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.

+15 BONUS

“You have?”

been trying to… contain my jealousy. I know I

my ears. “You’re jealous?”

with more force than

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

said. “I would much rather be kissing

asks. His lip twitches, an almost smile.

game. It felt fun, to be flirted with by the

I was right in front of him

“That way I know exactly who

At once, he gathered me into

control of the kiss at once, and

his mercy.

his mouth. He

my lips as he had my neck. The producers had smirked when they saw the bruises there. They had assumed Julian had left them, and

mouth over them now, refreshing

this

at each mark, soothing the pleasure pain he’d caused. I wished he could mar my entire body with those same love bites. Maybe someday we would have

and I shouldn’t be overly intimate, for the sake of his future bride if not for my heart alone. If we laid together, and then were forced to part… That moment would haunt me the rest of my

know if I was strong enough

the marks refreshed, Nicholas dropped

7/4

+15 BONUS

said. “I wish

in his embrace. I glanced back at his desk, at the papers there.

look?” I asked.

said. “If they weren’t… If this wasn’t

head to gaze down into

to try to take

“No. He knows we are only

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

shiver trembled pleasantly up my spine.

kissed me

closed, and I fell into the feel of him once more. My

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

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