"I want the fourth date, and all the dates after that, to be with you."
She'd dreamed of him saying something that crazy.
But she'd never been able to finish those daydreams. Because she was just Crystal. She'd never been able to picture the reality of how she might fit into his life.
And now that he was standing close, touching her, saying romantic words, fear rose up to choke her. Shedidn'tfit in his life.
He squeezed her waist lightly. "Crystal. Tell me I'm not alone in my feelings."
It was the vulnerability behind his gruff demand that made her respond. She nodded. Then shook her head. She couldn't think.
And then he made it even more impossible when he leaned forward and bent his head.
How could she resist him?
How could she not rise up on her toes and meet his kiss?
She wanted his kiss, needed it.
Her hands came to his shoulders. To steady herself, that was all. But then she was wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her in closer. Her fingers weaved into the soft hair at his nape.
He groaned against her mouth, his kiss becoming deeper, more passionate. She met each one of his kisses fiercely. Because this wasn't real.
She was dreaming. That was the only explanation for what was happening. She'd fallen asleep behind the wheel and any second she was going to crash back into reality.
Valentin broke the kiss but didn't let her go as he kissed her cheek, her jaw, her temple. He was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling against hers.
This was crazy. This was—
And then reality sent her crashing back to earth.
"Val—"
The door opened.
Crystal hadn't come very far into the room, and she felt the rush of air around her.
More than that, she felt the change in Valentin. Beneath her hands, the muscles in his neck went tight.
The interruption was almost like the car crash she’d anticipated. The bone-jarring thud of running into something stationary, a hit that rattled her bones.
Max stood in the doorway wearing a look of utter surprise.
She was shaking as she tried to extricate herself from Valentin's embrace. It wasn’t hard when he set her away.
What was Max doing here? She didn't think he'd been allowed in the palace since he'd broken Valentin's heart.
"I'll go," she said, but Valentin had her hand in a vice grip.
"Stay, please."
She was unmoored, out to sea without a life raft. So she let herself be carried further into the room, let Valentin pull her to the sofa, then urge her down next to him. They were sitting so close that their thighs were pressed together.
Max joined them, his gaze sharp and curious and at the same time, repentant.
What was going on?
Valentin's heart was racing.His emotions were a tangled mess. And he couldn't seem to let go of Crystal's hand as he stared at his brother across the low table.
