NOT ROYALE ENOUGH [18+]

24

●SARAH●

“Hey, you okay?”

Chris’s voice cut through the beautiful silence as I sensed a sound of worry from his tone and I couldn’t blame him.

I hadn’t said a word since he appeared behind me, his warmth pressed against my back. I savored it for a moment, despite my brain screaming to come up with a plan—a plan not to feel anything at all. But how could I not, when every inch of him was a reminder of last night?

I said nothing, and he slowly turned me around, his hands on my waist, drawing me closer than I wanted, or maybe closer than I could handle. His touch was magnetic, his breath brushing my cheek as those green eyes locked onto mine, searching.

His eyes. God, those eyes. The same shade of green I’d told him was my favorite color, not even a lie—though I never had a favorite until him.

“Seriously, you’re scaring me,” he chuckled nervously, brushing a hand across my forehead as if checking for a fever. “Are you okay?”

“Did I say I was sick?” I shot back, forcing a small smile.

He laughed, relieved. “Thank goodness you’re talking now.” His hand fell to his pocket, and I followed the movement, my gaze lingering over the sharp lines of his black suit. The way it clung to his frame—muscles straining beneath the fabric—had me throbbing in ways I wished I could ignore. His dirty blonde hair was perfectly styled, like something out of one of those novels where the CEO sweeps the heroine off her feet.

Except this wasn’t a story. This was my reality, and I was drowning in it.

I glanced at his neck—no marks. Odd. I could’ve sworn I left a hickey last night. Or maybe I didn’t. My memory was fuzzy, blurred by the haze of what we did.

“Stop staring at me like that, Sarah,” he chuckled again, walking away to sit in the chair his guards had set for me.

“I’m not staring at you,” I lied, biting my lip. His smirk told me he wasn’t buying it. His arms folded over his chest, the suit tightening, pulling against his body in a way that had my thoughts spiraling. Every muscle, every inch of him had touched me the night before.

Why the hell did he have to wear a suit today?

“Right…” he said, eyes narrowing with that dark, dangerous gleam. “Let me rephrase that—stop fucking me with your eyes. Or was last night not enough for you? We can always go again if you want.”

My breath hitched. Normally, I’d laugh it off, roll my eyes, but his words hit too close, sinking deep. The queen's words echoed in my head, louder now: What are you doing, Sarah? He’s engaged.

Not to me. To her.

I should’ve stayed away. I should’ve drawn the line. But last night had obliterated whatever thin boundary was left. Us, together like that—it was a mistake. A beautiful, intoxicating mistake.