The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky (Montague Siblings, #1.5)

by Mackenzi Lee

“I expected that once you and Percy were in agreement about living in sin, you would lean hard into it.”

as a lad raised beneath the dishwater-gray skies of England, I was not prepared for just how hot the weather can be, nor how quickly the bastard sun burns me.

“And it’s not the most romantic place—I stepped on a cockroach this morning when I got out of bed; did I tell you that?” “I know, I heard you scream. The pitch was remarkable.”

“Dear Lord, you haven’t been a virgin all this while, have you?” “No, but I’m a bit concerned my virginity is starting to grow back.”

“Do I need to do all of that? Roses and wine and . . . do I have to touch the roaches to get them out?”

Very sexually frustrated and half-hard sunshine.

“I am surprised. Frankly, I’m shocked. You didn’t strike me as pure and chaste when you pinned me up against that wall in Venice.”

“No, no,” I said quickly. “It’s more that I find it hard to understand how every single person you meet doesn’t want to climb you like a ladder.”

“Felicity’s birthday is in March, isn’t it? Because it fell on Easter one year, and you told her Jesus would be angry at her for stealing his day.”

Dear Lord, I am sincerely competing with food for his attention? Am I doing that poorly already? “May

“You deserve a reward for all I put you through.” “You’re my reward.” “What a rotten reward I am.” “Not to me. Why do you think everyone needs some sort of recompense for being around you?” he says, his voice so gentle I almost start to cry.

And then he smiles. That full, bright smile that crinkles his nose just a bit. And what the hell am I supposed to do with that? I take his hand.

I want to be the only thing touching him. I want to be the only thing that ever touches him

“Then maybe I should have said it to you sooner—you needn’t hide around us,” he says. “I’m sorry you ever felt you had to. And that the world makes you feel as though you have to.”

“I love you,” I say quietly. “You know that?” “And I you, my darling boy.”