PROLOGUE

“Please Charlotte.” Prince Lucas begged, reaching for her hand. “Don’t touch me!”

Tears brimming in her eyes, Charlotte looked around for her purse, suffocated by the hurt and shame burning her chest.

“Calm down.” he said, wanting nothing more than to hold her in his arms again and soothe her fears.

“You shut up, you hear me?” Charlotte snapped, turning around sharply to face him. She wiped her tears angrily, hating that she looked so weak and vulnerable before him.

And where the heck was her darn purse?!

She took a moment to stop and breathe. She wasn’t going to find it with this behavior. She was probably better off leaving without it. Another second in the presence of the man standing before, and she wasn’t sure what the anger coursing through her would cause her to do.

What she wanted? For him to get out of her life and never show his chauvinistic face!

“You know what? You can bring it to me when you find it. I mean it’ll make you look better right?” She said to him.

“Charlotte...” Prince Lucas said, his voice breaking.

“Don’t.” She shook her head as she read the look of abject despair on his handsome face. That handsome face she wished she hadn’t fallen for.

“Don’t you stand there and act all heartbroken, because you never cared, Lucas. It was only about you! Always has...And to think I was so stupid!” She angrily wiped away another tear.

“That’s not true.” He said.

“Oh please. Aren’t you tired of lying already? I can’t believe I’m still standing here listening to this.”

“I have never lied to you!” he took a weak step towards her.

“Then why did you do it?! Why did you come to me? It makes no sense! It makes no bloody sense unless you did it for your reputation!"

 “No...Listen to me!” He said, desperate.

“Don’t come near me “ Charlotte hissed, noticing he was just a step away.

Prince Lucas ran his fingers through his hair, his features drawn with frustration and desperation.

Why wouldn’t she listen?!

Charlotte bit her lip, a fresh wave of tears hitting her. The haunted expression on his face tore at her heart. She wanted to fling herself into his arms and hug him, to smooth out the tortured lines on his face. But no...This wouldn’t be about him again.

Prince Lucas saw her turn to leave. His heart thudded in his chest; he wouldn’t see her back turned to him, couldn’t bear it.

“I did it because I love you!,” he yelled, reaching out unthinkingly and whipping her around to face him. His chest rose and fell as he panted.

“Please-“

“I love you Charlotte,” he choked. “Yes, it doesn’t make sense but that’s because I love you!” He brought up his hands to cup her face and gaze into her eyes with his sincere ones.

Charlotte stood still, distracted by the closeness of their faces. His breath tickled her lips and she shivered.

He was going to lie to her again; he would tell her what he thought she wanted to hear, and he would be so convincing that she would believe him. She wouldn’t give him that chance.

“Let me go,” she gritted, trying fruitlessly to wrestle out of his grip.

“Please listen to me, Charlotte, I beg you.” At that, he slid his hands around her waist, trapping her against his chest.

"I've thought about it too. I didn't understand why I couldn't- I couldn't let you go. I couldn't stay away from you-" His words got stuck in his throat.

When she saw his tears fall, her breath fled. Something unpleasant squeezed her heart until it ached.

"From the moment I saw you, you not only stole my heart, you stole my dreams, you stole my thoughts. I can’t get you out of my head, and I keep asking myself why. Why, Charlotte-? Please

 don’t cry...Please don’t. I can’t stand seeing you cry.” He lifted a hand to wipe the tears that were falling unrestrained.

"I'm sorry if I did something to make you feel I never cared. I will do anything to make it up to you, I promise. I can't lose you Charlotte. I can't."

Charlotte's lips parted but she couldn't form any words. Through eyes blurred with tears, she could see the love in his eyes, could hear the sincerity in his voice broken from so much emotion.

"Please, my love. I'm sorry. I swear it’s always been about you Charlotte. Don't leave. I can't- I can't go on if you're not with me. Whatever you want me to do to prove that I'll do it. Anything you want, anything. Just don't leave. Please."

Charlotte couldn't take it anymore, the catastrophic feelings rising within her and washing all over her, like a strong tide.

"Charlotte I-"

She grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his, tasting the saltiness from his tears. That made her lean in more, slanting her lips over his. She could sense his confusion, but before long, he was holding her tighter, until breathlessly, wordlessly they drank in of each other.

She dug her hands into the hair at his nape, relishing the softness, savoring the closeness of their bodies. He made the move to deepen the kiss, but she had other plans. Drawing back, she pulled at his lip teasingly before letting him go.

She looked in his eyes, his magnificent blue eyes. She could see the fear in his eyes and it broke her. She rubbed a finger on his cheek and took a deep breath.

"I'm not leaving. I promise,”

Prince Lucas's eyes widened with realization. Before she knew what was happening, she was being slammed into his solid chest. His hands wrapped around her small frame and pressed her to his chest. He hugged her so tight, Charlotte wondered if he wanted to join their bodies.

"Thank you, love. I promise to make you the happiest woman alive, I promise." He said with feeling, landing kisses on her neck, her cheek, forehead, her lips.

“I love you so much.”

Charlotte wrapped her hands around him and stood on tippy toes to rest her head on his shoulder.

"So... we're good?" He asked cautiously.

 "Shh." Charlotte said before leaning in for another soul-shattering kiss.