Page 113 of Tabloid Princess

I trembled like the last petal falling from a rose at the end of summer. Quivering and delicate I was about to fall.

My air rushed out of my lungs as feet fell on the other side of the door.

“Leia?” His voice lilted my name as he opened the door.

I shivered uncontrollably and he physically had to grab my elbows to lift me over the doorstep so he could shut the door. “You shouldn’t be answering the door. I could have been any nutter.” My lips shook.

His concern was scorched into his gaze, the set of his lips. He knew why I came. Why I trembled like I was in the hold of a deep fever. “Leia, I have no expectations from you. I thought I made that very clear.”

Despite his gentle rebuke, his fingers lifted, almost automatically, travelling across their favourite path along my collarbone.

“I know. But I do.”

It took a split second for my whispered request to filter into his consciousness.

He lifted me into his arms, brushing me against his chest. His breath gasped with a ragged edge as he pressed my back into the wall.

The monster danced—ecstatic and wild.

“I want you so much.” His words slipped into my mouth, hot and demanding. “But I’m not taking you until you’re sure.”

His words didn’t calm me. They made my shaking worse. I couldn’t leave here until I’d satisfied the monster.

He let me go, sliding me down his body as he grabbed my hands and led me up the stairs to the warehouse. I stumbled after him, my heart crashing with my foot fall.

At the top he pushed open the door and waited for me to go in. On the kitchen island was a single glass of wine half drunk.

It steeled my resolve.

Two people both lonely and cut off from the world.

Two people who needed one another; to hell with the consequences.

My thoughts were dangerous, but I couldn’t stop them. I’d take it all for him.

“Leia. Would you like a drink?” He turned midway to the bottle of wine.

I shook my head silently. “No.”

A frown flickered across his face. I didn’t want to see a frown. I wanted him to kiss me. Wanted his hands on my skin.

“I realised something,” I whispered, and his hands fell at his sides, almost helpless.

“What was that?”

“I was thinking about Lady Jane Grey. I was thinking what I’d trade my soul for; what I’d risk everything for.”

Tension snapped the air.

“What is that, Leia?”

“You. I’d risk my heart for you. I think I already have.”

His steps towards me didn’t make a sound, but then maybe I couldn’t hear a thing over the rushing of my pulse in my ears.

“I’ll never hurt you, Leia. It’s the only promise I can make you.”

I brushed my mouth against his, once, twice, until he claimed it for his own.