Page 112 of Reign

Her throat moves. “Why?”

“Because I want to know why you filled it out.”

She grips the napkin in her lap. “That’s none of your business.”

“It became my business when you submitted it to Elite.”

“I submitted it to Elite. Not to you.”

“I am Elite.”

She snorts. “Of course you are.”

I laugh.

Her pulse jumps at her throat, and her gaze lingers on my mouth before snapping away.

She likes the sound.

She crosses her arms as if the posture can protect her from the blush still burning across her face.

“Fine. Since you apparently read private questionnaires like bedtime stories, am I accepted? Do I get an official email? A little gold stamp? Should I book a flight to Florida and pack kneepads for all the blowjobs?”

That fucking mouth.

She makes it vulgar whenever honesty gets too close, as though saying something filthy will distract me from everything else she’s confessed.

It doesn’t.

“You’re very interested in the practical requirements.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s what you took from that?”

“It’s the most useful part.”

Her breathing catches.

I lower my voice.

“You don’t have to go to Elite to learn.”

The room goes quiet.

Understanding moves across her face, followed by a fresh rush of heat.

I hold her stare.

“I’m right here, Elena.”

Chapter 20

Elena

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Luciano doesn’t even glance up from his wine.

“What?”