Free The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk Page A

were the closest she’d come to a date in a while and she was enjoying them. Which said more about her life than she liked.
    They walked toward the front door in silence. The old house creaked and sighed around them. It had felt hollow after Gran’s death, but now it was starting to breathe again—much like her. Caspian was right. She would get on with living and be okay.
    “Thank you.” She wanted to touch him again, to lean in and kiss him, but she held back.
    “Just doing my job.” He looked at her with those eyes that saw everything, yet hid whatever he was thinking so well. She wished she could read him better.
    “Yes. Um, okay. I’ll see you same time tomorrow?”
    “That would be good.”
    The front door was an arm’s reach away, yet neither of them moved. Her tongue darted over her lip, and his gaze lowered to her mouth. Her skin warmed as if she was burning from within. Then he brushed his lips over her cheek, his stubble grazing her skin. The scent of his skin and something else filled her lungs.
    She turned her head, needing to taste his lips. His fingers brushed her neck, then threaded into her hair. Her eyes closed as she let herself sink into the kiss, her body easing closer to his, her hand sliding over his chest. She didn’t need to breathe. He took a step and she moved with him, her back hitting the wall as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with hers. A moan lodged in her throat. She wanted more than a kiss. She trailed her fingers over his hip, then pulled him closer so she could feel him pressed hard against her.
    He didn’t resist. He slowly moved his hips against hers and she wanted to start unbuttoning his shirt there in the hallway. She broke the kiss and took a shaky breath. His lips remained millimeters from hers. Again they were caught, unwilling to pull away and yet unable to go forward. She hadn’t planned for this. She wasn’t prepared—no matter what her body was screaming.
    “It’s late.”
    “I know.” He kissed her again, softly as though hinting at what could be.
    “You shouldn’t be driving home this late.” Neither should she.
    He drew back a fraction to look at her, and the heat in his gaze nearly burned away every rational thought. “What are you suggesting?”
    What was she suggesting? That they use Callaway House the same way it had once been used? Why not? “Maybe you should think about staying here, so you aren’t driving tired.”
    Yeah, not even she believed that.
    He considered her for a moment and she resisted the urge to bite her lip and act like she was nervous, even though she was. It was too fast. She almost took back the offer, but then realized that just because he was sleeping here didn’t mean they had to sleep together. How else was he going to take the suggestion? This close he couldn’t exactly hide what his body was thinking.
    Just when she thought it was going to be a no, he spoke. “That’s a generous offer.”
    “Yes, well, there are plenty of bedrooms.” Shut up. She pressed her lips together and smiled.
    Caspian nodded. She could almost hear the wheels of his mind spinning up possibilities, but his eyes were unreadable.
    She started to backtrack, certain she’d blown it. But how many men would turn down an offer to stay and play at Callaway House? Once upon a time no one would’ve. Now? “If you’re not comfortable staying here, I totally under—”
    He placed his lips against hers to silence her. She gasped and guessed that was a yes, he’d be staying the night. The kiss made her forget about all the reasons she shouldn’t and think about all the reasons she should.
    As he drew in a breath she spoke. “So was that a good-bye or a yes?” She needed to know.
    “Both, I think.” He pulled back a fraction. “If you’re sure, how about tomorrow night?”
    She’d never been more sure in her life. “I’m sure.” She kissed him once more to be certain. Then smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    “So am I,”