Falling Hard (Veronica's Secret) Read Free Page B

voices speaking around her. They belonged to the people surrounding her, but were saying things that clearly weren’t being said aloud.
    “I can’t believe Anna Marie wore that dress.”
    “Does Jarron know he has food hanging out of him mouth?”
    “When will this dinner be over?”
    Closing her eyes to steady herself, she pushed her chair back away from the table. She’d heard the thoughts of people around her before, but never when she wanted to hear them. She never told anyone for fear they would call her crazy. She’d been tested as a small child for magic, as all children were, but had been deemed untalented. A gift for magic was rare, but when found in a child they were scooped up, and hauled off to be trained before their abilities killed them.
    Veronica stood and slid her chair out of the way. She held her hand out to Benard. “Yes, let’s get out of here. I can’t stand to be around these people any longer.”

Chapter 5
    Prince Benard held Veronica’s elbow to keep her steady as they headed toward his new room. She was of average height, which made her just a few inches shorter than him. As they walked she stumbled and wavered, sometimes leaning on his chest before continuing on. The buzz in her head had calmed some.
    Once they reached his room, he held the door open for her and helped her over to the couch. “Did you want me to get the wine?”
    “No. I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Any more wine and I’ll be getting sick all over this pretty floor.”
    Benard laughed. His voice was deep and strong. He certainly looked strong. He took a seat beside her, and draped his arm loosely around her shoulders, though his body wasn’t close enough to touch her. “Good choice.”
    “Tell me about yourself. Where are you from exactly?” Her speech slurred some. She wasn’t quite as drunk as she wanted him to believe.
    “I’m from the East. Yarinna. I’m the second-born son of King Tiblis.”
    “I see. Sucks to be born second in your case, right? I mean … your brother is the one who gets to take the throne.” She paused while he nodded. “I didn’t mind being second myself, because it meant that I could stay out of the spotlight. But now …”
    “Now, I get to be King, and you get to be the beautiful woman by my side.” He said it as if he was a great dramatic storyteller.
    “Yeah,” she agreed blandly.
    “I know that I’m not Aaron, but being married to me won’t be the worst thing in the world. I promise.”
    Veronica rolled her eyes. “As much as I appreciate that you won’t be making my life miserable, I’m not quite ready to sign you off as not being ‘the worst thing in the world’.”
    Benard nodded. “Fair enough.”
    More thoughts drifted into her mind through her drunken state. This t ime they were clearly Benard’s.
    I wonder if she’s drunk enough to let me kiss her. God , she’s beautiful.
    Veronica wasn’t sure what to do about Benard. Yes, she was attracted to him, but also she was heartbroken over Aaron. She pulled herself up and stumbled to the door. “I think I need to go lie down.”
    Benard hopped right up to help her. “Are you sure? We’ve barely gotten to talk.”
    She nodded. She pretended that a wave of dizziness washed over her, so she braced herself up against his warm chest.
    “Easy there,” he said. “Maybe you should just sleep here.”
    Veronica laughed. “You think you can get me into your bed that easily?”
    “I am extremely attracted to you, but I have no desire to take advantage of you.”
    She stared into his eyes, and found only truth in his words. His thoughts didn’t make him sound like he was a womanizer, just an average man with desires to fulfill. The warmth of those brown eyes pulled her in. For a moment she lost herself in them, and pushed her arms up around his neck. She wanted to push her night with Aaron out of her mind to ease the ache, and wondered if loosing herself with Benard would help.
    He leaned forward as