Page 112 of Wear It Like a Crown

The moment Joshua’s face appeared on the screen, Leo’s head snapped up.

“Well, of course we did hope for more,” Joshua told the camera, and the state of his hair hinted he’d been running his hands through it repeatedly.Leowanted to run his hands through it repeatedly.

“In fact,” Joshua continued slowly, with a little smile, “I actually have a bit of a tipping game going on with some friends, and it just so happens that my chances of winning it are significantly diminished now that it’s clear I got the champions wrong. There are two of us who bet on the England squad. Guess our loyalty didn’t pay off in this case.” His smile broadened and he gave a small shrug, all bashful charm and—and had he just indirectly mentioned Leo on international telly? Holy shit.

“That was me,” Leo mumbled quietly, meant for Nate’s ears only. “The other loyal—I’m the one who also picked England. That’s me.”

“Stupid of you,” Nate said. “Kind of sweet, but stupid. I keep telling you, it’ll be Argentina taking the title.”

Leo shook his head. “You’re missing the point.”

“Which is?” Nate was grinning, and Leo shot him a glare.

“You know what the point is. Thepointis that Joshua just talked about me on TV. I mean, no one knows it’s me, and it was subtle enough that it won’t raise any eyebrows, but—Nate.” On its own accord, Leo’s mouth curved up.

Nate had the audacity to laugh at him. “You’re hopeless, mate. I bet the glow on your face could power this entire city.”

There was no use denying it. Leo didn’t even want to, but he also wouldn’t stand for Nate making fun of him. It would set a bad precedent. “Careful there, mate,” he said. “I can always bring the topic of Armani underwear campaigns to Mo’s attention.”

While Nate’s amusement was still blatantly obvious, he chose not to make a further remark. Clever bloke. As a reward, Leo ordered more drinks for both of them even though they were barely halfway through their current ones. Hey, they were on holiday. And Leo was very much in love, and Joshua had just acknowledged him in front of the world. Also, the two of them would have to sit through a Skype conference about the public conduct of their relationship tomorrow.

Another drink sounded like a splendid idea.

* * *

“Honestly. I think you should have skipped the last two rounds.” Joshua was trying not to smile. For the most part, he failed. “Not that you weren’t very cute yesterday, clinging to me while drunkenly rambling about green eyes and red lips, but… You know. I bet your hangover is very real right now.”

If anything, Joshua’s cheerful attitude served to deepen Leo’s frown. “One,” he said, shooting Joshua a grumpy look through bleary eyes, “I am not cute. Ever.”

“Beg to differ,” Joshua interjected.

Leo acted as though he hadn’t heard. In only a towel, still damp from his shower, he crouched down in front of his bag and began rifling through it. He continued speaking, all the while presenting Joshua with a highly distracting view of his profile and bare chest, his calves and naked ankles. “Two, I’m glad this is amusing to you. But my head is killing me right now, and we have a Skype date in less than thirty minutes. So if you could get me some painkillers, that would be highly appreciated.”

“Already done,” Joshua said, and Leo’s head shot up, then he grimaced.

“Well, then fucking hand them over, Princeling.”

Joshua rocked back on his heels, smiling openly now. “Say please.”

“Please, for the love ofGod,” Leo gritted out. “Gimme. Or I will never suck your dick again.”

“Now, that’s not very nice,” Joshua told him.

“Neither is withholding a man’s medicine.”

“Well, hey, if that particular man hadn’t decided to get roaringly drunk in the middle of the day…”

“But that’s your fault, isn’t it?” Leo waved a vague hand in the air, towel slipping to reveal the strong curve of one thigh, and Joshua needed a moment to focus back on Leo’s voice. “I mean, if you hadn’t casually mentioned me in that interview, I would not have been in the kind of emotionally fragile state that made another Caipirinha seem like a wise choice. Therefore, your fault.”

Ah, so Leo had caught the reference.

Joshua felt his smile soften into something more private, less amused. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he watched Leo’s face closely. “Did you like it? Me talking about you in public?”

For the first time since Joshua had roused him this morning, Leo’s face relaxed out of its frown. “I did,” he said quietly, sincerely. “Quite a lot. Can’t wait until you won’t have to lob me into the general friends category anymore.”

“Same.” Getting back up, Joshua went to pour Leo a glass of water, restless energy humming in his belly. Ifhewas already nervous about the upcoming discussion with James’ team, he could only imagine what it must be like for Leo—Leo was the one who’d have to divulge his entire past to people he’d known for years. That he was willing to do this, to pay that price just so he could be with Joshua…

It meant a lot. It meant the fucking world.