Or maybe I’m just happy this won’t be the last I see of Rip.
8
Rip
It’s fucking cold in here.
But not as cold as it was in the wine cellar. I felt like I was at the North Pole in that room, with Jack Frost breathing down my neck, and the only source of warmth was the prince of Beaumont Grand.
The most aggravating guy I’ve met, the same one I was holding back from killing moments ago, suddenly became the most comforting person around.
His skin was freezing to the touch, yet he was sowarm. I know the explanation: body heat, and some other science-y stuff, and blah, blah, blah, but no. That’s not what I’m talking about.
The prince made my insides so warm and relaxed that I wanted to kiss him. We were wondering if anyone would ever find us down there, and my brain’s reaction was to press my lips against the fucked-up heir’s.
If I hadn’t bitten the hell out of my tongue to hold myself back, I would have kissed him. I would have tasted the lips of the man I’ve spent two weeks trying to get close to. I almost kissed Kingsley unprovoked, yet I’ve refused to kiss the red-haired woman draped across my chest all night.
I pull the duvet to cover our bare chests. Her warmth doesn’t satisfy me the way Kingsley’s did.
I look around for her uniform. I’d prefer to have her things prepped for when she wakes up so she can leave. She’s not one to linger, but I like to streamline things.
Minutes later, she stirs awake, and her nails dig into my chest as she yawns.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” I croak.
“It’s time for me to leave,” she whispers. It almost comes out as a question, but I take it as a statement.
I pull my arm off her as I yawn. “Probably a good idea.”
Timidly, she sits up and pulls the sheet around her. Her eyes waver, conflicted, so I close my eyes again to avoid it. She’s done this the last few times we’ve slept together, lingering like she’s waiting for me to say something more. Since I’ll be staying here for a while, that probably means I should cut it off before things get messy.
She finds her uniform in a heap on the floor, gets dressed, and then fixes her hair in the mirror. I nod off while she gets herself together.
“Bye, Rip,” she whispers sweetly.
I don’t bother opening my eyes. “Bye, Lily.”
There’s a long pause, so long that I think she’s left the room, but when I open an eye, she’s still there. “It’s Linda.”
Fuck. “That’s what I said.”
Linda bats her eyelashes, blinking away the hurt. She leaves without another word, and a tension swirls in my chest. I knew her name—I really did. I’m a real areshole.
With a groan, I sit up and run my fingers through my hair. Now I’m awake andstillcold.
Maybe it doesn’t help that the only fabric over my body is the thin sheet.
Thomas is leaning against the doorframe, frowning at me. “You’re a twat.”
Can’t argue there. “I know.”
Will she see me again after this? Her living next door makes her the closest and most convenient girl around, good for blowing off steam through sex since I don’t have anyone to punch my stress away on.
“Are we still on for the plan, or did you change your mind after your near-death experience three days ago?”
I smirk. “I don’t back out.”
