Chapter 20: Wanting to kiss you
"What is the meaning of this, Quinn? I am to be the wife of the King! This is entirely inappropriate and could compromise my reputation. Release me at once!" Belle demanded, her voice laced with anger. She had steeled herself against his petty schemes, but this particular approach was beyond her expectations. If this encounter were to happen in public, her image will be ruined and Quinn will get away with it.
"Since when have I cared for morals?" Quinn retorted, his voice calm but laced with defiance. "Do not forget, my dear, that you agreed to this deal. Are you scared already?" His face dipped closer, his nose brushing her hair as he inhaled its familiar, intoxicating scent. He had always found himself drawn to the fragrance, one of the many things that had ensnared him in the past.
"I agreed to no flirtations, nor to tolerate such shameless behavior," Belle countered, her tone sharp as she sought to unnerve him. "Only a man who knows he is destined to lose would resort to such desperate measures." She thought her words might pierce his pride, but instead, she realized too late she had only stoked his audacity.
"Shamelessness has always been my specialty," Quinn said with a devilish smirk. "And your fiery resistance, Belle, only inspires more wicked ideas. For instance, at this moment, I find myself wanting to kiss you."
Belle could no longer contain her frustration. Turning sharply to break free, she didn’t expect him to suddenly loosen his grip on her. She stumbled, falling forward against him, her body pressing into his.
"Oops, my apologies," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. It was clear he had let her fall deliberately, delighting in her embarrassment.
"Why did you let me go?" She demanded, her voice sharp as she pushed herself upright, her eyes flashing with anger.
"What? Did you not ask me to release you?" He replied, feigning ignorance and further fueling her fury.
Gritting her teeth, Belle began to argue, "I told you..." but stopped herself, realizing how futile it was to engage him. With a sigh of resignation, she said, "You know what? I relent. But let me make one thing clear, you shall never kiss me. Not now, not ever. Rid yourself of such foolish notions, and never corner me like this again, especially when we are alone."