I turned from the mirror, nervously. “I better go. I don’t want him to wait.”
“I will be there if you need anything,” Ayla reassured me. “Try not to be nervous if you can.”
“Right. I’m meeting every member of the government and the entire royal family. No reason to be nervous at all.”
I thought I could throw up on my glittery heels. If I thought I was nervous on gala night, it was because I didn’t know nights like this existed. My ankles wobbled as I held the beaded clutch Ayla handed me.
“Just breath. You’ll be fine.”
“I can do anything for a few hours.” I convinced myself.
At the end of the night was the reward. Damon and I would be able to public about our relationship. I could be with me every night. My skin warmed at the thought of sharing his bed. The way his mouth possessed mine. The way he touched me. The way he taught me to embrace a side of myself I had buried.
I nodded. Yes. I could do this.
“He would like to see you before you’re introduced. You can go through the service tunnel.”
I remembered Damon mentioning them to me before. I could barely navigate my way through the first floor of the main rooms, learning a passageway system seemed unlikely.
“But where do I go?”
“We decided it’s the best way to ensure no one sees you together before the ball begins. If you start walking, he’ll meet you.” She grinned. “It’s perfectly safe. And there are lights along the walkway by your feet.”
It was ridiculous to be nervous about walking through a secret tunnel, but my heartbeat accelerated as she ushered me inside the narrow door. The latch clicked behind me. I moved forward, following the tiny lights that illuminated the worn floorboards.
I wondered if the tunnels had always been here. My fingertips traced the lines of the walls. There were divots and crevices in the stone. How many times had people used this path for this same reason?
I carried the hem of my dress, careful not to let the train hit the floor. I passed several doors as I ventured farther. Where was Damon?
And then I heard his footsteps.
I stopped moving.
“Hello, love.” He turned a corner before I had to decide which hallway to take. “My God, you’re beautiful.”
I couldn’t help but lower my eyes and bite my lip. He undid me. Unraveled everything inside me.
His arms wrapped around my waist. I held my breath.
“Do you know what you do to me?” he asked.
“What you do to me?” I sighed.
“I’m tempted to blow off the ball and spend the night in the tunnels with you.” He cocked an eyebrow.
That would be one way to avoid meeting the entire country.
“Can we?” I pleaded, pressing my breasts into his tuxedo. They were modestly covered, but near Damon I could already feel the heated prickle running through my body.
His hands rounded to my ass. “Don’t tempt me like that, Molly,” he warned.
“I guess they would figure out we were missing.” I pretended to sulk.
“One of the hazards of being the king.” He squeezed roughly, making me whimper.
My body reacted with hungry need every time he touched me. I was already alive. Desperate to be with him. I wanted to taste his kiss. Ayla would scold a kiss would ruin my perfectly placed lip liner.
His eyes lit as my whimpers turned to little moans.