Chapter 18 

PO 

I find the courage to turn and face the dangerously seductive man standing before me-the man tempting me with that body, those lips, and maddening promises that hang heavy in the air like a challenge I’m definitely going to lose. 

Look, I’m not ready for sex. Not yet. But given how fast things between us escalate, who knows what I’ll be ready for in the next five minutes? The pull toward Gabriel is magnetic, impossible to resist. I crave his lips, his tongue-right here, right now, consequences be damned. 

Without thinking, I slide my fingers into his damp hair and kiss him hard. Deep, possessive, my tongue invading his mouth with zero hesitation, hungry to find his. 

This isn’t some sweet, tentative first kiss-this is me claiming what I want and hoping he wants 

it too. 

Gabriel clearly appreciates the boldness. His hands grip my waist, pulling me close, strong and firm, until I feel the full strength of him. In one swift motion, he guides us onto the couch, pressing me down beneath him with the kind of control that makes my brain short-circuit. 

Our lips stay fused, legs tangled, hands exploring each other like we’ve done this a hundred times before instead of never. The familiarity is unsettling and perfect at the same time. 

The air between us grows hot, heavy, electrified. I can’t miss the unmistakable evidence of Gabriel’s arousal pressed against me-and my own body is quick to mirror that reaction. We’re both hard, both desperate, both probably about to make some very questionable decisions. 

Panting, I finally pull back, voice breathless and hoarse with desire. “We’re both insanely turned on right now. And I know I’ll agree to anything you suggest if this keeps going.” 

Gabriel’s breathing deepens, low and seductive as hell. His lips brush my ear, sending shivers down my spine. 

“Suggest? If I wanted you, I wouldn’t suggest a damn thing-I’d just take.” 

Jesus Christ. The way he says it, all predatory confidence and barely restrained want, makes my stomach flip in the best possible way. His mouth trails to my neck, pressing a hot, lingering kiss to the sensitive skin there before pulling back to meet my eyes. 

But that sharp, predatory heat has shifted-replaced by something softer, more careful. I notice instantly because I’m apparently obsessed with reading his every micro-expression now. 

“What’s wrong?” I whisper, cautious. Because if he’s about to tell me this is a mistake, I might actually combust. 

Gabriel exhales, his voice rough but honest. “Nothing’s wrong. But I don’t want this to feel like I’m using you.” 

My brows pull together. “Because I’m a prince?” 

Gabriel laughs-low and unexpectedly warm. “No. Because we haven’t even been on a date.” 

I flush, mortified but also-annoyingly-charmed. 

Of course he’d want to do this the traditional way. Of course my bodyguard would have old-fashioned values about courtship while looking like he stepped out of a fitness magazine. 

Gabriel’s expression sobers, his eyes holding steady, unwavering. 

“Will you go out with me?” he asks softly. 

The question hangs between us, simple and complicated at the same time. I bark a short laugh, shaking my head. 

“There’s your age showing-such a proper, conservative man.” 

Gabriel grabs a throw pillow and launches it at my chest. I catch it, grinning like an idiot, already picturing just how badly I’m going to fall for this man. 

“Conservative?” Gabriel raises an eyebrow. “I just had my tongue down your throat and my hands all over your body. That’s not exactly conservative behavior.” 

“No, but asking for a date before we fuck definitely is,” I shoot back, still grinning. 

“Maybe I want to do this right,” Gabriel says, his voice dropping to something more serious. “Maybe I want to take you somewhere nice, buy you dinner, pretend we’re normal people for a few hours.” 

“We’re not normal people,” I point out, though my chest does something weird at the thought of Gabriel wanting to take me on an actual date. “You’re my bodyguard. I’m a prince. Nothing about this is normal.” 

“Even more reason to try,” Gabriel replies, leaning in closer. “When’s the last time someone took you on a proper date? Not a royal function or a political photo op. A real date.” 

I pause, thinking. “Never, actually.” 

“Then it’s settled,” Gabriel says, his smile turning soft. “I’m taking you on your first real date.” 

“This is insane,” I mutter, but I’m already mentally planning what to wear. 

“As I said, the best things usually are,” Gabriel says, echoing his earlier words. “Besides, anticipation makes everything better.” 

“Speak for yourself,” I grumble, shifting uncomfortably. “I’m the one who has to go back to my dorm room and pretend I’m not walking around with a permanent hard-on thinking about you.” 

Gabriel’s eyes darken. “Good. I want you thinking about me.” 

“That’s not fair,” I complain, but there’s no real heat in it. 

“All’s fair in love and war,” Gabriel says, then freezes, like he can’t believe he just said that. 

“Love?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow. 

“Figure of speech,” Gabriel says quickly, but his cheeks are definitely pinker than they were a second ago. 

“Sure it was,” I tease, enjoying having the upper hand for once. 

Gabriel stands up, running a hand through his hair. “I should probably put some clothes on before I do something we’ll both regret.” 

“Speak for yourself,” I mutter, though I make no move to stop staring at him. “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t regret anything right now.” 

“That’s exactly the problem,” Gabriel says, disappearing into his bedroom. 

I flop back onto the couch, still holding the pillow, my mind racing. A date. 

Gabriel wants to take me on a proper date. 

The thought should terrify me-more complications, more ways for this to go horribly wrong. Instead, I’m practically vibrating with anticipation. 

When Gabriel emerges fully clothed, I’m still grinning like an idiot. 

“You look pleased with yourself,” he observes. 

“I am,” I admit. “When’s this date happening?” 

“Tomorrow night,” Gabriel says without hesitation. “I’ve already got it planned.” 

“Already planned?” I sit up straighter. “How long have you been thinking about this?” 

Gabriel’s smile turns mysterious. “Longer than you’d think. Shorter than you’d hope.”