Page 24 of Kings of Sherwood

He’s serious.

I’d laugh if I weren’t so...

Weren’t so...

“You bastard,” I grit out.

LJ just smiles. “You brat.”

Breathe.

I blow out one sharp, short, exhale, and move without even thinking about my next move. I buck under him, my hips straining to throw him off like he’d shown me—theupaescape.

LJ’s ready. He shifts, rolls his weight, and lands his other leg to straddle me in full mount: thighs bracketing my hips, arms holding my wrists overhead. We’re almost nose to nose, close enough to kiss—and he could, if he wanted to, and obviously I’d let him, but no.

He smirks.

“Better,” he says again. “But still too easy.”

I go still beneath him, breathing hard. My blood is still pounding, everywhere, and every nerve in my body is aware of his weight, the heat of him, the fact that one small tilt of his hips would press us together if he would justletthem.

Almost like hewantsme to lose.

And...maybe he does.

So I sigh. Long. Soft. Like I’m giving up.

“Okay,” I murmur, letting my head tilt back. “Fine. You win.”

His eyes flicker with suspicion. But I add a little pout to sell it. Shift my hips like I’m uncomfortable and put just an edge of whine to my voice.

“You’re stronger than me, LJ.”

It’s enough—just enough—because something flashes in his gaze, loosens his grip just barely, and—

Boom.

I twist hard, bridge up, and sweep him with all the force I’ve got. His balance gives for half a second, but that’s all I need. Suddenly, I’m on top, knee digging into his ribs, hands braced on his chest.

I blink, stunned.

He doesn’t look pissed.

He looks...impressed.

Maybe.

“Leverage,” I pant. “Not strength. Right?”

LJ smirks. “Cute.”

He moves so fast I don’t see it coming.

One second I’m in control, the next he’s twisting beneath me, fully free. He spins behind me, and then I’m yanked back into him—tight, locked, his arm barring my chest and his breath grazing my neck.

We crash to the mat together, his legs coiled behind mine, his chest flush with my back.

“But you’ll need to be more than cute, Princess.”

---