Page 113 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

We walked up and I grabbed my tablet. We were walking back when I tripped on a piece of folded carpet. He caught me, steadying me against the wall.

“Thanks,” I smiled up at him.

“You’re welcome,” he answered, then as if he couldn’t help it, he whispered, “You are so pretty, Violet.”

“Yeah?” I asked, my heart singing with his words. “How about a kiss, then?” Chris bent down and pressed his lips to mine. Too soon, he pulled back. “Nope. A proper one.” I pouted.

He gave a low chuckle, then bent down one more time and I wrapped my arms around his neck when his lips met mine. He pressed me against the wall, finally giving me what I wanted and plunging his tongue into my mouth. I let out a little moan, urging him on.

“Oh my!”

The sound startled us apart. I looked over the entrance of the alpha floor to find Martha standing there, looking like a deer caught in headlights, a hand to her chest as if she’d caught us naked and fucking in the hallway.

“Martha, what are you doing here?” I asked.

As far as I knew, Bells hated the woman. She had no reason to be up here and Martha was looking very startled.

“I-I was looking for Bells,” she stammered.

“She’s out in the fields, like she usually is,” I told her, not buying it.

“Oh right... and does she know... about this.” She motioned our way.

“What about ‘this’?” I asked.

“Well... I mean. I can’t imagine your parents or siblings would be too happy to know. Not that it’s any of my business or anything. But, you’re a young vulnerable girl. I’d hate for you to be taken advantage of.”

I watched Chris’ entire body go rigid from the corner of my eye.

“I’m a twenty-three-year-old woman. No one is being taken advantage of, and not that it’s any of your business, but my sister knows I’m in a relationship.”

“Well, I... I guess things are different where you’re from. I can’t believe a woman of your stature would be allowed to... well, you know.”

“No. I don’t know. Please explain,” I said, losing my patience. I didn’t like what she was saying and I didn’t like the way Chris’ face had become shuttered and stoic.

“Well... Nothing. I guess things are done differently in Crescent Moon. Standards are different. I’ll find Bells later.”

With that, she turned around and left, practically running away. I turned my attention to Chris, who was still looking at the spot where Martha had stood.

“Chris?” Chris turned to look at me, and I saw a look I didn’t understand cross his face before he blanked it again. My stomach fell to the floor, and a knot formed in my throat.

“I should escort you back to the office,” he finally stated, formality in his voice.

“I would prefer to go back to my room,” I answered, wanting to address this before it could fester in his head.

“Of course,” he answered, not looking at me anymore. “After you.”

We walked back to my room and I turned around the moment he closed the door.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m... I’m fine.”

“Chris. You don’t have to lie to me,” I said taking a step toward him to put a hand on his cheek.

He took a step back, and hurt lanced through my body, my stomach sinking further.

“She’s right, Violet. I’m taking advantage of you,” Chris said, taking a step toward the bathroom.

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