Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(23)

After gathering my bearings, I turn to face him. “Want a cookie?”

“Considering you’ve burnt every single batch you’ve ever made; I’ll pass.”

Now he’s just being petty. “I’d rather be a terrible baker than a vapid coward.”

His eyes flash. “Call me that one more time and I swear—”

“What?” I goad. “You won’t talk to me for a few days? Threaten to end our friendship?” I jab a finger in his chest. “Guess what? I no longer care because we’re no longer friends.” I shove him with every morsel of frustration and rage I have flowing through me. “God, I can’t believe I gave my heart to such a cruel, vapid, cowa—”

It happens so quickly, I’m convinced I must be dreaming.

Because why else would Jace Covington—my best friend turned crush turned enemy—be kissing me?

But he is.

Jace is kissing me.

And it’s…

I don’t know. I’m still too shocked to breathe, let alone move.

I want to kick myself when he pulls away.

“You talk an awful lot of shit for someone who can’t back it up, Taylor.”

I want to wipe the gorgeous smirk off his face. “I can back it up, Covington. Trust me.”

“Then prove it.” His hand finds the curve of my hip. “Kiss me like you’re mine. I dare you.”

I coil my fingers around the nape of his neck. “I am yo—”

His mouth is on mine so fast he nearly knocks all of the air from my lungs.

It should be nerve-wracking, considering I haven’t done this before, but it’s not.

It’s alleviating. Like scratching an itch you’ve had for months.

Only ten million times better.

Jace’s lips are every bit as full and soft as they look. I want to stay right here and kiss him forever.

The room starts spinning and I’m fighting to catch my breath when the tip of his tongue enters my mouth.

It’s a curious flicker at first. A quick tease that makes all my nerve-endings stand on end.

Then he groans and goes back for another taste…and everything becomes more.

More heightened. More intense.

As if neither of us can get enough.

One hand grips the back of my neck while his other goes to the small of my back, drawing me closer.

How I ever thought Jace was vapid is beyond me, because right now—I feel everything. His need, his hunger…all the rage that simmers below the surface.

He’s the opposite of colorless.

Jace Covington is blue.

A beautiful, turbulent ocean full of depth…and an incandescent sky that only gives you small glimpses of all its radiant colors…before turning gloomy and dark.

“I see you,” I breathe between kisses. “You’re my favorite color.”

I expect him to tell me I’m a weirdo, but his lips curve into a smile before he pulls me toward his bed.

My stomach freefalls when my back hits the mattress and he settles on top of me.

Jace might not act like his feelings for me are mutual, but he’s kissing me like he’s been trapped in the desert for days and I’m the only source of water for miles.

As if he wants me every bit as much as I want him. Maybe even more.

But that’s not possible…because I’ve never wanted anyone or anything more than Jace Covington.

There’s a heady tug in my lower belly when his hand slips under my sweatshirt and his fingertips trail along my abdomen.

Part of me is grateful. The other part of me is…worried.

I can’t help but think if he was alone with Britney right now, she’d have no problem letting Jace go to second base.

For all I know, they already have.

“God, your skin is so soft.” The tip of his thumb traces the edge of my bra. “Is this okay? I can stop if you—”

“Take my shirt off,” I blurt out.

Another groan escapes him…then before I can process what’s happening, he’s on the other side of his bedroom.

As if he can’t get far enough away from me.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“I did.” He drags a hand through his hair, gripping the short strands. “I never should have kissed you.”

It would hurt less if he ripped my beating heart out with his bare hands.

“Why?”

“Because you’re not mine to kiss.” Frustration lines his features. “It was a mistake.”

I sit up and look at him. “If kissing me was such a mistake, then why did you keep doing it?”

The silence stretches between us for what feels like hours before he speaks again. “I wanted to see if I felt anything for you.” He looks me right in the eyes. “I don’t.”

White-hot pain infiltrates my rib cage until it latches around my heart like a vise.

Jace kissed me like he loved me. Like he wanted me as much as I want him.

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t need you to understand. I need you to accept it and stop.”

He makes it sound like I’m trying to seduce him every second of the day. “Stop what?”

His pupils nearly spear me with the severity of the storm swirling inside them. “Stop trying to make me feel something more than friendship, because it won’t ever happen. Ever.”