Me too, I wanted to tell her. Instead, I closed the distance. The kiss was nothing like I’d imagined—and yes, I’d spent months after she’d left, imagining our reunion. She’d apologize for leaving me without a word. I’d forgive her then take her in my arms. Softly, of course. Aqua deserved tenderness always.
But now, all I could do was claim her. My hands gripped her hips roughly, and my mouth crushed hers as I poured all of my frustration and pain into our joined lips.
Aqua had been my one and only.
Her brother had been my best friend.
Our relationship had been doomed from the start.
When she broke our kiss, I tightened my grip on her, sure she was about to run again.
“Breck, we can’t—”
“Dance with me.”
She hesitated, but I didn’t give her time to refuse. Grabbing her arm, I led her down the stairs and onto the dance floor and wrapped my hands around her waist. She let me, and I exhaled, relieved when her arms wound up and around my neck. We began to sway slowly, our movements timed to our own rhythm that had nothing to do with the music.
For long moments, we stood that way. Bodies pressed, hips swaying, arms holding. It felt surreal and way too quiet. The silence lengthened into awkwardness. I had no idea how to make things better.
“How have you been?” she asked finally.
“Busy,” I said for lack of a better answer.
“CHAS?” she asked, referring to the government agency that had been trying to recruit me out of the academy.
“Off and on. Private sector paid better.”
Her brow arched in surprise. “You were never in it for the money.”
“That was before.”
She blinked and didn’t ask any more.
Silence fell heavy again, but I didn’t care. It was enough to be touching her. To be breathing the same air. I glanced up at the band above us and sent a silent plea to let the slow song last.
“He loved The Monster Ball, you know.”
Her words sent shockwaves of grief through me. I forced it away and went for something lighter.
“I know he did. How do you think I knew what the invitation was all about?” I shot back then chuckled as memories flooded me. “Destan always did love a party.”
She didn’t answer.
I tightened my hold on her, pulling her a little closer in silent comfort.
“We never caught his killer,” she said.
I bit back the curse that rose. “I’m sorry, Aqua. I should have been there. Should have—”
“It wasn’t on you, Breck.”
“I was his best friend.”
“And it’s because of that he would have been glad you were spared. If you’d been at that party with him, you might be dead too.”
“Or he’d still be alive.”
“You can’t think like that.” The fire in her gaze turned to pleading.
I sighed. “I know.”
We went back to swaying. I stroked her hair, wild and wavy from the sea, and my heart ached.
“How are you?” I asked.
She didn’t answer right away. I waited, knowing it was her way, searching patiently for the right words. God, she was going to make a magnificent queen.
“It’s strange without him,” she said finally.
“He wanted you to be happy.”
“He wanted a lot of impossible things. We all did.”
I ignored that. “They dedicated a wing to him at graduation.”
“I read about it. The pictures were beautiful.”
“You could have seen it for yourself. If you’d come.”
“My kingdom needed me. You know my parents died when I was young. Once Destan was gone, there was an attempted coup. I had to stay close.”
“You were in danger.” The realization sobered me. I drew back and studied her for some trace of what had happened. “You should have called me. I could have helped.”
Pain flashed. Then regret. And finally, she offered a wry half-smile. “What would I need you for? I was top of my class.”
“Pssh.” I scoffed. “I think your memory’s failing you in your old age. I was top of the class. You were second.”
She laughed, and the sound was pure light. My chest filled with a sensation I’d long since given up on ever feeling again.
Without thinking, I kissed her, taking her laughter into me like it was something I could take with me when I left this place.
“Breck.” Aqua shoved me away, her hands flattened against my chest. She stared up at me, and I waited to see if she’d run again. I couldn’t decide whether I’d chase her a second time.
Fuck.
Yes, I would.
I’d chase her always.
But instead, she stopped fighting her feelings. I watched it happen. Her lavender eyes heated to a deeper purple. Her hands tightened around my shoulders, drawing me closer.
“I missed you,” she said, and then she was kissing me. And I was kissing her back with everything I possessed. I couldn’t remember ever feeling more high.
Chapter Eight
Aqua
I was drowning. Five years ago, I’d fallen hard for Breck Winters. The moment his mouth met mine, it all came rushing back. I clung to him, my heart bursting and my feelings straining against the confines of my own skin. It was too much. Him. This. Being here with him when I never thought I’d see him again.
And it was against the rules.
“Wait.” I forced myself to break the kiss.
Breck stared down at me. The music pulsed through us both, and I watched his parted lips as he sucked in a steadying breath.
“We can’t.” My voice cracked on the words.
“Why not?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
Our eyes met and held.
“My coronation to become queen is long overdue,” I said, the words choked as I forced them out. Telling him this was like telling him goodbye; I’d never been able to say those words. “Tradition demands a queen choose her king-consort first. Instead of courting appropriate princes, I’ve spent these years trying to gather evidence against my family’s murderer and to no avail. I’ve put off choosing a mate for so long. The coronation is imminent even if I ascend the throne alone.”
“What does that have to do with us tonight?”
I didn’t answer, unwilling to say the words that would end this once and for all. Breck was too honorable to do anything but walk away once I told him.
Breck took a small step closer, his blue eyes heating as he held my gaze.
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Aqua. There’s never been anyone else.”
“There’s never been anyone else for me either,” I said, my voice cracking because it was true.
This time when he kissed me, every inch of resolve broke loose.
I grabbed his jacket, feeling the fabric bunching in my hands as I pulled him against me. His mouth was hot. Feverish. A heat spread through me, driving me. We’d been this way before. Unable to get enough of each other. He’d been young. We both had. Now, age and time apart had only made the fire hotter.
More. I needed more.
Strong hands clutched my hips, pulling me forward so that our bodies were flush. Breck’s hardness pressed into my lower belly, and I slid my hand down to stroke him.