Black Knight (Royal Elite 4)

Strong arms wrap around me from behind and lift me off the ground. I squeal as his warmth and mint scent envelop me whole.

“Got you, Green.” He nibbles at my ear. “You really thought you could outrun me?”

“Ugh,” I try to squirm free.

“Don’t be a sore loser. Pay up.”

“Fine. Let me down.”

He does, but he keeps an arm around me as if he doesn’t trust me not to try to run again. While I pant, his chest barely rises and falls with the effort.

“Are you a robot?” I groan.

“We need to work on your stamina.” He ruffles my hair. “But first, payment.”

I grab him by the T-shirt, get on tiptoe and kiss him. Just a peck before I pull away.

“That was the appetiser, right?” He runs his forefinger over his lips and I’m transfixed by the sensual movement.

Definitely an appetiser, considering all I can think about right now is kissing his lips until the morning.

“Let’s go to my house,” he says. “Dad won’t be home for a while.”

I fold my arms. “First, give me back my thing.”

“Your thing?”

“My bracelet.” I extend my hand. “Give it back.”

I thought I lost it somewhere that night I was transported to the hospital, but it wasn’t in my personal belongings. There’s only one option as to where it went.

Xander raises an eyebrow. “And here I thought you forgot about it.”

“Never. It’s been with me for seven years, after all.”

He reaches into his jeans and pulls out the bracelet. It’s clean, not soaked with blood like the last time I saw it.

I’m so glad it isn’t. Blood isn’t something I want to see for some time.

Xander takes my scarred wrist in his. Although I removed the stitches, it’s still ugly with long marks. He lifts it to his face and brushes his lips against them. My heart flutters and it takes effort to breathe.

I’m a mess every time he does things like that.

Then he clasps the bracelet around my wrist. “Don’t ever remove it.”

I nod.

He reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a pack of M&M’s, digs into it, and places a green one in front of my mouth. “Open up.”

“I can eat on my own.” I try to snatch the pack, but he keeps it high over my head. “Ugh. You’re unfair.”

“We can stand here all night or you can open that mouth.”

I huff, but I let my lips fall open. The moment he places the M&M inside, I lick his fingers, causing his eyes to darken. Xander’s eyes spark every time I brush my tongue against his skin.

“You’re killing me, Green.”

“Mmmm.” I grab the pack from him, take out a blue M&M, and place it in his mouth. “Have one, too.”