Page 59 of Twisted Prince
I’m far from worthy of her.
But I’ve never cared so deeply for another person in my life.
I’ve never wanted to be more worthy.
Confusion flashes through my mind as I relive our first night together—when she came to my room. Where did I go wrong? I tried to be so fucking careful, but maybe I read the signals wrong. My father’s training never really did excel at human bonding.
I can read a person’s fear from across a room. I can sense their strengths and weaknesses before we even enter combat. But knowing if Mel actually wanted me that night…? Maybe I’m a bigger monster than I realized.
“You don’t need to be scared of me, Mel,” I insist. “I would never hurt you. I’ll—” I choke on my next promise as the pain of it lances through my chest. “I’ll never touch you again. Just. Let me help you.”
Mel shakes her head, a soft sob ripping from her lungs, and she brushes impatiently at the tears that start to fall. It’s agony to see her cry, to watch her in pain, and not know how to help. I want to remove the distance between us, to pull her into my arms. But I just promised I wouldn’t, and knowing that I’m the reason she’s crying makes it all the worse.
“That’s not what I mean,” she murmurs, pulling herself back together. And when her dark eyes find mine once again, for the first time, I can see the genuine fear in them. “I’m scared because you hold a power over me that I’m helpless against. I can’t trust it. I can’t trust myself around you. And after my past with men…”
“You can’t trust me,” I finish, my chest aching hollowly.
I can’t help myself. Now that I know what she means, I can’t stay away. I would do whatever it takes to earn that trust.
Closing the distance between us, I press a hand against the small of her back as I cradle her face, and I peer deep into her mesmerizing eyes. “But, Mel, can’t you see you hold a power over me too? I would do anything for you. I don’t go around chasing women, but I would chase you to the ends of the earth if you’d let me.”
Mel’s breath catches. She must feel my heart hammering beneath her palms as they rest on my chest. Her gaze flicks down to my lips, her tongue darting out to wet her own, and though I know it’s a risk, I lean in slowly to kiss her.
Our lips meet with an explosion of fireworks, the heat of our attraction blasting through my core. As I snake my arm tighter around her waist, Mel wraps her arms around my neck to pull her closer. Searing passion ignites in my body. I could kiss her forever, hold her in my arms, and just forget about tomorrow.
Then, the door slams open behind me.
I whirl instinctually as Mel stiffens. Breaking our kiss, I keep her firmly tucked against my chest as I face the potential threat. And my brother Viktor scowls down at us with blatant irritation.
“You’re wanted back on stage,” he growls at Mel, and apparently, he must like her because he’s generous enough not to mention that Harper was, in fact, not looking for him at all. Which is why he probably just spent the last ten minutes getting an earful over leaving his post without permission.
His eyes shift to me, and he glowers as he takes in the sight of my hands around her waist.
“I’m coming right now,” she says breathlessly, trying to step out of my arms.
But I don’t let her go far. Instead, I give her enough freedom to walk as I follow her toward the door. From the looks of it, I doubt Viktor is going to let me by, but right now, nothing he does will stop me.
“What are you doing?” Mel hisses as she realizes I’m one step behind her.
“I’m not letting you go back in alone,” I state frankly.
“Yes, you are. Mr. Kelly said he would kill you if you came back,” she states, panic rising in her voice.
“Mel—”
“We’re not doing this right now,” she states firmly. “I’m finishing my shift, and you’re leaving.”
After what happened last night, I know better than to push her. So, swallowing my jealousy, I nod. “But you’ll meet me tomorrow morning?” I insist. “At the coffee shop across the street.”
Eyes flicking nervously toward Vik, Mel bites her lip and nods. Then she spins and races back inside.
25
MEL
“Pancakes! Pancakes!” Gabby chants as she pounces on my bed, jolting me from my dreams like a defibrillator.
Gasping, I sit up, and when I see her smiling face, I scoop her into my arms before I glance at the clock—seven-thirty. Cute girl must have decided to let me sleep in. I don’t know how she resisted waking me earlier with pancakes on her brain. Nuzzling into the crook of her neck, I give her kisses that make her squeal and squirm, and she unleashes an adorable giggle.
