Page 72 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

The kiss gets deeper. It sucks us in, and in no time, we’re panting into each other’s mouths.

I break away first, leaning back into my own seat. I tip my head back and close my eyes.

“I missed you,” I admit. “You felt… distant.”

“I was.”

My eye cracks open to glare at him.

He frowns. “I don’t know how to handle you. How to save you when your edges are cracked.”

“I’m not a porcelain doll, Caleb. Breaking and healing are part of life.”

Jagged edges and all.

He gets out of the car and comes to my door. I don’t protest when he leans down and scoops me up. I loop my arm around his shoulders. With one finger, I turn his face toward me and steal another kiss.

It’s soothing. A balm for the soul.

“You don’t have to carry me in,” I mutter. I can’t imagine the questions Norah and Josh will have for us. For me. Then again… it’s the middle of the night. Maybe they slept through two of the three teenagers in their house sneaking out.

He scoffs. “I definitely have to.”

We make it over the threshold, the door closing softly behind us. Only a few more feet to go—to Caleb’s stairs—to safety.

But the light flips on. Both Josh and Norah are in the doorway to the living room, staring at us. His arm is around her shoulders, holding her close, and…

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out.

Josh just shakes his head, his attention over my head. On Caleb. “I expected better.”

Caleb shrugs.

“Put her down,” Norah says. “I’m sure she can walk to her room.”

Caleb doesn’t move a muscle. “She had a panic attack.”

“Outside?”

“I went for a walk,” I lie. “I couldn’t sleep, and I thought it might help. But it just… wasn’t a good idea. I’m sorry. Caleb came and rescued me.”

His fingers tighten on my thigh and shoulder.

“Is that right?” Norah asks Caleb.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She grunts. “Next time, let us know.”

They both head back upstairs, and we exhale at the same time.

“That’s enough adventure for one day,” he says. “Got it?”

I wriggle, but he still doesn’t put me down. He carries me upstairs, into my bedroom, and sets me on the bed.

He presses a kiss to my forehead before he goes. But then… he goes.

That part is inevitable, I guess.

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