“I’ll have to punish you.”

She couldn’t take it anymore, jerking against him as she turned the knob. As she fled, she felt the prince’s gaze following her, taunting her, promising her—-

It didn’t matter what the prince wished to promise.

She grabbed the ring under her shirt and squeezed it hard.

Grant. Grant. Grant.

FAWN SMILED IN RELIEFas Grant shut the door for her and went around the car to get to the driver’s seat. It had been three days since she had gone AWOL from her job, and even now she couldn’t think about the prince without cringing.

Why had she never felt the same thing with Grant? Did it mean she wasn’t really in love with Grant, or was it because he was the Prince of Darkness that her body couldn’t help reacting that way?

Grant joined her inside the car then, and Fawn forced herself to set aside all thoughts as her fiancé turned to her, saying huskily, “I missed you, luv.”

His smile was both dazzling and familiar at the same time, and the sight filled her heart with so much love and happiness she almost cried.

“I miss you, too,” she whispered shakily, and when he lowered his head to kiss her, she closed her eyes as she lifted her mouth to his.

This was the man she had loved her whole life, she told herself as Grant nibbled playfully on her lips.

Whatever happened between her and the prince – it was merely an abnormality, a freakish incident that would never happen again.

Never.

Her fingers sank in his ash blond hair as she surrendered herself to his kiss.

Pulling away, Grant said hoarsely, “You seem different than usual.”

She stiffened, unable to help thinking the worst. She fought to keep her voice steady as she asked, “In w-what way?”

“I’m not certain.” His hungry gaze roamed over her, and Fawn tried not to cringe at the way he licked his lips while his gaze lingered on her breasts. Instead of feeling desirable, she almost felt—-

Fawn mentally shook her head.

Stop it, Fawn.

This was the prince’s fault. What he did – or rather, what almost happened between them – was still messing with her head, and that was the only reason why she was feeling so strange.

Grant touched her cheek, saying huskily, “Are you finally ready?”

She hesitated.

His face hardened.

“Grant—-”

Pulling away, he started to drive without looking at her.

“Grant—-”

“I’m sick of the way you keep playing hot and cold.”

His tone was almost vicious, and it stunned and hurt her.

“How long are you going to lead me on?”

“I’m not—-” Grant’s phone, mounted on the dashboard, suddenly started to ring, and she fell silent. She saw him frown and since he was still driving, she asked tentatively, “Do you want me to answer it for you?”