His lips left mine just as the last of my breath slipped away, leaving me gasping for air in the dimly lit room. Time seemed to stretch and contract simultaneously, the world narrowing to just the two of us.
I exhaled sharply, my chest rising and falling with each uneven breath, my head light from more than just the lack of oxygen. Through my hazy vision, I met Arthur's gaze—smug, unchallenged, and far too damn handsome for his own good. The faint light caught the sharp angles of his face, casting shadows that only enhanced his allure.
"Hmm," he mused, grinning down at me, one eyebrow arched in that infuriatingly perfect way. "I thought you were confident, Princess?"
'Damn him.'
I swallowed hard, trying to regain some semblance of composure. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, my fingers twitching in his grip, betraying the effect he had on me. The cool silk of the couch beneath me contrasted with the heat radiating from where our bodies touched.
