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She shakes her head and starts walking again. Faster.

I keep up with my longer strides. “There’s no point in running away, princess. I’m not letting you go that easily.”

“I’m not running away. I just don’t want to be late for my next lecture.”

“Liar.” I grab her arm, pushing her against the wall in the hallway. Lil stumbles, her hands splaying on my chest, and I cage her in, bracing my hands on either side of her head. “Why are you running away?”

“I’m not.” But even now, her attention is on the people around us instead of me.

I know I didn’t want to push her further, but fuck, my brain doesn’t work when I’m around her. “Can you pretend for one second not to hate me? I still have my card, remember?”

“That’s—”

“You punched me.”

“Fine.”

“Why do you hateme?”

“I don’t… hate you.” Her eyes dart back and forth between mine and then down to my mouth.

Not good. Just this much is enough to make my cock twitch.

“Hmm.” I cup the back of her neck and brush my lips over hers in a feather-light kiss. “How about you apologize again so I can kiss you?”

She shivers, her eyes fluttering shut, and her mouth slightly opens as an invitation I gladly take. With a gentle pull, I bring her closer to me for a deep kiss. Third win of the day. And a sweet one.

She not only smells like chocolate but tastes like it, too. Her fingers curl into my shirt, tugging me closer to my astonishment. I want to drown in her. Forever. I break away, and my eyes roam over her face, taking in her flushed cheeks, slightly swollen lips, and glazed eyes. Beautiful. That’s exactly the view I wanted to have again.

“Sorry.” Her voice is breathy and soft.

I chuckle. “Not now, princess. Or I won’t be able to control myself anymore.”

And it’s the truth. I’m barely hanging on by a thread. If she apologizes again, if she looks at me with those big, innocent eyes, I’ll have her right here in this hallway, consequences be damned.

Suddenly, she stiffens up, her hands pushing against my chest. “I have to get to my lecture.”

But I don’t budge. I can’t. Not yet.

“Then go.” I nip her bottom lip, eliciting a soft gasp from her. So responsive. “And don’t forget to text me.”

“I—”

“It’s just a text. I think we already skipped that step.”

“I’ll save it.”

“You will text me in the next 24 hours, or next time, I won’t stop.” I place my hand on her upper thigh, inching up her skirt. “Unless you want to provoke that, too. What will it be, princess?”

She nods.

“Good girl.” I place a kiss on her forehead. “See you soon.” With a salute, I saunter off before my body takes over and does something that’s too early. Like drag her into the next room and fuck her until the only name those lips form is my name. Before that can happen, I have to make her want me as much as I want her. And I will.

My princess.

I’ll make damn sure of it because after that kiss, I won’t settle for anything less than having her, body and soul. No matter what it takes.

Chapter 9

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