CHAPTER 19
I’d never been kissed before. Or at least, not really, and certainly never like this. This was intense. Not just a parting kiss on the cheek, or one that was planted softly on the back of your hand by a charming stranger. This was the kind of kiss that led to bedchamber doors being thrown open, the kind of kiss you’d only ever hear about in those silly forbidden books that teachers would scold you for reading.
The moment we collided, my heart almost took flight like a little bird. At first, I wanted to protest, but any words only came out as a soft gasp as Lukas’s warm hands cupped the sides of my jaw. Mere seconds ago, his entire body was ravaged by a biting fury, but now, his touch was so gentle it was as if he believed he would break me. And perhaps he did, because the moment my lips parted and I felt him deepen the kiss, I could’ve sworn something within me shattered.
Suddenly, just this wasn’t enough. Suddenly, my hands that were frozen by my sides flew up as I tangled my fingers into his hair. We drew closer, until our bodies pressed together and a low breathy noise sounded from his throat. When his arm dropped to my waist, I felt myself pushed back against the wall, my head cradled by his other hand. I could hardly breathe as his mouth drifted to the corner of my mouth, brushing kisses over my jaw, and then my neck, and then—
“Stop!” I gasped as my eyes flew open.
“What?” Lukas immediately pulled away, blinking his surprised eyes back at me. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“This,” I replied bitterly. “This is all wrong.” My breathing was staggered and flustered. I couldn’t believe I almost gave in to him. Him! The one person who couldn’t care less about the fate of my people. I could’ve slapped myself across the face.
“What are you talking about?” He laughed in a frustratingly effortless way. “We are engaged, it won’t ruin your reputation if someone were to see us here.” His gaze lowered to my lips as he leaned in again. Without missing a beat, my finger flew to his mouth, pressing hard enough to block him from drawing any closer. The movement must’ve caught him off guard as his eyebrows shot up.
“For the last time, we are not getting married,” I grumbled, holding my finger against his perfect lips. “And my reputation is exactly what I’m worried about, Your Highness. Do not think I haven’t heard the stories. I know what you do to noblewomen and I refuse to just become another one of your playthings. How am I supposed to find someone who can help with my kingdom if everyone believes that we’re…” I stuttered and threw my hands down as I furiously tried to think of the right words.
“We’re what?” A dangerous smile grew on the prince’s face.
“We’re…” I wrinkled my nose before meeting his gaze with about as much fierceness as a hissing kitten. “We’re doing… unpleasant things together,” I finally spat out.
He chuckled, then brushed his fingers gently along my chin. “I don’t know what stories you’ve heard. But I think you’ll find that any time spent with me can be quite pleasant.” He tried to kiss me again, but this time, I used both hands to boldly shove him off me. He stumbled back a few feet as I huffed and gathered my skirts.
“When a lady says stop, you listen to her the first time,” I chided as he choked with surprise. “You can leave now. I know my way back from here.”
As I pushed myself away from the wall, the prince just stared with wide eyes. I didn’t in fact know the way, but I also didn’t trust myself to be around him any longer than absolutely necessary. I’d be requesting that the servants run me the coldest bath when I finally returned to my chambers. Anything to purge those traitorous thoughts from my body.
“You know, Naria,” Lukas began, just as I was about to march down the hallway, “while it pains me to hear that you’re still considering other men, I’ll admit that your dedication to your suitor search is admirable, even if I don’t believe it’ll last.”
I scoffed and pushed past him.
“Wait,” he called as I reluctantly turned my head one last time. “Will you at least let me escort you to your bedchamber? The Summer Ball is just a few days away, and I won’t have you throwing yourself down the stairs to avoid dancing with me.”
The Summer ball… Just the thought of all those people, and then dancing too, made my head spin.
“If you insist,” I huffed, picking up my skirts again and stepping ahead of him. “But just so you know, I’m a terrible dancer.”
I heard him laughing as he followed me down the hallway. “Luckily for you, I’ve been told I am a wonderful teacher.”