“I’m not your property,” I bite back. But why do I feel a delightful twist in my belly? Territorial. Of me?
No. Stop it. Don’t fall for it.
“You may have tossed me those coins, but as far as I’m concerned,I’mthe one in charge. Which means during this journey, no matter where we fucking are or how safe you feel in the moment, you’remineto look after andmineto keep close.” He scans my face thoroughly, then slowly drinks in the rest of my body, searing me with his gaze. I have to clench my thighs together from that action alone.
I fidget in my seat.
“Like I told you before, oh sweet one,” he continues in a silky, deep voice, “I don’t like to fail, and if that means stopping you from making a reckless decision with a prince who might have beast warts, so be it. I’ll be right there protecting you.Watchingyou.Keeping you safe.Is that clear?”
I refuse to answer him, not with that smug face and entitled attitude. I want to slap him.
He lifts an eyebrow, focusing on my mouth.
“I’m literally starting to hate everything about you,” I whisper.
He says nothing, which only irritates me more. The carriage jostles us around, but I remain steady, matching his stare, waiting for him to lean back first.
But then something tight wraps around me and pulls forward, guiding my bottom closer to the edge of the bench. My breath hitches when I realize it’s Thane’s magic. He stares into my eyes as an invisible hand digs into my waist.
An unavoidable sigh slips out of me as his lips graze mine. A rush of tingles sweeps over my entire body, and heat pools between my legs, hotter than ever before.
My mouth aches for him—no, mywhole bodyaches for him. Why didn’t I feel this way toward Kelrean? During the moments alone with him, I wanted him. But my desire for the prince wasn’t nearly as frustrating. How is it possible to want to slap Thane’s beautiful face and kiss it at the same time?
I have to be under some kind of spell. I’ve never craved defiant, broody, dangerous men like Thane Valkor before. Men who are clearly no good for me. And yet, here I am.
Craving.
Wanting.
“Interesting,” he rasps. “What I see in your eyes right now doesn’t look like hate.”
“Oh, shut up,” I mutter, breathless. And instead of slapping him, I grip a handful of his waistcoat, yank him forward, and kiss him.
Chapter 26
It’s happening.
This kiss. Thismoment.
Yes. Without a doubt.
I want this so badly that I can’t stand another agonizing second of resisting him.
I pull my mouth away, and he looks at me—reallylooks at me—before cupping the back of my head and pressing my lips to his again. He groans as I straddle him and clasp his face in my hands. He tastes like ale and mint and smells so good, like firewood, leather, and spice.
The stubble along his jaw is coarse beneath the pads of my fingers, a contrast to his soft skin. Our breaths thicken between the slightest breaks, and he clutches the back of my bodice with one hand while I thread my fingers through his silky hair.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” I say, panting when his hot mouth claims my throat. He presses a kiss there, causing a soft moan to escape me. I tingle everywhere.
“Liar.”
“I’m serious.” I grip a handful of his hair and tug on it, forcing him to look at me.
He stares up, his mouth as damp and swollen as mine feels. “You really don’t know how to stop talking, do you?”
Cradling the back of my head, he guides my mouth back to his, much gentler this time. I melt in his lap, moaning into his mouth, ready for more. Our tongues collide as we wrestle with each other’s clothes. That invisible hand of his skims down my spine as his real hands perfectly cup my ass.
Flipping me onto my back on the carriage bench, he shoves my skirts up and guides the lower half of his body between my thighs, and when his mouth claims mine again, I savor the taste of him. I lace my arms around the back of his neck, bringing his chest closer as he grinds his hips up and down, creating a steady friction. I feel him hardening, digging into my pelvis and lower belly as deep groans form in the hollow of his throat.
