ankles, and he had me bent over his lap.
“What are you doing?” I squealed. I might as well have been wrestling a tree. My panty-clad bottom was exposed, and I was sure my face resembled a tomato.
“My father believed sparing the rod, spoiled the child. Now he thinks mistakes can be a necessary evil…I’m not my father, Four. Putting yourself at risk, tarnishing my family’s name, and pissing me the fuck off? Huge mistake.”
It could have been anger or fear that made my body tremble in his lap. I couldn’t tell. I was experiencing them both in equal volume. “So, what? You hurt me a little, and I’ll be brought to heel?” I scoffed. “Imagine that.”
“Oh, I do. More than you know.”
“I didn’t take you for the kinky type.” I pushed and pulled but couldn’t get free.
He snorted, not at all bothered by my struggles. “I’m not…but I like seeing you like this.”
The fight left my body as I peeked over my shoulder. For once, his eyes weren’t cold or taunting. “Like what?” I sounded much too eager for the answer.
“Pliant.” He ran a hand over my butt. “I like you tame, and I like you wild. Maybe I’ll keep you both.”
“You don’t get a say.”
His eyebrow rose in response. “Is this your first day?”
“So, spank me,” I huffed and wiggled to get free. “I can take it.”
“You think so?”
“Or maybe I’ll just scream.” Seriously, why hadn’t that occurred to me before?
“And when our parents find you bent over my lap with your ass cherry red, I want you to tell them exactly why I made it so.”
Oh…right.
Seeing no other way out of this, I sunk my teeth into his calf.
He grunted, and I had only a second when he released me to escape. I rolled off his lap, but when I made for the door, I tripped over the shorts at my ankles. Damn it! Ever was hauling me up before I could untangle myself. Somehow, our struggle ensued without either of us making much sound beyond a grunt or growl. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been wrestling before Ever lost his footing, dodging the elbow aimed for his nose, and sent us both crashing onto his bed. There, we both seemed to surrender, our heavy breathing the only sound. With my head resting on his chest, I closed my eyes, and his out-of-control heartbeat became my anchor. It occurred to me, however, that one of us would need to claim victory, so I angled my head and found him watching me.
“Still like me wild?” I winked.
If his control was a tightrope, it just snapped.
Suddenly, flat on my back, thick lips crashed into mine. If ever I were to think back to this moment, it would be for one thing. Bliss. Not even with Michelangelo’s imagination could I have painted it better. My first kiss.
My arms wrapped around his neck. Hard and demanding became soft and giving. Ever groaned, and I opened up to devour the sound. He didn’t hesitate to sweep his tongue inside while the hand he would have used to bring me to heel massaged my lower belly. Sometime later, when we both needed air, he lifted his head and stared down at me with lust-filled eyes.
“Jesus, Four.” His chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath. “Can I touch you?”
My brow lifted because he’d never asked for permission before, but then understanding dawned when the tips of his fingers dipped underneath the band of my cotton panties.
I was suspended between lust and common sense when a knock on Ever’s door had us jumping apart.
“I hate to interrupt, but you’re needed downstairs,” Jamie called.
“Fuck,” Ever growled. He seemed unhinged as he jammed his fingers in his hair.
I wanted to laugh, but I was done making mistakes today. Or so I hoped. I still couldn’t believe what happened, and I just let it.
“Let Four know her mother is waiting for her downstairs, too.” Jamie snickered, and we listened as he walked away.
“I need to go,” I announced after shaking off the euphoria.
“We need to talk.”
“Can’t imagine what for.” I avoided his gaze as I lifted my shorts from the floor. They must have fallen completely off sometime while we fought. I couldn’t believe I actually wrestled him in nothing but my panties and a tank top. I felt myself blushing again and angrily shoved my legs into my shorts.
He blew out air, and I smiled to myself. I guess the prince had a temper after