Page 50 of Bitter Prince

“Yeah,” I breathed out, drowning in his eyes, hoping to get a peek into his soul, but he kept the doors firmly shut, leaving me hungry for more. “But only if you do the same,” I added bravely.

Surprise flashed in his gaze, and the grip on my wrist tightened. My skin was burning up. My heart drummed. My papà could come out of his office at any moment, but it didn’t seem as important as getting this answer from him.

“You’re too young,” he said, almost as though speaking to himself.

My pulse fluttered when his thumb brushed my knuckles, but it fueled me with courage. “I’ll be eighteen soon.”

“Another few weeks. Either way, you’re still underage.”

“Then wait for me.” My heart felt close to stopping.He knew my birthday. “And I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait as long as you need me to,” I managed to say.

I couldn’t believe those words left my lips. It was all the more terrifying because I meant them. His gaze came back to my face and we looked at each other for a stretch, knowing what came next would make us or break us.

“You’ll wait for me,” he stated, his voice husky and dark. “And I’ll wait for you.”

My heart skipped a beat at his promise. My soul danced and my pulse raced.

Then, without warning, he bent his head and pressed his lips against mine. Butterflies in my stomach took flight. His mouth was so warm and soft against mine, his scent mind-numbing. A moan climbed up my throat and my mouth parted. His tongue slid inside, brushing against mine. His lips closed around my bottom one, gently tugging on it as warmth rushed to the pit of my stomach, spreading through me like fire.

He groaned, I whimpered, our mouths molding together. I was clumsy and couldn’t keep up with his kisses, but I loved every second of it. He took and gave, while I melted in his arms.

It ended too soon.

“Why did you kiss me?” I asked when he pulled away, dazed, thrilled that he did. My heart sang, my blood sizzled, and this man was the sole cause of it.

“Because I wanted to.” His grip tightened on me. “I’m tired of resisting you.”

My tongue swept over my bottom lip. “I thought you didn’t like me,” I admitted.

He reached for a curl from my ponytail and twisted it around his finger. “Who in their right mind wouldn’t like you, cinnamon girl?” He released my hair and let it bounce. “I’m tired of expectations. You make me feel light.”

Another kiss and I thought my heart would burst out of my chest.

A heaviness settled between my legs, needing more of him. I kissed him back, attempting to grind against him, but before I could press my body any closer, he took a step back. My eyes fluttered open. I was panting, meeting eyes darker than a starless sky, but his gaze burned like the fires in the pit of my stomach.

He wants me too, I thought, giddy.

“You better not let another man touch you, Reina.” His husky voice washed through me like dark melted chocolate.

His grip slipped down my wrist, the rough pads of his fingertips trailing down my palm, then my fingers, until we were no longer touching.

And I missed him already.

* * *

The sea breeze whipped through my hair and I kept pushing my curls out of my face after I had let my ponytail down.

The girls and I sat in a bar having a late lunch while Venice buzzed with life around us.

Isla stared at her phone. Raven took selfies. Athena and Phoenix were having a vivid conversation, both of them laughing. I was in the Floating City, looking over a crowd of happy people, soft Italian music drifting through the air. Laughter filled the group following a tour guide who held a stick with a colorful silky scarf blowing in the wind, a “Group A” sign on it.

My flowy dress fluttered in the wind while the sun burned hot and heavy. A drop of sweat ran down my back as I lowered my eyes to my plate and kept them there.

I chewed my lip, tapping my fingers on the table. Nerves swam in my stomach as the kiss I shared with Amon played in my mind. Our first kiss. I couldn’t stop the whisper of anticipation that tightened my lungs. A very stupid, romantic part of me had hearts in my eyes and dreams sprouting in my mind.

But then it occurred to me.

What if Amon didn’t keep his word? He didn’t seem like a player, but I’d seen plenty of heartbreak in my friends’ lives. They never saw it coming. I shook my head, chasing the doubts away, knowing that Amon was the only man who had the slightest ability to break my heart, yet still willing to risk it.