His eyes gleam with humor and something else. Something almost predatory. "I do. Especially recently." He stalks closer.
"Maybe working with a team is bad for you."
He takes another prowling step towards me. "Nothing I do with you is bad for me."
My phone shrieks, ruining the moment. I grimace down at it, expecting so see a message from Mary Bennet, but it's Bo.
Assholes are in solitary. Double guards. They still haven't found the leak. Celebrate tonight at Unicorn Bakery?
My lips purse. I should really go and interrogate the princes, see what they can tell me about Pan and what his plan is. We still don't know who he was working with. We still don't really know what he's after other than rebuilding Neverland and making it impossible for Fae to remain in the human world.
I've been alive a long time and have seen the ugliness a divide between different types of people can create. The poison it spreads. The hate infecting everyone it touches.
But it does sound nice to gather together with everyone and celebrate the wins when they come. Maybe I'll even write tonight. It's been way too long.
A finger strokes down my forearm. "Belle? You still here with me?"
I blink and Edmond comes back into focus. "What?"
A soft smile spreads across his lips. "You went somewhere just now."
With his eyes watching me in amused affection, my worries slip away. "Sorry. Apparently I do that."
"I've noticed. Don't worry, it doesn't offend me. You look sexy with a line of drool slipping down your chin."
"Not nearly as sexy as you in those ill-fitting and blinding clothes." I barely notice the clothes now. All I see is him, his smile, his flashing eyes, his dark hair my fingers itch to bury themselves in.
"What were you plotting? That was definitely your plotting face. Or deciphering a puzzle face. They're quite similar." He brushes a finger along the corner of my eyes.
"It was a bit of both." He has a freckle on the side of chin I haven't noticed before. I want to press my lips to it.
"Care to elaborate?"
What are we talking about? "Not right now. I have a better idea how we can spend our time."
His eyes flick to my mouth. "Oh really?"
"Indeed. We have hours until we're supposed to meet the others at the bakery. Should be plenty of time." I lick my lips.
"To start off with." His voice turns low and husky.
My breath catches in my throat as I slide off the stool. "Since you're hanging about for a while, there's no hurry."
He takes the last step over to me, his eyes hungry, searching. "No. There isn't."
I run my hands up his chest without breaking his intense stare, investigating his muscles. His hands rest lightly on my hips, but when my fingers thread through his hair, his grip tightens and he yanks me against him. His mouth hovers above mine, hot and delicious.
Our breaths mingle and dance before we crash together. It's different this time when we kiss. There's no more flirtation and teasing. It's more decisive, almost desperate. It tastes of need and I melt against him. My fingers fist the hideous shirt in my hands and push him into the counter, tucking my body into his.
His hands wrap around my waist and he sweeps me even tighter against him. I gasp into his mouth and he picks me up, spins me, and places me on the counter like I'm about to be his main course.
My legs wind around his waist and he trails kisses down my jaw and neck, burying his face in the crook of my shoulder. Something that sounds like a growl rumbles in his chest. Lightning flashes down my spine and gooseflesh races over my skin.
"You have witchcraft in your lips." He murmurs the Shakespearean quote into my ear, making me shiver against him, setting every part of me on fire.
He's dangerous when he does things like that. Part of me wants to flee, certain this will end in disaster. But the larger part of me is determined to finally close the door on my past.
It's time for a new chapter in my story.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed Belle’s story. If you did, I’d really appreciate if you could help spread the word by leaving a review. Next up, Red’s story. If you missed Bo’s story, make sure to check it out
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Tamara Mataya for her amazing editing. You make things so easy on me even when tech tries to break us.
To Amber Tuscan Clites for being an awesome critique partner and always being available to talk things out and make sense of my ramblings.
To Melody Simmons for her stunning work on the cover.
To my writing friends for all the wonderful advice and support. Special shout out to WraHM and 20Booksto50k
To my wee monsters for giving me a reason to keep chasing my dreams.
To my hot soldier, who is my inspiration and strength.
And finally, thank you God, for your Son and your love.
About the Author
When she isn’t writing or searching the woods for unicorns, Harley trains hard to become a Lady Knight. She’s also looking for a part-time job hugging pandas.
ALSO BY HARLEY GORDON:
Age of Monsters Series
Book 1: Dance of Ashes and Smoke
Book 2: (Winter 2018)
Black Sheep of Faery Series
Books 1-2: Dare and Wild -Omnibus Edition
Book 3: Charm
Book 4: Enchant (Late 2017)
Connect with Harley Gordon:
Website
Email
Facebook
Instagram
If you want exclusive news and a free story, sign up for the Harley Gordon Writes newsletter.
Author Recommends:
The Moondreamer Chronicles by Tamara Mataya
Twenty-first birthday? Check.
Strange new powers? Check.
Getting through this heinous WTF-ery alive? I’ll get back to you.
Learning she’s Fae and has powers should have been the coolest day of Syxx’s life. Instead, she’s plunged into a decades-long battle of free will vs survival. Wrong place at the wrong time? Understatement of the century. The Fae Council has brought hundreds of reluctant Fae to the city to participate in The Sowing—a creepy traditional breeding ceremony.
No one has ever dared openly challenge the Council, but a secret resistance movement has been gaining momentum. Syxx is a Moondreamer—a rare type of Fae that can make wishes come true and will things into being. The Resistance believes Syxx has the power to overthrow the Council, but her untamed abilities are still developing.
With her new friends—a sexy half-incubus and a sweet leprechaun—pushing her forward, Syxx steps into the role of revolutionary. She’s got three options: Submit (no!), die (hell no!), or start a revolution.
Charm (Black Sheep of Faery Book 3) Page 14