“Thank me by downing the extra toddy,” he grins in challenge.
I laugh, “you missed your chance earlier, Highness.”
“I did,” Keane grabs the amber liquid and holds it in front of me, “so perhaps you’ll do me the favor of replacing that vision I have of you with the real thing.”
My chest tightens at the words.
Does he know?
He has to know…
There’s no way he doesn’t know the effect his words have.
“Do you often enjoy teasing girls from outside your Court of Warriors, Highness?”
The Prince lifts the toddy higher and replies with a grin.
“First thing, Lady Alexis, is that you are no girl. That much has become apparent over the past few days. And second…”
His eyes lock on mine with a hint of playful mischief, “maybe I enjoy tantalizing you because I want to see what kind of woman you are.”
My own eyes narrow as I take a step forward. “I have nothing to prove to you.”
“True,” he nods in agreement, taking a step closer as well, “so don’t. This night isn’t about me…”
Keane’s hand reaches forward, the drink nearly touching my chest as he leans down to my ear.
“It’s all about you, Alexis.Youbrought us here on a whim, so it’syouwho gets to enjoy the night as you want it. You don’t have to proveanything to me, but I can tell by the look in your eyes that you’d truly like nothing more than to down this toddy and smoke next to your man.”
My heart pounds in my chest.
“So do it, Lady Alexis. Let the night pass exactly as you want it. I would enjoy watching nothing less.”
Fucking Ancients. He’s good.
I give the Prince a casual smile, as if his presence and his words have no effect on me. His eyes dance across my face as I take the toddy from his hand, saluting him before downing it in one gulp. He laughs at the sight, a deep sound that’s laced with approval before he takes a heavy swig of his own drink. I place the empty glass on the countertop and turn back to meet his gaze, my own lips tilting up towards his ear as I whisper in secret.
“I truly do want nothing more than to sit at the table with Cal and let the smoke fill my lungs…”
“But?” he nearly grins against my cheek.
“No but,” I shake my head with a coy smile.
The Prince leans so close that his chest brushes against mine. I feel his lips just barely stop before my ear, my heart kicking in my chest as he replies with a smirk.
“That’s your third lie today, Lady.”
“It is,” I pull away with an amused grin.
“So tell me the truth.”
“The truth?” I hold his gaze, “the truth is that there’s only one thing I’d want more than to join Cal and his smoke…”
“And that is?”
“You watching me do exactly that,” I dare. “You say you would enjoy watching nothing less? Then watch me tonight, Your Highness, and know that you’ll be seeing the real thing again, no vision needed.”
Keane’s thigh quickly pushes between my legs, his knee pressing forward and nearly brushing against my center. I try to hide my gasp and the way my body heats from his presence against me, but there’s no use. The man knows what he’s doing, and the best I can do is pretend that he doesn’t affect me even when his lips lean dangerously close to mine.
