“Oh. Please.”
His strong hands guided my body as I descended Saltswift, still lingering at my waist well after my feet touched the ground.
“What had you so deep in thought?”
The truth was, I had been thinking about what a good time I’d had. Even our run in with Magnus ended on a high note, as we’d left shortly after his unfortunateaccident. Against all odds, I liked Tarben. Charming, funny and thoughtful, he was annoyingly hard to dislike. I wasn’t sure what I had expected but it definitely wasn’t someone whose company I actually enjoyed.
Be that as it may, it changed nothing. I had a job to do, and I wouldn’t get distracted. Being genuinely attracted to him would only make my act all the more convincing.
“I was thinking that I had a really good day with you,” I said softly, holding his gaze.
He moved a fraction closer, his hands still lightly gripping my waist. “I aim to please, my lady,” he said, his voice deepening.
Over the caw of a distant bird, I could hear Tarben’s heart beating wildly in his chest. Slowly, he reached for a strand of hair that had fallen in my face and gently tucked it behind my ear. “I had a really good day with you, too.”
I stared up at him with a playful challenge in my eyes. Did he dare to make a move?
His gaze turned hungry as it dropped to my mouth.Come on, do it. That’s it.Just as he leaned in, I took a step backwards.
“Thank you for a wonderful day,” I said coyly.
Confusion wrinkling his brow, he scratched the back of his head. “You’re welcome.” The words sounded like a question.
“Have a pleasant evening,” I said, walking towards the castle. I looked over my shoulder and threw a parting smile his way. His brow was still furrowed as he squinted after me.
Grinning wickedly to myself, I strolled away. I’d reached the water trough when, “Wait!” Just as I’d anticipated, Tarben called out to me.
“Yes?” I asked, arranging my face into polite interest and turning to face him again.
He took a few steps towards me. “Did I do something to upset you?”
“No,” I said, raising my eyebrows in feigned surprise. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just…” He scratched the back of his head once more and shuffled his weight from side to side. “Did I misread things?”
Holding in a giggle, I decided to put him out of his misery. “Because I didn’t kiss you?”
“Yes.”
I took a step towards him. “I meant it when I said I had a good time today, but I’m still getting to know you. I don’t know what kind of woman you think I am, but I don’t just go aroundkissing anyone. Besides,ifI ever let you kiss me, it will not be in front of an old stable that smells like horse waste and hay.” I gestured to the bales of hay outside the weathered stable doors for emphasis.
“Valid point,” he admitted, nodding. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re that kind of woman at all. But give me a chance and you’ll come to find that I’m highly kissable. In fact, I would say it’s my best attribute.”
I laughed at his playful smirk. “That’s a bold claim, Your Highness.”
“I stand by what I said,” he laughed. “Say you’ll see me again? Tomorrow?”
I lightly touched my chin, making a show of thinking about it. “I suppose I can make myself available.”
“Good,” he said, taking my hand. His lips gently grazed the back of it. “I look forward to it.”
“Until then,” I said with a soft smile. Turning, I made my way up the stone pathway back to the castle.
“Until then,” he called after me.
Our exchange could not have gone better. The prince would be used to females throwing themselves at him. He’d most likely never had a woman reject his advances before. Now that I had given him a taste of what it felt like, he would only want me more. Males were simple creatures in that way. He would dedicate time and effort into winning me over, not realizing that I was actually the one seducing him. And when I did allow him to kiss me, I would make it intoxicating and leave him hungering for more. Forget love, the prince would be obsessed with me by the full moon.
As I reached the oak front doors, I felt a prickle up my spine. I had the most eerie sensation that I was being watched, but, when I looked over my shoulder, I saw no one. Maybe I should have waited for Tarben to escort me.
