We Are Us

I talked mostly about college life and lacrosse, and trying to live up to my parent’s expectations as Remington Montgomery III. “So, do you want to work for him because it’s what you want to do with your life—or because you want to see if he’ll give you the code to his secret floor?” She sent me a cautious glance, as if she was worried the question might be a bit much for only knowing each other an hour or so.

It was. And it wasn’t. Jolie and I were barely more than strangers, but she already seemed like a longtime friend. I felt understood in a way I never had before. And I understood more about the girl sitting beside me than I should after just a few hours. There was a common thread between us, a shared experience. It was a strange sensation, but a good one.

An unexpected laugh rolled up my chest, rumbling from my throat. “Maybe.”

Her sideways smile looked almost out of place within the symmetry of her features. “Maybe isn’t an answer.”

I liked that she wouldn’t let me get away with a crappy, half-assed comeback. “I guess I don’t want to be just another rich kid who will never live up to his father’s success. I want to add my own mark to the legacy he’s spent a lifetime building.”

“I never thought about it like that.” Jolie straightened, turning to face me and crossing her ankles beneath her knees. “I’m in the same boat you are. Anyone looking at me thinks I’m just another entitled Park Avenue Princess. But I want to break out of this world entirely. Be judged on my talent rather than the number of zeroes in my bank account.”

I grabbed a branch from the tree limb swaying above our heads and began pulling at the leaves. A puzzled frown crept up Jolie’s forehead and she leaned toward me, her shoulder brushing mine. “What are you doing?”

“You’ll see.”

Instead of pestering me further, she scooted closer so that her knee was resting against mine, a garland of flyaway strands floating up to brush against my neck. I had to grit my teeth, focus on what I was doing so that I didn’t pounce on her. Yet.

After a few minutes, I held up my creation. “Voila.”

Jolie giggled, her wide smile revealing an even expanse of bright white teeth. “Is that what I think it is?”

I placed the band on top of her head, purposely pushing my fingers through the lush blonde locks. Her hair felt like strands of sunshine, like the softest silk. “Every princess deserves a crown.”

“Crowns are for queens.” Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “Princesses wear tiaras.”

“Ah.” My cup was empty, so I reached across Jolie’s lap to swipe hers. She didn’t bat an eyelash at me drinking from her straw. “How about princes?”

“What do they wear, or what do they deserve?”

“Surprise me.”

“The luckiest ones might be granted a kiss from a fellow royal.”

“And am I one of the lucky ones?” There was no denying I’d led a charmed life so far. But right now, I was most grateful for the girl sitting in front of me.

Jolie’s eyes slid away from mine as she tilted her head to the side, her lips pursed in concentration. My stomach did a slow churn as I waited for her answer. “I think that can be arranged.”

I put her drink in the space between her crossed legs, my hand lingering on the worn denim covering her thigh. “Yeah?”

We shared a smile, and Jolie gave the slightest of nods. I leaned in to her, wrapping her hair in my hand and bringing it up to the back of her neck, silky strands and satiny skin burning the flesh of my palm. A fusion of fireworks exploded as our mouths met, both of us holding our breath and just tasting, exploring. Her hands crept up my chest, fingers curling around my shoulders and interlocking behind my neck. We exhaled together, our breaths escaping on the breeze. I caught Jolie’s lower lip within mine, ru

Without breaking our kiss, I reached for the plastic cup, moving it out of the way before scooping Jolie into my arms and settling her onto my lap. The softness of her breasts pressed against my chest, and I slid my thumbs between the hem of her sweater and the band of her jeans, allowing myself just a narrow bit of soft skin to explore. I wanted more though. So much more.

Central Park was P.D.A. Central. No one would bat an eye at a pair of teenagers making out on a rock beneath a canopy of trees. I wanted more, and from the tremor that shook Jolie’s spine as I deepened our kiss, she did too.

But not yet.

Jolie Chapman was like the last present you open on Christmas morning, the one that makes all the others pale in comparison. She was a girl worth waiting for, a gift I wanted to take my time opening, enjoying the crackle of the paper, the pull of the ribbon.

Besides, I didn’t know if I could stop kissing her long enough to do anything else at all.

Thank you so much for reading this excerpt from Throne of Lies. To find out what happens between these two star-crossed lovers, one-click Throne of Lies now! Theirs is a story you don’t want to miss!