The Academy For The Aces: BOOK 1 OF THE ACE SERIES

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"Prince Andrew..." Faith whispered, her voice filled with confusion. Andrew turned around, surprised to see her and then immediately a feeling of guilt washed over him. Faith noticed his green eyes were now amber and his ears were now pointed.

"Holmes, what are you doing here?" he questioned.

A million and one different questions ran through her head, she wanted to ask him about the mark, if he was responsible for the disappearance of her grandfather but her mind abandoned all logic and her heart took over.

"Well, I had a lovely conversation with some of the noblewomen," Faith said, her tone harsh. "Is it true? Were you just going to abandon me in the garden?" Faith said angrily.

Andrew walked towards her, and they stood toe to toe. His heart sank at the pain and hurt he saw in her eyes. He hadn't anticipated how deeply his actions would affect her. His own emotions were a whirlwind of regret, guilt, and frustration at himself for not being honest with her from the start.

"It's not what you think," he finally mustered, trying to find the right words to explain himself. "I didn't plan to abandon you, Faith. The truth is I have not been completely honest with you"

Faith's eyebrows furrowed at the revelation, "Is this about the mark?"

"It's not just the mark...Arden, your grandfather's disappearance. You're in too deep Faith and it's dangerous. I'm dangerous" Andrew responded taking a step back.

"I thought we were in this together, why didn't you tell me..." Faith said, her voice pained.

"I'm a monster Faith, why would I?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

"I wouldn't have cared if you were a leprechaun, for god sake" Faith answered back taking a step forward, closing the distance between them. "We're friends, aren't we?" she whispered with a smile. Andrew hesitated for a while but eventually embraced her in a tight hug and she hugged back.

As Prince Andrew whispered his gratitude, he couldn't resist the magnetic pull drawing him closer to Faith. Slowly, he reached out, gently cupping her cheek with his hand, his thumb caressing her soft skin. Their faces were now so close, the atmosphere charged with an undeniable tension. The soft glow of moonlight painted their features, creating an ethereal backdrop to this intimate moment.

With a playful smirk, Andrew leaned even closer, his warm breath caressing Faith's lips as he teased, "Do friends usually want to kiss each other?"

Faith's eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and desire, and she leaned in even closer, her voice a low, seductive whisper, "Well, we've established that we're not just regular friends, haven't we?"

With a tender smile, Andrew's eyes locked onto Faith's, searching for any hesitation. "Then, can I kiss you, my not-so-regular friend?" he asked, his voice a gentle murmur that carried the weight of his feelings.

Faith felt her heart skip a beat, her breath hitching as she looked into his eyes. The sincerity and affection in his gaze were overwhelming, melting away any doubts. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with a resolute affirmation.

In that instant, Andrew's hand slid from her cheek to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer as he leaned in. Their lips met in a slow and delicate dance, the world around them fading into oblivion. It was a kiss filled with tenderness and longing, a merging of two souls finally acknowledging the connection they shared.

As their lips moved in perfect harmony, Faith's hand instinctively ran down his bare chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. The touch sent a shiver of delight through Andrew's body, intensifying the moment.

In the center of Andrew's bedroom, they lost themselves in each other. Andrew's heart swelled with affection, and he deepened the kiss ever so slightly, savoring the taste of this newfound intimacy.

As they finally pulled away from the passionate kiss, both Andrew and Faith were left breathless, their eyes locked in a mixture of surprise and wonder. Andrew's hand still gently held the curve of her neck, and Faith's hand remained against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

With a teasing grin, Andrew quipped, "Well, I hope you enjoyed the view while it lasted. It's not every day the Prince is caught shirtless."

Faith's cheeks flushed with a mix of bashfulness and excitement as she playfully retorted, "Oh, believe me, Your Highness, it's a view I won't soon forget. Quite the memorable first kiss, if I do say so myself"

Andrew's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but chuckle at her boldness. "You caught me off guard," he admitted with a hint of astonishment in his voice. "I must say, you're quite the...surprisingly good kisser."

Faith's playful grin turned into a mischievous smirk as she leaned in closer, her lips just grazing his ear. "Oh, is that so, Your Highness?" she whispered seductively, enjoying the way his breath hitched at her proximity. "Perhaps I have a few more surprises up my sleeve."

The air between them crackled with a newfound tension, their playful banter now laced with a magnetic attraction neither could deny. Faith's confidence grew as she felt the effect she had on him, and she was eager to explore this thrilling connection further.

Andrew's eyes darkened with desire, and he couldn't resist the urge to tease her back. "Careful, Miss Holmes," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "You might find yourself getting more than you bargained for."

Faith's heart pounded in her chest, and she met his gaze with a mixture of challenge and excitement. "Oh, I'm not one to back down from a challenge, Your Highness," she replied, her voice laced with newfound boldness.

As Faith's words hung in the air, Andrew couldn't help but be captivated by her newfound boldness. The spark between them intensified, and he felt an undeniable pull toward her. With a hint of seduction in his eyes, he leaned in even closer, his lips just inches away from hers.

"Drop the formalities, Miss Holmes," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "Call me by my name."

Faith's breath hitched at his proximity, and she felt a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. Without hesitating, she whispered his name, her voice barely above a breath, "Andrew."

As Faith's heart continued to race, Andrew leaned in again, drawn by the magnetic pull of their connection. His lips brushed against hers in a tender and lingering kiss, filled with a mixture of sweetness and desire.

This time, Faith took the lead, deepening the kiss with a newfound sense of confidence. Her hands gently found their way to Andrew's shoulders, pulling him closer as her fingers traced the contours of his strong frame.

Andrew responded with equal fervor, his hands moving to her waist, holding her securely against him. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them intensifying with each passing moment.

Lost in the moment, they explored each other's lips with a sense of curiosity and passion. It was a dance of emotions, a silent conversation that spoke volumes about the feelings they held for each other.