Page 140 of Hell Hath No Fury
“Give me a few minutes, Ben. It’s the middle of the night, and I’m not dressed.” I start to move off Jack, but his hands stop me as our eyes stay locked before the connection shatters.
“Aurora,” Ben barks from the other side of my bedroom door. “Her Majesty, the queen, has fallen. She’s at the palace, and they’re examining her there, but...”
I jump off Jack and grab my robe to throw it on, as I rush to the door and crack it open, peeking my head around. “Is she okay? Why is she at the palace instead of the hospital?”
“Her physician was called, but she refused to leave the palace. Your sister was hoping you could speak with her.” Ben averts his eyes as I swing the door open.
“And why exactly did Gabby call you instead of me, Ben?” My older sister and Ben have been close for years, but since Gabriella is next in line for the throne, and Ben is part of the Royal Guard, neither has ever done anything about it.
It’s stupid, if you ask me. But no one ever asks me.
Ben’s eyes scan my surroundings, now that the door is wide open, and it’s easy to see the moment they land on Jack. I take a step toward Ben and pull the door behind me, blocking his view. “Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be ready.”
I don’t wait for an answer and instead, quietly shut the door before I turn to find Jack pulling up his jeans with a look I know all too well on his handsome face. I may have never seen it on him before, but it’s the look everyone gets when they realize they’re in the presence of royalty. Like we’re another species. I hate it. “Jack,” I take a step closer as he pulls on his shirt. “Please let me explain.”
He runs a big palm over the back of my hair, then kisses my head. “There’s nothing to explain, Aurora. I get it more than you think.” His eyes search my face for something I don’t think he finds.
A tectonic shift cracks my heart in two when he steps away from me.
“I think I better go.” He reaches for the door but stops and turns his head. “I hope your grandmother is all right.”
And then, he’s gone.
Like he’d never been here in the first place.
As if I’d imagined the past few hours. The connection we had. The laughter. The ease. All the ways tonight was different from every other day of my life before now. A longing I’ve never felt before takes hold of my heart, but I quickly push it back down.
One night.
That was all this was supposed to be.
Hopefully, it will be enough to get me through...
To Be Continued.
