Page 29 of Kisses at the Crossroads

I gather the money from the stage before running back to the dressing room, where I’m greeted with a standing ovation.

“Didn’t know you had that in you,” Kristy said. “Maybe you do deserve to be the headliner.”

I groan. “No, thank you. I’m tired of carrying the entire club on my back.” I grin and hope she takes it as the joke, I mean it as.

“Brat.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Hit the shower.”

“Gladly.” I take the water bottle Ava offers and make my way to the bathroom.

As soon as I have the door shut and locked, I meet Pike’s hungry gaze in the mirror.

“Did you like what you saw?” I ask. My heart flutters as I wait for his answer. My wings lift and drop with my breaths.

“Trick. You’re magnificent.” He spins me to face him, then lifts me to the counter. His tail comes up to wrap around my waist as if he claims me and no one else can have me.

“I’ll be mad if you don’t kiss me soon.” I grab one of his horns and pull him down. The moan as my hand slides down the shaft sends a shiver through me. “Sorry, forgot they were sensitive.” I start to remove my hand, but he presses his to me.

“Don’t let go.”

I squeeze, pulling another moan. “Kiss me, then. Please.”

“Patience, little Fae.”

My cock takes notice of the nickname. One I’ve loved since the beginning. He rocks against me, making me harder.

I lift my face and tug at his horn. “Kiss me.”

He cups my cheeks so gently and I melt into him. My free hand clutches his shirt. My eyes shutter closed the moment his mouth meets mine. He steals my breath with a bruising kiss. I wrap my legs around his hips, trying to get closer. His cock rubs against me, making me shudder and moan.

“More,” I whisper.

His hands roll down my body to lay on my thighs. “How far have you gone?”

“You were my first kiss.”

Pike’s breath hitches. “How?”

I shake my head. “I had plans, but Drake spoiled them all before any of them could be executed. That night I was snatched I’d planned to get my first kiss with the Winter prince.”

“The boy you ran off with was a prince?”

“The third one, yes.” Toren was—is—only a few months older than me. We were a perfect match and had I been allowed to live my life as mapped out, I more than likely would have been his courtesan. We’d talked about it. He was a jealous boy and I probably would have been miserable.

“I think Drake saved me, in a way.” I drop my hand from Pike’s horn. “Not that I’m happy about his treatment. But the more I get to know you, the more I realize I would have been miserable in court. I need… freedom. True freedom.”

“How does knowing me help you realize that?”

I tap my bottom lip as I think. “You let me decide things. I don’t have to deal with procedures and etiquette. I don’t have to entertain you.”

“Funny, since your performance got me all hot and bothered.”

I laugh as I pull him by his collar. “True, but you let me just exist. No hoops to jump just to get sunlight or food. I can be a brat and you don’t punish me for being me.” I run my finger over his collarbone. “At court I’d have to dress a certain way, act a certain way, and sleep with whoever the king wanted me to. I’d have a contract and rewards for everything, but would it be living?”

Pike kisses the top of my head, but it’s not enough, and I lean in for another kiss to my lips.

“I still want to go home,” I whisper. “I miss my mother and Wren. I miss the meadows. The magic. The music. The dancing. Being Fae.”

“I’ll get you home.” Pike brushes a tear from my cheek.

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