His hands fisted the sheets as he shuddered and emptied himself inside the condom. "Fuck yes! Shit, Danny." He cried out.

He melted like butter on top of me, his hot breath teasing the sparse hairs on my chest. I took a minute to catch my breath and wiped the sweat from my brow. "Wow. That was even better than last time."

"You bet it was. Everything is better the second time." He rolled onto his back and draped his arm over my torso.

"They also say third time's the charm, so..." My voice trailed off when I saw the sultry look in his eyes. "We can go for round three if you want."

He nodded. "Just give me an hour and I will rock your world."

His stomach grumbled all of a sudden. "Hungry?"

"Starving actually." He replied.

I climbed out of bed and got dressed real quick. "I will be right back."

I tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen and made him a turkey sandwich. I also managed to steal the leftover chocolate cake from Lizzie's wedding. I placed everything on a tray and carried it upstairs. Nathan sat up against the headboard when he saw me. His sex hair looked really good on him.

"Holy shit. Is that the divine cake they served at the wedding?"

"Yes."

I watched him wolf down the sandwich in seconds. He really was famished. We then shared the chocolate cake. It really was delicious. It was unlike anything I have ever tasted. Lizzie brought in a famous chef from Paris to make her wedding cake. It was the only thing she wanted to splurge on. She believed that food could make or break a wedding.

"Jesus. This is unbelievably good." Nathan moaned in sheer delight. "This right here is the very definition of food porn."

"My cousin is exceptionally picky when it comes to cakes in general. She had a hard time choosing a pastry chef. She interviewed more than twenty applicants."

Nathan nodded and took another bite of the scrumptious cake. "Speaking of weddings, do you ever picture yourself walking down the royal aisle?"

"No. Not really." I scratched my neck. "At least not at the moment. Besides, one must never steal cousin Lizzie's thunder. She needs to be the only newlywed in this family for at least a year. She needs to have her moment in the spotlight."

He licked the fork and studied my face with those curious catlike eyes of his. "And would you go for a prince or a commoner? Because I saw a ton of thirsty men eye fucking you today."

"Really? When?"

"While I was on-stage of course. I had a birds-eye view of the whole tent." He replied. "So?" He prodded. "Would you choose between a prince or an average Joe?"

"Uhm. That is one tough question."

"Oh come on. I'm pretty sure you've thought about it."

"Yes. It definitely crossed my mind." I admitted. "Marrying a prince has its perks. We would probably bond over our mutual dislike for formalities and shallow parties. I dated my fair share of princes but none of them really clicked with me. I've also entertained the idea of marrying an average Joe. Just an ordinary man with no title."

"I sense a -but- somewhere in that sentence." He remarked.

"Yeah. There's always a but when it comes to relationships." I sighed. "Not everyone has pure intentions when it comes to dating me. Some men are more interested in the glitz and glamor. They get addicted to the cameras and the free publicity they receive. I once dated a guy who used me to become famous on Instagram. He now has more than one million followers."

"Shit. That's fucking terrible."

He was right. It was terrible. Men used me to climb up the social ladder. I was paranoid for a while because of it. I was clueless when it came to differentiating between opportunistic bastards and genuinely nice guys. Guys who were only interested in me as a person. Time was the best teacher. It showed me the difference between liars and honest people.

"How about you? You must have gone through the same experience as a celebrity."

He set his fork down and gave me a look that said it all. "Yeah. Big time." He combed his fingers through his hair. "Everyone thinks we live this wild rock and roll lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, that was the case for two years. When you see fans screaming your name and calling you a rock god, it does get to your head. It makes you feel invincible. You get cocky and take shit for granted. We were surrounded by a fuckload of people who took advantage of our talent and fame. Our very first manager took off with all of our cash and ditched us in the middle of the desert. A close friend of mine once stole a guitar I bought at an auction. It cost me sixty grand. So yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about. There is a price for fame. No kidding."

"Yes indeed."

Nathan pushed the tray aside and gave me a sweet kiss on the lips.

"I think we are ready for round three."

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# Nathan

HE WAS RIGHT. SEX WITH Prince Charming was better than last time. Our connection was even stronger this time around. Danny was such a gentleman. He wiped me clean and took care of the condom. He also snuck down to the kitchen and brought us a large piece of leftover chocolate cake to share. We ate the dessert and cuddled in bed like we'd been doing it for months. It was a strange feeling and an overwhelming one too. Tears pricked my eyes all of a sudden. I tried to hide them from Danny but it was too damn late. He already saw them. Fuck.

"Hey. Why the tears?" He wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders and kissed my forehead. "When I said it was better the second time, I did not mean that the first time we had sex was bad. On the contrary, it was mindblowing."

"No. Sorry. I just..." My voice trailed off as I struggled to explain my emotions. "I've never experienced something so beautiful before. You and I are so fucking different yet we somehow fit together. We click. It's.. It's just very confusing to me."

"I feel the same way," Danny admitted. "There are so many questions I wanted to ask you. So many things I would like to know about you."

"Like what?" I cleared my throat. He seemed hesitant. I raised an eyebrow and encouraged him to speak up. He opened his mouth and closed it. Again.

"Come on. Speak your mind. I promise I'll try to answer."

"Well, there is a question that's been plaguing my mind for ages. What's stopping you from coming out?" He asked while twiddling his hair. I normally found this habit to be so fucking annoying but it had the opposite effect on me when Danny did it.

I folded a tissue paper in half and dug deep inside my conscience for a reason. There were so many that I eventually lost count. "Growing up, I was bullied big time for simply being myself. I grew up without any parents, so I spent a large chunk of my childhood in the system. Everywhere I went, kids were fucking mean to me and I'll never understand why. I had trouble getting close to anyone because of that. It basically ruined my relationship with people. I had a hard time trusting anyone. I also got into a shit ton of trouble for standing up to myself."

"Oh Nathan. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that." Daniel rubbed my arm affectionately.

"Yeah. It was tough." I shrugged. "My foster family was poor so I used to work a few odd jobs here and there. I worked at a record store for a while until I graduated high school. Singing was my only form of expression, so I hung out in karaoke bars and started singing in birthdays and jazz clubs. It was a shitty decade. A very shitty decade for me."

"And how did you end up becoming the lead singer of The Moonstones?"

I folded and unfolded the paper in my hand while I spoke. "Joining the band was pure coincidence. I ran into Theo, our bassist, and the rest like they say was history. He told me about his band and how they've been searching the country for a unique voice. Fast forward a few months later and we're performing at a large venue in Chicago. I made enough money to support my family for a whole year after that. Joining the band changed my life for the better. And to answer your question, I'm terrified that If I come out, I'll be putting both my career and my family at risk. I might even lose a huge chunk of my fans. I can't do this to them. It's out of the question."

"I see." Danny looked thoughtful as he digested my words.

"Yeah. So this is the story of my life in a nutshell."

"None of this stuff is in your online bio by the way." He remarked.

"Yeah. You'll mostly find rumors and fake shit about me on the internet." I traced lazy patterns on his chest. "Listen, Danny, I would very much like to see you again."

He sighed and sat up straight against the headboard. "Me too, but you're clearly not ready for any of this Nathan. I can't be with someone who wants to stay hidden deep in the closet. I saw you flirting with those bridesmaids today."

Ouch. So he did see that. "Oh."

"Yes. This did not go unnoticed by me." He revealed. "Sure, you and I have a strong connection, but I need more from a guy than you can afford right now." He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Are you saying this out of experience?"

He nodded. "Last year, I met a man called Peter while I was in the States with Lizzie. We had great chemistry and ended up dating for quite some time. He also did not want to come out of the closet. I tried to convince him to change his mind but he was set in his ways. He was afraid of how his friends and family would react when they found out. Of course, I stubbornly tried to make things work between us, but he eventually decided to get married to a woman."

"Oh shit."

"Yes. It was one of those -oh shit- moments for sure. His decision slapped me in the face. Hard."

"Damn. That must've been terrible."

"Oh, you have no idea." He rubbed his face. "So let's enjoy this moment for what it is without making a big fuss out of it. We both enjoy each other's company, so let's keep things light and fluffy."

"Sure. You're right." I got out of bed knowing he had a point. He had every right to be cautious after what happened to him. I would have done the same thing if the shoe was on the other foot.

And I know I should've felt relieved he wanted to keep things simple. I should've been glad.

But I wasn't.

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# Nathan

I WOKE UP, BREATHLESS and terrified. I had a horrible nightmare about being bullied as a gay teen in high school. That was always my greatest fear. I was dropped from my high school football team when the couch discovered I was gay. Apparently, somebody made up a story about how I groped him in the shower. My deepest, darkest fears manifested in my dreams. I hated how they made me feel. I sat up against the headboard and rubbed my tired face. My nightmare didn't stop there. I also dreamed that I was famous and on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The fans worshiped me and followed my every move. I was fucking famous with a capital F. It felt so good to be on top of the world. My ambition in life was to become inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Our reputation was golden so I knew we'd make it to Cleveland someday.

We were on our way to Australia when the band and I received a bunch of messages and alerts. People magazine and US Weekly featured me on the cover with the word -gay- written in big bold letters. The bastards outed me. My phone buzzed with calls and messages. A shit storm was unfolding around me. A huge chunk of my fans walked away from me. It was a nightmare within a nightmare.

My band mates and I had a blowout over the whole gay thing. We canceled our Australian tour and headed back home. Our record sales dropped and we broke up and went our separate ways. All because of one word. My nightmare felt so real to the point where I woke up feeling angry and disappointed. I ran my fingers through my tousled hair and checked my watch. It was ten in the morning. Today was our final day in Raplen. I climbed out of bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom. Talking to Danny about my childhood last night must have opened the door for those terrible dreams. I stripped out of my boxers and entered the shower stall. No one understood the struggle I went through in order to get here. No one.

I took a quick shower and packed the rest of my stuff. There were a couple of Polaroid pictures on the coffee table. I picked them up and searched for Danny. They were part of the souvenir package they gave us last night. It featured an expensive bottle of wine, a mini Polaroid camera and a rose gold photo frame with Lizzie and Mark holding up a thank you note. I took the picture with Prince Charming in it and stuffed it inside my pocket. Opening up to him last night was so damn easy. If only things between us were that simple.

I finished packing and went downstairs. The smell of eggs and bacon drifted from the kitchen. I walked in to find my band mates gathered around a great breakfast spread. There were omelets, pancakes, fresh bread and leftover cake in the middle of it all. Danny stood by the stove with a yellow apron wrapped around his waist. He looked so fucking sexy. My nightmare flew out the window the moment I saw him. He flashed Cassie a smile and poured steaming coffee into her mug. I imagined him in nothing but that flimsy apron and my cock was totally into that. If no one was around, I would have bent him over that table and fucked his brains out.

"Good morning." I greeted everyone before sitting next to Theo.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty." He snickered. "You almost missed out on all of this delicious food. You should try Raplen's take on cinnamon rolls. They're fucking delicious."

"Coffee?" Danny casually offered. I nodded and raised my empty cup for him to fill. "I would like to apologize in advance because I'll be unable to take you to the airport. One of the royal servants from Lockridge palace will pick you up instead."

He refused to meet my eyes while he spoke. I watched him sit down at the head of the table and chat with Cassie. He was blowing hot and cold but I had no right to complain. I was the one who insisted on keeping things in the dark, not him. Theo gushed about the wedding and the breakfast some more. None of us were used to eating such fresh, homemade food.

Danny cleared his throat. "I would like to thank you all for coming. You made Lizzie's wedding all the more special. She called me this morning and made me promise to send you her warmest regards." He glanced around the table but those ocean blue eyes avoided me like the plague. "I would also like to remind you that the invitation is still open for the Jubilee. Queen Emmeline is looking forward to your answer."

Danny finished his orange juice before excusing himself to check on his horses. He said goodbye real quick and left in a hurry. Did he seriously leave without acknowledging me? I frowned and filled up my plate with food.

"I would gladly turn queer for Prince Danny." Theo joked. "Just as long as he cooks for me on the regular." He added.

I shoveled eggs into my mouth while I listened to them make funny jokes about him. They were unbelievably obtuse. I quickly finished my breakfast and stormed out of the kitchen.

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# Nathan

I MARCHED TOWARDS THE stables like a man on a fucking mission. Danny was in there shoving bale into a horse's stall. He had his shirt off and sweat was glistening on his back. His muscles rippled while I stood there staring at his delectable ass. Fuck. I was going to miss him like hell. The play of muscles while he worked hit me straight in the gut. I cleared my throat and leaned against the door to the stall. "I know exactly what you're doing."

He turned around to face me, his perfect blond hair falling into his eyes. "Please do enlighten me then." He responded in an irritated tone.

"You don't want to take us to the airport so you could avoid me. Admit it."

He shrugged. "I'm just making things easier for the both of us."

I entered the stall with a frown on my face. "Easier for whom exactly?" I scoffed. "Because it sure as hell not easy, seeing you standing there all sweaty and shirtless and not being able to fucking take you."

He dropped his shovel and closed the distance between us in three short strides. He made the first move by grabbing me and pulling me into the nearest stall. His smooth fingers were warm and sweaty as he pushed me up against the wall and kissed me. I took advantage of our position to squeeze and knead those flexing biceps of his. The Arabian horse we made out next to started neighing and moving around so Danny pulled away and led me to an empty stall. He was on me like white on rice. My heart raced as he took charge, pulling my shirt over my head and kissing my chest. His fingers unbuckled my belt while he crouched down and palmed my aching cock. "Fuck." I bit out, pushing my thumb into his mouth. He sucked it like a pro while I watched him tug my pants and boxers down my legs.

I hissed when he wrapped those porcelain fingers around my shaft. He gathered the pre-cum from the tip before stroking me up and down. I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes. He toyed with my balls and kissed my navel while he worked my cock. He suddenly stopped and rose to his full height. His eyes were filled with lust and something else. I pulled him in for another kiss, parting those soft lips with my tongue. He ground his cock against my own and deepened the kiss. We tongue fucked each other for what felt like forever until we were both out of breath. I wanted to bottle up his taste and take it with me. He unzipped his jeans and turned me around to face the wall. He kissed the back of my neck and sucked the sensitive skin into his mouth. I moaned and scratched at the wall while he kissed a hot trail down my spine. I shuddered and closed my eyes. I could hear his heavy breathing as he spread my legs apart and kneaded my ass cheeks. "I like the view from down here." He playfully bit my exposed skin.

I was too turned on to reply. The anticipation was building like a hurricane inside me. I wanted him to fuck me already. What the hell was he waiting for? I heard him open a condom wrapper and drizzling what felt like lube all over my ass.

"Fuck. Do you keep lube in the stables too?" I asked, half turned on and half amused.

"Nah. I had a feeling you were going to ambush me today so I bought a small bottle with me."

"No way."

"Yes way." He chuckled. It was a deep, throaty sound that made my cock throb even more. I reached down to ease the tension while he teased my opening with his lubed up fingers. There was something incredibly primal about doing it in a horse stall.

"Come on cowboy. What are you waiting for?" I bent over a bit more and glanced over my shoulder at him. He frowned in concentration while he fucked my ass with his royal fingers. They rubbed against my prostate and I almost came on the spot.

Danny grabbed my hips and replaced his fingers with his cock. He was such a sneaky prince. How did he know that I was going to come looking for him after breakfast? He must have wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

"How bad do you want my cock? Huh?"

Oh. So he did talk dirty after all. "Danny I want you balls deep in me." I panted. "Right. Fucking. Now."

"Not until you give me an answer, baby." He kissed my shoulder and teased my opening with the head of his cock. I groaned and tried to think of an answer real quick.

"I want it BAD with a capital B, alright?" I moaned and groaned. He was driving me insane.

His right hand was suddenly on my cock, coating it in lube before stroking my shaft like a pro. His cock finally breached me little by little. I breathed in and out, trying to keep a lid on my pleasure. I wanted to draw this out as much as possible.

"Good answer." Danny whispered. He was balls deep inside me. I pressed my forehead against the wall and felt his fingers in my hair. They combed through the damp strands, sending more tingles down my spine.

Fuck me. I glanced down to watch his fingers glide over my cock. My brain was in shutdown mode as I surrendered to the multiple sensations taking over my body. Danny's hot breath washed over my neck as he moved in and out of me. He started out slow, moving his hips in ways that had me moaning and groaning like a horny caveman.

I could feel the pleasure mounting with every thrust. His sweaty palm closed over my shoulder, pushing me down on his cock with every upward thrust. I used the wall to push my hips back and take more of him inside me. He moaned my name and quickened his pace. His fingers flew over my cock until I came all over his hand. My cum coated the wall as I closed my eyes from the intense pleasure. "Fuck, Danny!"

He pressed his sweaty chest against my back and drove in and out of me harder and faster. He fucked me like there was no tomorrow. The sound of our flesh slapping echoed loudly in the spacious stall. I struggled to remain upright as he nailed me like a strong, sexy hammer. His passionate grunts filled my ear. They added fuel to the fucking fire. I urged him to pound me harder until he finally came. His grip tightened around my hips as he held me there. His lips brushed against my skin, making me shudder. "God. Baby you're so tight.

His flaccid cock slid out of me as I struggled to breathe. My knees could use a little break. They were wobbly as hell. I sank down to the floor and watched him get rid of the condom. He pulled on his jeans and helped me up like the gentleman he was.

I quickly got dressed and combed my fingers through my hair. Hot damn. He fucked me good. His heated gaze betrayed his gentlemanly behavior. I cleared my throat and put on my leather loafers. "Danny I want you to consider coming to one of my shows."

"Nathan..." He started to say but I cut him off by holding his hands.

"Please. Just promise me you'll think about it. I can send you a backstage pass to any of my shows."

"I'll think about it." He replied.

I had a feeling that he wasn't really going to think about it. He only said that to appease me. I searched his face for clues but he was already in polite prince mode. There must be something he wasn't saying or doing but I was still in an orgasmic haze to think straight.

"Okay. Fair enough. Goodbye for now." I nodded and walked away.

My fellow Moonstones were already at the front gates by the time I carried my stuff to the foyer. I joined them, grateful for the distraction. I needed to get my shit together before I did something crazy, like fall in love with an untouchable prince.

"Bye, Raplen. It was good while it lasted."

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# Danny

TIME FLEW BY REAL QUICK. We were two days away from the Jubilee. Raplen and its people loved my grandmother so they were already in celebration mode. Our red and white national flag hung from every street and every corner. Colorful fairy lights adorned the buildings and trees. It was my favorite time of year. It was even better than Christmas. Everyone was in a festive mood but I was focused on getting my favorite Arabian horse ready for the Jubilee. Xena was a beautiful race horse with a silver coat and shiny white tresses. She was a very unique mare with a powerful personality. I was the only one allowed to ride her. We took part in the annual race every year. I was determined to win this time. I loved showing Xena off to everyone. She was trained by the best horse trainer in Europe.

My schedule for the past week was full. I was responsible for arranging the palace flowers. My dear grandmother fired the florist who was responsible for this task. She said he was too obnoxious and did not adhere to her taste. He brought daffodils instead of tulips so I had to go buy a thousand red and white tulips on short notice. It took forever to arrange them. By the time I was done, UFOs invaded the earth and aliens took over. I promised myself to never volunteer to do anything for my darling grandmother right before the Jubilee. Her obsession with turning the palace into a tulip shrine every year was odd. It most probably had something to do with her childhood. She did have an overbearing mother after all.

After training Xena and feeding her a balanced meal for the day, I headed back to my lovely home. It was so calm and quiet without The Moonstones. The group was still undecided about performing at the Jubilee. I expected them to say yes right away but their manager seemed reluctant the last time we spoke on the phone.

I went straight to my bedroom and changed into my custom made suit and Burberry tie. Prince Asher and his family were back in Raplen in order to attend the celebrations. Queen Emmeline invited them over earlier than everybody else. The prince and I formed quite the friendship. He was funny and hopelessly in love with a commoner. We stayed in touch over the phone so I was looking forward to dining with him tonight.

Lockridge Palace was bustling with people when I got there. The royal dinner was a state affair so the media was covering the event. I stepped onto the red carpet and smiled at the army of photographers. They stood at a respectful distance and blinded me with their flashing lights. The palace security guards also hovered in the background just in case.

I ran into a couple of ambassadors on the carpet. Everyone was dressed to impress. The marble horse statues lining the stairs were decorated with luminescent orbs that glowed on and off. The orbs changed colors every few seconds. Guests were taking Selfies in front of the statues and the grand unicorn fountain at the entrance. It was a gift from the Medici family who governed Florence in the fifteenth century. The palace was filled with ancient gifts from different countries and decades. The state rooms resembled the interior of a museum. I used to spend hours in there as a child. These rooms were open to the public during the Jubilee.

The emerald ballroom played host to the state dinner. It was one of my favorite rooms. The dome shaped ceiling was decorated with a million buttercup seashells. Their golden hue complemented the mint green walls perfectly. I spotted my family at their usual dining table and greeted them with a smile. Prince Asher and his parents were also seated at the table. It was becoming more and more evident that our respective families were pushing us together. I smoothed down my tie and activated my charming powers. The prince's mother blushed when I kissed her hand. Ruppy and Greg rolled their eyes at me when I sat beside them.

"Brother, why do you insist on making us look bad?" Ruppy remarked with a grin.

"Yeah. You have a strange effect on men and women." Greg chimed in. "What is it about you that makes everyone blush and giggle?"

I leaned back in my chair and smiled. "What can I say? I was born with a charming spoon in my mouth. A very big, sparkly one at that."

"Show off." Greg reached under the table and pinched my knee.

"Shut it." I chuckled before turning my attention to Prince Asher. He was dressed in a charcoal suit this time. The fabric hugged him in all the right places. I noticed his family's personal photographer lurking behind the table. He was trying to capture a photo of the two of us.

"Hey you. Long time no see."

"Likewise." He flashed me a brilliant smile. "How is Xena. Is she ready for the race you told me about? I saw her photos on Instagram and she looks like a spoiled princess."

"Well, she's doing great. I personally fed her a generous snack right before coming."

He leaned in close, his grey eyes darting to the side. "My family is keen on you. They want us to get together as soon as humanly possible."

"Oh dear." I sighed. "No wonder they invited you here early."

"Exactly." He nodded. "They want us to bone like rabbits."

I covered my mouth to muffle my loud laughter. "Jiminy Cricket! And here I thought my grandmother was the meddlesome one."

"They're both conspiring against us." He whispered.

"Would you like to carry this conversation elsewhere? I feel like everyone is staring at us."

"Yes please." He nodded.

I escorted him out onto the balcony where it was somewhat calm and out of earshot. "My mother was talking about you nonstop on the way here." He filled me in. "Marrying me off to a prince from Raplen is high on her Asher list. Yes, she has a list of things she wants me to do. This includes seducing you into marrying me."

"Dear God. That must be awful."

"It is." He sighed, resting his elbows on the railing. The view from up here was magnificent. The palace was on a small hill overlooking the glamorous suburbs of Raplen.

"Tell me, how is your secret relationship with that young man you told me about?"

"Bad." He admitted. "The strain of my family's disapproval has pretty much ruined everything."

"Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear that Asher." I stood next to him and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

I suddenly noticed someone spying on us from one of the windows. It was none other than Aunt Edith. She stared unabashedly at me with a sour look on her face. Asher noticed our staring contest and frowned. "Now she's one old meddlesome woman."

"She's the worst of them all. Trust me." I told him. "Her chair is about to tip over. Just look how hard she's craning her neck to glare at us."

"She really is a piece of work. Why don't we make her fall out of that chair?" He suggested with an evil smirk. "That'll teach her to mind her own business for a change."

Asher and I moved our heads in the same direction at the exact same time and accidentally bumped our foreheads together. "Ouch!"

A camera suddenly flashed in the distance. Our eyes met and we both started laughing like a pair of drunken fools. "What the hell just happened?"

"I think Aunt Edith made us head butt each other with her mind."

"Danny, no offense but your skull must be made of titanium because my head hurts like a bitch."

"Sorry about that." I gave him a sheepish smile. "Let me get you a drink at that jazz bar you like. After dinner of course so my parents don't kill me."

"Sounds like a plan." He continued to rub his forehead as we headed back inside.

Both our mothers had the same mischievous smiles on their faces when we got there. I rolled my eyes and pretended not to notice their conspiratorial glances while we ate our dinner. Queen Emmeline made a small speech to thank her guests for coming. She gave me a wink before going back to her seat. It seemed like everybody was rooting for us. They had no idea that Prince Asher and I were nothing but friends. We had some good chemistry but it was on a platonic level. It was fun to keep them guessing though.

The Jubilee dinner was a boring affair. The only highlight was the food. The palace kitchen was famous for cooking up a storm during these events. Each plate was a work of art. Greg and I pretended to be food critics and rated each dish just to amuse ourselves. We drove Aunt Edith crazy by suggesting we take part in our very own version of The Bachelor. It would feature gay men from all over the country competing for the heart of one handsome prince.

After dinner, we drove to our usual jazz bar and spent the rest of the night drinking and listening to good music. Asher told me more about his complicated situation and his eyes teared up a little. I felt blessed to have a family who was okay with us marrying a commoner. Lizzie was one lucky girl compared to poor Asher.

I bought the sullen prince ice cream on the way home and invited him to hang out with me the next day. It was the least I could do after hearing about his heartbreaking love life.

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# Nathan

FUCK. I MISSED DANNY.

Missing someone was not exactly a habit of mine. I wasn't sentimental. Not at all. No sir. But he was constantly on my mind, even after we landed in Chicago. Raplen was heaven compared to the noisy traffic and concrete jungle that was my city. It took me a few days to get over my jet lag. I woke up today and ate a hearty breakfast before deciding to finally give prince charming a call. I dialed his number but my call went straight to voicemail.

I went out and did a bit of grocery shopping before trying his number again. I needed to hear his baritone voice saying my name. During our flight home, I wrote down a ton of lyrics inspired by him. He was my muse. I called him a few hours later and someone finally picked up. A strange man answered the phone. He had a bit of an accent.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"It's Nathan. Nathan Jay." I cleared my throat and heard him give the phone to Danny.

"Hey, Nathan."

"Hey. It's been a while."

"Yes indeed." Prince charming replied. Damn. I really did miss his sexy voice.

"So, did you finally hire an assistant?" I casually asked.

"Nope. That's just a friend of mine." He replied.

"Oh okay. Listen, I wanted to let you know that the group has decided to practice and attend the Jubilee." I told him while staring out my bedroom window. It was a hazy afternoon here in Chicago.

"Good to know."

"Yeah." I hesitated for a second before saying what was on my mind. "I missed you by the way."

There was a long stretch of silence on the other end of the line. It was awkward as hell.

"I have a ton of work to do for the Jubilee, so I will talk to you later. Alright?"

"Okay. Talk to you..." My voice trailed off when I realized that he'd already hung up.

What the hell? He sure missed me like crazy.

I wasn't even sure if he heard me tell him that I missed him. He sounded like he was in a hurry.

Whatever. I tossed the phone on the couch and made myself a sandwich. Fuck. I missed the delicious food we ate in Raplen. Everything was just so fresh and tasty. Danny was also one fucking delicious eye candy. I fantasized about him while I rubbed one out in the shower. Was he really busy or was he simply playing hard to get?

I spent the rest of the day reading fan mail and writing a few emails. Cassie texted me, insisting that I showed up at some pool party near Lincoln Park. I ignored her texts and scrolled through the latest gossip on social media. I always checked Twitter in case somebody wrote a negative review about our latest tour. Music critics can be total assholes sometimes.

I suddenly came across a headline from Raplen. There was a news story on Entertainment Tonight about Danny and Prince Asher's budding romance. The article was accompanied by a photo of them seemingly kissing on a balcony during the annual palace dinner at Lockridge. Asher was not bad looking at all. In fact, he kind of looked like me minus the green eyes and long hair. I glared daggers at the screen. Prince Danny was awfully chummy with the dark haired bastard. Their photo rubbed me the wrong way. I felt a little betrayed before reminding myself that it was my fucking fault anyway. I was the one who drove Danny away.

I suddenly remembered my nightmare and decided to face my fears for once. What if I could have my cake and eat it too? There had to be a way to come out without ruining my career. There had to be some way. With that in mind, I grabbed my car keys and went to see my chatty publicist. She was always on my team no matter what. I parked my Jeep below her office and barged in unannounced. Her personal assistant held the door open for me with a dreamy look in her eyes. I flashed her a polite smile before entering the vanilla scented office.

"Holy shit. It's like a unicorn pooped in here."

Miranda waved me over with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. A certain musician refused to smoke outside." She complained. "He insisted on lighting up a cigarette in here. The asshole."

"Why do you put up with this shit?"

"No idea." She huffed. "Please sit down. You never drop by unless you have something serious to discuss. Should I be worried or terrified?"

I scratched the back of my neck. "Hopefully none of the above," I replied. "I just wanted your expert opinion on something."

"Sure. Go ahead." She encouraged me. "I'm listening."

I sat down. "Remember the conversation we had last year?"

"You mean the conversation?" She nodded. "Yep. How can I forget?"

"So, I was thinking about finally coming out to the public. What do you think?"

"Wait. You want to come out as gay?" She whispered, leaning across her desk. "Just like that. Without any introductions? Is this a serious question or are you messing with me?"

"I'm dead serious, Miranda. I'm just tired of living like this. It's ruining me."

She adjusted her black rimmed glasses and shook her head in disapproval. "I'm not gonna lie, this is a very risky move from a PR perspective. Your career may not survive it, Nathan. Your rock star image appeals to both men and women. Most of your fan base is made up of straight men with a conservative edge. You need to keep that in mind."

"Why do you have to be so damn pessimistic? Surely we can spin this in a positive way?"

"Not at the moment. No. I know this is not the answer you were hoping for, but you know me. I always tell it like it is. There's no room for sugarcoating in my world."

"I know." I nodded and stood up from my chair. "Thanks anyway."

I left her office with a heavy heart and met up with my band mates for dinner an hour later. Cassie was the only one missing from the group. The rest showed up at nine and told me they changed their minds about Raplen.

"What do you mean you changed your mind? The royal family is prepared to pay you a shit ton of cash for two hours of our time. Two hours." I repeated.

"Dude, relax. Take a chill pill. Jeez." Theo said from beside me. "We're one gig away from suffering major burnout. We need to spend more time with our families and shit."

"I'm actually headed to Canada with my brothers. We're going hiking and camping near Niagara Falls." Calvin said. "Raplen is nice and all but Theo's right. We all need to forget about touring for a while and focus on other things."

I stuffed my mouth with mozzarella sticks and sulked in my chair. They all had families and relatives to vacation with. I had no one. No one at all.

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# Danny

I JUST FOUND OUT FROM my family that The Moonstones had canceled their visit to Raplen. They were no longer performing at the Jubilee. Disappointment filled me to the brim as I walked down the palace corridors. I was looking forward to seeing Nathan again. I was in a sour mood when he called the other day but it had nothing to do with him. We rescued a horse from an abusive owner and he was in really bad shape. His left leg was severely injured and needed emergency surgery. Thanks to our resident vet, he was able to get another chance at life.

I returned to the mansion with a heavy heart. The three day Jubilee was tomorrow so I headed straight for the stables to check on Xena and conclude our training with one final workout at the track. Jane, one of the stable hands, tagged along with Thunder in tow. The two of them were the best of friends and loved racing each other. We spent around two hours on the track until the competition arrived and we had to leave. Xena was up against two seasoned horses who beat her twice so far. I greeted them on the way out and rode my elegant mare all the way back home. I was covered in a sticky layer of sweat by the time we reached the stables. The sun was exceptionally hot today. I handed Xena over to Jane and walked the short distance back to the mansion. I spotted a strange car driving up the yard with a familiar head of dark hair in the driver seat. My heart skipped a beat when I realized that it was none other than Nathan.

My stomach did somersaults as I watched him park the red Fiat next to the main entrance. He climbed out of the car and his eyes instantly found mine. "Nathan? What are you doing here?" I managed to stutter out.

He marched towards me like a man on a mission, grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me like there was no tomorrow. He tasted like coffee and mint. His tongue parted my lips and made me forget my own name. I threaded my fingers through his silky hair and kissed him back. It was a passion fueled kiss that made me all fuzzy and warm on the inside.

Nathan pulled away and traced my swollen lips with his fingers. "I fucking missed you, charming." He breathed against my cheek. "I can't get you out of my mind."

I was stunned. Pleased and stunned. It should be illegal for him to say these things.

I pulled me in for another hungry kiss that took my breath away.

He kissed him back with equal passion. He pinned me against the hood of his rental and unbuckled my belt in a hurry. I groaned into his mouth and pawed at his cotton shirt. I wanted to feel him skin on skin. He unzipped my pants and snuck a hand into my boxers. I was already hard and leaking for him. He broke the kiss and licked the sweat off my neck.

"Nathan." I gasped.

He peeled back my shirt and kissed an erotic trail down my chest. I was too aroused to care that we were out in the open where anyone could see us. Luckily, my servants had the day off so we had the palace all to ourselves. I wanted him to have his wicked way with me right there on the hood of his car. We were both impatient to wait anyway.

"I've been thinking about this moment all week." He licked my belly button while tugging my boxers down my thighs. His words sent tiny morsels of pleasure down my spine.

He knelt between my legs and took me into his talented mouth. I hissed and leaned back against the warm hood of the Fiat. His tongue did maddening things to my length. He swallowed me whole, tightening his throat around my member. I closed my eyes and fisted his long hair.

"Oh shit." I groaned. He was going to be the death of me.

He sucked me off for a few seconds before pulling away, leaving me hot and bothered.

"Turn around." He stood up and unzipped his leather pants. I was too distracted to appreciate the way they hugged his muscular thighs. "I want to fuck you right here."

Hearing him say it out loud made me weak in the knees. I quickly turned around and bent over the hood. He bit my right cheek and told me I had the cheekiest ass he'd ever seen. "Sheesh. Will you stop talking already and get right to it?"

He chuckled and kissed my sweaty shoulder. "Damn. Have you been working out? Because I can bounce a quarter off your abs." He smoothed his hands over my stomach before teasing my opening with his fingers.

I spread my thighs further apart and felt him drizzle lube all over my crack. "Oh fuck me. You came prepared." I panted into my arm.

"Just for you, baby." He stretched me with those slender fingers until I begged him to fuck me.

He replaced his fingers with his cock and anchored me to the car while he slid into me little by little. He was doing it on purpose just to tease me. I was a panting mess by the time he finished sliding into me. My cock throbbed and leaked pre-cum all over the hood. I was aroused beyond belief.

His hands stroked my length to the rhythm of his thrusts while he grunted sexily on top of me. I closed my eyes and soaked in the warmth on my back as he rubbed against my prostate with every stroke. "Fuck me harder, you sexy beast."

"You want it hard?" He grunted and pushed harder and deeper into me. "I'll give you hard."

He made me see stars as I pushed my hips back in response to his hard pounding. "Yes!"

His fingers moved faster around my swollen cock. My body started slipping down the hood. I was soaked in lube and sweat. Nathan suddenly pulled out of me and spun me around to face him. His eyes were dark and feral as he pushed me onto my back and spread my thighs apart. I balanced my legs on the bumper and watched him rub his magnificent cock against mine. The visual made me cum so hard. I shuddered and exploded all over his stomach, shaft and hands.

"Jesus fuck." I moaned when he bent down and licked my seed straight from the source.

"Tasty." He licked his lips and used the extra lubrication to slide into me once more. I squeezed his shoulders as he swiveled those hips and set up a hard rhythm that had me curling my toes and biting into his shoulder. He leaned over me and drilled me into the hood. His hair fell over his face like a curtain as he raced to the finish line. His eyes stared deep into mine before he kissed me. It was a slow, languid kiss that made my stomach flutter.

"Fuck. Danny." He broke the kiss and closed his eyes. His hips moved faster as he smoothly glided in and out of me. His pained expression melted and he finally came with a grunt. His hips stilled and his grip tightened on my hips as he kept on cumming.

I released his shoulders and panted like an Olympic skier after a ride down an orgasmic slope.

"Fucking hell. You are amazing."

His breath washed all over my face as he struggled to stand up.

I was in seventh heaven and I never wanted to come down.

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# Danny

I WAS OVER THE MOON that Nathan was here with me. I had full time butterflies in my stomach when he was around. I knew he flew all the way here from Chicago just to see me and it made me flattered and incredibly touched by his unexpected gesture. I never thought we'd see each other again. Not after his band canceled their Jubilee performance. Yet here we were, in the kitchen, with a special lunch I ordered from my favorite seafood restaurant. After all that sexing, we did outside, we showered together and made out like teenagers. Nathan was very affectionate and wouldn't leave my side. I enjoyed his attentiveness and ate it up like candy.

When our lunch arrived, we sat at the kitchen table and shared a plate of cocktail shrimp and grilled salmon. We discussed our hobbies and favorite television shows. Nathan turned out to be a big cosplay fan. Every year, he would dress up for Halloween in an elaborate costume and show off his outfit at different Hollywood parties.

"Model Heidi Klum is famous for her kickass costumes. I was invited to her Halloween bash last year. She spends a fuckload of money and effort on her getup. Last year she dressed up as Jessica Rabbit complete with a gigantic pair of boobs. She looked awesome."

I took a bit out of my shrimp and sat back in my chair. "So what else are you hiding under your rock star sleeve? What other hobbies are you interested in?"

"Don't laugh, but I like reading philosophy books. I actually own a collection of must-haves like Plato's The Republic and Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil." He revealed.

"Color me shocked." I did not hide just how impressed I was with him. On the contrary, I shared my favorite books as well. I used to be such a bookwork when I was younger, but lately, all I had time for was reading balance sheets and business contracts. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Oh, you have no idea." He winked at me. "I also have a thing for carpentry."

"Wow. How creative. Do you have pictures of said hobby?" I asked.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Show me."

He sat beside me and showed me his woodwork. He crafted chairs and intricate guitar figurines.

"Nathan. This is amazing. I always knew you were good with your hands."

"Yes. Yes. I have the magic touch." He smirked before kissing me on the lips.

He told me more about his hobby and how he learned to use his imagination to craft all sorts of toys as a kid. His foster family was unable to buy him new toys so he had to resort to thrift shops and garage sales. His childhood was clearly not a pleasant one.

"What were you like as a kid?" He asked. "You probably had a room filled with toys growing up. You probably got lost in there and they had to send in a search party to find you."

"Pretty much. Yes." I admitted, feeling embarrassed. "We were definitely pampered as children. Grandmother told me that when Ruppy was born, they received all sorts of congratulatory gifts from our neighbors. The King of Waverly sent him a diamond encrusted rocking horse. Can you imagine? A child barely a few days old receiving such a lavish gift?"

"Fuck. Seriously?"

"Yes. Of course, father immediately returned it. He hated how stupidly decadent and spoiled the Waverly kids were. They live in a parallel universe where diamonds and gold are simply part of everyday life. I heard that one of the princes has a diamond encrusted tub in his bathroom."

"So what did you and your brothers do for fun? Were you allowed to have play-dates?"

"Of course. My parents encouraged us to socialize with other kids. I had plenty of non-royal friends growing up. Some of them are still in touch with me. Others just used me to climb the social ladder, so I quickly terminated our friendship."

"Yeah. I kind of had a similar problem once our band took off. All of a sudden, my phone was bombarded with calls from high school friends and exes who pretended to care about me all of a sudden. I invited a bunch of them back into my life and they ended up being freeloaders."

"Those people are the worst."

"Yep." He nodded. "I had to put with an insane amount of shit over the years. Fame has taught me plenty of harsh lessons. Lessons I needed to learn. Theo and I used to be so naive. We fell for every word hook, line, and sinker. We trusted the wrong people and they fucked us over big time."

"Christ. This sounds like a story worth telling."

"It is. I have a shitload of stories to tell you." He squeezed my hand affectionately.

"Me too. I feel like we can sit here all day and talk for hours."

"This is exactly how I feel. You're so easy to talk to Danny. There is just something about your eyes that makes me want to say fuck you to the rest of the world. Fuck you with a capital F. Seriously. I think this is the beginning of something beautiful." He smiled.

"Baby that is hands down the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." I reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

He leaned in and kissed me. It was a toe-curling kiss that had me moaning into his mouth.

I kissed him back with equal passion. I wished he'd stay here so I'd show him around Raplen as a tourist this time. There were many breathtaking places I could take him to. My country was famous for its lush landscapes, lakes and historical sites.

"I have a brilliant idea. Why don't you stay with me since you're on hiatus? Chicago can wait."

He returned to his seat with an unreadable expression on his face. "Nope. Negative. I can't."

His instant change of attitude threw me off. "Then why did you come here? Am I simply your overseas booty call?" I asked, feeling slightly irritated. He's been blowing hot and cold ever since I met him.

He frowned. "What? Hell no. You're not a booty call. Did you really think I'd fly twelve hours straight just to get my dick wet? What kind of question is that?" He argued. "Besides, this is not about us. This shit is bigger than the two of us, Danny."

I dropped my fork. "You sound like a superhero who wants to save the world at the expense of his love life," I remarked. "What shit are you referring to exactly?"

He ran his fingers through his damp hair and grew quiet all of a sudden. I was torn between anger and frustration. We both had strong feelings for one another. I just knew it. I knew he felt something but he did not want to admit it.

"Danny..." His gentle voice betrayed his cold body language. I had trouble connecting the two. "I love you. I fucking do, but I have the band to consider. My actions will always have an impact on others. I didn't even have the time to talk to them. My fear is that being alone with you may spark concerns and ignite more rumors about me, especially since you're openly gay. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Did he just tell me he loved me only to quickly dismiss his feelings in favor of his band mates?

I pushed my chair backward and stood up. "All I heard was more excuses and zero solutions. So no. I do not understand. As a matter of fact, I don't want to understand." I huffed. "I had a closeted relationship before and it did not work out. It took its toll on me physically and emotionally, so honestly I'd rather die than go through this again."

He folded his arms across his chest and pouted like a little child. He looked adorable but he drove me crazy. "I love you, you idiot! I love you like I've never loved anyone before, but I can't handle another heartbreak." I spilled my beans. He needed to know just how serious I was about him.

"So, where do we go from here?" He asked, sounding just as frustrated as I was.

We suddenly heard a car pull up to the house. Nathan wiped his mouth with a napkin and got up from his chair. I glanced outside the window to find Asher climbing out of his Ferrari rental. Nathan tossed me an accusatory glance on his way to the kitchen sink so I told him not to jump to conclusions. "We'll continue this conversation later."

"Fine. Whatever. I should go check into my hotel anyway." He shrugged and grabbed his keys from the counter. "Take care."

He left real quick and pushed past Asher on the way to his Fiat. The prince gave me a puzzled look as we both watched Mr. Rock star pull out of the driveway like a maniac.

"What was that about?" He asked.

I sighed and ushered him inside. "It's complicated."

"Wait a second. Is this the lead singer of The Moonstones?" He inquired. "I thought their performance was canceled."

"It was," I replied, pushing him towards the kitchen. Maybe he'd stop asking questions if I shove food into his mouth. "Would you like some cocktail shrimp? I ordered plenty."

Asher sat down at the kitchen table and watched me fix him a plate. "You're acting strange." He observed. "Did the two of you hook up?"

Silence filled the air for a few seconds. I was still reeling from my argument with Nathan.

"No?" He prodded. "Judging from your body language, I'm guessing the two of you have a thing. A very serious thing. Is he your secret lover or something?"

I served him his food and sat down across from him. "How did you know?"

"I'm exceptionally good at reading people." He simply replied. "Especially those tormented by love. I guess it takes one to know one."

"Asher, swear to me that you won't speak to anyone about this. My relationship with Nathan is a private matter."

"Of course." He nodded. "Your secret is safe with me." He reassured me.

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# Nathan

TODAY WAS THE FIRST day of the Jubilee celebrations here in Raplen. They sure knew how to party hard in this country. It was the Queen's birthday so everyone was on vacation and people were drinking and throwing parties everywhere. Yesterday there was a huge parade with little girls dressed in red and white. They were distributing cakes and candy for free. I had a stomach ache from the ridiculous amount of desserts I ate. Last night, Danny took me out to dinner at his favorite Italian restaurant. The tension between us was unmistakable even though he was still mad at me. I wasn't going to apologize for being honest with him. Hell, I could have easily lied to him about wanting to stay in the closet. Instead, I chose to be upfront about it from the start.

I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. Prince Charming was supposed to pick me up and take me to celebrate with his family. We were supposed to discuss things over dinner last night, but one thing led to another and we both ended up in my hotel bed. We made love until the morning. I wondered if the imprint of my hands was still on his sexy butt cheeks. Probably not. I'd never been that intense and heavy with a man before. Sex with Danny was on another level. It was sublime and just mind-blowing.

There was a light knock on my door. I instantly perked up and rushed to open it.

"Damn, Charming!" My eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sight of him. He was dressed in his official royal attire. "You look like a Disney prince."

He wore a red jacket suit and a blue sash with gold and black trimmings, a fob watch and lapels designed with the royal emblem. He had on a shiny black hat with gold trimmings and the emblem at the front too. He looked so fucking adorable. His outfit was custom tailored to fit his smokin' hot body. I wanted to take him right there. Who needed a Jubilee when we could throw our own party in my hotel suite?

Danny must have recognized the = look on my face because he gave me that demure smile of his. "Keep your naughty hands to yourself." He warned. "We're going to be late if we don't leave right this second." He added. "You can have your wicked way with me when we get back. I'll even leave my outfit on for you."

"Please do." I ambushed him with a kiss. He was too damn irresistible.

"You know I love you, right?" I whispered against his lips.

He smiled. "I love you too, baby."

His ocean blue eyes were hesitant when he said those words. I knew he had reservations about us, especially since I still refused to come out of the closet. Our attraction was too fucking strong to ignore. I gave Danny a light peck on the lips and locked the suite door behind me.

A cherry red convertible was waiting for us downstairs. The driver held open the door for us.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to ride with you?" I asked.

"Yes. We have the best seats to watch the parade from. Trust me." He smiled reassuringly."

"Holy shit. How many parades are there?"

"Today? Just one." He chuckled.

The Jaguar convertible drove us all the way to Lockridge Palace where we picked up Danny's brothers. They had the same uniform on so I was basically the odd one out. It was fun seeing them interact with one another. Growing up, I always wondered if my life would have taken a different turn if I had siblings. Maybe we would have formed our very own band and I would have taken pride in my sexuality instead of hiding it. I pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind and watched the crowds wave at the motorcade. We were followed by another Jaguar with Danny's cousins in it. There was a marching band in the front accompanied by a float decorated with tulips. The surrounding buildings were also draped in flags and fairy lights. The festive ambiance was very entertaining. I was in awe of it all. It was hella intimidating too. It also felt surreal to be in a motorcade next to three handsome princes.

Balloons and confetti rained from the sky as we toured the entire city. I observed Danny during the parade and noticed just how well he played his part. He was more Grace Kelley and less quirky in public. He was stoic and well mannered. Even the way he waved was elegant. No wonder he had fans from all over the kingdom.

I tried to do a little wave of my own but it just felt so fucking awkward. Danny flashed me one of his disarming smiles and I almost leaned over and kissed him. Loud, upbeat music filled the air as we made our final round, passing by a gorgeous lake surrounded by a sea of tents. According to Danny, people camped out here to watch the Jubilee fireworks.

The Jaguar stopped by an orphanage where a bunch of kids were waiting outside with flowers in their hands. The three princes climbed out of the car and greeted the kids. I watched Danny fuss over two girls. He was so humble and gracious. I thought of my own uncouth ways and realized just how different our lives were.

Danny was a prince with a title and responsibilities. While he was attending galas and royal parties, I was getting shitfaced at concerts and fucking groupies. He was confident in who he was and open about his sexuality. I, however, was the complete opposite of him.

The princes returned to the car armed with flowers and candy. I tugged on my tie, feeling doubt and insecurity creeping up on me. Danny offered me a piece of candy but I refused to take it, opting to sit back and brood for a while.

Could I ever fit into his perfect life?

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# Danny

THE ROYAL PARADE WAS a smashing success. Having Nathan ride with us was a very clever move on my part. Watching the fascination on his handsome face while we drove around the city was worth it. He was star-struck by everything, unlike yours truly. I'd become desensitized to the music and the festivities. It felt like Deja Vu every year, watching the public wave their flags and sing the national anthem. I did not hate it per se, but I also did not particularly enjoy it. It was part of my duty to go out there and connect with the people.

We returned to the hotel in great spirits. I sent my driver home to celebrate with his family and followed Danny to his hotel room. He'd booked a suite overlooking Orchid Park. It was famous for having a rare species of butterflies and orchids. I entered the suite, filled with anticipation and carrying a big lust-filled bubble in my hands. It was about to burst at any second. The way Nathan looked at me when I dropped by to pick him up this morning made me feel like the only man in the world he could ever love.

We silently made our way to the bedroom. I removed my hat and placed it on the dressing table. Nathan took a picture of me with his Polaroid camera before joining me for a selfie. "Your uniform is giving me a boner the size of Texas." He squeezed my ass before tugging on my sash. I raised a hand to unbutton my jacket but he smacked my hand away and insisted on undressing me himself. My breath hitched in my throat when he pulled the sash over my head and smoothed his hands down my chest. His hooded eyes held mine captive as he slowly unbuttoned my jacket. I licked my lips and watched him peel one layer after the other.

He placed his hands on my bare shoulders and gently guided me to his bed. I sat down and watched him undress. He shrugged out of his designer jacket and loosened his tie. "Do you have any idea how handsome you looked today? I wanted to unzip you right there in the car and suck you off in front of everyone."

His dirty words made my cock rise from its slumber. Nathan crouched down between my thighs and kissed every inch of my chest. I dug my teeth into my lower lips and closed my eyes at the erotic sensations invading my body. His mouth was a weapon of mass seduction.

"Oh my God."

His lips left open mouthed kisses on my skin. I fisted the sheets and watched him tease my swollen cock with his wicked tongue. His fine hair fell to the sides of his face as he gathered the flood of pre-cum from the tip and used it to stroke my shaft with his long fingers. I hissed and leaned back against the silky covers. A nuclear explosion was about to hit the pleasure center in my brain. Nathan started humming around my cock and I almost lost it.

He used a twisting motion on the upstroke and sucked me like a big fat straw. His head bobbed up and down as he gave me a legendary blowjob. They should write about it in history books. "Oh my God. Have mercy on me." I begged him, threading my fingers through his dark locks.

He kissed the mushroom tip before coming up for air. His lips were swollen and those eyes of his were dark with lust. I took a minute to catch my breath while his fingers took over. His calloused fingertips teased the hell out of me. His left hand reached down to cup my balls. I closed my eyes once more and felt his hot mouth take over. The wet, sucking noises Nathan made were so freaking erotic. I combed my fingers through his hair and felt a blast of red hot pleasure traveling down my spine. My orgasm was a spaceship that was about to take off at the speed of light. I moaned when he deep throated me like a champ and my back collided with the mattress. I bucked up into his wet cavern and came so hard, I saw stars behind my eyelids.

"Fuck! Nathan!"

He swallowed every drop, sucking and licking my softening cock with that rock star mouth of his. I opened my eyes to find him resting his chin on my flat stomach. He wiped his lips clean using the back of his hand and eye fucked me like the insatiable beast he was. "Hi."

"Hey." I lazily smiled. My body was on cloud nine. "You give mindblowing head."

"I'm glad to be of service, your royal highness." He kissed my belly button and stood up in one fluid motion. His sculpted abs were a sight to behold from this angle. He stretched his arms over his head and kicked off his shoes.

He took off the rest of his clothes and climbed on top of me. We kissed for what seemed like hours before he rolled out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom. I was more than ready to jump his bones even though my body was tired from all of today's festivities. My sex drive was running at full capacity when I was around him.

"Nathan, what are you doing in there?"

"Shhh. It's a surprise." He replied.

I heard water running in the bathtub. The soothing sound was so relaxing. I closed my eyes and heard Nathan call room service. He shut the bathroom door to prevent me from listening to his conversation.

I must have nodded off for a few minutes because I suddenly woke up to the familiar sound of fireworks outside the window. I bolted upright and watched the dark night sky transform into a Jackson Pollock painting.

"Wow. So these are the famous Raplen fireworks, huh?"

"Yeah." I nodded, glancing over my shoulder at him. His naked body was bathed in red and yellow light. I licked my lips and ogled him while he watched the fireworks unfold.

"Your bubble bath awaits, my lord." He grinned.

He ushered me into the bathroom which was decorated with a dozen candles. The ambiance was very romantic. There was a bottle of champagne by the tub and a plate filled with strawberries and cream. I touched the mountain of bubbles and watched it wobble on top of the water. "When did you manage to do all this?"

I climbed into the tub and soaked my body in the scented water.

"While you were sleeping like a baby." He smiled and joined me in the spacious tub. He uncorked the champagne bottle and poured us two glasses. "My blowjobs do have that effect on people."

I scooped up a handful of bubbles and blew them in his face. "Don't get too cocky on me."

"But I love getting cocky on you and in you." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

We made a toast in celebration of the Jubilee and drank two more glasses of splendid champagne. "So, did you enjoy yourself today?"

"Hell yeah." He nodded. "Thanks for letting me tag along. Your brothers are amazing by the way. They made me feel at home in that Jaguar."

"Well, the feeling is mutual. Greg thinks you've broken the traditional rock star stereotype. He's very fond of you, and so am I." I reached out and squeezed his hand.

He pulled me to his chest and kissed me tenderly on the lips. He later fed me strawberries dipped in chocolate and whipped cream. The sweet treats and bubble bath put me in relaxation mode. I felt warm and fuzzy on the inside.

I almost fell asleep but Nathan saved me from drowning in those bubbles. He helped me out of the tub, rubbed my body dry with a towel and took me to bed. I yawned and crawled under the covers. "Spoon me."

I heard him chuckle. "Yes, Your Highness."

He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his warm chest. "Sing me a song."

"How about twinkle twinkle little star?"

"Haha. Very funny."

I listened to him sing a soothing lullaby that sent me straight to sleep.

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# Danny

I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE of the night to find Nathan kissing on me. His lips were everywhere. They showered me with kisses all over my chest. His mouth was hot and hungry. His tongue darted out to lick and suck at my aroused skin. It sent massive jolts of pleasure straight to my cock. I moaned and blindly reached for his hair. I combed my fingers through the strands and opened my eyes. "What time is it?"

He rubbed his stubbled chin against my abdomen. "It's sex o'clock." His husky voice was like rich, melted chocolate. "Did you get enough rest? Because I can't hold myself back anymore."

I smiled at his cute attempt at wordplay. "Yes. I did."

"Good." He kissed a hot trail up my chest until he reached my face. His green gemstone eyes gazed into my own. They were dark with arousal. "I'm still thinking about you in that uniform." He whispered. "Imagine if we had Raplen all to ourselves. I would have fucked you everywhere."

"Everywhere?" I raised an amused eyebrow in response.

"Yeah." He kissed my collarbone. "We would have christened every mountain, valley, and lake in your country. The world would witness its very first Raplen fuckathon."

I chuckled. "This is quite ambitious of you."

He rubbed his chiseled chest against mine and dipped his tongue into my mouth. He kissed me slowly and reached under the covers to touch my cock. I moaned into his mouth when he teased the head with his calloused fingertips. I could feel his hard member rubbing against my inner thigh. He was hard as a rock.

"Oh. Is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" He panted against my lips.

"This sounds like a line from a movie." My hands feasted on the lithe muscles on his back.

He bent down and kissed me again. Our tongues danced erotically as things got heated between us. Nathan pulled back to grab the lube from the bedside table. He straddled my waist with his beautiful cock oozing pre-cum between his legs. He also grabbed the bottle of chocolate sauce he ordered earlier and uncapped it. "Are you ready to get down and dirty with me?"

I licked my lips and watched him raise his hands and squeeze the bottle. He drizzled chocolate all over my chest. "Oh God. That's cold." I chuckled.

Nathan tossed the bottle over his shoulder and bent down to lick it all off. His hot tongue on my skin and his hands on my cock made me dizzy with lust. I moaned again and again, sounding like a broken record. My eyes were glued to that pink tongue of his as it darted in and out of his mouth. He licked my chest clean before grabbing the lube and drizzling a generous dollop all over his cock. He looked like a model in a very x-rated condom commercial.

"You're going to be the death of me. You know that?"

He stretched out his muscled torso over mine and kissed me. It was a tender kiss that awakened the butterflies in my stomach. How the fudge did I manage to snag a man like him? He was such an interesting, complex beefcake. "You should really stop saying hot shit like this. Shit that makes me want to fuck you all night long."

I stared deep into his bedroom eyes. "I would like nothing more than for you to fuck me all night long." I said, rubbing my hands up and down his sexy back.

He lowered his head and kissed my neck while his fingers teased my hole. He pushed two fingers inside me and moved them in and out at a rapid pace. He then pressed the tight bundle of nerves hidden there and I saw stars behind my eyelids. He stretched me slowly, taking his sweet time torturing me. "Oh fuck me. Your ass is so tight."

I opened my eyes and watched him reach backward and grab the bottle of chocolate sauce. He drizzled more of it onto my shoulders and neck. The passion in his eyes while he made love to me was like an aphrodisiac. I grabbed his face and practically devoured his lips while he stuffed me with his thick cock. The sauce melted even more from our body heat and made his chest slip and slide against mine. He groaned into my mouth and moved his hips at a slow but steady pace. I pulled back to watch his face while he fucked me into oblivion. He closed his eyes and bit his lower lip in concentration. The tension in my spine kept growing like a snowball. I slid my hands to squeeze his flexing ass cheeks, silently urging him to move faster.

"Fuck, Danny." He grunted out, his hair falling across his handsome face.

"Harder." I moaned.

He complied, swiveling his hips with every inward thrust. I matched the rhythm of my hips to his own and tried to take more of him inside me. My cock was about to explode from the delicious friction. I muzzled my orgasm and focused on Danny and his erotic face. He rutted on top of me like a sexy, sweat drenched incubus. I was in awe of his carnal beauty. He was taking our lovemaking to a whole new level.

"Yes. Deeper. You sexy beast." I moved my hands to his rock star shoulders. The pleasure was building up like a Jenga tower. Nathan sat up all of a sudden and spread my thighs apart. His body glistened in the dim lights of his hotel room. He watched my face intently as he took my purple cock in his hand and stroked it in time with his thrusts. I hissed and curled my toes in anticipation.

"Fuck. Look at this cock." His fingers flew over my shaft. "Do you want to cum all over my chest, baby? Do you want to drench me with your hot, sticky jizz?"

His dirty words provided a hot soundtrack to our sexing. I dug my fingers into the sheets and surrendered to his battering ram of a cock. He teased my balls with his free hand until the snowball turned into an avalanche.

"Fuck, Nathan!" My orgasm hit me like a wrecking ball. I called out his name and came all over his hands and chest. I coated his skin with thick globs of cum. He licked it off his fingers like it was the best thing he'd ever tasted.

The visual was too good, so I closed my eyes and basked in the afterglow of my orgasm.

"That was so fucking hot." He leaned over me and kissed me.

I tasted myself on his lips and felt his cock throb inside me. He arched his back and switched to a slower rhythm. He licked and sucked at my sauce covered collarbone and made sweet love to me. I opened my eyes and drowned in his emerald orbs. We were both covered in a cocktail of cum, sweat, and chocolate.

He groaned into my neck and quickened his pace. His thrusts were shallow and more erratic. He pounded my ass harder, hitting that bundle of nerves over and over. My cock rubbed against his stomach with every thrust. The pleasure multiplied tenfold. "Cum inside me."

"Oh fuck." He moved his hands to my hips and shuddered violently. His cock erupted inside me. His mouth fell open and the expression on his face was of pure, uninhibited pleasure. He collapsed on top of me with a loud grunt and said my name. "I love you."

I rubbed his sweaty back and kissed his shoulder. "I love you too, baby. That was amazing. You're amazing."

I knew right then that my heart was forever lost to this man.

"Why thank you." He rolled over onto his back with a satisfied grin. "Damn. You literally look like eye-candy right now. I want to lick you all over." He scooped more chocolate using his fingers and licked them clean.

We were both famished so we ordered room service. Nathan stretched his arms over his head and walked around the room buck naked. He grabbed his iPod and linked it to his Bluetooth speakers. He hit the play button and a familiar song started playing.

"This sounds familiar."

"Kings of Leon, baby." He said, moving his hips in a very seductive manner. "This is actually one of my favorite songs. Sex on fire. I once met the band backstage and asked them for their autograph. This was way before we became famous."

"Our sex really is on fire." I grinned.

"Yep." He stood by the foot of the bed and drank me in with his thirsty eyes. "Fuck me. You have turned me into an insatiable beast."

My cock throbbed at his words. I wanted to push him down and have my wicked way with him.

A loud knock on the door interrupted our eye fucking contest. Nathan quickly put on his robe and answered it. Our food arrived just in time because I was ridiculously hungry. We sure knew how to work up an appetite.

We lounged on top of the comforter and watched some television while we ate. There was a documentary about Ancient Egypt on the History Channel. I was fond of such wonderful documentaries. They were incredibly entertaining. Nathan teased me about it until I shut him up with a mouthful of fries.

"Look who's talking." I snickered. "You bookworm, you."

"I never said I was a bookworm." He stated.

"Yes, you did." I teased. "You told me you owned more than two hundred philosophy books. If you ever get bored of your singing career, you can always switch to teaching." I wiggled my eyebrows at him. "Professor Jay. It has a nice ring to it."

"Hmmm...Professor." He rubbed his chin. "I kind of like it."

He ditched his food and climbed on top of me. "You received an F on your philosophy test, Mr. Daniel. Would you like to earn some extra credit?"

"Yes, please." I played along.

"Good." He suddenly hopped out of bed and disappeared into the dressing room.

"Nathan! Where did you go?"

"Give me a minute."

He appeared in the doorway five minutes later dressed in his shirt and tie. He wore a pair of reading glasses to finish the look. "Since when do you wear glasses?"

"Since two years ago. They help me focus whenever I read my music notes." He cleared his throat and placed his arms behind his back. "Now, Mr. Daniel. I have noticed that your grades are slipping. You have trouble telling the difference between Nietzsche and Plato. I am just appalled."

"Sorry, Professor. I really am clueless when it comes to this subject."

He approached the bed with a serious face. "And what do you plan on doing about it? I could give you extra material to read or..." He smirked. "You can do some extra credit. Right here, right now."

I pretended to give it some serious thought. "I prefer to do some extra credit."

"Good answer." He motioned for me to get out of bed. "Please do come to my office."

He sat on the couch in his shirt and tie and tapped his foot on the carpet.

"May I undress you?" I asked, meeting his playful gaze.

"Sure. Go ahead."

I knelt between his legs and stroked his muscular thighs. "What do I have to do to get a D?"

"I'm pretty sure you can think of something."

I removed his tie and draped it over my own neck. The silky fabric felt good against my skin. Nathan's eyes darkened when I reached under his shirt and touched his cock. "Is this okay?"

"This is more than okay. Keep going."

I noticed the bottle of chocolate sauce lying there on the carpet. It was begging me to use it.

I drizzled some onto my fingers and stroked him up and down. He watched me intently while I gave him a chocolate flavored hand job. Encouraged by the sounds he was making, I leaned over and took him into my mouth. "Shit. You deserve an A at everything."

I listened to the way his breath hitched every time I swirled my tongue around the tip. Sucking him off was my new favorite hobby. He cupped my jaw and closed his eyes. I was getting turned on by his pained expression. I knew he was on the verge of coming, so I pulled away and nuzzled his balls. He hissed and begged me to finish him off.

"I want you to cum in my mouth, Professor Jay."

"Fuck." He fisted my hair and guided my lips to his cock once more. I swallowed him whole and tried to deep throat him like last time. He moaned and whispered words of encouragement next to my ear.

"Yes. Shit. Your mouth is so hot."

My head bobbed up and down, sucking more of him into my mouth. I caressed his balls until his cock throbbed and he finally came with a grunt. His body shuddered as I continued to swallow his cum.

"Fuck! Danny."

I licked him clean and sat back on my haunches. My cock rose from its slumber. I wanted to fuck Nathan but he was already in orgasm central. He opened his eyes and stared deep into mine.

"What are you waiting for? Get up here and fuck my brains out."

I ambushed him with a frantic kiss that turned into a makeout session on the carpet. Nathan suddenly turned around and asked me to fuck him from behind. I drizzled the lube in seconds. "It's time to get yours, baby."

First, I stretched him with my fingers until he was nice and ready for me. I showered kisses on his back before entering him slowly, taking my sweet time to enjoy the feeling. I made love to him at my own pace. It was a sweet yet slow kind of torture. He glanced at me over his sweaty shoulder and silently begged me to go faster.

"Shhh. Just close your eyes and trust me. Okay?"

He nodded and turned to face the front. "Fuck me hard. I'm a big boy. I can take it."

"Oh, I know you can take it. I just want to test your patience is all." I teased him, enjoying his sexy reactions.

"How naughty of you." He snickered.

I pulled all the way out, making him lose his train of thought. I teased his balls with my fingers before entering him again. "Shit. I changed my mind. This feels so fucking good."

I rubbed against his sweet spot and made him utter more meaningless moans. He pushed his hips backward to meet my slow thrusts. Our bodies were in sync. I closed my eyes and listened to his quiet moans. His slippery skin was hot and hard beneath my fingertips. I massaged his back and moved my hips slightly faster.

I drowned in an ocean of ecstasy. Nathan reached backward and grabbed my wrist. "Come on. Ride me like one of your horses." He grunted. "Race me to the finish line, baby."

I grabbed his arms and pinned them to his back. He glanced over his shoulder at me. His eyes were dark with lust. I licked my lips and quickened my pace, adding a deep roll to my rocking hips. A deep, guttural moan fell from his lips. It was music to my ears. I increased the intensity of our fucking, my thighs slapping against his buttocks. My cock throbbed and my spine tingled.

"Fuck." I pushed him down and fucked him even harder than before.

"Yes! Cum inside me." He moaned.

I came with a shudder. Light flashed behind my eyelids as I rutted against Nathan. I emptied my load inside him and collapsed on top of him. "Shit. Oh Jesus."

He chuckled from under me.

"Fuck me. Does the Jubilee include a sex marathon? Because we could totally win that."

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# Nathan

ON THE SECOND DAY OF the Jubilee celebration, Danny invited me to have brunch with the royal family. He was pretty stoked about it. I caught him singing in the shower this morning. His cheerfulness was infectious. Last night, we fucked each other's brains out and it was glorious. It was intense. I still had goosebumps from the raw emotions we experienced. Danny was too damn irresistible for his own good. He was making it hard for me to say no to that invitation. I actually wanted to go. The food at the place was out of this world. It was the very definition of food porn. I also enjoyed hanging out with Greg and Ruppy. They weren't as funny or quirky as their brother, but they were equally humble and friendly.

I was hesitant about going because of the media coverage and being under the microscope. I was scared of the usual elephant in the room. What if those annoying gossipmongers noticed that I spent too much time with Prince Charming? News traveled fast nowadays and the last thing I needed was for my nightmare to become a reality. That is why I apologized to Danny and used my lack of wardrobe choices to decline his invitation.

"Baby, I legit have nothing to wear," I told him when he swung by to pick me up. He insisted on taking me with him to brunch. He was also dressed to kill in khaki pants and a sky blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. His style was always on point.

"Then we'll quickly stop by a boutique and pick out something snazzy for you to wear." He insisted. He really wasn't taking no for an answer. I eventually ran out of excuses and gave in to his demands.

He took me to a fancy boutique which was located in Raplen's most luxurious shopping district. The street was packed with local and international brands. Danny parked his Mini Cooper in front of a four-story building and rang the buzzer. The door to the boutique immediately swung open. We were greeted by a well dressed man with a funky Star Wars tie. He was joined by another shop assistant. She was a young woman with pink hair who clearly knew who I was.

"So, what exactly do you have in mind?" She asked. Her eyes were glued to my face while she spoke. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Danny told her to bring out the latest collection. A second shop assistant showed up with a tray carrying two champagne flutes and a cheese plate. I was impressed as hell.

The pink haired assistant wheeled out a clothes hanger showcasing the latest suits and ties. Danny smiled and told her I was going to try them on. "I want you to model everything for me." He gave me a saucy wink and squeezed my ass when I got up from my chair. I was so not into that. I told him no but his irresistible charm disarmed me and made me change my mind. I was a sucker for those puppy dog eyes of his.

I grabbed the first outfit that caught my eye and went into the fitting room. I quickly changed into the suit and pants before draping the tie around my neck. Danny sat on the sofa and watched me model for him a couple of Dior suits. It was kind of fun to experiment with different looks. Prince charming pretended to be a judge on Project Runway and gave me a thumbs down whenever I wore something he didn't like. I must have tried more than seven outfits before we finally found a winner. It was an elephant grey suit paired with a silk purple tie. Danny said it complimented my skin tone. He fixed the tie around my neck and spun me around to study my reflection in the mirror.

"You look so elegant in this color. It suits you."

I adjusted the cuffs and nodded in agreement. "You have a great eye for this stuff."

"Indeed I do." He chuckled. "I have years and years of practice under my belt."

"Yeah. You have a lot going on under your belt." I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

He flashed me one of his shy, demure smiles and told me to go change.

I slipped back into the fitting room and changed out of my new suit. I was mostly a fan of black leather pants and faded jeans so buying stuff like designer suits and ties wasn't really my thing. I was into cosplay big time though. I invested a shitload of time and effort into my costumes. I loved dressing up and going to San Diego Comic Con. It was always fun being around my fans and discussing music with them while in disguise.

The door slid open and Danny suddenly slipped into the room with me.

"What are you doing in here?"

He pressed a finger to my lips and smiled. "Shhh. Don't say a word."

He tugged my boxer shorts down my legs and stroked my cock. I hissed and watched him get down on his knees right there on the carpet. He wrapped his fingers around my cock and sucked the tip into his mouth. I hissed and cupped his jaw.

He moved his hands faster and I became hard in seconds. He watched my cock grow with fascination before taking it into his hot mouth.

I pressed my palm against the mirror and spread my legs to make room for him. He swirled his tongue around the mushroom tip and massaged my balls. I bit my lips to stop myself from moaning out loud. Prince charming turned out to be kinky as hell. His talented mouth went to town on my cock, sucking and licking it like a lollipop. He did things with his tongue that had me wishing we were in my hotel bed. I fisted his hair and showed him how to take me deeper down his throat. His thumb flirted with my hole while he gave me one hell of a blowjob.

His blond hair fell into his eyes while he sucked me off inside that small fitting room. "Fuck." I whispered, barely keeping it together. I wanted to bend him over and fuck him until he screamed my name. He paused for a few seconds and moved his hands to my ass cheeks. He pushed two fingers in my ass. I tightened my grip on his hair and felt the dam break. My spine tingled from the onslaught of pleasure. "Fuck. Danny. I'm going to cum."

I came down his throat, biting hard on my bottom lip as I watched him swallow every fucking drop. He milked me dry and released my softening cock with a pop. It was the hottest thing ever. My knees felt like jelly so I leaned against the wall for support while he licked his lips and pushed himself off the floor. I quickly got dressed and followed Danny out of the fitting room. I was still in an orgasm haze but I tried to pretend otherwise. The shop assistant was right outside. She kept staring at us with a shocked expression on her face. I cleared my throat and toyed with the silk tie. She stood there for a few seconds until Danny said her name. I was unnerved by her shameless gawking. My prince, on the other hand, was cool as a cucumber and incredibly charming. He also insisted on paying for the suit. He said it was his treat.

"Did you see the way she was looking at us?" I asked him once we were inside his Mini Cooper. "She knows you gave me more than just a helping hand in there."

"Of course I noticed, but do not be alarmed. She won't say anything."

"How do you know that? She could be on the phone right now with TMZ as we speak."

"Nathan, you need to trust me on this. Karen wouldn't dare say something about the royal family. We have a non-spoken agreement with our people. Unlike the United States, we actually have boundaries around here. Nothing about our personal lives is released to the press without our approval." He reassured me.

His words helped ease my fears a little. He also stopped by his favorite ice cream place and got me a chocolate sundae with cherries on top. We sat under the shade of a pine tree and ate our dessert in comfortable silence. We then went back to his estate to get changed for brunch. He ended up wearing a suit similar to the one he bought for me. It was a pinstriped jacket with a cerulean blue pocket square that matched the color of his eyes. I combed my hair and styled it in the bathroom while he showed me his collection of royal cufflinks.

"You look so dapper." I complimented him on his flawless fashion sense.

He smiled and gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Are you ready for brunch?"

"Yeah. I guess."

He took me down to his garage and showed me his second favorite car. It was a cherry red BMW. He tossed me the keys and told me to drive. "Come on. I know you want to."

The car was a custom made model designed especially for the Royals. I slid into the driver's seat and switched on the engine. It purred like a jungle cat, making me picture all kinds of dirty things. "We should definitely christen the hood of this babe," I told him.

It took us ten minutes to reach Lockridge Palace. It still felt surreal to be here. Danny squeezed my hand and walked me to the bronze gates. The guards greeted him with a courteous bow and held open the doors for us. The halls of the palace were lined with ivory marble columns and intimidating portraits of Raplen's kings and Queens. Danny moved with confidence down the lavishly furnished corridors of the palace. I stared up at the stunning frescoes on the ceilings until my neck hurt. There was so much stuff to look at.

We finally reached the dining hall where his entire family was gathered for brunch. I was so fucking nervous, I almost tripped over my own leather shoes. Everyone looked so prim and proper. I bowed before the Queen Mother and swallowed the nervous lump in my throat. The mouthwatering smell of bacon and cinnamon rolls made my stomach grumble.

Danny's parents and cousins were also present. I was basically the odd one out. There was no one else I could relate to in that dining room. It was such a weird feeling. I sat down next to my prince and feasted my eyes on the ridiculous amount of food on the table. There were enough bacon and eggs in here to feed an entire village.

"Please dig in." Danny encouraged me with a smile. "You must be hungry after all that shopping." He added. I took a deep breath and stared down at the confusing lineup of forks, spoons, and knives. I was too fucking nervous to remember which fork to use first.

One of the servants poured me a steaming cup of coffee. I took a sip and helped myself to some blueberry pancakes. Danny filled up my plate with bacon, hash browns and eggs. His mother asked me a couple of questions about my profession. Her questions made me even more nervous. She was nice and all, but she was staring at me like I was some exotic creature on display at the zoo. "So, how do you like Raplen so far?"

"It's a beautiful country. Last night's fireworks were amazing." I cleared my throat.

"You do have something similar in the States as I recall. The fourth of July, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness," I replied.

"How lovely." She smiled before returning to her meal.

Queen Emmeline gave me funny looks over her teacup. I almost choked on my pancakes when she asked Danny about last night. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and told her all about the dinner we had. Apparently, she was into Italian food as well.

Prince Asher showed up all of a sudden and apologized for being late. He greeted Danny before sitting down right next to him. I was so fucking jealous of how he seemed to instantly click with my prince. They chatted briefly about his hometown and laughed at some inside joke while I sat there like a fucking idiot.

What the fuck was I doing here anyway?

After brunch, they all retired to the drawing room. Greg played the piano while Prince Asshole told them a story about his great grandfather. Apparently, he invented some kind of traditional Cardovian dance. "Prince Danny. Will you please be my dance partner this afternoon?"

Charming nodded and stood next to Prince Showoff. I glared daggers at him when he grabbed his hand and wrapped it around his waist. I gritted my teeth and watched them dance while Greg played an upbeat song on his piano.

Look at them. They were two peas in a royal pod. Everyone clapped and cheered them on while they glided around the room like synchronized swimmers. They had too much chemistry going on. I didn't like it.

"Fuck this shit," I muttered under my breath.

I quietly left my seat and snuck out of the room. My feet carried me all the way to the gardens. I plopped down on the nearest bench and wondered if I'd made the biggest mistake by coming here.

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# Danny

THE CARDOVIAN DANCE Asher taught me was hilarious. It was nothing like our very complicated version of ballroom dancing. We rarely practiced it anymore. It belonged in the old dusty pages of fleeting Raplen traditions. I was, however, worried that Nathan would get the wrong idea about us. Prince Asher grinned like a Cheshire cat before twirling me around the drawing room.

"So, why exactly did you ask me to dance? You know it makes Nathan uncomfortable." I asked.

"That is exactly why I did it." He replied. "Your love interest needs to know that it's safe to come out of his dusty closet. We are in the twenty-first century for heaven's sake. He needs to get over himself." He then gave me a pointed look and squeezed my hand. "Any man in his right mind would kill to have you for a boyfriend."

I suddenly realized that the prince was talking about himself. How did I miss all the signs? I had no idea he was falling for me. It was flattering yet awkward to look him in the eye after his statement.

"I really am flattered that someone as handsome and eloquent as you is interested in me, but I'm deeply in love with another man." I let him down gently. "I do appreciate and treasure our friendship, Asher, so I hope we stay friends for years to come."

The disappointment on his face was clear as day. "I understand." He nodded, slowly letting go of me. He joined the others while I searched the noisy drawing room for Danny. He was no longer in his seat by the fireplace. I should have known he'd be upset by my willingness to Dance with Asher.

Greg walked up to me with a smirk on his lips. "Your lover just slipped out to the gardens."

I froze when he mentioned the word 'lover' and did nothing to hide my shock. My brother was sometimes capable of reading me like an open book. "Is it really that obvious?" I fretfully asked.

"Yes." He rolled his eyes at me. "You might as well walk around with a neon sign on your face that reads -canoodling with rock star boyfriend."

"Oh shit."

"Why shit?" He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Why is it a bad thing to be in love with someone who loves you back?"

His eyes suddenly drifted to prince Asher who was pouring himself a cup of tea. I had no idea that he was interested in the Cardovian Prince. "If you have the hots for him, then by all means, go ahead and make your move." I encouraged him. "Asher is very laid back and his occasional bouts of dry humor are hilarious."

Greg shook his head. "No. He's not really my type."

"Do you mean he isn't Quin?" Greg didn't answer.

"If you say so." I shrugged.

The garden was divided into three separate areas. It took me around ten minutes to find Nathan. He was sitting next to my favorite fountain. It featured Poseidon sitting in the middle of three beautiful mermaids. My great grandmother brought in a famous Italian sculptor to build it. My brooding rock star sat there looking like a breathtaking pensive statue. He really was a work of art in his new Gucci suit. I walked up to him from behind and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

"Hey, you. Why are you sitting here all by your lonesome?"

He turned his head to the side. I could tell that he was upset. "I needed some air." He replied. "It's not easy, being the only non-royal in the room. I just don't fit in. Your world is a lot different than mine."

I sat next to him and held his hand. "Don't say that. We've all had to learn how to become royal, so to speak. It takes time is all. I'm quite certain you weren't born with a guitar in your hands. It probably took years for you to master the art of performing. It took me ages to grow into my prince shoes as well. I've been doing it all my life but I don't like it one bit. The only time I feel content and happy is when I am at my estate, working with my horses. I also feel at home when I'm with you." I confessed, pouring out my heart to him.

Nathan turned to me with a forlorn expression on his handsome face. "I honestly don't know what to do at this point." He divulged. "I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't want to lose you but I don't even know how or when to come out either. It's not an easy decision to make."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. Leading a double life must be taking a toll on him. He was an expert at hiding it but I could easily see the tiny cracks in his armor. "Maybe you should consider leaving the band," I suggested. "This way, none of them will be affected by your decision to come out."

"No." He loosened his tie with a frown. "I'm the lead singer, Danny. There is no band without me. If I leave, we lose our endorsements and sponsors. We signed contracts with these people. I can't just jump ship and watch them sink."

We sat in absolute silence for a while. I had no idea what to say next. It was probably selfish of me to ask him to quit. He was right. Without him, The Moonstones would cease to exist. Nathan provided both the voice and the captivating lyrics. "Maybe we should just take a break. You deserve to come out in your own time. I promise to wait for you. You're worth the wait."

Nathan shook his head vehemently. "I never want to take a break from you baby. Hell, I haven't been this happy with someone in a long time. In fact, never."

"Me too." I ran my fingers through his long raven hair. His emerald eyes pulled me in like a magnet. I leaned in closer to him and kissed him. It was a sweet tender kiss that turned my heart into a big red balloon. It was filled with too much love for him.

"I knew it!"

A familiar voice suddenly invaded our private moment. We sprung apart like we were caught doing drugs by the headmaster. I turned around to find Aunt Edith staring at us with a malicious gleam in her eyes. The old hag was out for blood. I stiffened and held her cold and calculating gaze. She sashayed past our bench before I had the chance to call her out for spying on us. She clearly followed me all the way here from the drawing room.

"Fuck. Now your aunt knows too." He stood up and paced in front of the fountain. "If the shop assistant could remain quiet about us, then your aunt would too. Right?"

I sighed. "No, my love. My aunt operates in a different manner. She's a vindictive old coot who is bitter because she was cheated out of being the next queen when her husband died. He was the original heir to the throne."

"Fuck!" He muttered. "You know, I had a run in with her at Lizzie's wedding. She was judgmental as hell. She gave off this hostile vibe and called you guys an abomination."

"She's a homophobic twat." I told him. "You should probably consider telling your band mates and anyone else on your list before she airs our laundry to all and sundry."

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# Nathan

DANNY'S WORDS TRIGGERED something in me. My old pal , mistrust, reared its ugly head. I felt cornered and vulnerable. If his aunt ratted me out to the press, they would have a field day with my story. My nightmare would become a reality. I rose from the bench and folded my arms defensively across my chest. The question I was about to ask danced on the tip of my tongue. I knew it would probably ruin what we had together but it flew out of my mouth anyway. "Did you do this, Danny? Did you set this up to force me to come out?"

Danny's baby blue eyes widened in shock. "How could you possibly think that?" He sounded hurt by my accusation. I looked away, unable to face the hurt in his eyes.

"So, what's your price?" I blurted out. "Because I have a long fucking history of paying off boyfriends I was in a covert relationship with. This is how it usually works. I pay up and they zip their mouth shut."

Danny laughed in disbelief. "And you think I want your money? Did we somehow stumble into some parallel universe just now? Because I cannot believe my ears."

"No. I don't think you're after my money. This shit came out wrong." I huffed. "I think you're so desperate to be with me to the point where you're willing to try anything to force me to come out. It's the only thing standing in your way." I instantly regretted what I said.

Prince Charming went red in the face. He glared daggers at me and moved farther away from my hostile body. We stood at opposite ends of the fountain. His eyes were a dark, murky blue. There was so much anger and hurt swimming in them. I swallowed the lump in my throat and stubbornly stood my ground.

"Believe what you want, Nathan." He shook his head. "You might as well fuck off if you think I was capable of such deceit." He added.

I watched him spin on his heels and storm out of the garden.

"Fuck." I tugged on my hair in frustration and kicked the bench. I never meant to lash out at him like that. I felt sick to my stomach. There was a suffocating knot tied around my heart. I followed the cobblestone path that led to the palace and went back inside.

I entered the drawing room and ran into the Queen. She was on her way out so I wished her a happy birthday. "Are you leaving already?" She asked.

I coughed out of nervousness. She was an incredibly intimidating woman. How could I look her in the eye after breaking her grandson's heart? She'd probably kick me out of Raplen if she discovered all the shit I said to him. "Yes, Your Highness. I need to go back to the States."

The old woman's eyes turned dark. She was a petite lady but I felt like a dwarf in her presence. She leaned in closer and studied my face intently. She had a sharp mind for her age. I held her gaze, unable to look away. "So you're going to love him and then leave him?" She snapped her fingers. I blinked and my jaw dropped in surprise. I was speechless for a few seconds. Was she some kind of Jedi with mind reading powers?

"Excuse me?" I stuttered out.

Queen Emmeline leaned in closer. Her jasmine perfume invaded my nose. She looked like she was about to whip my ass. I tried to hide my guilt when she raised a finger and pressed it to my chest. My heart started racing like a Ferrari. "Young man, I may be old but not blind. At least not yet. Danny wears his heart on his sleeve, so it's plain to see that he loves you. His entire face lights up when you walk into the room."

I was beyond dumbfounded. My mouth opened and closed like a blowfish. My eyes fluttered around the drawing room. I felt like everyone was staring at me. Did everyone know about us? Did they feel the chemistry between Danny and me?

Queen Emmeline gave me a pointed look. That woman could somehow see right through me. I was amazed by her perceptiveness. "Maybe it is a good thing if you leave. Frankly, I'm not convinced that you're the right man for Danny anyway." She openly snubbed me and walked away.

I stood there in the corner, feeling embarrassed and guilty. Her words stung me like a bee. I quickly slinked out of the room and walked down the hallway with my tail between my legs. A bald man approached me the second I reached the main entrance.

"Mr. Nathan. Prince Daniel said you would be needing a ride to your hotel."

"Yes. Please." I nodded before following him to one of the royal cars. I climbed into the backseat and removed my tie. Danny was unreal. He was looking out for me despite our earlier argument. Fuck. I was such an asshole. He bought me this suit and introduced me to his family. And what did I do in return? I stabbed him in the back and said a bunch of hurtful shit to distract from the fact that I was too chicken to come out.

I was filled with remorse and wanted to apologize to Danny so bad. I had to win back his affections. He was everything to me. Why was I an expert at self sabotage? Why?

My thoughts drifted back to our conversation about his lovely Aunt Edith. If he was right about her big mouth, then I had to prepare my band, manager and PR team for the shitstorm that was about to hit us. I stared out the window, feeling oddly at peace with this whole thing.

"Weird." I sighed and glanced down at the phone in my lap. I was supposed to be freaking out and calling everyone like my house was on fire. Instead, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I listened to the soothing sounds of nature outside my window. Raplen had a calming effect on me. The landscape was so serene. I suddenly realized just how much I hated being in the closet. I was stuck inside a prison of my own making.

I thought about all of the obstacles and challenges I faced on the way to becoming a recording artist. People actually made fun of our band name and told us we would never make it. We used to rent out shabby tour buses that barely fit our equipment in order to play small gigs at equally shabby bars and nightclubs. Our first manager took off with our hard earned money and ditched us in the middle of nowhere. Back then, none of us had credit cards or mobile phones. We were broke as fuck. Despite it all, we still managed to become famous.

I returned to the hotel room with a new perspective on things. Thanks to our fans, we had millions in our bank accounts and the best cribs in all of Chicago. They deserved better than a lead singer who lied about his identity. My publicist was wrong. Our fans deserved a big slice of honesty and so did Theo and the others.

With that in mind, I quickly packed my bags and headed straight to the airport.

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# Danny

ON THE THIRD DAY OF the Jubilee, Greg kicked my ass at fencing. Grandmother was a big fan of the sport so she made sure we both participated in the annual competition. I was not particularly great at it, but my brother was. He took the game way too seriously. I was grateful for the distraction, especially after what happened yesterday with Nathan. His words wounded me deeply. They haunted me during the race and I ended up losing to the bastard from Waverly. His horse won first place while Xena was pushed to third place. She deserved to win. My heart suffered two losses in one day. It felt heavier than a massive boulder.

"Danny! Focus." Greg pulled me out of my thoughts with a straight jab to my left shoulder. He lunged at me with his sharp foil. I moved just in time to avoid getting struck in the arm. I swung my sword in a circle and deflected his strike with ease.

"Sorry." I offered him a smile and matched him strike for strike. It was hard to keep up with him. He lunged at me on the narrow piste and jabbed me in the shoulder once more. Our grandmother booed him from her chair. I knew she had a soft spot for me. After all, she did trust me with decorating the palace for her birthday. I heard from a bird that she had a brief conversation with Nathan yesterday. She probably tried to talk some sense into him. I should have asked her to throw him in the dungeon for me. Maybe if he spent the night down there, he'd change his mind about everything. He was annoyingly stubborn and defensive, but God I missed him. I loved him.

I was too distracted to notice that Greg had dropped his foil and was headed straight for my mask. He ripped it off, startling the hell out of me in the process. "What the hell, Gregory?"

"Hello? You just stepped out of the piste." He grabbed my sword and held it to my chest. "Face it, brother. You are a million miles away. You might as well fly to America and get your man."

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous suggestion. "No. Nathan needs to make the first move."

He tucked both our swords under his arm and motioned for cousin Tommy to take over. He was an excellent swordsman. I gave Queen Emmeline an apologetic smile on our way to the changing room. She winked at me in return.

"So, tell me, would you take him back if he returned to Raplen?"

I shrugged. That was a big if. Nathan was a stubborn cookie.

"Don't give me that look." Greg chuckled. "You have plenty of room for him in that big heart of yours. You'd probably take him back in an instant." He added with a snap of his fingers. "You're hopelessly in love and it makes me want to vomit."

He pretended to throw up. "How very mature of you." I elbowed him in the gut. "Of course I love him. Everyone in this palace knows I love him. There is nothing I can do about it. My main concern right now is Aunt Edith. I talked to her earlier but she won't commit to not talking to anyone about what she saw in the garden."

"And what exactly did she see in that garden?" My brother asked out of curiosity. We both changed out of our fencing gear in separate changing rooms but kept our conversation going.

"She saw us kissing and then went into evil witch mode. It was quite frightening."

"Leave it to me. I will gladly take care of it. In the meantime, go get your man. And if you really love Nathan and he loves you back, then please give him the time to come out on his own. Do not break up with him for it. Listen to your brother. I give the best relationship advice in this country." He boasted.

"You should start your own Youtube channel." I jokingly said. His words made me feel so much better. I felt incredibly lucky to have a support system and siblings who actually cared about me. I suddenly remembered Nathan and his lonely upbringing. Growing up in foster homes and struggling to make ends meet must had done a number on him. He had a hard time trusting people. We both had issues that needed to be resolved.

I glanced down at the itinerary and headed over to the dome shaped arena. A friend of mine from Kitson was waiting for me at the chess wing where the annual tournament was about to begin. We took part in the game and I ended up winning. All those years of playing against father finally paid off. The Jubilee games had a special place in my heart. I only wished Nathan was here to watch me battle those Kitson dragons. There was a big envoy representing our neighbors. They took the game very seriously. Greg and I found it incredibly hard to keep a straight face when they showed up in matching red outfits.

"Well, look who showed up dressed like a boy band." I snickered.

Ruppy and my cousins showed up late to the tennis court. We were supposed to team up against Kitson. My grandmother walked all the way here in her custom made Adidas sneakers. She looked like a trendy old lady.

Once again, I changed into my tennis outfit and joined Tommy on the court.

Our parents and relatives showed up to watch the tournament. I was a bit distracted since I wanted to get to Nathan as soon as possible, but at the same time, I couldn't just bail on my grandmother's big day. Her official birthday party was scheduled to take place in the evening.

"Earth to Danny. Are you with me?" Tommy waved his racket in front of my face.

"No. He is somewhere else." Greg teased me. "Somewhere that starts with cock and ends with Nathan." He added before sitting courtside. He was our referee and a royal pain in the butt.

"You are an embarrassment to us all." I gave him the finger while grandmother was busy putting on her eyeglasses. He laughed and signaled for the game to start.

I was a bit rusty when it came to tennis but Tommy was one competitive bastard. He almost made team Kitson cry. Tennis was clearly not their forte. They did, however, manage to strike me in the shoulder. I stumbled backward and fell on the ground. Greg whistled and gave us an extra point. Team Kitson went ballistic. They accused us of cheating. Grandmother intervened and told them to calm their tits. It was hilarious.

I rubbed my bruised shoulder and decided to take a short break. I drove the short distance to Lockridge Palace and grabbed a bag of ice from the kitchen. Our family chef was busy preparing our dinner for tonight. The heavenly smell of slow cooked meat and truffles made my mouth water. Ben, our pastry chef, was applying the finishing touches to the seven-tier cake. He decorated the dark chocolate cake with a rainbow of edible flowers. Most of them were tulips of course. The Queen was obsessed with them.

Ben also made one of our famous local desserts. The apricot stuffed hoof was a hit among tourists. It was both a lucky charm and a delicious combo of apricot jam and powdered sugar. Chef Dominic also prepared another savory dish of ours. I practically begged him for a plate of bacon stuffed dumplings. He was an expert at making them.

I ate an entire bowl before heading back to the sports complex. Families from all over the country showed up to cheer on their favorite royals and take part in the fun Jubilee games. There was a special arena dedicated to kids and the elderly. The games encouraged everyone to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Queen Emmeline walked the football track every year on her birthday. She always advised us to set a good example and show the world just how health-conscious we were. That was the main reason why I participated in those games. It was a brilliant opportunity to connect with our citizens.

I returned to the sports complex with a full stomach and a heavy heart. Like I would ever take money from him! His words burned me like the flames of a wicked candle. I can still feel the pain they inflicted on me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to think of something other than the matters of my heart. I needed to put this behind me before it ruined my whole day.

I parked my car next to the indoor Olympic pool and decided to clear my head with a bit of swimming. I ran into a childhood friend of mine in the locker room. She suffered from a broken heart and a bruised ego. She caught her boyfriend cheating on her and kicked him out of her apartment. Her usual confident demeanor was replaced by a fragile shell. I used her as a distraction and listened to her story. Apparently, she toyed with his feelings on several occasions. She was afraid of getting hurt, so she lashed out at him and pushed him away. He retaliated by sleeping with a random woman. He told her it was meaningless sex but the damage had been already done. I felt like the universe was trying to tell me something. Maybe Nathan lashed out at me because I pushed him out of his comfort zone.

She definitely gave me food for thought while I showered and changed.

The final game for the day took place near the complex stables. Raplen was famous for its many traditions, including Medieval joust. Nowadays, it was more of a theatrical game rather than a violent practice. Decades ago, jousting led to the downfall of many foolish kings. King Henry VIII suffered a severe head injury after a serious jousting accident of his own. My great grandfather also broke his arm during a tournament in France. Today, the armor was much lighter and the lances we carried had soft, harmless tips. It was all for show but we still made it count.

The prince of Waverly was my well dressed rival. He was such a showoff. The ladies loved him because he rode his horse around the arena and handed out roses to everyone. I yawned and waited for him to finish. His diamond studded armor was too flashy. Mine was black with our royal coat of arms on the front. Thunder dug his hooves into the ground. He was my go-to horse for this particular game. The prince was too distracted by the beautiful women surrounding us to block my attack. I ended up unhorsing him and snatching his armor. He fell into the mud with a big splash and gave me the finger.

"Daniel! You're going down next year."

"Bite me, Prince Augustine."

Needless to say, I was happy to bring him down a notch. I rode Thunder back to the stables and ran into Aunt Edith along the way. She looked awfully grim for someone who took pleasure in other people's misery. She approached me with a sour expression on her face and told me something unexpected. "I won't say anything about what I saw. In fact, I did not see anything."

I knew she was referring to my kiss with Nathan at the royal gardens.

Aunt Edith spun on her heels and left before I could ask her about her sudden change of heart. Blackmailing fellow aristocrats was her favorite pastime. "That was weird."

"Hey, brother." Gregory came up to me after she left. He grinned from ear to ear and leaned against the wall while I removed Thunder's saddle. "So, did the wicked witch of the east apologize for her misdeeds?"

"Not exactly, but she did promise to keep her mouth shut about Nathan. How did you convince her to keep such a juicy secret to herself? She was pretty unhappy about it."

"I simply went to a certain someone and told her everything. It worked like a charm."

I laughed. Only one person could have gotten Edith to be quiet. Grandmother must have threatened to cut her off. We all knew my aunt had a thing for gambling. She spent her allowance at the many casinos of Monte Carlo. "I owe you one, brother. I really do."

"Good, because I might cash in this favor sooner than I thought."

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# Nathan

CHICAGO WAS STILL THE same old city when I landed, but I felt like a changed man. My twelve hour flight gave me more time to think about my decision. I was convinced more than ever that it was the right one to make, especially after what happened on that plane. The woman seated next to me had an interesting story to tell. She was a lesbian who was stuck in the closet for decades. She married a man and had three kids. After he died, she decided to come out to her family and friends. She was tired of living a lie. It turned out to be the best decision of her life. She reconnected with an old childhood friend who had a crush on her in high school. They fell in love and moved in together a couple of months ago. Her story inspired me to write some new lyrics for our upcoming album. I already had an entire notebook of lyrics thanks to Danny. He was my artistic muse.

We landed in Chicago early in the morning. I took a cab to my apartment and called Theo. The band was performing at a charity concert tomorrow. They were raising money for a children's cancer hospital near Lake Michigan. I invited them to have lunch at my place right before the concert. I was planning on feeding them ridiculous amounts of sushi before telling them I was gay. Food always did the trick. Eight years ago, I cooked dinner for my foster family and surprised them with a sixty-thousand dollar check. They used it to pay off a chunk of their debts and buy groceries. Too bad they moved to New Zealand. I would have loved to introduce them to Danny. If he agreed to take me back that is.

I was a fucking idiot for ruining what we had. Why did I open my big mouth in the first place? I sulked on my couch and flipped through my endless supply of television channels. My brain was about to explode from all the guilt and anger. Anger at myself for behaving the way I did. There was no excuse for the harsh words I said. None. Negative. I was supposed to be good with words. Hell, I wrote lyrics and composed music for a living. I could have easily communicated my feelings in a more nuanced way. Instead, I charged in like an angry bull and broke every item in the fucking China shop.

"Come on. You can do it. Just rip it off like a band-aid."

I finally talked myself into calling my publicist. She picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, Miranda."

"Good morning! Are you back from Raplen?"

"Yep." I nodded. "Did you miss me?"

"Always." She chuckled. "So, what can I do for you this fine morning?"

"Do you remember the conversation we had at your office?"

"Ah. Yes. The one about coming out. Why? Did something happen? Do I need to do emergency damage control?" She started freaking out, much to my amusement.

"No. Negative. Jeez. Calm down."

"Nathan."

"Miranda. I've decided to break down the doors of my stuffy closet." I declared. "In fact, I plan on telling everyone that I'm gay and proud tomorrow. I may even wave a rainbow flag during our charity concert."

I heard nothing but silence on the other end of the line. "If you choose to throw my advice out the window, then there is nothing I can do to stop you. You pay me to make you look good, not the other way round."

"I know. I just wanted to give you a heads-up." I replied.

"I still think that coming out to your fans right now is a very bad idea though." She warned. "It could backfire in a multitude of ways."

"You know what? Raplen and its people taught me the importance of being true to yourself. This is what we should be telling our fans right now. We need to send a positive message to our young audience. We need to control the narrative before somebody else does."

"Okay, Nathan. Do your thing, I'm here for you, if something goes wrong, pick up your phone and call me."

"Sure thing." I hung up and sat down next to the window. I watched the ant-sized cars move at a sluggish pace down the highway. Tomorrow was shaping up to be a big day for me.

I spent the rest of the afternoon mentally preparing my coming out speech. My band and their reaction worried me the most. They were the only family I had. Sure they sometimes crawled under my skin and drove me crazy, but our on-stage chemistry was phenomenal. We meshed perfectly. Theo gave me the creative freedom to write my own lyrics and had my back during our meetings with the record label. When our first album went platinum, the head of the label wanted us to rush back into the studio and record another one. We both said no. Lying to your best friend about who you were on a daily basis took its toll on me. I went through a dark phase where I partied nonstop and drank a shitload of alcohol. I fucked up big time.

One day, after vomiting for what felt like hours, Theo slapped me hard on the cheek and told me to get my shit together. He got rid of my unlimited supply of vodka and Hennessey and took me to rehab. If it weren't for him, I would have probably drowned and died in my own pool of misery.

Fuck. I had to tell him the truth before it was too late.

The next morning, I bolted out of bed in a hurry and called my cleaning lady. She showed up ten minutes later and helped me tidy up my messy apartment. I barely had time to unpack or wash the tower of dishes in the sink.

I was nervous as fuck. What I was about to do was going to change my life forever. I ordered sushi for the gang and deep dish pizza for Theo. I made sure there was beer in the fridge before getting dressed for the concert. I sprayed enough deodorant to prevent me from sweating like a pig and combed my hair real quick.

The doorbell rang at three o'clock sharp. I rushed to answer it and almost tripped over the carpet. "Fuck." I muttered before opening the door.

"Dude! Long time no see." Theo greeted me with a smile.

Everyone showed up, including Calvin who was carrying a gift bag in his hand. Cassie pulled me into a hug and handed me a bottle of red wine. "Sorry about making the moves on you, Jay. I never meant to make you uncomfortable." She whispered in my ear.

She walked past me before I had the chance to react. Calvin, Guy, and Theo made themselves comfortable on my leather couch. I coughed and placed their gifts on the coffee table.

"Thanks for coming guys." I caught Theo staring at me with a weird expression on his face.

"Sure. No problem. So what's the reason behind this invitation? Did you get secretly hitched to a Raplen princess? Is the world about to end? Because you've never done this before."

I coughed again and asked them to join me at the dining table. They sat down and dug into the plates of sushi, sashimi, and pizza. I was too damn nervous to eat anything. I handed them each a can of chilled beer and watched them wolf down their food. Theo shot me a few curious looks over his plate. I rearranged the fork, knife and salt shaker in front of me and avoided his gaze.

"Nathan. Stop moving shit around." He finally said. "What the fuck is going on?"

I took a deep breath and leaned forward in my chair. Cassie and the others stopped eating and gave me their full attention. "Did you try the pizza? It's pretty great."

"Nathan!"

"Okay. Okay. Just give me a second." I ran my nervous fingers through my hair and glanced at Theo. He sat at the edge of his seat with concern written all over his bearded face. "Guys, there is something you need to know about me."

"Uh-oh."

"I've been keeping this secret for years."

"Oh shit." Calvin dragged his chair close to mine. "Are you terminally ill?"

"Calvin. Stop interrupting him." Theo lashed out.

I dug my fingers into the soft fabric of my khakis. The anticipation was killing us all. "What I'm trying to say is that I'm...gay." That last word fell from my lips like a sweet piece of chocolate. It felt good to say it out loud.

"Gay." Theo repeated. His face went blank all of a sudden.

"Yes." I held my breath, bracing myself for his reaction.

Cassie gasped. Calving and Guy gaped at me in shock. Theo suddenly pushed back his chair and moved to stand by the window. He looked visibly upset by my confession. I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat and followed him. "Why?" He asked with tears in his eyes. "Why would you keep this from me?"

I hugged my shoulders. "Honestly? I was afraid you'd reject me. I was afraid of letting you down. We both worked so hard to put this band together. I didn't want to rock the boat."

"Reject you? Are you fucking crazy? We're brothers, you idiot." He elbowed me in the stomach. Hard. It hurt like a bitch. "God, I'm so fucking mad at you right now."

"Sorry. I should have told you ages ago."

Calvin sighed, seemingly more relieved than angry. "Oh thank Fuck. I thought you were going to quit the band or some shit like that." He told me.

"Nope." I leaned against the wall, the tension in my shoulders slowly dissipating. "You guys, I fucked up big time. I've let down the man I love. He probably hates my guts right now."

"Who are you talking about? Did you fall for someone while you were in Raplen?"

"Yeah. Prince Danny." I revealed.

"Whoa." Theo wiped his tears and dragged me to the living room. Cassie and the guys followed us. "Sit down and tell us everything from the beginning."

Calvin poured me a glass of wine before sitting down next to me. I told them everything, including my stupid outburst at the palace. They listened without interrupting. I was blown away by their supportive reaction. "Everything makes so much sense now," Cassie remarked. "The two of you look adorable together. I hope Prince Danny forgives you."

"Me too." I sighed.

Theo punched me playfully in the gut. "I'm still mad at you by the way." He told me. "I trust you with my life. Hell, I shared so many secrets with you. How could you not trust me in return?"

I reached out and wrapped my arm around his shoulder. "Don't be silly. I do trust you."

"Good, because I forgive you, you big oaf." He grinned. "But only because your boyfriend's a prince. You can probably get away with a ton of shit now. They might even allow you to smuggle drugs and alcohol out of Raplen." He jokingly said.

"Haha. Very funny. I don't want to get away with anything really. I just want to win Danny back. I messed up big time, Theo. He may not even want me anymore."

"Nonsense. I think he digs you just as much as you dig him."

"We'll see."

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# Danny

MY FLIGHT WAS DELAYED for three hours. It made me rethink my stance on private jets. I was firmly against them but I should have made an exception for Nathan. I boarded the plane feeling both nervous and excited. It was funny how Lizzie met her husband at a Moonstones concert and I ended up falling for their lead singer. Life was indeed full of surprises. I spent the twelve hour flight listening to Nathan's voice on my iPod. I was looking forward to surprising him at the concert. Greg wanted me to go no matter the outcome. He told me to seize the moment instead of waiting and wondering. They said absence made the heart grow fonder but what if the distance between us made things worse?

Chicago was brimming with fellow tourists at the airport. It took me ages to find a taxi. Traffic was terrible on the highway. I was in a race against time to reach the charity concert. They were raising money for a good cause so I decided to chip in as well. I wrote a check for the cancer hospital and brought it along with me. Donating to a good cause was always at the top of my list. The long ride to the concert made me all the more excited to reunite with Nathan. Thirty minutes later, I found myself standing in line to enter the venue. There was herd of bubbly teenagers standing in front of me. They were gushing about The Moonstones. I smiled, feeling fuzzy as a teddy bear on the inside. I wanted to tap them on the shoulder and tell them that he was mine. He was annoyingly stubborn and a tiny bit temperamental but I loved him with all my heart.

I finally reached the arena where Nathan and his band had already started performing. He was a sight to behold in tight leather pants and a white silk shirt. It was unbuttoned to show off his tight pectoral muscles. I drooled like the rest of his fans and watched him make love to that microphone with his deep voice. There had to be more than four hundred people in here. The stage was lit up with a rainbow of spotlights and a large digital screen in the background. Nathan sang one of my favorite songs off their latest album. The lyrics were a cocktail of naughty and nice. He moved around the stage with a swagger anyone would kill for. Women screamed his name and raised signs in the air that said things like -marry me, Nathan- and -have my babies-. I witnessed one fan take off her bra and toss it at the stage. I suddenly understood what he meant when he said his fans could make or break his career. Without them, there would be no Moonstones.

I was flushed with excitement at the prospect of hugging him and kissing him again. I knew that what Greg said was true. I would rather have Nathan in my life and in the closet than none at all. I missed him so much.

The band played a few more songs and they were all on my iPod playlist. I sang along with the rest of the crowd and waved my hands in the air. I forgot all about my jet lag and enjoyed the concert. So many people showed up in support of the cause. Nathan called on a famous celebrity to take the stage. She was a popular actress here in the United States. The crowd erupted into a fresh wave of sheers when they saw her. She dedicated a song to her late brother who died of cancer. It was a very touching tribute.

Pink and gold confetti fell from the sky at the end of that song. I clapped my hands until they hurt and watched the actress leave the stage. My voice was hoarse from all the singing and screaming. Nathan combed back his straight raven hair and sat down with a guitar in his lap. The concert arena went silent in anticipation. He adjusted the microphone and smiled down at the crowd. "This new song is dedicated to the love of my life." He openly declared.

My heart skipped a beat at his words. He cradled the guitar in his sculpted arms and strummed a brand new tune. It was mellow and sweet. It reminded me of Fleetwood Mac and Lady Gaga's new era. His music was simple and honest. I imagined him scribbling down those lyrics on a hotel napkin. He sometimes did that when inspiration showed up unannounced. His creative mind was so remarkable to me.

The screen behind him came to life all of a sudden. I expected it to showcase the cancer hospital but instead, a cozy selfie of the two of us was on display. I blinked and did a double take.

"Oh my God." I went weak in the knees when I saw it. I could barely hold myself up. We certainly looked like lovers in that photo. There was no doubt about it.

Women gasped in shock and the army of thirsty teens went quiet. You could hear a pin drop inside the venue. I held my breath and crossed my fingers. That was an incredibly bold move on Nathan's part. He exceeded my expectations in every way. I listened to the song and fell in love with the lyrics. They brought happy tears to my eyes.

When you fall in love with a prince, you fight dragons and demons to get to him.

Your hearts speak the same language and your bodies move to the same rhythm.

If I could see you just one more time, I would make you forever mine.

The woman standing next to me suddenly noticed my distinctive head of blond hair. It was hard to miss, especially since I was tall and exceptionally dressed. I had zero time to change out of my Armani suit so I was basically the odd one out here. "Oh my God. You're the guy." She exclaimed, turning to her girlfriends and pointing a finger at me.

Others began to notice the striking resemblance between me and that gigantic photo. I smiled and tried to keep a low profile. Fate, apparently, had other plans.

"Look! It's Prince Daniel."

Another woman, bless her heart, shouted my name. She started yelling at everyone to make way for me. They cleared a pathway to the stage and ushered me towards the front row. Nathan and the band noticed the commotion along with their security detail. Those men were built like mountains. The enthusiastic woman asked them to grant me access to said stage but they refused.

Nathan finally noticed my presence and our eyes met for the first time in days. He removed his earpiece and turned to face his fellow band mates. He must have told them to stop because the song ended abruptly. I watched him put his guitar down before turning back around to face me. Our eyes met and remained connected for what felt like hours. Everything around me faded into the background as I stared into those catlike emerald eyes. He raised the microphone to his lips and flashed me an apologetic smile.

He cleared his throat and moved closer to my side of the stage. "You came." He grinned. "I can't believe my eyes." He added.

His band mates waved at me. He must have told them about us because they gave me a thumbs up and made heart shapes using their hands. I was pleasantly surprised by their reaction. Nathan was afraid that they would turn their backs on him. They clearly chose not to.

Cameras flashed around me as I moved closer to the stage. My handsome rock star ran his fingers through his midnight locks and caressed me with those gentle eyes. "I owe you an apology, Charming. I really am sorry for denying what we had. The whole world needs to know that we're in love. My feelings for you are beautiful and honest. They're nothing to be ashamed of."

My heart skipped a beat. He was so brave for doing this in front of an entire audience. My love for him grew and multiplied. I never knew loving someone could be that exciting and exhilarating.

"Now get up here so I can kiss you." Nathan motioned for his security guards to help me. They showed me to the stairs and granted me access to the stage. Nathan welcomed me with open arms and kissed me. The crowd erupted in happy screams while we kissed.

"Yes! You guys are going to make me cry." Theo wrapped his arms around us.

"Me too." Cassie teared up and joined in on the hugs.

We could barely hear each other over the ocean of excitement below us.

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# Nathan

WE STUMBLED INTO MY dressing room with our hands all over each other. Something told me that he was going to show up tonight. I felt it deep in my bones. I knew it. It was an odd sensation. I certainly hoped he would. My song was a love letter to him. The concert was live-streamed on Youtube so I prayed he would watch it. I never expected him to come all the way here, especially after my outburst at the palace. I fucked up big time. He had no reason to forgive me. I insulted him and questioned his loyalty to me. My regret almost made me cancel our appearance for the night. I was not in the mood to sing about love when the only man I cared about was a million miles away. Theo convinced me to go for it. He was incredibly supportive, and so were the rest of the gang. They told me to get up on that stage and wear my heart on my sleeve, so I did.

It was the best decision I had ever made.

"Fuck. I missed you so fucking much." I panted against his lips. I wanted to devour him whole. He looked good enough to eat in his semi-casual silver suit and cute bow-tie. It had a black horse pattern all over it.

"Me too." He cupped my jaw and sucked on my bottom lip. I wrapped an arm around his neck and tongue-fucked his mouth. I was so fucking turned on by the fact that he flew twelve hours straight and braved Chicago's summer traffic to come see me. The lines outside the venue were crazy. It probably took him ages to get inside. Other artists performed too but they didn't get the VIP treatment. We did. They provided us each with our very own dressing room. We should definitely christen said room. "I'm so sorry, baby. I was such an asshole to you." I apologized for the umpteenth time. "All that stuff I said to you was just plain bullshit."

He rubbed his hands up and down my exposed chest. "No. I'm the one who should be sorry for trying to pressure you to come out. It was none of my business. Now I feel bad for making you rush this." He confessed. "Aunt Edith promised to keep her mouth shut. She wasn't going to tell anyone. I should have sent you a text but I honestly forgot. The Jubilee games wore me out."

I smiled and kissed his pouty lips. "Don't be silly. I was planning on coming out today anyway."

"Really?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "Don't laugh, but I had some sort of epiphany on my way to the airport. I realized that life was way too short for us to waste it on secrets and lies. You deserve better than this and so do I. Real couples don't hold hands under the table."

"True. They hold hands in public. On the table. Unless of course one of us is giving the other a secret hand job." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "We should try that sometime."

"Speaking of hand jobs." I reached down to cup his crown jewels. "How about we turn this dressing room into a sex chamber?"

He cupped the back of my neck and crashed his lips into mine. His fingers delved deep into my long hair. I knew he had a thing for my long mane. My cock stirred inside my tight leather pants as our kissing intensified. We knocked over a table lamp on the way to the couch where we made out like teenagers.

"Fuck. You look so fuckable in this getup." I removed his bow-tie and straddled his waist. He ground his erection against mine. His ocean blue eyes were dark with lust. "You should be arrested for looking this good."

Danny kneaded my ass. "You should probably frisk me, officer." He whispered in his deep voice.

My hands roved all over his athletic body. "Are you carrying something hot, hard and heavy inside your pants?"

He kissed my neck. His wicked tongue darting out to lick my flushed skin. "Why don't you unzip me and find out?" He raised a sexy blond eyebrow in response.

"Good point." I unbuttoned his shirt and kissed the exposed skin. He closed his eyes and chewed on his bottom lip. I scooted down his body, undoing one button after the other. I wanted to take my sweet time with him.

His cock formed a large tent in his pants. I nuzzled his covered erection and slowly unbuckled his belt. He gripped the cushion and gazed down at me with his hooded eyes. It felt surreal to have him here in Chicago, horny and ready to fuck in my dressing room.

He sat up and shrugged out of his shirt and jacket while I unzipped his slacks. "No boxers? How very naughty of you." I smirked.

"I was in a hurry, so.." He shrugged. "There was no time for undergarments."

I wrapped my fingers around his thick shaft and gave it a firm stroke. He hissed and watched me lick the pre-cum from the mushroom head. "Did you fantasize about me after I left?"

"Of course I did." He gasped in pleasure. There was something unbelievably erotic about watching someone as prim and proper as him writhe and moan under my touch. It made me fucking high. I sat up and got rid of my own shirt. Danny watched me flex my muscles for him. I knew he loved it when I showed off those gym-made biceps.

"Did you cum hard?" I leaned back and tugged his pants down his legs.

He nodded and watched me from thirsty eyes while I undressed for him. My cock was harder than a rock. I grabbed the small bottle of lube I kept in my leather jacket and drizzled some all over my cock and fingers. "Yeah. I carry this around like you carry your sanitizer."

"Oh. So you've noticed." He remarked, sounding impressed by my amazing observation skills.

"Of course I noticed." I crawled on top of him and kissed him. "I also noticed your hair thing."

"What hair thing?" He asked. His lips curved into a curious smile.

"You sometimes fiddle with your hair when you're nervous. I normally find it annoying as hell, but you've somehow turned me into a twiddling fan."

He shook his head in amusement. "Any other observations I should know about?"

"Yes." I teased his opening with my fingers. "You make the best omelets. I want you to cook me breakfast tomorrow with nothing but an apron on."

He moaned when I pushed two of my fingers inside him. "I would gladly make you a thousand omelets. Just fuck me already."

"Yes, Your Highness." I grinned.

His fingertips danced across my back when I replaced my fingers with my cock. He stared deep into my eyes as I entered him. My hands fisted the cushions and my spine tingled at the sensation of my shaft being squeezed by him. He felt so fucking good. I bent down to taste more of his full lips and dove under the waves of pleasure. I wanted to draw out our lovemaking until we both passed out on the couch. Danny kissed me slowly and moved his hips to take more of me. His hard cock rubbed against my stomach as I slid back and forth on top of him.

"Nathan." He groaned, digging his fingers into my back. I closed my eyes and imagined all sorts of unsexy shit to stop myself from coming. "Fuck me into oblivion.'

"Patience, baby. We're just getting started."

He was so tight. I kept it slow and steady, driving him crazy in the process.

He sucked on my earlobe and whispered all sorts of dirty things in my ear. "Fuck me harder. I can take it. Pound my ass until you break this couch."

I opened my eyes and met his heated gaze. His eyes were the same color as the ocean in winter. I traced his lips with my thumb before pushing it inside his mouth. He sucked on it like a lollipop. "Do you kiss your Queen with that dirty mouth of yours?"

He released my finger with a pop and squeezed my ass cheek. "Yes. All the time."

I moaned and rolled my hips, wiping that smirk off his face. I made love to him in fast and shallow thrusts. He pushed a finger into my ass and pinched my nipple at the same time. "Fuck, Danny. Do that again."

He pinched my nipple and reached down between us to touch his cock.

I arched my back and watched his hand fly over his engorged shaft. "Let me." I took over from him and stroked him with my lubed up fingers. He groaned and fisted my hair. Our lips met in a sloppy kiss as I struggled to maintain a steady pace. I wanted to draw this out as much as possible. Sweat glistened on his skin while we fucked like animals in the small dressing room.

I pulled out of him in one swift motion and watched him get on his hands and knees on the carpet. His smoldering gaze made me hard as steel. I grabbed his hips and slid into him from behind. There was a full length mirror directly in front of us. He licked his lips and guided my right hand to his cock. "Make me cum."

I wrapped my fingers around him and felt how hot and heavy he was. "Fuck. Look at us."

He watched me fuck him in the mirror. It was the hottest thing in the world.

"Nathan." My name sounded like a prayer coming from his lips.

I used deep, long strokes to draw out the pleasure. My spine tingled as I felt my orgasm slowly creeping up on me. Danny was about to blow his load too. He arched his back and shuddered, cumming all over my hand. "Yes baby!"

I closed my eyes and quickened my pace, my cock moving in and out of him at breakneck speed. My body felt hotter than a sauna. Sweat dripped from my chest as I fucked him harder than ever before. He moaned and matched me thrust for thrust.

The dam finally broke. My balls drew up and my cock felt like it was about to explode.

"Fuck." Spasms wracked my entire body when I came. My body drowned under a tsunami of pleasure. I collapsed on top of Danny and surrendered to the overwhelming sensation.

"We should probably get out of here before your fans come looking for us."

"Yep." I kissed his sweat flavored chest. "They already started calling us Nanny."

"Nanny?" He chuckled. "What fresh hell is this?"

"They combined our names together to form the word Nanny. It's fucking hilarious."

We snuck out of the dressing room and called an Uber. Two security guards escorted us to the exit gate where a swarm of fans were waiting for us. I signed a couple of autographs and posed for a couple of selfies. "Nathan! We love you. Thanks for coming out. You are an inspiration to us all." A pink haired girl waved at me on our way to the cab.

I gave her a quick hug and kissed her cheek. "No. Thank you for having my back."

"Always!" She called out after me.

I was on an incredible high.

I took Danny to my apartment after showing him more of Chicago via our pleasant Uber Driver. He was a Moonstones fan so I gave him my autograph and he took us on a quick tour in return. We ordered a deep dish pizza and cuddled on the couch. Danny fell in love with my penthouse and called it his new sanctuary. We watched Only Lovers Left Alive on Netflix. It was one of my favorite indie movies.

"Tom Hiddleston is a very refined man."

"Really?" I fed him a bite of pizza while he ogled the handsome actor. "He kind of looks like me, minus the fabulous hair of course."

Danny pinched my cheek and chewed on his food. His eyes twinkled like two sapphire gemstones. "Fuck. I can't believe you're actually here."

"Me neither. Hopping on a plane without my underwear is definitely a first for me."

I laughed so hard. He was so damn adorable.

After dinner, we celebrated with two glasses of wine. Charming told me all about his Jubilee victory and how he kicked major ass in chess, jousting and tennis. He shared with me funny stories about the prince of Waverly and how he knocked him off his horse.

"We both know that underneath all that charm lies a bad boy with a competitive streak."

"Oh, you have no idea how bad I can be." He chugged down his wine before giving me his undivided attention. He palmed my cock and kissed my neck at the same time.

"Oh I have an idea or two, but feel free to add more to that list."

He threaded his fingers through my hair and kissed me. His lips tasted like wine and pepperoni. I cupped his jaw and kissed him back. My cock stirred inside my pants. Danny undid the drawstrings and snuck a hand under the fabric. His touch sent shivers down my spine. I was more than ready for round two.

"Fuck."

"Fuck indeed." He tugged on my loose pants until my cock escaped its prison. He then bent down and took it in his mouth. I gasped and dug my fingers into his blond hair. His mouth was so fucking hot and wet. I closed my eyes and felt his tongue flirt with my silt.

He reduced me to a grunting caveman. I grunted and moaned, guiding his head as he sucked me off enthusiastically. He tightened his throat muscles around me and I almost came from the mind numbing pleasure. "Shit. I'm about to cum."

He hummed and cupped my balls. I almost lost it then and there.

Five minutes later, my body shuddered and I came down his throat. He swallowed every single drop. "Fuck. That was phenomenal."

He wiped the corner of his mouth with a tissue paper and sat upright on the couch. I melted into the cushions and closed my eyes. "Holy shit. Your mouth is insane."

He rubbed my chest and kissed me. "I love seeing the look on your face when you cum."

I placed my head on his chest and linked our fingers together. "I love watching you cum too."

We watched the rest of the movie in comfortable silence until we both fell asleep on the couch.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of eggs and bacon.

"Good morning."

Danny was standing in my kitchen with nothing but an apron on.

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# Epilogue

DANNY

CHICAGO WAS OFFICIALLY my second home. Nathan was proud of how well I knew the city. The last time Greg and Ruppy were here, I took them to Cloud Gate and Willis Tower. They fell in love with deep dish pizza and American hot dogs. We watched a baseball game together and attended one of Nathan's concerts. The band shifted to intimate venues as opposed to last year's arena tour. They wanted to return to their indie roots. They were currently working on a new album. I actually attended three of their recording sessions. It was quite the experience. I finally had the chance to watch Nathan record an actual song. Theo, Cassie, Calvin, and Guy were like a second family to me. They supported us during the tabloid frenzy that resulted from Nathan coming out to the public. Certain media outlets refused to believe that he was gay. They said it was a publicity stunt meant to increase their record sales. They spread false rumors about him. It was awful. Some even accused him of faking the whole thing. The idea of a gay rock star was unfathomable to them.

The tabloids here were incorrigible. They dragged me into their world of deception, lies, and misinformation. According to them, I was a rebellious prince who hooked up with Nathan just to spite my family. The ignorant fools had no idea that my family fully supported our union. Grandmother Emmeline was over the moon. She gave us her blessing a few months ago when Nathan celebrated Christmas with us. He was thrilled to be with a real family during the holidays. His band mates were busy celebrating with their families, so he always ended up drunk at a bar in Chicago every year.

The palace looked like a glittery doll-house during my favorite holiday. I just loved everything about Christmas. Our Queen pampered us to the extreme during the holidays. We gathered in the television room and watched our favorite movies. We also get served a twelve-course meal by our ambitious chef. His meat roast, turkey and cranberry sauce were legendary.

It warmed my heart that Nathan finally found a home in us. In me.

I was proud of him for saying a big fuck you to the media and sticking to his guns. He did a heartfelt interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, effectively taking control of the narrative. He received immense support from the LGBT community who took to social media and defended him. His loyal fans also came through for him. His followers multiplied in number. I volunteered to manage his Twitter and Instagram account while he was busy recording his album. It was a fun experience for me.

It was hard dividing my time between Raplen and Chicago. My business needed my full attention during breeding season so I had to fly back to my estate to take care of things. Nathan joined me a few weeks later. He loved my country just as much as I did. He also enjoyed horse riding and taking care of our shelter animals. We took in more abused horses and mistreated animals. Most of them were brought in from Russia. Lizzie and I ended up buying a piece of land near my estate to house all these poor creatures. Nathan chipped in as well and paid for their food and medical expenses.

We were quite the team. He supported me in my endeavors and I did the same for him. He even participated in the annual Jubilee games a few weeks ago. We wore matching outfits and got teased by team Waverly who also showed up in matching jerseys as well. I finally introduced my boyfriend to my chess, jousting and tennis rivals. He helped me take down Prince Edmond and Prince Augustine in tennis. His filthy language was amusing to me. He screamed a litany of curse words during the jousting tournament because Prince Augustine tried to unhorse me twice. He definitely came prepared this year.

I eventually lost the game to him but I ended up winning the horse race! Nathan must have been my lucky charm because Xena did a fantastic job on the track. She won first place like a boss. I was so proud of my thoroughbred. That was the major highlight of the Jubilee games. As for the main celebration, Nathan surprised everyone by gifting our grandmother a diamond necklace that put my bracelet to shame. His impeccable taste did not go unnoticed. Even Aunt Edith was impressed.

Nathan had to go back to Chicago, so I stayed behind to manage the stables. Our long distance relationship was torture. I needed to find a way to fly to and from Chicago at my own leisure. Greg finally convinced me to buy a private jet, so I did. I also hired a full time pilot and surprised my boyfriend with a spontaneous trip to Italy. We stayed in Rome for a couple of days. Nathan fell in love with the historical city. We ate gelato and took selfies in front of Fontana Di Trevi. We also visited the Colosseum and rented a scooter for the day. We had lunch at Villa Borghese which was a beautiful park filled with lakes and fountains. Nathan confessed that he rarely had the chance to go sightseeing during his travels, so it was fun showing him around one of my favorite European cities.

Over the course of the next few months, we traveled to Spain, Germany, and Portugal. The more we spent time together, the more we realized just how in love we were. Before we knew it, we were celebrating our one year anniversary.

Danny surprised me with a lovely dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant. We both had an incredibly hectic week. The lease expired on his penthouse so we moved to a lovely penthouse in Lincoln Park. It was fully furnished with hardwood floors, a fabulous office, and a media room.

"Let's make a toast." I raised my wine glass after dinner.

Nathan was dressed in a sharp Armani suit with a matching emerald tie. He raven hair framed his handsome face. He looked like a GQ model. "Sure. We had one incredible year, yeah?"

"Indeed." I nodded. "Thank you for singing your way into my life and into my heart."

He blew me a kiss and we clinked our glasses in celebration. "Thank you for being my backbone these past couple of months. Coming out was not as easy as I thought it would be. Those media assholes put me under a microscope and dissected me like a frog."

"Tell me about it. You know me. I never really lose my temper but when that TMZ reporter harassed you in April, I was ready to pounce on him like a tiger."

He smiled affectionately and reached over the table to squeeze my hand. "You are my rock, Charming. I wouldn't have survived this year without you. I mean it."

"Me too, baby." I confessed. "You have enriched my life in so many ways. I tip my hat to you for introducing me to deep dish pizza. I told Chef Antoine to make it the next time we visit Lockridge Palace."

He laughed and told me to finish my wine. Apparently, he had one more surprise under his belt. I followed him to his Jeep and tried to guess where we were headed. He drove down a familiar road that led to the Allstate Arena. He parked in front of the entrance and escorted me inside.

"This is where I first saw you perform," I remarked, looking around the huge arena.

"Yep. It was the final leg of our tour. I was cranky as hell that night."

"Really? You seemed fine and fabulous to me. As a matter of fact, you looked incredibly fuckable." I toyed with the buttons on his shirt. "You made love to the microphone with your mouth and everyone melted into a puddle, including me."

"Damn. I had no idea you were this into me."

"Oh, it was lust at first sight for sure," I admitted. "Your on-stage charisma is irresistible."

"Speaking of performing." He cleared his throat, looking nervous all of a sudden. "I rented the whole arena for the night."

"Oh my! Really?" I gaped at him in shock. My voice echoed loudly in the sports venue. They usually hosted basketball games in here. There was a large screen in the center with a small platform right under it. Nathan nodded and walked over to the mini stage. He climbed up the steps and turned on the microphone.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

"Yes. Loud and clear." I grinned.

My heart skipped a beat. I was madly in love with this man for so many reasons. This was one of them. He loved surprising me with tiny little love notes and sexy lyrics. I once woke up to him playing the guitar in the living room. He was shirtless and begging to be fucked. His voice was like an aphrodisiac and he knew it.

He picked up his guitar and sat right under the spotlights. "This song goes out to you. I wrote it on the flight back from Raplen. It was a work in progress until two days ago."

He looked so nervous while he sang. It was absolutely adorable. As always, the song was perfect. It was sweet and melodic. He should definitely add it to the tracklist of his new album. The Moonstones had a brand new hit on their hands.

Nathan had an abundance of creativity. It sometimes kept him up at night. He also composed music on his piano. His peak productive hours were between ten and four in the morning. Coming up with new material was no easy task. It probably took him weeks to finish it.

I whistled and clapped when he finished singing. He surprised me with another song. It was inspired by Raplen so there were plenty of beautiful references to its lush green forests and abundant lakes. Theo suddenly showed up along with Guy and Calvin. They waved hello at me before joining Nathan on the stage. Together, they sang the chorus while Cassie recorded everything on camera. My boyfriend beckoned me with his finger. I blushed profusely and got up from my seat.

"Danny! Come up here. Don't be shy."

"Yes. Come to daddy." Theo gave me a quick hug and motioned for me to stand next to Nathan.

My boyfriend coughed and suddenly got down on one knee. He fished out a jewelry box from his pocket and held it open for me. It contained a beautiful golden ring. An engagement ring.

"Charming will you please marry me?" He proposed while flashing me a hopeful smile.

My heart skipped more than one beat. I stepped forward and feasted my eyes on the ring. The moment felt incredibly surreal.

"Oh, Nathan. The ring is top notch." I gushed. "Of course I'll marry you. I'd be crazy not to."

He slid the ring onto my finger and rose to his full height. "I want to be with you forever."

"Me too." Tears stung my eyes as I stared at my new engagement ring.

Cassie and the other cheered us on while we embraced and kissed. I was thrilled to be part of his world. He made me feel loved and cherished. I cupped his face and poured my soul into our kiss. Seconds later, we broke apart, giddy and breathless. Theo rushed to us and hugged us. Then he popped a bottle of champagne in celebration and danced like crazy. We watched him express his feelings via a series of impressive dance moves. Cassie also joined in on the fun. We sipped on our champagne and watched them sing a duet together.

After the song ended, we all said our goodbyes. Nathan grabbed my hand and took me to his car. We listened to King of Leon while he cruised the streets. Chicago was so beautiful at night. Its skyline was stunning. My fiancee took me to our favorite bubble tea shop and ordered two coconut flavored drinks for us. I silently admired my ring while he paid for our beverages.

We parked near the river and watched the moonlit sky. The neighborhood we were in was incredibly peaceful this time of day. Nathan draped an arm over my shoulder and told me stories about his childhood and how he mistook the river for an ocean. He built a raft from scratch and pretended to be a pirate. We swapped stories about monsters and fairytales we used to believe in. Our conversation flowed smoothly. I never wanted it to end. We could talk for three hours straight and not get bored of each other.

"So, where do you feel like going next?"

"How about we go home and watch Roman Holiday on Netflix?"

"Oh, I love Audrey Hepburn."

"Me too."

"And I love you."

"Well, to know me is to love me, so-" My voice trailed off as Nathan leaned in to kiss me.

We made out like teenagers in his Jeep until the paparazzi showed up and interrupted our moment. We were usually careful to avoid them but they were somehow able to track us down. Nathan gave them the finger and pulled out of the parking lot.

There was indeed a price for fame but we chose to pay that hefty price together.

We arrived at our new house in one piece and parked in the garage.

"Home sweet home."

"Yes indeed."

My phone suddenly buzzed in my lap. I glanced down to find a text message from Greg..

I'm ready to cash out that favor you owe me - Greg.
Did you love _Rock Me_? Then you should read _Marry Me_ by Avery Katz!

I've never hidden my homosexuality. And as a prince, no one is out of my reach...except my best friend.

It doesn't matter who I go home with, I always imagine it's him. I know it's pathetic. He'll never love me back, not in the way I want him to. But I can't help it. I love him so much, and I love his little girl as if she were my own.

Keeping my distance...being a good friend...I tell myself it's good enough. Until the day he comes to me with a request: Marry him so he can keep custody of his daughter.

There's nothing I wouldn't do to protect him and his baby girl...even if it means breaking my heart. He thinks this is just a marriage of convenience, but for me, every moment is torture. He's so close, but I can't touch him. He's right beside me, and yet, he'll never be mine.

Only one thing is certain: he can never know my secret. That when we exchanged vows, I meant every word I said.

No matter what happens, I'll love and cherish him and his baby girl forever.

Read more at Avery Katz's site.
Also by Avery Katz

Forgive Me

Marry Me

Protect Me

Rock Me

Watch for more at Avery Katz's site.

# About the Author

Avery Katz loves tropey romance. Her favorite stories are those that feature characters who learn to be unafraid to be themselves and go after what they want in love and in life.

Read more at Avery Katz's site.
