Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“This last year, it’s been rough. Bianca and her demon spawns haven’t made it any easier. I’ve felt like the world has been on my shoulders. I’m only twenty-five.”
“Twenty-four. Your birthday hasn’t come yet,” Princeton corrects.
I give him a smile and tilt my head as I stare into his deep blues. I study him for a moment. He’s a man of many facets. This is yet another side of him I’m getting to see.
“You keep surprising me. I truly can’t thank you enough for all of this. I should be upset that you’ve pried into my life, but I can’t say that I am.”
He brushes his fingers against my cheek. “I care for what’s mine and hold what’s mine close. It comes with once losing what was promised to you.”
“That sounds like that entitlement coming through again,” I tease. I reach to mirror his gesture, relishing in the stubble just starting to grow in. “Who hurt you, Princeton? How did they reach a prince?”
His jaw works as he stares into my eyes. The car comes to a stop before he can answer the question. Disappointment hits as I see him shut down.
“We’ll continue this talk over dinner,” he says tightly.
He steps from the car and rounds it. I’m lost in thought as I sit. Princeton opens my door and offers his hand. I take it and step from the car.
Placing a hand on my waist, he lifts the hand he’s holding and turns our palms toward each other, locking our fingers together. Lifting my chin with our joined hands, he looks down into my eyes. His features have softened again.
He’s like a swinging pendulum. However, I get the sense that there’s so much more to his mood swings than lies on the surface. I believe I hit it on the head. He’s been hurt and caution has become his shield.
Or maybe that’s the Captain Save A Man in me. I want to see the best in everyone and sometimes, I’ll project. Although, the look in Princeton’s eyes says I could be right this time.
He dips his head to press a soft kiss on my lips. It’s tender and sweet. A contradiction to the man before me in so many ways.
“You have much to celebrate. Perhaps we should go somewhere special to mark the occasion. I’m sure your parents would want that for you,” he says.
“I’d like that.”
He goes to peck my lips once more, holding me a little tighter this time. It’s in the middle of the searing but sweet kiss that cameras begin to flash all around us. I’m stunned at first.
I genuinely think the kiss is the source of the flashes behind my lids, I’m so intoxicated by it. When I open my eyes to the flashing lights and voices calling out to Princeton, I snap out of my daze.
Princeton turns my body into his as he shields me. He covers my face with his hand as he rushes us into the hotel. We don’t stop moving until we’re on the elevator and his security is crammed inside with us.
My heart is racing. The reality that I was right outside kissing a prince sets in. My heart sinks a little as I realize he probably doesn’t want to be seen with me. Why else would he cover my face?
“Are you all right?” Princeton asks as we step off the elevator and he looks me over.
“I’m fine,” I murmur.
“We’re returning to Verlez, now,” he barks at his staff.
I stumble to a stop inside the suite. “But I thought… I wanted to go to the office.”
“Things have changed. For your safety we will return home. I’ll schedule a return trip once things are settled,” he says firmly and taps one of his men to follow him, leaving me to stare after him.
I guess I have been dismissed.
* * *
Princeton
“You’re more enchanting than I dreamed,” I murmur and brush a lock of hair behind Cinder’s ear.
I look down into her sleeping face. She looks like a work of art in her sleep. So peaceful and serene.
My men feel it would be better to allow some of the reporters to tire and leave before we make our move. Frustrated and feeling like a caged lion, I agreed. Cinder’s safety comes first.
After drawing her a bath and feeding her, I ravished her body for a few hours to keep her distracted. At first, she was hesitant to open to me after I confirmed our plans with my team, but I was able to soften her up. Cinder is much like a little kitten.
Once I stroked her a few times and whispered sweetly in her ear she melted into me. It was easy to get her to talk to me and pull that witty banter from her cheeky lips.
I think my anger is growing because she’s so perfect. If she were foul and self-centered, I’d count her parents’ actions as a blessing. However, she’s anything but, and that causes me to feel robbed.