Page 73 of Vengeful Princess

“Fuckboy? Is that what you think he is?”

“Well, yes. He seems to fuck around, ergo, fuckboy.”

“I guess he does,” Milo replied, looking thoughtful, like he hadn’t really considered Landon’s behavior as problematic.

Milo wasn’t like the other three. I never saw him talking to anyone but them. While he was handsome in a nerdy way, with his cute little glasses and floppy hair, he didn’t flirt or act like an asshole.

Instead, he hung back on the fringes of whatever bullshit they were up to.

I’d noticed him watching me a lot around campus. Whenever I turned around, he was there. Then there was that time he caught me leaving Lucian Forsyth’s office at the Masked Ball. Something we hadn’t discussed.

“Did you tell the guys about seeing me at the ball?” I asked.

He stared at me, showing no sign that my question bothered him. “No.”

“Why not? You must be curious about what I was up to?” If I’d caught him somewhere he shouldn’t be, I’d be damn curious.

“Are you going to tell me what you were doing there?”

“No.”

“Are you planning to hurt my friend in any way?”

I hesitated for a moment because, in truth, I didn’t know if what my father planned would hurt Cassian. I hoped not, but his plans had yet to be revealed. However, I would do my best not to drag Cassian into it.

“Not if I can help it.”

“Then that’s good enough for me,” he said with a shrug. “For now.” He tilted his head to one side. “I can help, you know. With tech stuff. If you need any help.”

“Why would you help me when you have no idea what I’m doing?”

“Because I like you.” He looked away, and I sensed his admission took him by surprise.

“Do youlike melike me?” I teased.

When he turned back to face me again, the heat in his eyes floored me. Now it was my turn to feel uncomfortable, but mostly because my nipples were hard and I couldn’t help but wonder what calm, controlled Milo was like in bed.

“I do.” His voice trailed off. He ground his teeth with irritation. “I’m not sure why.”

“Gee, thanks,” I coughed, annoyed he’d ruined the moment completely. What was he saying? He liked medespitethe fact I looked like roadkill right now?

“No, I mean, I don’t usuallylikegirls in that way.” He hesitated, as if weighing up whether he wanted to reveal some deep, dark truth to me. I had to admit, I was a little curious. “I like to watch girls, but you’re not the kind of girl I’ve watched in the past. They were dolls. Pretty but shallow. You’re different.I enjoy watching you, but I want to do more than watch.” He grimaced. “It’s…confusing.”

I shifted into a more upright position, ignoring the screaming agony from my cracked ribs. Landon had strapped them up for me after my shower, but they still hurt like a bitch. There wasn’t much I could do other than pop pain meds and wait for my body to heal.

“What do you want to do to me?” My voice came out all breathy and seductive, which was annoying.

Milo came and sat on the bed, close enough for me to smell the clean, woodsy scent of his skin, but not quite close enough to touch. It was the sweetest kind of torture, and a welcome distraction from the pain.

“I want to touch you,” he rasped. His hand hovered over mine. Particles in the air shifted, generating electricity and heat. The cover resting on my legs felt too thick. I wanted to kick it off, but I didn’t dare move in case the spell broke.

“Touch me where?” I whispered. God, I was so turned on. He was close enough that I could see light stubble on his sharp jaw. I noted the small scar just above his left eye and wondered how he’d got it. Childhood accident maybe?

“Everywhere,” he said before his lips brushed mine.

Heat exploded inside me, and I grasped his head to pull him closer. For a moment, he froze, and I wondered if I’d made a huge mistake, but then he relaxed into the kiss, meeting me half-way.

He was nothing like Kyril, who kissed like he wanted to devour me. Milo was sweet, almost hesitant. At first, anyway. When I parted my lips to give his tongue access, a deep groan rumbled through his chest. The kiss deepened. Our teeth clashed, and he pushed me backward, his fingers raking through my hair.