Page 177 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Me, too, River. Me, too.

I may have continued to explore his muscles if it weren’t for the sounds of voices that suddenly fill the air. Thankfully, it’s just a couple of guys taking the path as a shortcut, and they don’t even notice us. The moment is ruined, though. For better or for worse, I’m not sure.

“Come on; let’s get this taken care of, okay?” River says as he pushes to his feet and offers me his hand.

I know what he’s secretly asking. Will you let me help you?

In the end, I take his hand because what other choice do I have? I need to get my stuff and my hands on those boxes so I can figure out what the hell is going on.

River

Iam royally screwed—no pun intended. But this is like the worst-case scenario—falling for someone else when I know it can’t lead anywhere. It’s like Romeo and Juliet, but obviously way less overdramatic.

I should end it now, especially since my father is aware that I’m involved with Maddy, fake or not. But every time she touches me … kisses me … I’m literally shivering simply thinking about it.

It’s all I think about during the drive back to my place … the feel of her skin … the smell of her hair … But only half my thoughts are there. The other part of my mind is focused on what happened back at her mom’s apartment. Who was that guy, and why was he looking for the necklace? And why in the hell has Maddy’s mother been receiving large sums of money from someone? I know enough people that I can probably help her get to the bottom of it. Or, well, Noah knows some people. He seems okay with helping Maddy, so I hope it won’t be an issue asking him for a favor. But first, we have to get a hold of those papers … unless the guy took them.

“I know this is going to make me seem shallow and kind of ridiculous,” Maddy says as she latches onto me. We’re on the elevator, heading up to my parents’ condo so we can get Finn and drive back to northside to get her stuff. “But I’m going to say it, anyway,” she continues, pressing her face closer to my chest. “I’m worried I’m not going to make the team. Stress is such a huge factor in running, and right now, I feel like I’m a bundle of nerves.”

I smooth my hand up and down her back. “We’ll start training tomorrow. That is, if your head is feeling okay.” I fix my finger under her chin and angle her head up toward me.

She blinks a few times then wets her lips with her tongue.

I want to kiss her so damn badly.

“My head’s fine. I’m more worried about your injury,” she tells me, lightly grazing her finger along my side.

“I’ll be fine.” I skim my finger along her chin.

Her eyelashes flutter.

I want her.

I want her.

I want her?—

The elevator glides open, and Finn is standing on the other side as if he’s about to get on. He startles. Then his lips curl into a smirk.

“Well, this looks cozy,” he remarks, eyeing mine and Maddy’s closeness.

Maddy is the first to step back, and I’m unsure what to make of it.

“Yeah, this death trap of an elevator is so cozy,” she quips with an eye roll.

Finn snorts a laugh. “This is probably one of the nicest elevators in the city, and you think it’s a death trap?”

“Ones that go this high are.” She gestures out at the city through the glass before hurrying off the elevator, pushing Finn aside along the way.

Once she’s off, she turns to face us. “You guys should really consider getting a stairway added to this place. One without windows.”

“There is one,” Finn tells her. He’s wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, an indicator he’s about to head out someplace nice. “But it’s for the fire escape.”

“Well, we should use that from now on,” Maddy replies while wrapping her arms around herself.

“It’ll set off the alarm,” Finn explains to her. “Maybe if you ask River really nicely, though, he can talk to the building manager about getting the password to shut it off.” His smirk is taunting.

Maddy crosses her arms and lifts a brow. “I feel like you’re implying something that I’m not going to like.”

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