Page 28 of Ruthless Prince

Her smile slowly dims as she removes her hand. “Vincent, you know we can’t do this.”

“Your father isn’t here right now.”

“He’ll kill you.”

“He wants me to win so … no, I don’t think he will.”

Before I can react, she leans down and gives me a small kiss on the cheek. “There. That’s all I can do.”

“You can do that better than that.” Placing my fingers under her chin, I bring her face down to mine. I know we shouldn’t be doing this. I know I have to focus on my next and final fight.

But all I want to do right now is kiss Ellie.

And so, I do.

She’s hesitant at first before slowly kissing me back. It’s a gentle and sweet kiss. Neither of us push it further.

But it would be so easy to do, and I don’t think I can hold back now that I’ve gotten a taste of her.

Ellie pulls back, her cheeks flushed, which just makes me want to kiss her all over again. “Vincent.”

“Don’t say more. Just say that we can do this. Ellie, your father wants me to win this fight. He won’t risk killing me. We can do this.”

“But what happens after you win?”

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “But I want to be with you. I know you want to be with me.”

“Presumptuous, are we?”

“You do want to be with me, don’t you?”

After a moment, she says, “Yes. I do. I think I’ve wanted to ever since I saw you.”

“Then let’s do it. Let’s go somewhere your father won’t know about. Just you and me, Ellie.”

She looks hesitant until her gaze becomes determined.

“Where?”

There’s no going back now.

Chapter

Ten

ELLIE

I’m nervous as I follow Vincent out of the hospital. My heart pounds as we walk to the nearest hotel.

And I think I might pass out as we get a room for the night.

My phone buzzes as I enter the room. It’s a text from my father, wondering where I am. I could reply. I could try to comfort him and tell him I’m all right.

But I’m tired of playing by my father’s rules.

Ever since I first saw Vincent, I knew I wanted him. I’m going to allow myself to be free tonight and worry about the consequences later.

“Everything all right?” Vincent asks, nodding at my phone.

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