Page 15 of Stolen Queen

“I don’t want to go home yet.” Her head leans against the window as if she’s resolved that the night has to come to an end.

“Sorry. The adventure is over. It’s not safe for you to be out like this. Your father?—”

"My father doesn't care about me. He only cares about what I can do for him."

The truth in her words sends a killer rage through me again. Seriously, someday, I’m going to make him pay for the pain he’s caused Ava.

As we approach the Rinella compound, I’m both irritated that I have to return her to that fucker and concerned about getting her into her room undetected, especially given her current state of tipsiness.

I park along the road where I know I can sneak into the yard. "Alright, Princess," I whisper, helping her out of the car. "We need to be quiet now. Can you do that for me?"

She nods, then promptly stumbles. I catch her before she could fall, her body warm against mine. The scent of her perfume mixes with the lingering smell of alcohol, creating an intoxicating combination. I have to shake the rush of desire from my brain.

We make our way across the tree-lined yard, sticking to the shadows. Ava's attempts at stealth are comical, but somehow, we manage to avoid detection as we reach the area below her bedroom window.

My eyes are drawn to a familiar balcony. Memories of standing out here five months ago, watching Ava from afar as she stood bathed in moonlight. The sadness in her eyes had tugged at something deep within me, awakening feelings that I have no right to feel.

Now, here I am, sneaking her drunk self back into that same room. Life is truly strange.

“How’d you get out?” I ask her.

She points to a trellis. I look at it, thinking it can’t be sturdy enough to hold us both. But I don’t know if I can trust her to get up without help.

It’s a fucking miracle when she climbs onto the balcony. I join her, wanting to make sure she can get into her room.

I feel a mix of relief and regret as I prepare to say goodbye. "Time for you to get some sleep.” I guide her toward the balcony doors, thanking God when they open.

She steps toward the door but then stops, her gray eyes locking onto mine. “There’s still one thing I didn’t get tonight.”

“What was that?”

“Well, I got my first shot, but I didn’t get my first kiss.”

My brain short circuits. Surely, she isn’t asking me for a kiss. I remind myself that she’s had a couple of drinks. "I don't think that's a good idea."

The look in her eyes guts me. It’s a look of rejection.

“I just… with the drinks… maybe you should save your first kiss…” Fuck. I’m screwing this up.

“You mean for the man my father sells me to?”

I realize this is another area she’s trying to wrangle some control over. Maybe she can’t stop her father from marrying heroff, but she can decide on her first kiss. There’s no doubt I want to give it to her, but… holy hell… it’s wrong. Right? I shouldn’t be me. She deserves better.

I swallow hard, my resolve weakening the longer she looks up at me expectantly. The moonlight casts a soft glow on her face, making her look even more beautiful than usual. Her lips, slightly parted, are begging to be kissed.

But no. She’s vulnerable. And despite my reputation, I have lines I don’t cross.

The air between us crackles with electricity I feel down to my cells. My control is slipping as need takes the reins. I want to be the better man, to walk away and preserve her innocence. But God help me, I want her more.

Fight it, Moretti. "You're not thinking clearly?—”

Ava’s hands grip the front of my shirt, tugging me toward her. And then her lips are on mine. The world explodes into a kaleidoscope of sensation. Her lips are soft, inexperienced, but eager. She parts her lips, and I’m powerless to push her away. I slip my tongue to dance with hers. The taste of peppermint lingers on her tongue, mingling with something uniquely Ava. It’s intoxicating, more potent than any alcohol I'd ever consumed.

All my internal battles dissolve. The guilt, the fear, the sense of duty, it’s gone, replaced by an all-consuming need. My arms wrap around her waist, pulling her flush against me as I deepen the kiss and maneuver her inside toward her bed.

5

AVA

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