Page 218 of Heartless Sinner

It wasn’t until we slipped into a narrow alley between two towering buildings that I grabbed her wrist. She looked back just as I turned her toward me, her back meeting the stone wall.

I couldn’t stop myself.

Just one last time.

I’d been telling myself that all fucking day.

I caught her around the waist, my wet sleeve scraping against the stone as I leaned into her.

She gasped against my lips, but the shock of what I’d done didn’t last long before she kissed me back. I groaned into her mouth when her tongue met mine.

I cradled her face in both hands as we kissed beneath the dim alley lights, seawater dripping from every inch of us. A part of me believed if I let go, she’d disappear forever.

“Wait.” She pushed against my shoulder. “I can’t … I don’t kiss guys with girlfriends.”

“Rachel isn’t my girlfriend.”

She didn’t immediately call me a liar. I took that as a win.

“She’s nothing to me. I don’t do girlfriends.”

“Sure acted like a boyfriend to me.”

“You’re right. I don’t. Unless it’s you.”

“But that’s over now,” she whispered against my lips.

“I don’t want to talk about this in some alley.” I rested my forehead against hers. “Come back with me tonight.”

“No.” Her voice was quiet. “I’m not having a one night stand with you just to go back to you hating me again tomorrow.”

She ducked her head under my arm and put space between us. “Goodnight, Brooks. Have a nice life. I hope you get that presidential bid one day.”

She took off running toward the castle.

I stayed in the alley and watched her go.

It wasn’t because I didn’t want to chase her. God, did I want to.

But she was right. One night wouldn’t fix us.

It’d only give me another version of her to lose.

Fifty-Nine

Daphne

Itried to keep my tears at bay as I sprinted back to the castle. My bare feet slapped against the freezing stone, but I refused to slow down to put my heels back on.

I should’ve never kissed him back.

I should’ve walked away the second my feet hit the dock.

But none of those smart should’ves crossed my mind because I was back with Brooks.

Back with the man I loved, but could never have.

The man who, with a single touch, made everything inside me come alive.