The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(87)

“Damn straight. I own that beautiful royal ass of yours.”

Never has anything sounded so amazingly right. “Really?” I ask again, at a loss for any other words.

“Really.” Pushing his lips to mine, he growls as he kisses me, sealing his authority over me. And I let him. But just as quickly, I’m breaking his kiss, unwanted worry and fear plaguing me. This is bad, and the news breaking tomorrow is all the proof we need that it is all so very hopeless. Josh doesn’t know what he’s up against. No one does, really. “Josh, there’s nothing we can do to stop them.”

“I won’t let you believe that.”

“But I already do.”

“Then you are not the woman I thought you were.”

I drop my heavy head. “That isn’t fair.” My voice is thick with emotion and bleakness. “You can’t confirm you were in your suite, because they will check all the CCTV footage and see me.”

“Aren’t you prepared to fight for it? To fight for happiness? To fight for me?” he asks, prompting me to peek at him. “Because I’m ready to fight for you, Adeline. I’m already armored up and set for battle, and I’m pretty fuckin’ determined to win. Because the prize is you.”

His valor is admirable, if wasted. “But at what cost, Josh? Your career, your rep—” A hand is sealed across my mouth, silencing me.

“I don’t care.” He sounds so adamant. “As long as the cost isn’t you.”

I stare at him, trying so hard to comprehend what this means. I would like to think that it means a permanent place floating on air with him, but, first and foremost, I know it means war. A war between my family and me. A war between Josh and my family. Quite literally. But to keep him? To keep the feeling of freedom? It sounds crazy since he has claimed he owns me. But the fact of the matter is, I am free when Josh owns me. Free from the constraints of my life. Free from the suffocation and suppression. The way he whisks me away to that special place is enough to keep me going. His faith in me. His friendship. His belief in us. He will fuel me with the fight I need.

“Just tell me you’re in with me.” He’s pleading. He doesn’t need to.

In with him? I’m so far in, I’m drowning. Drowning in him, and I can think of nothing better. Everything worth having in life is worth fighting for. The pain I feel just thinking about Josh being absent from my world, no matter if it’s me walking away before the carnage breaks, or him being taken away when it does, is unbearable.

“There is only one right answer to my question,” he whispers. “And there will only be one winner in this war. It won’t be them.”

“I’m in.” I exhale, feeling like my commitment to this battle lifts the burden of wanting him so badly. “I’m in, I’m in, I’m in.” I fall forward and sink into his chest, needing him all over me.

“Correct answer.” His lips vibrate against my neck, and I close my eyes, falling deeper, trying not to think about what is at stake. My fear isn’t for the strength I’ll need or the anguish I’ll experience on this journey. My fear is for possibly coming out the other side of it without Josh. The agony of not having him touching me again, or speaking to me in his dreamy American accent, of surrendering to him with a simple demand or look. Of laughing and joking with him. Of letting him relieve the pressure from my shoulders. Of letting him take charge over me and welcoming the relief of it. I can’t sacrifice any of it, not for anything or anyone, and especially not for a throne. I’m in. I don’t care if I never find my way out, as long as Josh is in with me.

“You know, Your Highness,” he says into my skin, kissing me between every other word, “this spell you have me under is fuckin’ strong.”

I make no attempt to move out of his embrace. “I don’t have you under a spell.”

“Don’t argue with me.”

“Okay.” I smile. “Whatever you say.”

“You’re a fast learner.”

While it’s lovely being here all cuddled on his lap being playful, I’ll soon be missed. I sigh deeply. “I should go before my absence is noted. What are you going to do about the article?”

“You’re not the only one with a wizard to deal with the press,” Josh assures me. “My reputation will still be intact tomorrow.”

Grudgingly, I place my hands on his warm chest and push myself away, and he grudgingly lets me, albeit on a murmur of protest. “I really don’t understand how this has happened.” There has been nothing to suggest the King knows of my connection with Josh. Not one thing. Or … wait. His surprise visit to Kellington for breakfast? But nothing was said about Josh. God, I feel like my head could pop. “I’m certain no one knows. Only Damon, Kim, and Matilda, and I trust them with my life. And Eddie would never betray me like that, no matter how worried he is for me.”

“That’s four people, plus both teams of security we have tailing our asses every step we take.”

I shake my head, confident that none of my staff would divulge my private life to anyone. “It doesn’t make any sense. If my father knew, I would be summoned to the palace and warned.”

“Let’s tread carefully until we decide what to do, yeah?”

I nod, agreeing, because agreeing is all I can do. Josh taps the window, helping me across to my own seat. “I’ll hang back until the coast is clear.” He taps his cheek in silent order, and I lean over to drop a kiss where indicated. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”