Thoughts swirl through my head as I draw my lower lip between my teeth and chew on it.
“That is what you want, right?” Mom probes. “To find a way out of this contract?”
Yes.
No.
I don’t know anymore.
Why does everything have to be so damned complicated?
Who wants to have all their decisions taken away? Especially regarding how their future unfolds? But the issue isn’t a simple one. I care about Kingsley. Does that mean I want to be forced into an archaic agreement to solve a decades old grudge?
Hell, no.
Side-stepping the question, I ask one of my own. “When will Dad know more?”
“It could take a couple of days.” She shrugs. “Possibly a week. He hired another lawyer, a guy from New York who came highly recommended. Dad is hoping a fresh set of eyes with more experience in these kinds of legal matters will be helpful.”
Are there lawyers who deal with contracts surrounding blackmail and brokering a bride?
Interesting.
I want to laugh, but the sound refuses to be summoned. It hits a little too close to home for comfort.
Mom clears her throat, recapturing my attention. “Until we have an answer regarding the situation, you should pull back.”
I release the pent-up breath held captive in my lungs.
Pull back from Kingsley?
I’m not even sure something like that is possible. Nor would he allow it. When we’re together, he demands everything from me.
Everything.
“You can’t tell him about this, Summer,” she warns.
Fuck.
“I know.” The thing is, we promised to be honest with one another and lying doesn’t sit well with me. It never has. But what other choice is there?
It’s almost difficult to believe that one short hour ago, I was wrapped up in Kingsley’s arms and my future with him seemed certain. So secure.
And now…
Now I have no idea what will happen.
Chapter Three
As I grab my lit book from inside my locker, arms snake around from behind, pulling me close until a hard body is aligned with my softer one. Before yesterday’s conversation with Mom has a chance to crash through my head, a smile springs to my lips.
Kingsley buries his face against the curve of my neck. “Missed sleeping in your bed.”
Even though it’s only been a month, it’s like I’ve spent my entire life wrapped up in his arms. Without him beside me, I tossed and turned for most of the night.
“Feel better?” he asks.
The bomb Mom dropped yesterday churned through my head for the rest of the day. Even though I felt bad about lying, I told Kingsley that I wasn’t feeling well, and we would stargaze tomorrow. What I needed was time to sort through my feelings. That’s not possible when Kingsley is near. He’s too much of a distraction.
“Yes,” I groan when his teeth scrape against the bared column of my neck, sending a million shockwaves skittering across my skin. He knows exactly what to do to drive me crazy.
“Don’t expect me to stay away again,” he growls.
After last night, I don’t think I could deal with being apart from him either. “Come after ten.”
“Oh,” he says, voice brimming with arrogance, “I plan on it. Probably more than once.”
I swear this guy has sex on the brain all the time. Not that I’m complaining, I enjoy it, too.
A lot.
When I drive my elbow into his ribs, he chuckles, his hands sliding beneath the wool of my blazer before migrating upward and brushing over the tips of my breasts.
“Kingsley,” I gasp, glancing around the crowded corridor. Thankfully, no one is paying us any attention.
“You love it,” he whispers, tweaking the tight peaks.
He’s not wrong, I love the way he touches me.
“I slept for shit last night,” he adds, continuing to toy with my body. It’s like he’s trying to punish me for keeping him away.
“Me, too.”
“Don’t kick me out again.”
I twist in his arms until I’m able to loop mine loosely around his neck before dragging his face close. My body strains toward him like a magnet as his mouth ghosts over mine. “I didn’t kick you out.” The lie trips off my tongue as guilt flickers inside me. “I wasn’t feeling good.”
“I know what would have made you feel better.” His lips curve as a devilish glint enters his dark depths. “Lucky for you, I’ve got the cure.”
I roll my eyes.
Carefully he maneuvers me against the neighboring locker until I’m flattened to the metal and the solid strength of his body covers mine. I crane my neck to hold his gaze.
“You’re mine and I don’t like being away from you,” he murmurs.
Your father is working on a way out of this mess. We’re trying to help you.
My heart skips a beat as Mom’s words echo throughout my head.
Is that what I want?
To break off this engagement?
After sifting through my thoughts and feelings last night, I’m not any closer to an answer. My attention stays pinned to Kingsley as questions swirl through my brain. The temptation to come clean is so strong that I have to stop myself from blurting it out.