Page 30 of Cinder's Trial

“It meant nothing.” He spoke suddenly.

“What didn’t?” I played dumb.

“The kiss. It was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it, but I had no idea how else to get you to stop talking.”

“You could have asked.”

He snorted. “As if that wouldn’t have unleashed a storm.”

“You shouldn’t be kissing a woman unless it means something.” It might have emerged a tad miffed. So much for briefly thinking he might have been overwhelmed by passion.

“It won’t happen again.”

“Good.” I lied. I’d enjoyed the brief embrace but, given his reaction, had to wonder, was the magic in the curse trying to drag him in? How would he fit into the Little Ash Girl story?

“When we get to the hotel, you’ll drive into the loading dock like we did this morning.” He turned businesslike, and I wanted to scream.

I wanted to talk about the kiss that he claimed meant nothing, because for me it changed everything.

Before I’d ignored the flutters when he appeared. The dreams featuring him. The racing pulse. The attraction.

But now, with my lips and other parts of my body yearning for more, it hit me.

I like him.

Liked him, as in, how a woman liked a man. Only he’d already made it clear he didn’t date or want to settle down. As for me, I wasn’t into casual flings.

“Princess.” He snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“What?”

“The light is green.”

“Oh.” I drove in silence, but he suddenly got talkative.

“Are you reliving the attack?”

“No.” The truth.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.”

How close? “You’re not going to make me use the bathroom with the door open, are you?”

“No. But someone will be close by in case you yell.”

“Not you.” Bodily functions might be normal, but that didn’t mean I wanted anyone listening while I tinkled or worse.

“If I’m not around, someone else will be.”

“Shouldn’t I share a room with Hannah, you know, her being a woman and all?”

“Hannah doesn’t like to share, and her room only has a king-sized bed.”

“Oh.”

“I know that kiss might make you think otherwise, but you don’t have to worry about your virtue. I will treat you with the utmost respect.”

Pity.