Page 57 of A Broken Promise

Confused and somehow feeling slightly embarrassed, unaware of what just happened, I awkwardly took a few sips of the bright drink.

“Wait, you really don’t know, do you now…” He opened his mouth wide, almost stifling a laugh. His long fingers ran along the edge of the cherry wood counter slowly. “Aww precious, which rock did you crawl out from?” He drew out his words, speaking to me like a child. I clenched my jaw in annoyance. For a second there, I flashed back to being an embarrassed six-year-old seeing a tavern for the first time, being confused and laughed at by the other kids when I asked if it was the church.

“So, are you going to answer my question or is stupid flirting all you are good for?” I asked, sipping on my juicy drink.

He chuckled and leaned back on the counter, tugging on the towel on his shoulder.

“So, you are aware we are flirting then?” He smiled from ear to ear. “This is the Queen’s Palace, beautiful, the most famous and desirable place in the whole lands of Esnox…Upstairs.” He pointed to the ceiling. “Is where most of the formal stuff happens, where the Royals come for their events and gossip and here,” he gestured to the space behind me, “is where all of the actual fun happens, and I just simply work here.”

Something about him saying “simply work here” with that devious look on his face told me it was more complicated than that, but before I could ask another question, he continued.

“I’d ask if you were satisfied, but then you keep wiggling on that chair like that with your hands there and those tight leathers, and I am guessing you haven’t been satisfied in a long time.” He smiled wickedly, knowing exactly what he was implying. “More questions, little thing?”

I froze, even stopped breathing, so as to not make another move on this stupid chair. A tint of flush and a little bit of that embarrassing heat ran through me. I tried not to smile but failed. I suddenly related to Priya’s urge to flip him off, as he bit his lip just slightly.

“Well, I guess now we know that flirting isthe onlything you are good for after all,” I shot back, but also stood up, refusing to sit in any chairs anytime soon.

“Forgive me, my lady.” He bowed melodramatically and then grinned wide as he looked from underneath his eyes. “My tongue is usually much more useful doing other morepleasurablethings than talking.”

I chuckled, biting my lip just a bit. Florian had no shame. Absolutely none. He slowly licked his lips without breaking eye contact.

“And what if I am already in a relationship?” I teased him back, narrowing my eyes. Fine, two can play this game.

He smiled wide. That wicked, cruel, teasing smile of his. “And who says I am against sharing?”

I couldn’t take it anymore and just laughed. This man was totally out of control.

“Oh, my gods, you really never quit, do you?” Only a second after his face turned even more devilish, I realized what came out of my mouth.

“That’s what they always say,” he added, laughing.

“I’ll give you that one. I deserved it.” I smiled but my eyes went back to the long hall where Priya disappeared.

“She is okay, and she will be back soon,” he gently said, turning his face to the hall.

“Is it that obvious?” I said, leaning against that chair.

“You keep looking down that hall every other second so yes, it is, but I promise she will be back anytime now.”

“Thanks.” I nodded, relaxing my face.

“Thanks for what?” His face turned gentle, soft.

“This is the second time you’ve tried to calm down my nerves and I appreciate it.”

“Oh, so Iamgood at more than flirting, after all?” He teasingly smiled. His eyes creating small wrinkles in the corners.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” I rolled my eyes.

“So, you are new to Svitar then?”

“You could say so, yes.”

I had been in Svitar for a while now, but the city was grand, and I still hadn’t explored even a half of it.

“I must show you around. As amazing as this place is, there is so much more to this city that will absolutely blow your mind inallsenses of the word.”

I laughed, gods, my cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling too much.

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