A Rivalry of Hearts (Fae Flings and Corset Strings, #1)

by Tessonja Odette

Yet once our physical relationship ran its course, a deeper friendship remained. They’ve been my closest friend ever since, even though we haven’t seen much of each other since their opera career took off. We still keep in touch by letter.

“She’s different,” Zane says. “Quirky. Cute. Chaotic. I like it.” “She’s annoying,” I ...

What’s the point of denying it? Zane has seen through me. “Yes. For whatever reason,...

Zane arches a brow. “Is that all it is? Just physical?” I refuse to even con...

Edwina sighs. “What I wouldn’t give to hear Alexander’s lines read by a handsome male.”

“Might I make a suggestion?” Zane says, and my heart stops at once. I know what they’re about to say before they even say it. “William will read the lines.”

“No.” Edwina’s voice silences all the rest. My eyes meet hers, and I expect to see annoyance or embarrassment in them. Instead, it’s concern that etches the firm line of her mouth. Concern…for me.

A crack wends through my heart as I understand the source of her distress. She knows what this play means to me. What this scene means. And it’s that care that emboldens me.

That care that burns away my trepidation and replaces it with my competitive spark. I adore her for her concern, but I don’t need...

Not if I’ve been presented with an opportunity to shatter her expectations an...

I cast a look at Zane, who gives me a taunting grin. Monty turns in his seat and mutters to my friend, “Nice work. I think we’re on the same team.”

“Shut up,” Daphne says, standing on her chair to get a better look at me and Edwina. “Things are about to get smutty.”

I step in close and hold her gaze, my unspoken answer written in the wicked curve of my lips. My beautiful bespectacled hellion. I’ll make you pay for doubting me.

Out loud, I say, “Tell me, dearest, how would you like me to make love to you tonight?”

My mind goes blank at the question. Why would he ask me such a thing? And in front of so many people⁠— Oh right. My book. He’s reciting a line from my book.

His fingers lace through mine, still pinned over my head, and he gives my hand a squeeze. It isn’t an action expressed in my scene, and there’s something reassuring about it.

William leans ever closer until our noses touch, just the lightest brush of skin against skin. Another action not in this scene. Then, with his voice so low there’s no way it could carry beyond me, he whispers, “May I, Weenie?” Finally, I deliver Dolly’s response. “Yes.”

William leans the rest of the way in, and his lips press against mine. They’re soft yet firm, perfectly warm. Nothing cold or probing like Archie’s mouth was. Our lips linger together for a long moment. My mind empties.

The squeeze of his palm. The way our lips part at the exact same moment and he kisses me again, harder this time. The way I angle my head, craving just a little more⁠— Applause erupts, splattering ink across that blank page in my mind. I stiffen.

“We came to some similar conclusions.” I frown. “Like what?” “Like the fact that I won’t need to spend the night in your room after all. I can spend the night in Zane’s.”

Perhaps I’m petty. Perhaps I’m half out of my mind. Whatever the case, I want to be the last person William kissed.

Sex and sabotage. Oh, what a fun book title that would be!

his lips quirked sideways. My lips. Those are my fucking lips.

I ball my hands into fists and finally say those two words he’s been taunting me to say. “Free pass.”

William opens the door wider, snakes his hand around my waist, and pulls me into his room. “...

The way he holds me, his grip firm yet relaxed, the way he stares down at me with that smile, almost feels like a weathered embrace. Familiar. Comforting. Like it’s effortless for him to touch me like this.

He may have succeeded in tricking me, but I still desire more of him, for reasons I’ve yet to fully acknowledge.

He steps closer, his voice dipping low. “Take the lead. Show me what you like. Show me where you want me to kiss you.”

He’s already pressed his mouth to my knuckles, my neck, and now my lips. Only now do I picture that mouth trailing over my stomach, my breasts, then between my legs.

Heat burns at my core, screaming, Yes, that. But I can’t request that. I’m not brave enough. Not yet.

Damn him. He’s really going to make me make the first move.

What the hell is this? Am I fucking swooning? Is swooning a real thing?

“All right, well…” I wring my hands, wincing at the quaver in my voice. “There it is. That was the kiss. I have my point, so⁠—” “No.” William’s stern tone has my mouth snapping shut. “That wasn’t a real kiss.”

“You want me to take the lead?” I wring my hands again. “Please.” A gentle smile warms his lips as he places his hand over mine, stilling my anxious motions.

“So, we’ve learned something you like already.” I swallow hard. “I suppose we have.”

Without meaning to, I slide my fingers up his neck, into the ends of his hair, much like I did in the north wing. He releases a throaty sound against my mouth, one that has my lips parting.

His tongue sweeps in and brushes against mine in a languorous caress.

His fingers weave into my hair, sending pins falling to the ground. His other hand roves my bottom, and I’m cursing myself for the warm layers of petticoats I wear beneath my dress.

I let my hand move lower, down to his waistband. He sucks in a breath, emboldening me. I kiss him harder, move my hand lower, until my palm cups the firm length straining against his trousers.

Bloody hell, it’s a mammoth handful. And…and it’s straining like that for me. My touch. My kiss. We’re still fully clothed, yet he’s hard for me.

I run my hand further down his bulge and back again, assessing the full scope of what he’s hiding. He groans, sucking my lower lip...

I tighten my grip and stroke his length again. He releases my lip and pants against my mouth. His hand leaves my neck to linger ove...

His words come out stifled. “How far do you want this to go tonight?” I pull back slightly, taking in his heavy-lidded eyes, the need written over ev...

His fingers dig into the back seam of my dress. With the flick of his forefinger, my top clasp comes loose. “I can have you out of this dress and spread naked beneath me in ten se...

I suck in a sharp breath at his words, at the images they conjure, at the restraint in his tone. Pride swe...

“You know damn well I want that,” he says, rocking against my hand to remind me of the proof in my palm. “But if you’re not ready…fuck,...

And as much as I want what he wants, I should leave him yearning for something more to redeem his free pass for.

“Let’s keep our clothes on,” I say, voice breathless. “Just kissing and touching.” “Can I touch you?”

“Over my clothes,” I say, delighting in his groan of frustration, the way his fingers curl into a fist against my back, fight...

I move my hand up the length of him again, then to his waistband. He bites his lip as I tuck two fingers beneath it. I give him...