Page 47 of Thorns of Deceit: The Beast Within

The realization shot a sharp pain lancing through her chest, bitter as gall. Of course, he couldn’t recognize her. She had spent her life hiding, always concealed behind her title, and now here he was, so close, but not truly seeing her.

The hurt burned deep, but before she could dwell on it, as if sensing her distress, Arye’s arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him.

His body was warm, solid, real against hers. Skylar could feel the rapid beat of his heart, matching the frantic rhythm of her own. His firm chest pressed against her softer curves, separated only by the thin layers of wet fabric between them. For a second, they stood there, breaths mingling in the chilly air, teetering on the edge of something profound and irreversible.

Then, without warning, his lips claimed hers.

The kiss was passionate, demanding, filled with a desperation that took Skylar’s breath away. For a heartbeat, she was too shocked to respond, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of it all. This was Arye—the Crown Prince, her friend, the man she’d loved in secret for so long—kissing her as if his life depended on it, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Then, the dam broke. Years of longing and suppressed desire exploded within her. She kissed him back with a hunger she didn’t know she possessed, her fingers tangling in his rain-slicked hair. She poured everything she felt into that kiss—her love, her frustration, her fear of losing him.

Arye groaned, the sound vibrating through her body and settling low in her belly. His tongue swept past her lips, tasting of sweet wine and something uniquely Arye—rich and intoxicating. Skylar’s head spun, overwhelmed by sensation. She tasted his mouth, heard his ragged groans, and felt the vibration of his hunger through her entire being.

She nibbled, sucked, and nipped at his lower lip, drawing a suppressed moan from him, his hands tightening on her backas if she could disappear any second. The nightgown’s fabric bunched under his fingers, the silk cool against her heated skin.

“Don’t go,” he murmured against her lips.

Skylar froze, her heart skipping a beat. Did he come to his senses? Would he recognize her? But then his lips were on hers again, hungry and insistent, and she lost herself in the sensation once more.

His hands roamed her back, fingers digging into the silk of her nightgown, pulling her impossibly closer. Skylar arched into him, reveling in the feel of his body against hers.

They stumbled backward, absorbed in their passionate embrace, until Skylar felt the rough bark of the willow tree against her spine. The sensation grounded her, a stark reminder of reality in this dreamlike moment. But she didn’t want reality. She wanted this—wanted Arye—with every fiber of her being.

Arye’s lips left hers, trailing a path of fire down her neck. He licked and sucked at the sensitive skin, teeth grazing her pulse point. Skylar gasped, tilting her head to give him better access. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his wet shirt.

One of his hands slid along the silky fabric of her nightgown, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. When his fingers slipped under the hem, skimming up her thigh, Skylar thought she might combust. His touch was electric, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through every part of her.

He cupped her bottom possessively, pulling her against him, and she felt his arousal, hard and insistent, through the thin fabric of his trousers. It was a delicious pressure against her core, and Skylar couldn’t help but roll her hips, seeking more friction.

Their moans mingled in the night air, and she melted into the haze of lust, wanting to feel him, skin on skin.

Skylar’s mind was a whirlwind of sensation and emotion. This was everything she’d ever wanted, everything she’d dreamed of. But not like this. Not with him thinking she was someone else. Guilt gnawed at her, even as desire coursed through her veins.

But this might be her only chance.

Her last opportunity to know what it felt like to be loved by Arye, no matter if it was under false pretenses. The thought sent a fresh wave of pain through her heart, but she pushed it aside. She would allow herself this one moment of selfishness.

With a sudden burst of courage, Skylar tugged sharply at Arye’s hair, pulling him away from where he’d been lavishing attention on her collarbone. His eyes, dark with desire, met hers. In a split second, she saw confusion in their depths. But then it was gone, replaced by a heat that made her core throb with need.

She pulled him back to her lips, kissing him with renewed fervor. Their kisses grew more frantic, more desperate. Teeth clashed, tongues dueled, hands roamed with increasing urgency. Skylar felt as if she were burning from the inside out, consumed by a fire only Arye could ignite.

His hand found her breast, kneading gently through the thin silk. His thumb teased her peaked nipple, drawing a breathy moan from her. Skylar arched into his touch, wanting—needing—more. Her own hands grew bolder, slipping beneath his shirt to trace the hard planes of his abdomen.

“Please,” she whispered against his lips, though she wasn’t sure what exactly she was begging for. More? Less? For this moment to never end?

Arye responded by pressing her harder against the tree, his hips grinding against hers, ignoring the fabric that was between them. The friction was exquisite agony, sending shocks of pleasure through her. She moved with him, matching his pace,her hands clutching at his shoulders as she surrendered herself to the sensation.

“I want you,” Arye growled against her ear, his voice rough with need.

The words sent a thrill through Skylar, even as a part of her ached knowing they weren’t meant for her—not really. But in this moment, she could pretend. She could be the woman Arye desired, if only for tonight.

She wanted him inside her, filling her, completing the circuit that had always existed between them. Her fingers fumbled with his belt, urgency making her usually deft fingers clumsy. Arye’s hands pushed up her nightgown, calloused palms sliding along her bare thighs.

But something was off.

Even through the haze of her desire, Skylar noticed a sudden shift. Arye’s kisses became less sure, his body swaying against hers as if he were losing his balance. When they broke apart, gasping for air, she saw his eyes struggling to focus on her face. Her heart sank.

Reality came crashing back, cold and unforgiving as the rain that still fell around them. The wine was finally taking its toll, and Arye was moments away from passing out. With gentle hands, she guided him to the tree, easing him down onto the ground. Her body screamed at the loss of contact so close before reaching the peak, but she ignored it. She slipped his coat from her shoulders and settled it over him like a blanket.

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