She lunged for the door, banging it open. Nate was halfway down the corridor, hands deep in his pockets.
“Nate!” Her voice echoed off the marble.
He froze but didn’t turn, his shoulders rising on an inhale.
She marched up and spun him around, pushing him against the wall. His eyes widened as his back hit the stone.
He swallowed. “Allegra—”
“Shhh,” she blurted, her hands fisting his lapel. “I’ve spent weeks telling myself this is the only way. That I’m doing it for you. But the truth?” Her voice cracked. “I’m scared. Because I love you, okay? There, I said it. And that means wanting things I’m not supposed to want. Needing someone I’m not supposed to need.”
“I love you too,” Nate said hoarsely. “I tried not to. I swear to God, I tried. But you don’t have to—”
“That’s the point, Nate. I could marry Julien. I could play the perfect princess and do everything that’s expected of me. But none of it would mean anything, because you’re the only person who’s ever made me feel like I’m home.”
She pushed up on her toes. “So you can either kiss me right now or spend the rest of your life wondering what would’ve happened if—”
His mouth crashed into hers before she finished speaking.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Allegra’s back hit the bookshelf hard enough to rattle her teeth. “Oof”. She tightened her arms around Nate’s neck, feet kicking uselessly in the air. The shelf wobbled then vomited tomes:On Sovereignty and Steel, six volumes ofThe Founding Houses of Valenstadt, and a leather-bound French book definitely not approved by the royal archivist.
They bounced off Nate’s shoulders and thudded to the carpet. “Shit,” he gasped, forehead knocking against hers. “You okay?”
“I—yeah.” Allegra’s lungs burned. Her whole body buzzed where his hands gripped her hips, holding her up. “You?”
“You have no idea.”
His mouth dipped.
“Whoa!” She slapped a hand to his chest.
He froze, lips hovering a fraction from hers. “What?”
“Phone. Please tell me you have one.”
His brow creased. “You don’t?”
She motioned at the gown. “Does this look like it accommodates technology?”
He set her down and fished in his jacket. “Lucky for you.”
She snatched the phone and dialed. Julien answered on the second ring.
“Julien? No, it doesn’t matter where I am. The engagement’s off. Also, I know you’ve been banging Lotte Van Der Meel. Go cry to her about it.”
She hung up.
Nate blinked. “Did you just…”
“Where were we?” Allegra tossed the phone aside, hands sliding up his torso. “Oh, right. Here.”
She kissed him again, harder. Nate answered with a low sound, backing her into the shelf, hands tangling in her hair. When they finally broke apart, both of them panting like they’d run a mile, Allegra lifted her arms.
No words. Just a look.
Undress me. Now.
