Page 32 of Scarred Crown

Girls all over the island, possibly all over the world, would kill to be in my shoes. Five minutes ago, I would have counted myself in the same category. Again? How can I say no? The next kiss can’t get worse. We’re warming up.

“Yes,” I say, breathless.

The second kiss is better, but it’s still mechanical, as though we’re figuring each other out rather than lost in the moment. Most of my first kisses have been after I’ve had a few drinks. Maybe that’s the problem. It’s not him, it’s me. I’m too sober to properly relax.

“Jesus, Jules,” he says when we break apart as though it was the best kiss of his life. “I’m only home for a few more weeks, but I want to do this all the time.”

“Kiss in the chicken coop?” My brain can’t process that this is happening. Alex, who thinks I’m annoying, just kissed me. Kissed me in a way that should have made me feel alive, on fire. Right? Isn’t that what a good kiss does? Now I’m questioning whether I’ve ever had a good kiss. My expectations are likely too high.

He chuckles. “Just kiss.” He plants another firm one on my lips. “You.” Another kiss. “All the time.”

My heart stutters to a stop. “W—what?”

His chuckle becomes a laugh. “Never thought you’d be the type to be at a loss for words.”

“I can’t—we can’t—” Can we?

“You’re worried about Nick?”

Is that my problem? Either his kiss has stunned me into stupidity, or I’m not sure I want to do it again. Do I? Only a fool would turn down a chance to be with Prince Alexander. He’s hot. He’s mysterious. He might be a shitty kisser. Or maybe I’m the terrible kisser.

He’s hot. Hot, older, college guy. No brainer, right?

Then his comment about Nick really registers. Nick. If he thought I was choosing Alex over him, he’d… I don’t know what he’d do, but nothing good. Nothing good.

“Nick can never know.”

“If you’re just friends, what we’re doing shouldn’t matter,” Alex says, his tone annoyed.

Can’t very well tell him his younger brother hates him. Though hate might be a tad strong, Nick would never forgive me for letting Alex have any piece of me. I’m not so swept up by passion that I can’t think straight. Sort of the opposite, actually.

“You want these lips again,” I say, pointing to them. “Nick can never know.”

Alex sighs and runs his hand down my side, tugging me against him. “Fine. We don’t tell Nick.”

“No one,” I say, turning my head to the side when he tries to kiss me again. “No one can know.”

“You don’t want anyone to know.” He narrows his eyes at me.

“That’s the deal, Alex.”

A hint of a smile touches his lips. “Well, this will be different. A secret summer fling. Why not?” Then he tugs me into another kiss.

I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck, but I’m too hyperaware of the chickens, the breeze from the ocean blowing past us. The sound of footsteps on the gravel path.

“Jules?” Nick calls, far too close.

I push Alex off me and straighten my clothes, pretending to peer into the chicken coop. Alex laughs beside me, and Nick rounds the corner of the barn.

“Tennis?” Nick says when he catches sight of me, ignoring Alex.

“Yes!” My response is too enthusiastic, and I’m worried my lips look as though they’ve just been smashed against a brick wall. My heart is kicking in my chest. Nick can never find out, and I’m not sure I can trust Alex to keep his word.

“Pairs?” Alex suggests from beside me. “I could grab Brice too.”

“He’s in his Mandarin lesson,” Nick says, his voice tight. “I didn’t realize you liked Mom’s silkie chickens so much, Alex.”

“Who doesn’t like soft, silky things?” He grins.