“If you kissed me, you’d want more too?”
Then she steps out of the car, leaving me speechless.
Good thing she didn’t wait for an answer, because I genuinely don’t know how to give her one without incriminating myself.
The staff waits outside, and to my surprise, Jazmina greets each of them one by one, even teasing the little boy who’s the cook’s son.
She waits for me to join her, since she’s my guest. The girl is a lady, despite her impulsive temperament.
“I have a dinner at a neighbor’s estate tonight. Some decisions about land rules.”
“Duke duties?”
“Yes. I’ll understand if you’d rather stay home.”
“And miss the full package of my punishment? No, I’m coming. If I have to pay for my mistakes, I want to do it while having new experiences.”
In a twisted way, it pleases me to see she’s back to her usual self. I prefer defiant Jazmina over compliant Jazmina.
“Be ready at six,” I warn.
She had already started following the maid to the guest room but turns back to face me. “You seem to love giving me orders.”
“It’s nothing personal. I like giving orders to everyone.”
“Especially to me, Your Grace?”
“Maybe, princess.”
She doesn’t break eye contact. “About the question you asked on the plane—why I didn’t scream for help when you picked me up at Vicenzzo’s party . . .I didn’t because I liked it when you held me. I like when you touch me, Rodrick.”
And with that, she walks away quickly, leaving me with no idea how to deal with that.
Chapter 17
I can blame the drugs they gave me.
That’s the only excuse for acting so bold with Rodrick, but the truth is that flirting with him gives me this delicious flutter low in my stomach. It’s like playing with fire. I know it’s dangerous, but the heat it brings makes it worth it.
This time, while he drives me to that dinner, it’s just the two of us, not the swarm of bodyguards that always follow us, his and mine, and in my head, I pretend we’re on a date.
“Does Kaled know I’m in Scotland?”
“Yes, and that you’re grounded too, even if I didn’t tell him why.”
“And he didn’t complain? I mean, you and I . . .we’re both single and . . .”
I cannot believe those words left my mouth. Oh God, kill me now. I seriously need to learn to filter my thoughts.
He turns off the main road and looks at me, serious. “Your brother trusts me.”
The words hit my head like a brick.
Your brother trusts me.
It sounds like a warning, and I know why. He’s been more formal ever since I told him I liked when he touched me.
After I left him this afternoon, I kept thinking about how he makes me feel. I let myself imagine, for one tiny, reckless moment, that Rodrick could be my first kiss, since he’s perfect in so many ways. Mainly because coming from a different culture, he wouldn’t judge me or expect marriage just because of a kiss.