❥ SARAH ❥

How am I going to escape from this situation?

My heart raced, pounding rapidly in my chest. I couldn't determine if it was the fear of Alex catching us in this compromising position or the sensations that coursed through me every time Christopher's member grazed my thighs.

I could feel myself blushing as his intense gaze made me increasingly flustered.

"Really?" I managed to speak, my voice trembling. I tried to look into his eyes. "Couldn't you have at least been a little more decent instead of trapping me here?"

"What did you expect me to do? Call you?" he raised an eyebrow.

"No," I responded quickly, my voice filled with fear.

"Exactly. Besides, I knew my sister visited you this morning, so it would have looked suspicious," he explained, removing his hands from the wall but still maintaining a close distance that made it hard for me to breathe. The delicate scent of his cologne brought back memories I had sworn to forget, but in this moment...

This proximity reminded me of his touches, his fingers, the way he used them on my body, gently yet passionately. It was the most intense turn-on I had ever experienced. I could still hear the words he whispered into my ear, as if they were permanently etched into my mind.

I licked my dry lips, feeling the deep thirst within me. "Can't you just let it go?" I glared at him.

"I don't want to--"

"Why?!" I almost screamed, my frustration boiling over. "I mean, it was the alcohol, and we didn't even have sex. It was just a release we both needed," I lowered my tone as I finished the sentence. The sudden murmur of people behind closed doors reminded me to be more cautious.

"You needed it, not me," he said firmly, a frown appearing in his eyes, which only confused me further.

"At dinner, or maybe before dinner, when you came into my room, you looked so scared, more afraid than any cat I've ever seen," he chuckled, raising his hand to brush away a strand of hair that fell in front of my face and tucking it behind my ear.

It was a gentle caress, one that I shouldn't have enjoyed or desired to lean into his touch even more.

I removed his hand, pretending to be annoyed. "So what's your point? That taking advantage of a drunk girl was the best way to calm her down?"

He burst into laughter. A loud, unsettling laughter.

"I took advantage?" he pointed at himself, a smile on his face that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Y... Yes?" I didn't even recognize the sound of my own voice.

"Do you really want to play this game, this act of forgetting but remembering that we did something, then accusing me of taking advantage, but when..." My body jolted as I felt his hand caressing my neck, stopping at a particular spot. "I see you've hidden the mark I left," he whispered, his voice lowering to a deliberate and enticing tone.

His hand slid beneath the collar of my shirt, tracing the exact spots where his lips had touched the previous night. My mind went blank.

"Your silence tells me you remember everything clearly," he whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin. "Because I remember it perfectly," he purred, his lips almost touching my ear. "And I know for a fact that if you hadn't been scared or freaked out about something and run away, you would have been screaming my name last night."

"I won't," I said, struggling to control my heavy breathing and the arousal that surged through me.

He grinned, his lips curving. "Yes, you would. And if you think we won't discuss this, then you're mistaken, because..." I gasped as his teeth gently nibbled my earlobe. "The marks you left on me prove how much you want this, alcohol or not. And I won't stop until you admit it to yourself."

Fear gripped me, and I distanced myself from him. I couldn't believe what he was saying. It was all too much. Everything was overwhelming. He had no idea what I was going through, what could happen if Alex found out.

He had no clue that I was bound to another contract with Alex. If she ever found out, James's medical bills wouldn't be covered. I wouldn't be able to see him walk towards me, hoping that he'll be able to walk and grow up alongside his peers.

No, I couldn't give in to something that wouldn't last and wouldn't benefit me. What we had was only lust and nothing more.

No emotional connection.

Just physical attraction. And it should stay that way.

I pressed my hands against my face, trying to calm my breathing. I lifted my head, ignoring Christopher's curious gaze. I noticed a table with an array of ties in different colors. I picked out a specific black one and walked up to Christopher, who continued to stare at me.

"Stand still and don't think of anything funny," I ordered, creating some distance between us. He smirked, revealing his dimples. Being this close suddenly made his eyes appear even more captivating to me.

He remained motionless, not uttering a word, and I was grateful for the respite. Balancing on my tiptoes, I attempted to loop the tie around his neck. His intense gaze examined my face, searching for any sign of emotion, but I maintained a composed facade.

Breaking the heavy silence, I spoke bluntly, "I doubt anyone has ever said 'no' to you before, so I'll get straight to the point." I finished tying the knot, but I lingered in front of him. "Whatever you think this is or might become, just stop. After three months, I'll forget all of this ever happened because it meant nothing. So, get over it."

I could sense a torrent of emotions emanating from his eyes as my words settled in. I couldn't decide if I should feel sorry for my harshness or frightened by the fact that I had spoken so rudely to a prince, with armed guards poised just outside, awaiting his command.

"Very well," he responded abruptly.

"Very well?" I questioned, caught off guard.

He adjusted his suit as he strode past me. "I will get over it. You've made your point, so I'm letting it go... for now."

Just like that, the torment ceased.

"If you did, that would be best for both of us," I nodded, encouraged to leave since there was nothing more to be said.

I opened the door, ready to depart, only to have his hand halt my progress. "What--"

"I said I'm letting this go for now," he repeated his previous statement, but confusion still clouded my mind. "So, if by some chance we find ourselves in another moment like yesterday or even worse..." His gaze dropped to my lips briefly before meeting my eyes again.

"I won't be as calm about it," I swallowed, regretting my decision to accept this contract.

He was a predator, plain and simple.

And I had unknowingly fallen straight into his trap.

He walked out of the room, leaving me stunned and bewildered. The guards who had been waiting for him followed closely behind, and just like that, he was gone.

My body collapsed against the door as I tried to gather my thoughts. His words had carried such confidence, as if there would be another moment between us, and that thought frightened me to the core. What if he was right?

"Miss?" A low voice startled me, coming from beside me. It was the Butler. "Oh, um..."

"Is everything alright?" He looked genuinely concerned, and his paternal or even grandfatherly appearance made me feel uneasy. It was evident that he took care of them, considering he worked here.

"Miss?" he called out again, seeking a response.

"Yeah... I'm fine," I replied, straightening my dress and contemplating an escape route from the room.

"If you're sure, then Your Highness instructed me to guide you to the meeting room," he revealed.

"Are the press already there?" It was the only explanation I could come up with.

He smiled, his tone filled with pride. "Everyone in the kingdom is very excited about Prince Christopher bringing home a wife."

"I see..." I nodded, absorbing the information. "What about the First Prince?"

"What about him?" His voice shifted slightly, as if my question had struck a nerve, but he maintained his composure.

"I..." I began, unsure of how to proceed.

"I understand you're new here, and it's not my place to say this, but if you want to remain in the good graces of the King and Queen, I suggest discussing the First Prince in private and perhaps speaking to Prince Christopher about it," he advised.

Why did everything have to revolve around him?

He must have noticed the change in my expression because he continued, his voice softer. "I know he can be stubborn, but he has a good heart. He never wanted to be in this situation either."

"What situation?" I questioned, curiosity piqued.

"A situation where he has to sacrifice his own happiness to fulfill his royal duties," he paused, pain evident in his eyes. "It seems the pattern is repeating once again," he murmured under his breath, as if speaking to himself. But I heard his words loud and clear.

"Let's go, dear," he shifted back to his previous demeanor. "It's impolite to keep the guests waiting."

I returned his smile and walked beside him as he led me to the room. His words echoed in my mind, and I knew I shouldn't let myself become attached to all of this. Unfortunately, it was too late for that.

Sam would go crazy after hearing all this.