His words pop my blissful bubble.
“Let me go. You’re laughing at me. I wanted my first kiss to be with you,” I admit, “but because I want you, not because you pity me. I’m not going to be someone’s joke and—”
I don’t even finish. His mouth crashes onto mine.
His lips are warm and soft. Unlike his usual roughness, he kisses me slowly, exploring. It feels so good I want to mimic him, so I test copying his movements.
He traps my bottom lip gently between his teeth and bites.
I moan harder, thrilled, and when his tongue traces the outline of my mouth, I lose all sense. I rise on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
“Open your mouth. I want to taste you with my tongue.”
I obey, eager to learn.
He enters me slowly, preparing me, wetting every inch. The caress sends heat straight between my thighs, and I squeeze my legs together, desperate for relief.
I bite his lips because I want more—harder, deeper, longer.
A cough and then voices jolt us out of the trance.
I take a step back, stunned by the intensity. I wanted a kiss, but Rodrick . . .He melted me in his arms.
“That was totally inappropriate,” he says, probably worried he scared me. But really, it was the intensity that shook me. “It won’t happen again.”
It’s not easy to make me speechless, but humiliation hits so hard I can only nod.
Chapter 18
I pay closer attention to what I say, answering a few questions when people direct them at me, but mostly content to observe.
Especially Rodrick.
Is it strange that I feel as if I already know him somehow? If I had to guess, I’d say he’s dying to leave this place.
Not once has he smiled. I don’t think smiling or laughing is part of his nature. They seem like rare, accidental events.
He didn’t introduce me as Princess Jazmina but as a friend’s sister, and I think he hid my title to protect me, even though anyone from outside could easily connect the dots. Everyone knows he and Kaled are close.
After our kiss and the verbal rejection that followed, he’s barely spoken to me. Even though he answers politely when I ask something, I feel like he can’t wait to be rid of me.
I’ve decided I’m not going back to London with him on Monday. If he wants to unleash an army of bodyguards to tail me, fine, but I want to go back to my apartment tomorrow.
I need to call Josephine too and thank her for taking care of me that night. It’ll probably be the first and last frat party I’ll ever attend.
I asked Rodrick for a month before telling Kaled everything, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll video-call my brother the moment I get home. It’s not fair that my cowardice puts Rodrick’s friendship with him at risk. Other than running away from the guards, I didn’t do anything wrong.
We’re standing in a circle of people, and I know he’ll soon go to the library with the host. Decisions about land, he told me.
When, a few minutes later, he excuses himself to take care of his duties, I take the opportunity to head to the restroom. I’m not even in need; I just want to be alone.
I walk down the grand hallway, and a maid approaches, asking if I need anything. When I tell her I’m looking for the restroom, she offers to show me the way.
No one needs to tell me these people are wealthy like my family. Luxury practically screams from the walls to the ceiling.
From what I overheard earlier, they also have noble titles, just like Rodrick.
I lock myself in a stall, lower the toilet lid, and sit to think.