Page 85 of The King's Maiden

But I did.

Chapter Twenty-Four

QUINN

Over the next few days, Landon and I made good use of our time, exploring each other’s bodies in ways I’d never expected.

Though, not all the ways I wanted. He showed me the pleasure of delayed gratification. I pulled out every trick in my very limited playbook in attempts to make him lose control.

One morning, Landon had to drag me down to breakfast. Gorging ourselves on only each other didn’t constitute a well-balanced diet. He actually used those words.

The nerd.

As we sat together in the empty kitchen, where we liked to come early while everyone else slept off their nightly activities, I found myself staring at him.

“What were you like as a kid?”

While I devoured the chocolate strawberry crepes in front of me, he munched on muesli cereal and drank a green smoothie. His idea of a well-balanced diet was as regimented and strict as him. But since I’d been steadily wearing him down with mycharm and delightful personality, it made me wonder why he was always so serious.

Did he ever splurge and eat chocolate chip waffles for breakfast? Had he always been that way, or had he ever gorged himself on pancakes in the shape of a mouse with a whipped cream smile as a kid?

I rested my chin in my hands and sighed, struggling to imagine him like that. “I picture you as a boy in black matching pajamas, reading the newspaper, and that just makes me sad.”

His eyebrow quirked, and he carefully withdrew the straw from his mouth and set his smoothie down. “Why would that make you sad?”

“Because you’re so serious all the time!” I jerked my fork in his direction without thinking. “Did you ever just have fun?”

We both watched as a dollop of whipped cream flew off my fork. It sailed through the air, heading right toward him. I cringed when it hit the center of his chest with asplat.

Shrinking back in my chair and smothering a laugh at the appalled look on his face, I threw my hands up in surrender. “Whoops…”

He stared down at the white spot marring his pristine black shirt, swiping it off with his finger and holding it out to me. “Whoops?”

“That was an accident, I swear.”

He stalked over to me, coming around the kitchen counter with a look in his eyes that promised trouble.

The laugh fighting its way out of my mouth didn’t help, but I tried again, and failed, to sound sincere. “I’m sorry?”

“Oh, you will be.”

He lunged for me.

I shrieked and jumped off my chair, knocking it over to slow his attack. My laughter broke free as I ran away from him.

Vaulting over the chair like a freaking gazelle, his fingers nearly snagged the back of my sleep shirt.

I cursed the loose, flowing garment. Bunching it in my fists, I ran around the island.

He planted his hands on the surface between us, his finger covered in whipped cream held up for me to see. “I’m putting this on that pretty face of yours, whether you like it or not.”

My eyes widened. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

His eyes darkened, and my mouth went dry.

I wet my lips, dragging out the movement just to taunt him. “I don’t care where you put it as long as you lick it off me.”

His gaze flicked down to my breasts, where my nipples had taken it upon themselves to sharpen into visible points. He crooked his finger and beckoned me toward him. “If you come willingly, I’ll be gentle.”

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