Page 255 of Bad Prince

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Not claiming.

Not for show.

This is slower.

Deeper.

Intentional.

Her body presses into mine, warmth and softness and heat.

Her lips move against mine like she’s trying to prove something.

Or maybe… give me something.

My hand comes up automatically—rests at her waist.

Pulls her closer.

And for a second?—

I let myself fall into it.

Because it’s good.

She’s good.

This could be good.

But it’s not?—

Fire.

Not the kind that knocks the air out of your lungs.

Not the kind that makes your chest feel like it’s splitting open.

Not the kind that ruins you.

We break apart slowly.

Her forehead rests against mine.

“See?” she whispers. “That wasn’t so hard.”

I let out a breath.

“Yeah.”

She smiles.

Satisfied.

Like she’s winning.

And maybe she is.

We walk back to campus like that.

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