Emily's POV

The bedroom door clicked shut behind us, and something shifted in the air.

Daniel's mouth was on mine before I could take another breath, his hands sliding down to grip my hips with a possessiveness that made my knees buckle. The kiss from the balcony had been tender—a promise. This was something else entirely.

"Julian's door," I gasped against his lips. "Is it—"

"Closed." His voice came out rough, scraped raw. "Soundproofed wing. Grace is in the east quarters."

His fingers found the zipper at the back of my dress and pulled it down in one slow, deliberate motion. The silk pooled at my feet.

"Daniel—"

"I've waited,"...