Page 70 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Itry not to think about Maddy showering at the same time that I am, but she creeps into my mind as I stand under the showerhead, letting the warm water cascade over me. Her long legs, and the way her tattoo curled around her thigh … her big eyes … her toned abdomen … those full lips that I kissed while we stood out underneath that canopy …

I have no idea what I was thinking when I did that, other than want.

Want.

Want.

So much want.

“Dammit,” I curse as my thoughts become consumed by Maddy.

I’ve never had this problem before. Sure, I’ve thought other women were hot, but I’ve never become infatuated with someone this fast. It’s that stupid connection I felt with her when our gazes locked while we were both stuck in jail …

Well, that and her smile …

And body …

And the way she makes me smile …

I groan in frustration at my brain’s inability to turn off. It needs to because we can’t go there. It’ll be disastrous if we do—heartbreaking, really. Because nothing can ever happen between Maddy and me but a hookup, and I feel in my soul that she’s just not the kind of girl I can do that with.

Too much of a connection exists already.

After spending an unnecessary amount of time in the shower, I eventually turn on the cold water to cool off, climb out, dry myself off, and then get dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before returning to the room I instructed Maddy to go to once she’s finished cleaning up.

She isn’t there yet, but Finn is lounging in one of the sofas, scrolling on his phone. His hair is damp, and he’s changed into gray pants and a black shirt.

“She’s still in the shower,” he says without glancing at me.

“I didn’t ask.” I sink into a chair across from where he’s sitting and stare out the window.

The sunlight is now peeking through the clouds and reflects against the nearby buildings, giving the city a sparkling illusion when, really, shadows and darkness lay underneath the surface.

“But you were thinking about it.” He taps his screen before setting his phone down beside him. Then he tucks his hand beneath his head and looks at me. “You were probably thinking about her while you were taking a shower, with how long it took you.”

I pick up a throw pillow and chuck it at him. “Shut the hell up.”

The pillow smacks him in the face, but he merely laughs. “That didn’t sound like a denial.”

I bounce my knee up and down, restlessly anxious at the subject, so I change it. “Why do you think that Drew guy was so determined to get a hold of her?”

Finn lowers his feet to the floor as he sits up. “I don’t know. I wish she’d just tell us so we could help.”

“You don’t know if we can when you have no clue what the problem is.”

“Every problem has a solution.” Finn gives me a look. It’s the same look he has been giving me since our father informed me that I’d be marrying Isla. Finn believes a solution exists, but he also dodges around many of his responsibilities without having to deal with consequences, leaving his outlook on life slightly different from mine.

“Still, just letting Father win, then, I see.” He folds his arms and the muscle in his jaw ticks. “I wish you’d fight back.”

“It’s pointless.” What I don’t say is that if I did, and somehow managed to get out of the arrangement, it’d probably fall onto Finn. And he’s not equipped to handle that.

“Whatever.” Finn slants forward, rests his arms on his knees, and twists the ring on his finger. “While we’re discussing problems, I think I should bring up one that I’m aware has to do with Maddy.”

I stretch my legs out and cross them. “Okay.” Confusion rings in my tone.

He lifts his gaze to mine. “It has to do with the society.”

That reduces my confusion. “They’re hazing her—that’s what the message on the door was about.” I had my suspicions already, but I also questioned if it was for Lily.

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