The Prince sighs. “Official state dinner. Prince stuff. Boring.”

I turn to him. “You got me out of school. The least I can do is return the favor.” His face angles toward mine. We share a smile. My stomach lurches.

He raises his eyebrows. “What exactly will you do?”

My mouth curls into a Cheshire cat grin. Sure, I’ve had my share of lame master plans in the past. However, the one that’s appeared in my mind is so incredibly awesome, it only needs that final touch of secrecy to make it absolutely perfect. “I have some ideas…But I want it to be a surprise.”

“Fine. Just get us both in big trouble.”

“You got it.” I stare at him for a long moment, then I shake my head. “I can’t believe you’re the same guy I met before.”

“I’m not.” His mouth quirks into a different kind of smile. I blush.

He laces his hands behind his head. “I saw you once before the Ryder ball, you know.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure you did.”

He chuckles. “You were chasing a pack of Doxy demons through the woods by the mansion’s stables, as I recall.”

I shoot him a mischievous grin. When we met at the ball, that’s why he asked me if I visited the Ryder stables. He knew I had a sideline killing Doxies. And why would that have made such an impression on him? One reason only. “I killed the demons first, didn’t I?”

He mock-frowns. “Yes.”

Ooooh, I love it when I win. “Let’s see, now. That means I beat you in jumping the hedge and killing the Doxies. That makes not once, but twice.”

Lincoln quirks his brow. “Is that a challenge, Myla?”

I roll my eyes. “With you? Always.”

In the blink of an eye, he flips his body to rest atop mine. I gasp, feeling his firm muscles press against my soft curves in all the right ways. Warmth gathers in my core. His mouth hovers just above mine. “Are you sure?”

For a second, I consider kneeing him in the groin, jumping to my feet, and running for Nightshade, but only for a second. I’m Myla Lewis, and I do not back down. I can handle this. Friends wrestle and goof around. This is fine. “Sure, I’m sure.”

He raises his hand, sliding his finger down my cheek. Heat pools between my thighs. “I don’t mind the thought of you beating me, Myla.” His arms are braced on either side of my head, his knees straddle either side of my hips. “Not at all.”

I stare at his full mouth. Every cell in my body wants to touch him, kiss him. What the hell is happening to me?

He offers me sneaky smile. “Want to know why that doesn’t bother me?”