Chapter 15
Louis' POV
She was clearly struggling to keep up.
I could feel it in the uneven pull on my wrist, the way her steps kept falling out of rhythm with mine. Still, I didn't slow down. If I stopped, if I turned around and looked at her properly, I knew I'd lose whatever resolve I had left.
"Your Highness, please stop," she said, her breath catching. "At least tell me what's wrong."
I ignored her. I just needed us out of sight. Away from the servants and guards. Away from anyone who could witness how badly I was losing it.
"Stop…" she tried again, tugging harder this time, her fingers digging into my skin, but she wasn't strong enough.
"Louis, stop?" She yelled this time.
I stopped so suddenly she nearly ran into my back, I hadn't expected her to call me by my name. I released her wrist and turned around at the same time to face her.
She looked furious, her brows were drawn tight, her eyes tensed with anger, her lips parted as she tried to steady her breathing.
We were already in the yard of my quarters now, which was more quiet and secluded. I could sight only a few distant figures far enough away to pretend they couldn't see.
"What was that for?" she demanded.
The anger in her voice snapped some of the haze I was in.
I exhaled,brushing my hair backwards. I'd handled that badly. I knew it the second she said my name like that. I should've just called her over. Asked her to follow me like a sane person would.
although i wouldn't count myself as sane since after that night. This woman was driving me insane.
I would have been able to hold back my feelings and emotions if nothing had began between us, but everything was ruined now. I just couldn't get her out of my head, I couldn't help wanting more of her, not after she'd given me hope. Not after I knew she was no longer in love with my brother.
"I'm sorry," I said finally. "I wasn't supposed to pull you along like that."
She blinked in disbelief, like she hadn't expected those words at all, from me.
Her expression softened, just a little. "It's fine," she said quietly. "Apology accepted."
Then she looked away quickly, like she finally realized been staring too long.
I watched her, trying to read her. The way her shoulders stayed tense, the way her fingers curled and uncurled at her sides. She was nervous and trying hard not to show it, but I could feel it anyway.
"Relax," I said. "I didn't call you here to punish you." I reassured her.
She let out a quiet breath, but her body didn't loosen.
"I just…" I hesitated, but then I said them before I could stop myself. "I missed you."
Lina froze, eyes widening like I'd just said something impossible. Even I wasn't expecting me to say that. I usually kept everything to myself, until now. "You… what?" She breathed.
"I missed you," I repeated. There was no point pretending otherwise now. "I can't get you out of my head." I added.
"Your Highness, you—" she started, but I cut her off.
"Do you really not remember anything from that night?" I asked. "What you said to me? What you did?"
I stepped closer as I spoke, not even realizing I was doing it.
She stepped back instinctively, her heel brushing the stone behind her.
"I swear," she said quickly, her voice shaking despite herself, "whatever happened was a mistake. I must've been drunk." She blurted out.
I stopped moving, my heart racing.
A mistake? So that's what it was to her.
A short, humorless laugh escaped me. I really was a fool, thinking one night could mean something.
My mouth curved into a smirk as I reached out, caught her chin, and tilted her face up until she had no choice but to look at me.
"A mistake?" I murmured.
I leaned closer, lowering my voice, my breath brushing her ear. "Then let's just call this one a mistake too."
Before she could respond, I kissed her.
It wasn't gentle or slow. It was reckless and desperate, driven by frustration, by want, by everything I had been holding back.
This was the last time, I told myself. Maybe this would help me forget everything, forget her and finally move on with the marriage already arranged for me. I had intended to reject the proposal, but I just changed my mind.
She stiffened instantly, her hands coming up to my chest as if to push me away.
For a second, she tried to resist, but then her body relaxed, her lips responding, hesitant at first, then deeper.
That was all it took to snap the last thread of restraint I had left.
My arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss grew deeper. I felt her inhale sharply against my mouth, and it sent a jolt straight through me,my cock hardening in an instant.
I lifted her without thinking, carrying her inside my quarters.
The door shut behind us, the sound loud in the sudden silence.
I lowered her onto the bed, more carefully than I felt, then straightened.
"Undress," I said, my voice low and strained, already tugging at my robes.
She didn't move right away.
She looked at me, her eyes were cold now, like she was reminding herself who I was.
"You're driving me insane, Lina," I muttered, frustration slipping through. "In case you don't know."
I stepped closer, reaching for the strings at the back of her dress. My fingers brushed her bare skin, and I felt the way she tensed, her breath hitching despite her effort to stay composed.
My breath grazed her neck, then I planted a soft kiss, making her moan softly in response.
"I can't." She whispered, "please stop." She added, her breath trembling.
I clenched my fist, my jaw tightening. Shit...I had ruined everything. I exhaled and pulled away.
"Lina...do you really feel nothing for me?" I asked, sucking in my breath. Maybe a clear rejection was exactly what I needed to come back to my senses. But deep down, I wished she'd admit she felt something for me.