Once we reach the beach, we quickly pull our clothes over our wet bodies and walk back to the castle, our hands brushing every few minutes. When we reach the wing where the archives and my room are located, I don’t hesitate, pulling Genevieve toward my room. She doesn’t protest, only gives me a suggestive look that has my body tingling. We missed the dinner hour, so a food tray filled with enough for two waits for us when we arrive. Someone has noticed our frequent shared dinners. I vow to consider the implications tomorrow, not wanting to ruin this perfect evening with my paranoia.

The room is dark when we enter, and I quickly light the sconces and candles, then throw her one of my tunics and a pair of leggings to change into. They swallow her, and the sight sends my blood racing. As soon as she’s clothed in the dry tunic, Genevieve sits at the table and starts eating directly from the serving dishes, not wasting time making a plate. I chuckle.

“I’m starving,” she explains with a grin. I only pick up a spoon and dip it directly into the bowl of spiced rice, then groan when it reaches my mouth.

“I’m starving too,” I say with my own grin.

We finish dinner that way, eating with no propriety. Genevieve seems to enjoy the spectacle greatly, and I realize it must be because, to her, this is a great rebellion for a female raised by the Velmaran nobility. To egg her on, I dip a finger into the pudding and lick it off, and she squeals in delight before dipping her own finger in the bowl. We scrape it clean.

“Thank you for tonight,” I say softly. “It’s nice to take a break from all the books. Even if I had to literally jump off a cliff to get away from them.” I give her a smile that she returns with her own sly grin.

“It was my pleasure.” She bites her lip, tantalizing me. I swear she was leaning in to kiss me in the water, but I don’t know for sure. And this is dangerous here. We stare at one another, the tension in the room coiling around us, thick as mist. “Kiss me,” she finally says, breathless, eyes wide, and the small amount of control I had disappears.

I walk slowly to her side of the table, then angle my body behind her and gently sweep her black curly hair off her shoulder. Leaning down, I place the gentlest kiss to her neck, just below her ear, and she shudders. I kiss my way across her collarbone and up her jaw, delighting in the way she reacts to every one. When I reach her lips, I don’t kiss them. Instead, I take her hand and tug her from the chair, then sit down and guide her to straddle my lap.