Page 18 of Royally Drawn

“I think last night, I got you flustered. You couldn’t help yourself.”

She looked up at me, her chest rising and falling quickly. I took a chance, leaning down to kiss her. I cupped her face in my hand and grazed her mouth with mine. To my surprise, she reacted by wrapping her arms around my neck, hips thrust against me. Before I did anything more, I needed to confirm she was as excited about this as I thought.

“So, Princess, too wet?”

Her face flushed red. She wasn’t thinking back to her fable about kissing.

“The kiss,” I said. “Too wet? Just right?”

Ingrid turned her head, looking overwhelmed. My hand remained on her back possessively, but our bodies began to part. She didn’t want to admit it was good for some reason. I wanted to curse Leah for intervening until something changed. Then, Ingrid turned back.

She was close enough to kiss me again. Grabbing my shirt collar, Ingrid said, “You’d like to fuck me, wouldn’t you?”

Yes, of course! Saying that wouldn’t square with this little game we were playing. So, instead, I said, “Depends. Are you fun?”

I wanted her to bite her lip the way she had earlier. She leanedcloser. I leaned down, our noses almost grazing. I wanted her to kissme. I favoured assertion over aggression. I only wanted her if she wanted me. The ball remained with her.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Ingrid whispered, then pulled back.

I watched her leave, her heels clicking on the tile floor. She knew what she was doing. She wastorturingme.

Touché, princess.

Weakness

INGRID

Iturned in for the night, pacing in my stateroom. I’d tortured Keir. Or was he torturing me? Was it mutual? I didn’t know what I was doing. I couldn’t help but worry I’d get burned. And what did I even know?

I was flattered by a man who had a decade on me, was much more experienced, and would probably bore of me in five minutes. Still, that was why I was flattered. This gorgeous man who could haveanyonewanted me. He was even willing to blow things up to make it possible. At the same time, if hedidbore of me—and I was sure he would—why would it even matter? We could remain friendly and get this out of our systems, right?

I debated it. Could I lose my virginity to a sexy, fit prince? I’d be stupid to tell him no, right? Or was it wasting something prized and special? The virginity myth was nonsense, but shouldn’t a first time meansomething? Was it enough to feelgood?

Fuck. What was I doing?

Climbing into bed, I pulled my covers up over my head as if they would protect me from dirty thoughts and itchy fingers. I wanted totext him. I tried to booty call this man. Who was I? Put on a ship with a bunch of hot men, my resistance dwindled!

I pulled my phone off the charger and texted him.

ME

You up?

KEIR

Hello, Ingrid. Are you bored already?

ME

Depends

KEIR

My interest depends on your interest.

I rolled my eyes.

ME

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