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“Settle … down?” He knew what she meant, but he wanted her to meanwith her. Curses. He had to get this desire for the unattainable princess under control. How had he gone from thinking of her as a cute college girl to believing she was the woman of his dreams in a matter of hours? Quickly giving up on any other woman and wanting no one but her in his life. It was insane yet somehow, with Kiera’s blue eyes focused on him, it made complete sense.
“I’m sure the ultra-desirable Captain Mason Henson wants to fall in love and get married someday.” She rested a hand on his chest, just over his heart. It was racing out of control. Her touching him, and saying words like love and marriage, only made it worse. “If only you could find the perfect woman for you.”
He stared at her. Did she know? Shewasthe perfect woman for him.
And he couldn’t have her.
Kiera lifted her free hand and cupped his jawline. Her other hand slowly slid up his chest, along his neck, and into his hair. Mason quivered.Quivered. He’d never quivered in his life. He was always joking and laughing and showing off how tough he was.
He was the furthest thing from tough or funny right now. He was putty in Kiera’s smooth, firm hands. If she arched up and kissed him, how could he keep his promise to General August that he’d never pursue her? Oh, man, he was in trouble. If she kissed him, could he claim he hadn’t instigated?
He was rationalizing. He hated rationalizers.
Kiera arched up.
Mason’s heart thumped out of control. He had to gently push her away. All he wanted was to wrap her up tight and kiss her so thoroughly she’d know she was the perfect woman for him. He impressively didn’t lift his arms and haul her into his chest, but he also didn’t turn his head away.
Why didn’t he turn his head? What kind of rationalizing wimp was he?
She softly kissed his cheek. His breath rushed out at even that much contact. At least she hadn’t gone for his lips when his defenses were so low.
“Goodnight, Mace,” she whispered.
He adored that nickname on her captivating lips.
“Sweet dreams,” she said, biting enticingly at her lower lip.
It was a parting tease, he knew it was, but the words were said so alluringly it felt like a siren’s call. Kiera wasn’t a siren. She was beautifully innocent, fun and eager to do something crazy or adventurous, yet mature and resilient from all she’d gone through in life. She was everything he’d ever wanted.
Pulling away, she opened the door.
Mason stared. It was all he could do to resist grabbing her, hauling her into his arms, and showing her what he would dream about.
She gave him one more alluring smile, her blue eyes full of him, then she slipped down the hallway. He heard her door open and close. For a few beats he couldn’t move, could hardly catch his breath.
Finally, he forced himself to close his door instead of chasing after her and begging her to have mercy on his heart. Oh, and could she please call her general brother and explain why he had to break his promise?
Mason banged his head against the wall. Several times. He should pray. He should call someone for help. He should beg Josiah to spar with him. He should workout. He should go to bed.
Instead, he sank to the floor and asked for help, strength, answers, some kind of insight.
When he finally climbed to his feet, his knees ached and he had no answers.
Sweet dreams?
Did she enjoy intentionally torturing him?
Princess Kiera always had a plan or a scheme. What if he was only a conquest to her? A scheme to see if she could get the Serial Dater to fall? What if she playedhimand walked away with his heart?
His heart hurt just thinking about it.
Mason rubbed at his chest and went to get socks and shoes. The weight room was his only option right now.
ChapterSeven
Teasing Mason with ‘sweet dreams’and then walking away from him was one of the more difficult things Kiera had ever done, and she’d kissed her own mum goodbye, stiff and cold in a coffin, until she saw her again in heaven when Kiera was only twelve.
She was being dramatic, but goodness, it would’ve been perfect to softly press her lips to his. She was—she calculated and thought through each look and touch—eighty percent certain if she would’ve kissed him full on the mouth he would’ve responded, and every one of her dreams would come true.
