Page 65 of Reckless Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 8)

JODIE

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask after Stella lets me into Toby’s flat.

I’ve still got no idea where he was. All I know is that they’re on their way back here and Stella thinks this will help with wherever his head is at right now.

I can’t say that I’m feeling so confident, but at this point, I’ve got little choice in the matter.

“I’m going to take Mum home, then I’ll be right down the hall. You’ve got my number. Call me if you need anything.”

“Jesus,” I mutter, getting a proper look at his flat for the first time.

It should feel totally wrong being in here after everything, but I feel weirdly comfortable amongst all his things and surrounded by his scent.

I nod, my heart pounding as nerves assault me.

Before I have a chance to argue, Stella closes the front door behind her, leaving me alone in Toby’s home.

“Fuck,” I hiss, clenching my trembling hands in the hope of stopping them as I walk toward the sofa.

The need to explore burns through me, but I’m already invading his privacy enough as it is.

There’s a clock in the kitchen that loudly counts each second that passes as I fight to keep my nerves down. I use the ticking to ground me, and it just starts to work when there’s a bang at the front door.

Keys are thrown down on the dresser before two dull thuds sound out. His shoes being kicked against the wall, maybe.

My entire body begins to tremble as I perch myself on the edge of the sofa, my nails digging into the soft grey fabric as I wait for him to appear.

This is going to go one of two ways, and I hope to hell it’s the way I want and I don’t find myself out on my arse in only a few minutes for Stella to find once again.

His footsteps begin to get closer and my head spins as I wait.

My stomach turns over and I worry I’m about to vomit all over his fancy floor when he emerges.

The second my eyes lock on him, all of my nerves vanish. Suddenly, my only concern is him.

I’m on my feet before I even know I’ve moved and closing the space between us.

“Toby,” I breathe.

His face is pale, his eyes shadowed and bloodshot from exhaustion. But it’s the darkness in his eyes that really guts me. The pain, the anguish. Seeing it so clearly, it physically hurts.

The connection between us crackles, its power only growing the closer we get.

His eyes hold mine, but despite all the things I can sense that he wants to say, none of them pass his lips.

Until I’m right in front of him.

“Fuck, you’re really here, aren’t you?”

“Y-yeah, I—” My words are cut off as his hand wraps around the back of my neck, dragging me against him and slamming his mouth down on mine.

Surprise renders me useless as he plunges his tongue past my lips.

The second it brushes mine, my body finally reacts and I wrap my arms around his neck as his hands grab my arse.

My feet leave the ground a second before my back slams against the wall, and Toby’s kiss deepens.

His tongue licks into my mouth as if he’s trying to brand himself on my soul.