The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0330

After bringing the cookies to Elva and spending some time with her, I set out again, this time in search of Nicholas.

My intentions were dual purpose. I wanted to speak with him as Julian suggested, as well as check on his wounds. He was a fast healer, but his bruises were many. I’d rest easier when I could see him healed with my own eyes.

After checking where he was staying with Mark, I located the correct guest room. The door was already open, Nicholas was sitting inside at a desk, reading through some papers. A line of worry creased the center of his brow.

I knocked and he glanced up from his paperwork. Immediately, that worry line vanished.

“Piper.”

“May I come in?”

“Please.” He stood up from behind the desk.

I entered the room and closed the door behind me. “I was hoping to check on your bruises.”

“I’m doing much better.” He began to roll up his sleeves.

I came closer to see. Some of the bruises were still there, but they were more faded then they had been the last time I’d inspected them. After another day, they’d probably disappear entirely.

Relief flooded through me so much that I slumped where I stood. Nicholas, worried, stepped closer as if to catch me from falling. I wasn’t going to fall, though I sort of wished I was, just to be in his arms again.

“This isn’t the only reason I came here,” I said.

He lifted a brow. “No?”

I pressed my lips hard together. I didn’t really know how to begin this discussion. I supposed the best way over was through, though, so I pushed forward, albeit somewhat clumsily.

“I have to kiss Julian.”

Nicholas straightened. His arms went rigid at his sides. His jaw clenched.

“Things are more complicated now. The producers are making demands. I had thought we could just hold hands or something,” I said, “But they want more intimacy. And with the King keeping track now… I don’t think there’s a way around it. I have to kiss him.”

“I’ve known that from the start, Piper,” Nicholas said.

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+15 BONUS

“You have?”

been trying to… contain

swallowed hard. My heart thundered in my ears. “You’re jealous?”

he said instantly, with more force than strictly

stepped closer to him. I licked my lips. I’d applied lip balm since my date

“I would

an almost

very well who I’d rather be kissing, but I appreciated the game. It felt fun, to

I was right in front of him now. I placed my hand on his

“That way I know exactly

I pressed up onto my toes, closing the distance between our mouths. At once, he gathered me into his arms, pulling me closer, as close as

control

his mercy.

his mouth.

the bruises there. They had assumed Julian had left them, and Julian was eager to let them think so. He’d made a point of touching my neck a lot while we had been

mouth over

this moment alone if I had the

the pleasure pain he’d caused. I wished he could mar my entire body with those same love bites. Maybe someday we

condemned those selfish thoughts. Nicholas and I shouldn’t be overly intimate, for the sake of his future bride if not for my heart alone. If we laid

was strong enough to

the marks refreshed, Nicholas dropped his forehead

7/4

+15 BONUS

have to,” he said. “I wish more than anything that you didn’t have to. But for

me in his embrace. I glanced back at his desk, at the papers there. Were they some kind of report? He likely knew about the

things worse than they look?” I asked. They

said. “If they weren’t…

lifted his head to

going to try to take you

He knows we are only playing

Nicholas said. “But…” His voice lowered, rough and se xy. “When he tries anything … When he kisses you… I want you to remember

shiver trembled pleasantly up my spine. “What’s

kissed me

I fell into the feel of him once more. My heart

“So I know when not to watch the broadcast. I know it has to happen, but I don’t