Huh, is he trying to bait me about Mark? “I don’t want him,” I whisper, annoyed. “I want you.”
His eyes hold mine. “We can’t always have what we want, Em.” He pulls away from me and turns and walks up the street. He kicks a garbage can out of his way in anger and all the contents pour noisily onto the pavement.
I watch him, like everything is in slow motion, as he disappears out of sight, leaving me to stand alone on the pavement.
This guy is messing with my head.
I turn and put my arm in the air. “Taxi!”
* * *
I sit on my window seat and stare down at the scattering of city lights beneath me. I’m deflated, wondering if I’ve done the right thing. I want to be in his arms tonight, and yet I think… I think we just broke up.
We don’t have time for this, Emmaline.
I frown to myself. Why were those words so familiar to me? Where have I heard them before? If I close my eyes, they echo in my mind… but why? Why am I having déjà vu all the time now? What in the hell is going on with me lately? The flashing lights are freaking me out. I sip my tea as I sit still, deep in thought.
I pull out my box of letters and begin to read.
* * *
My beloved Princess.
Knock, knock.
Its 12.05am and he is finally here. The princess tries to calm her nerves as she opens the heavy door as quietly as she can. The guards are stationed at the front door and Alchron has snuck in the secret entrance to her room; one that only he and the king know about. He is bathed, smelling divine, and wearing civilian clothing. The Princess has never seen him dressed like this before and her senses begin to go into overdrive.
“Hello.” He smiles softly.
The Princess places her hand on her stomach nervously. What is she doing? This is dangerous for them both.
“Please, come in,” she whispers as she stands to the side to let him enter.
He walks in and looks around her opulent bedroom until his eyes meet hers again.
She swallows the lump in her throat. “Please don’t tell anyone I asked for you to come here.”
He shakes his head. “Never.” He hesitates. “Whatever happens between us will stay between the two of us.”
She stands still, not sure what to say next. Sensing her trepidation, he asks a question to ease her nerves. “Why did you ask me to come here?”
She turns her back to him, unable to face him as she answers. “I see the way you look at me,” she breathes.
“Yes…” he replies quickly.
She turns to face him in a rush. “You don’t deny it?” She frowns.
“No, and I’m sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable. It was not my intention.”
She frowns in confusion. “What do you think of when you look at me like that?”
His face softens. ‘” I am wondering how you would smell.”
Her eyes widen.
“Among other things.” He smiles softly.
She frowns. “What other things?”
His eyes drop to the floor. “I shouldn’t speak of such thoughts to you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
“I want to know what other things you think about,” she whispers.
His wild eyes rise back up to hers, and unable to control himself, he decides to tell her the truth. “I wonder how you would taste.”
Her hand goes to her neck as she is taunted by the visual of him tasting her skin.
“You are attracted to me?” she asks.
He stays silent.
“Please. Speak freely. This conversation will never leave this room.”
“My attraction to you runs deep and is carnal. I cannot deny,” he replies.
“Oh,” she whispers, unable to articulate an intelligent reply.
He watches her for a moment. “Dare I ask if you ever think of me?”
“I do,” she replies.
“Are your thoughts as prohibited as mine?” he asks in a breath.
“I would not know of such things. And I am sure I would not be able to please you,” she whispers.
He frowns and she turns her back to him one again, and begins to pace.
“What do you mean?” He frowns.
“I am inexperienced with love.”
“And?”
She swallows her nerves. “And I hear from the chamber maids that you are not, that your conquests in the bedroom are plentiful.”
“Conquests mean nothing,” he replies softly. “You have never...”
“I am untouched.” She cuts him off.
Arousal flashes in his eyes. “That is no deterrent to me,” he whispers as he picks up her hand and kisses the back of it.
“It’s not?” she breathes as she watches him kiss her hand. The sight should not incite such feelings as this. She feels her skin flutter under his touch.
“I care for you.” He kisses her hand softly and his loving eyes hold hers. “I don’t care for anyone else.”
A trace of a smile crosses her face and her eyebrows rise in question.
“Can I give you your first kiss?” he dares himself to ask as he pulls her close.
Her heart is hammering out of control as his lips gently dust hers, his eyes closing with pleasure. His tongue slides gently into her mouth and she puts her arms nervously around his neck. “How do I taste?” she whispers into his lips.
He smiles. “Sweeter than I ever imagined.”