Thy Kingdom Come

I shouldn’t be here.

Stopping in my tracks, I place a trembling hand over my chest and take three deep breaths, hoping it’ll help calm me down.

It doesn’t.

I’m going to be in so much trouble, especially after what I went through to get it, but it’s wrong. God knows, I need it, but it doesn’t belong to me.

Taking one last breath, I continue my walk toward the house or, rather, castle.

The Kellys’ home is utterly enchanting. It’s something you’d expect to see in a Disney film, but no Prince Charming exists behind these doors.

Puck Kelly, or Punky as I overheard Darcy call him, is anything but a gentleman. He is rude, arrogant, and a fucking arsehole. Yes, he has every right to be mad at me as I did steal from him, but he was a jerk even before that happened.

So why am I here?

I owe him nothing, yet after last night, I can’t stop thinking about how underneath his anger, I sensed pain. The brooch means something to him, and I can’t hold onto it knowing that. This doesn’t make sense, but neither does my entire life, so carpe diem.

The rocks beneath my brown ankle boots crunch as I make my way toward the front door. I could leave the brooch in the mailbox, but if someone stole it, then all of this would have been for nothing. So I suck it up, straighten out my black dress, and ring the doorbell.

Children’s playful shrills sound in the distance.

I shouldn’t be here.

Turning quickly, ready to flee, I close my eyes and curse under my breath when the door opens. “Hi. Can I help you?”

An American?

Finding my courage, I turn back around and smile at the gorgeous woman standing in the Kellys’ doorway. “Er, hello. I’m sorry to bother you, but is…Punky home?”

The woman folds her arms across her chest, clearly sizing me up. I wonder what she sees.

“He’s not here,” she replies, and I get the feeling she doesn’t like me much. Is she Punky’s girlfriend?

A wave of…jealousy sweeps over me, though it’s completely irrational. I hate Puck Kelly, I remind myself. I’m only here to return what’s his. It doesn’t matter who he’s screwing.

So why do I have the sudden urge to pull out every strand of this stranger’s lush brown hair?

When she doesn’t offer to tell me where he is, or when he’ll be back, I get the hint. “Okay then, sorry to bother you.”

Suddenly, two curious faces peer around the doorjamb before creeping past the woman so they can get a better look at me.

“Hiya!” the girl says, smiling broadly. “What’s yer name? I’m Ha

“Yer pretty,” the boy quickly follows. “I’m Ethan.”

I can’t help but smile because these two are absolutely adorable. “Hi, Ha

“Boys can’t be pretty,” Ethan replies, scrunching up his cherub face.

Bending low, I wink. “And why not? They can be whatever they want to be.”

“You talk fu

Laughing, I give my attention to Ha

Her eyes widen before she whispers not so quietly, “Amber, she knows Paddington Bear!”

The stranger has a name. Amber. And Amber is pissed off I’m still here.

“Well, Poppy, if you’ll excuse me, I have to give these rug rats some breakfast. Sorry I couldn’t help you with Punky.”

“You know our brother? I love him soooooo much,” Ha

Looking up at Amber, I slowly come to stand at full height.

She’s just been caught out in a lie, but instead of apologizing, she simply stares, challenging me to call her out on it. She’s definitely into him. The green-eyed monster returns.

“He doesn’t live in here. He lives out back.”

“Ethan, that’s enough!” Amber scolds, gently ruffling his hair. “Come on, your eggs are going to get cold.”

“Bye!” the kids cheerfully holler, pushing past Amber and skipping down the hallway.

“Bye,” I reply, knowing what I’m going to do. “It was nice meeting y’all.”

Amber makes it clear she’s not closing the door until I get off her front lawn, so I smile and wave goodbye. I hear the door slam shut seconds later.

This should be an omen, that I should continue walking down this driveway and not go in search of Punky, who lives out back. But my feet disagree because when I think Amber has stopped ma

I half expect the hounds to be unleashed, biting at my heels, or better still, Amber to come charging out, shotgun in hand. But none of that happens.

I keep ru

Last night, they barely said three words to one another, and when Co

Tears well in my eyes, but I quickly wipe them away.

Once I’m close to the stable yard building, I come to a stop and catch my breath. I haven’t given much thought to what I’m going to say because I didn’t think I’d have the balls to actually come here. But I am here, and nerves suddenly overtake me.

I don’t know what it is about Punky, but he makes me nervous. But underneath those nerves, I can’t deny that there is an exhilaration I haven’t felt before. When he touches me—like last night when he ran his thumb along my lip—the noise, the chaos, it all fades into the background, and I feel…alive.

It doesn’t make sense. It shouldn’t. I barely know him, but I can’t deny Punky intrigues me.

He doesn’t realize how attractive he is, which, in itself, is a complete turn-on. He’s arrogant, yes, but that arrogance isn’t in the way he looks, but rather, the way he composes himself and the control he wields in everyday activities.

He’s tall, and his body is lean, muscular, like a fighter’s physique. I use this term because his face was bruised, but he was still standing, which has me believing he knows how to throw a punch. His eyes are the bluest in color, and he styles his tousled dirty blond hair in a way that accents his bad-boy look.

His piercings, tattoos, and bad attitude should all be a warning to keep away, but they just interest me all the more.

I stop overthinking and walk to the glass front door. I’m about to knock, but I notice the door is slightly ajar. I should not—absolutely should not—enter, but I softly push open the door before my brain has a say. I freeze because I’m suddenly hit with a delectable rich, sexy, and sensual fragrance—Punky.

Being in his private domain feels utterly sinful, and I like it. I want more.

Tiptoeing through his home, I take a look around, immersed in history with a modern-day feel. The exterior is brick, matching the main house, but the interior has been outfitted with modern white walls. There is wooden furniture and modern appliances, but what catches my eye are the beautifully sketched artworks adorning the walls.