Page 59 of Take My Crown

“She said something weird to me. Something about ruining you,” I tell him, wanting him to be prepared. “What secrets do you have, Declan?”

“I’m an heir. I swim in a pool of fucked up secrets for breakfast and claim them all as my own,” he counters. “Let her spill a few. I don’t give a fuck anymore.”

“This is so messed up,” I whisper, as Declan leans into me.

This kiss is so different to any other time I have been kissed. It speaks of love and romance, caresses and tenderness. It makes me wonder what making love would be like with Declan–and it would be making love. There is a chemistry between us that is like nothing else. This is why we wrote such powerful songs together. Our souls speak to each other.

I kiss him back, my hand resting on his thigh. I love the feel of him beneath me. He is surprisingly muscular and I wonder what he looks like naked. I can’t get the image of his chest out of my mind. God he is so ripped.

He leans into me, his hand brushing against my breast as he moves his hand round to my back, pulling me towards him.

“That’s one of the reasons why I want to get close to you,” he tells me. “We’re the next generation. We can change things if we want. We don’t have to do things the way our parents did. We can come up with a new way, abetterway. What do you think?”

“I think…” I wave my glass in his direction. “I need another drink.”

“Coming right up.”

Declan takes the glass from my hand and heads back inside.

After he leaves, I slump back on the lounger. What was I thinking? This isn’t my father’s twisted attempt to play Cupid, is it? Am I playing straight into his hands?

Now that Declan is gone, my thoughts are a little clearer. I can’t let myself be confused by his body, his scent, oh dear god, his incredible scent. The guy is so sexy…

No, Ivy! Wake up!

I’m not falling for the sexy boys of King Academy.They will ruin me.

Declan might be single, but I am not interested. If he has cheated on Ally with me, he will cheat on me the second someone more interesting comes along.

Nothing has changed. I am done with men and my stupid treacherous heart for loving them all.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Suddenly, there are screams as gunshots interrupt my reverie. Teens flood out of the house, running in all directions and making it impossible to see what is going on. My body shakes as I try to block out the screaming and hold onto the chair as so many teens run around me.

“He’s been shot! He’s been shot!” I hear someone yell. “Call an ambulance!”

My blood runs cold. Is Declan hurt?

I race into the house, pushing against the tide of people trying to escape, not caring what they think or how crazy this is. I have to know he is okay.

“Declan!” I cry. “Declan!”

“I’m out front!” came his strained reply.

I run out to the front of the house to find Declan cradling someone in his arms.

“Archer!” I gasp, paralysed with shock at the sight of my former lover covered in blood. I lied to myself. I caretoomuch about the boys of King Academy.

I’ve fallen for them…and I could lose everything tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ivy Archaic

“Don’t just stand there, Ivy. I need you!”

I snap out of it, rushing over to help Declan.

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