“The letter I saw in your room.” My fingers moved up to his neck, as though they had a mind of their own, caressing his soft skin. “The one addressed to me.”
“Ah.” Francis threw a glance at my lips, his hands pressing me closer. “Bargaining, are we?” His husky voice swept through me.
I shrugged, “I learned from the best.” Our lips were so close, it was a miracle—and my deepest disappointment—they didn’t touch.
Francis chuckled, then sighed as his thumb brushed over my lower lip. “The bastard wrote nothing of importance, do you promise me?”
Disappointment at his refusal to show me what he’d written washed over me. “Is that a no?”
“Sorry to disappoint.” He shook his head. “So? Do you promise there is nothing I need to know?”
“Hm...” A mischievous smile spread across my lips. “Who knows what is in that letter,” I teased. “Perhaps a promise to murder me in my sleep...”
“Cordelia.” Francis’ voice dropped a few octaves, his thumb freezing under my chin.
I laughed at his expression. “I might have another proposition for our exchange.” I couldn’t believe the words I was saying.
“Is that so?”
I bit my lower lip before the words spilled. “A kiss?”
Francis chuckled, though his eyes turned darker, giving away his true feelings. “Come now, Princess, your kiss is worth far more than some letter.” He moved closer, our lips brushing against each other. “I would give you my whole life if you wished me to, just to taste your lips once more,” he said as his lips pressed against mine, the taste of him spreading through my bones.
A muffled moan escaped my throat. Warmth filled my insides; I wanted to scream in delight, unable to control the growing desire.
His tongue toyed with mine; the flowers bloomed in reply, wrecking everything in their path.
Francis growled against my lips, deepening our kiss.
My teeth pierced his tongue, allowing his blood to slip into my mouth. A cry escaped me as I melted into his hold.
“Francis,” I rasped, breaking our kiss.
“Yes, love,” he whispered against my lips.
“I want—” I swallowed, my hands wrapping around his neck. “I need you.” I found his dreamy eyes with mine. “Please.” I caressed the scar on his jaw. “Please.”
“You needn’t plead with me, love.” His lips planted on my forehead. “There is nothing I would want more in my life than to have you in my arms.”
A smile stretched my lips despite the trembling in my hands. My fingers wrapped around his as we walked into the castle, up the stairs, all the way to my room.
Chapter 26. The Taste of Divine.
Iclosed the door to my room with one hand, the other already working on the buttons of his shirt—with enthusiasm I wasn’t expecting from my broken mind.
