Page 290 of Split or Swallow

Dinner was followed by cocktails in the parlor, where thankfully, Maximus left them alone. It was only when the fire was dying down and the guests were starting to leave that Maximus shot Tem a pointed glance, which she returned.

Leo’s arm encircled her waist as they ascended the stairs together, and when they reached the landing, he stopped in his tracks. Tem thought he might say something, or perhaps make a move on her. Instead he closed his eyes, leaning his head back so it was resting against the wall.

He let out a deep sigh.

Tem stared at him, unsure what to do. It felt like a moment that should be private, and despite herself, she felt bad for Leo. Tem wondered suddenly if he decompressed like this after every dinner party. Growing up with a father like Maximus couldn’t have been easy on him.

She touched his chest.

Leo’s eyes opened. He placed his hand over hers, holding them together. They stared at each other for a long moment. Then Leo raised his other hand, brushing the tips of his fingers underneath Tem’s chin. Perhaps she’d had too much wine. Perhaps she was simply overwhelmed by the events of the last few days. But for some reason, his touch felt so good that Tem couldn’t help but close her eyes as he traced his fingertips along her jaw. She tilted her head so his palm could cup her cheek.

“Come to my room,” he whispered.

She shook her head.

“Why not, Tem?”

“Because you’re just going to try to have sex with me.”

Even though her eyes were closed, she knew Leo was smiling.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She opened her eyes. He was smiling.

“Promise?”

Leo smiled wider. “Having sex with you requires your consent, Tem. And you essentially just revoked that. There would be no point in trying. But if you insist, then yes. I promise.”

Together, they entered his room.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

Tem stood by the bar cart as Leo shut the door behind them. Everything was the same as she remembered it: immaculately made bed, packed bookshelves, crackling fire.

“Would you care for a drink?” Leo asked.

“Please.”

He poured them both whiskeys before sitting in one of the armchairs facing the fire. On a whim, Tem set her whiskey on the end table, crossed to Leo, and curled up beside him. He moved to accommodate her, pulling her against his chest with a deep, satisfied sigh. They stared at the fire for a long time, neither of them saying a word.

Tem breathed in his scent, savoring the cologne that lingered on his neck. He smelled so good. She savored other things too. Like the way his arms were wrapped securely around her. And the way a single lock of blonde hair lay over his forehead. He was handsome, she realized. Or maybe she’d always known he was, but had pretended he wasn’t. Tem tried to imagine what it would be like to wake up next to him every morning for the rest of her life. Before she could picture it, Leo looked at her.

“Tem,” he murmured.

Tem didn’t think. She just pressed her lips to his.

They kissed slowly, their bodies folding together in the armchair. Tem expect⁠ed Leo’s hands to stray, but they didn’t. Instead, she was the one pulling him closer. She was the one running her palms under his shirt, touching his ribs one by one, feeling the angled lines of his torso. She remembered what Caspen had told her:

“You are mine, Tem. Whether you give your body to another does not change that.”

Tem pressed her lips to Leo’s neck. She wanted to taste him.

“Tem,” the prince pulled away, but just barely. “Stop.”

“Why?”

“Because you made me promise not to try to have sex with you.”