Page 183 of Reign

For one startled beat, Luciano doesn’t move.

Then one taped hand settles at my waist.

Oh my God.

I’m hugging him.

His laugh rumbles beneath my cheek. “I like you excited, princesa.”

I pull back, my face burning.

“Her assistant has them,” he adds. “Evelyn is looking for an intern.”

My heart gives one hard, stupid kick.

An internship.

With Evelyn St. Clair.

I press my lips together because if I make a sound right now, it will be humiliating and possibly high-pitched.

Luciano looks down at me. “I thought, since you’re talented someone should see your work. It deserves to be seen.”

I stare at him.

For a second, I don’t have a single thought.

Then I have too many.

Evelyn St. Clair might see my sketches. Her assistant already has.

Luciano looked at something I made and thought it belonged in front of someone important.

My throat tightens. My chest goes warm.

No.

Shove it down, Elena.

This is how women end up writing their first name with a man’s last name in the margins of paper like middle school girls.

The intelligent thing would be to enjoy the moment.

Unfortunately, the idea of an internship only reminds me of things I can possibly lose.

“Have you made the list yet?”

The hand at my waist stills.

It’s a tiny change, but the warmth in the room tightens into something sharper.

“Of all the things you could ask while you’re in my arms,” he murmurs.

I lean back enough to look at him.

His eyes hold mine. “I haven’t made it.”

“Why not?”