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But then I h, not away as I’d warnedhis tender request with ers laced through ainst him until ere chest to chest andto hi to be closer His tongue slipped insideme shiver with both need and fear

Never had I wanted sohtened ofwhen I finally turnedI’d ever done My lips felt swollen and raw, and achingly cold in the absence of his

Max’s eyes were glassy, as I was certain were mine I’d never seen the face of interrupted passion before, but without a doubt it was the look I itnessing now Disappointhed heavy in my heart

He was quicker than I was to recover, and within ry that he could compose himself so quickly, as if he ell practiced in a skill that I was not I glared at hiht had delivered

"What are we doing?" I asked on a shaky breath

"I thought ere kissing"

"Shhh," I insisted, covering hisnot to think of what that mouth had just done to mine I didn’t want Eden to hear what he said

"What’s the ry that I kissed you? Or that you kissed back?"

I lowered my voice and ood can coesture that made my stomach flutter "Who says it has to end?" His thumb rubbed my lower lip

I closed my eyes, so I couldn’t see his fatho into thehter, Max" The heartbreak in ed ain When I finally did, he answered, "You’re a princess, Charlie"

The world around us froze as Max watchedI would never get used to It was one thing to talk of ine my sister and my father aselse altogether to hear myself referred to as such It was far too easy for ht, of course I was a princess In his aret In his arms, I’d merely been myself

"Is that what this is about, then?" I didn’t want to ask the question, but I needed to know the truth

Max looked confused "What are you talking about?"

I clenchedin the first place Is it because you suspected I was a princess?" Who else would be suitable for so Then, tucking a strand of hair behindether even if you’d been a servant’s daughter, Charlie You do intrigue me, but not for any of the reasons you suspect"