Page 227 of Split or Swallow

Tem stared at him. He was being sincere.

“Oh,” she said. “Well. Thanks, I guess.”

“My pleasure.”

There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other. Then Leo’s mouth twitched.

“Speaking of pleasure,” he said, snapping the book shut and setting it on the arm rest. “We could—”

“No,” Tem said firmly. “We couldn’t. You’re about to ruin a perfectly nice moment.”

“Hm,” he said, still smiling. “I rather think it would enhance the moment. But if you insist—”

“I do insist,” she said, standing up. “Can you just take me home, please?”

“Very well, Tem,” he stood too, shaking his head in amusement. “I shall take you home.”

Tem followed him out into the hallway and down the stairs. To her intense relief, they didn’t run into Maximus on their way out.

When the carriage arrived at Tem’s cottage, she turned to Leo.

“Thank you,” she said.

He arched an eyebrow.

“For what?”

“For being my refuge.”

He took her hand in his, pressing his lips to her knuckles.

“It was an honor.”

Tem rolled her eyes. His grip tightened.

“I mean it. I know my time with you is somewhat…borrowed. But any moment with you—no matter how brief—is glorious.”

Guilt twisted Tem’s gut. Leo may be understanding now, but his patience was bound to run out. The prince was accustomed to getting what he wanted—and he wanted her. He would not tolerate her connection with Caspen forever. And if he were to learn exactly how deep that connection truly went, she doubted he would ever forgive her.

“Leo…”

He cut her off with a kiss.

Tem didn’t bother resisting. They melted into each other, kissing without a single care, safe in the knowledge that nobody could see them within the four walls of the carriage. Leo’s tongue was relentless, and so was Tem’s. It felt as if they were making up for lost time, their bodies doing what their minds truly craved. Tem’s hand went to his lap, palming his cock, feeling how hard he was through his trousers. Leo groaned, cupping his hand over hers and squeezing until she groaned too.

Tem pulled away.

“Unbutton your trousers,” she ordered.

Leo gave her a cunning smile.

“I thought you weren’t interested in pleasure.”

“Well. Now I am. Unbutton them.”

“No. Not until you say it.”

“Say what?”