We play this game until he has me pressed against the wall.
My breathing accelerates, and my heart pounds in my chest.
Don’t let him see you’re afraid.
Am I afraid?
This is Sully. Surely, he’d never hurt me. Not the boy who held me when my mother died. But this man standing before me is so different from that boy.
He takes my chin in his hand and tilts my face up, bringing his mouth down on mine. The kiss is hot and wild, and everything I’d ever fantasized about. It makes me want more—more than I should ever want from a Royal Bastard.
When he breaks free, I gasp for air.
“You and I have some unfinished business, sweetness.”
“No, we don’t.” I can’t let him think I’m his for the taking.
Correction—I can’tbehis for the taking.
“The heat in that kiss makes you a liar.”
“People say the Royal Bastards are dangerous. That makesyoudangerous. I don’t want to believe that.”
“Then don’t.”
“Then don’t manhandle me like everything they say is true.”
“Don’t deny you’ve wanted that kiss for years. Since you were seventeen and Remy caught us.”
“You barely knew I existed.”
“I did that day. You think I didn’t notice when you suddenly weren’t the little flat-chested brat following us everywhere anymore? You think I didn’t notice the way you filled out? You think I didn’t notice the way the boys in the neighborhood suddenly took notice?”
“None of them were interested in me.”
“Don’t kid yourself. They weren’t interested because I beat the shit out of them if they even looked at you. I bloodied more than one nose keeping them away from you, Six.”
“Why?”
“Because they weren’t fit to touch you.”
“Is that the only reason?”
He lifts a brow and gives me a cocky grin. “Obviously not.”
“You never acted interested. Not until the very end, before you left town with your tail between your legs.”
“Is that what you think happened?”
“Isn’t it?”
He takes a step back. “Maybe you don’t deserve the truth.”
“Maybe you should get the hell out of my bar.”
“Rock’s a little concerned about his investment.” He retreats to the doorway. “I’ll be back.”
“I don’t need you to come back.”