Page 190 of Reign

“I’m supposed to lie?”

“You could pretend to believe in me.”

“I do believe in you.” I hold her eyes. “That’s why we’re celebrating before anyone else gives you permission to be proud of what you made.”

Her expression softens.

She lifts her glass and touches it to mine. “To me, then.”

“To you.”

She drinks, but the color rising along her throat betrays her.

I want to put my mouth there again, feel her pulse flutter.

Instead, I watch her steal another truffle fry.

“I thought those were for the table.”

“They are.”

“You’ve taken every good one.”

“The table has excellent taste.”

She goes for her water glass, but it’s empty. Before she can look for the waiter, I slide mine across to her.

She glances at it, then at me.

“Thank you.”

No argument.

She simply takes what I offer and drinks.

I love her obedience.

When she lowers the glass, I reach for one of the remaining fries.

“Hey.”

“For the table,” I remind her.

“You’re abusing the policy.”

I dip the fry into the truffle sauce and hold it toward her mouth.

Her gaze drops to my fingers.

Then returns to my face.

“Open, princesa.”

She does.

Her lips brush my fingertips as she takes it, and the contact travels directly down my spine.

I drag my thumb lightly across her lower lip, catching a trace of salt.