Chapter 7 #3
With a soft grin, I smile and nod, turning back to face the man my hand is still caressing. Although I think he may be caressing my hand with his face more than I am caressing him.
There’s an understanding between us three, a pain that we can all relate to. I don’t even know their names, but I feel like I know who they are at their core.
He’s leaning into my touch unabashedly as he wets his lips. “Are you real?”
“What?” I giggle at his ridiculous question. “Am I real?”
Reaching up, he takes my hand from his cheek and brings it to his lips, kissing my palm softly before lowering it between us, intertwining his fingers with mine.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here—rather the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You’re a goddamn angel who materialized when we needed you. I’m just wondering if we’ve been imagining you this entire time.”
My cheeks burst into flames, my stomach flipping. “You’re sweet.”
“Do you not believe me?” he asks, seemingly taken aback.
Rolling my eyes, I look over to the other brother, the one who keeps his heart hidden, unlike the blue-eyed guy holding my hand.
Tantalizingly slowly, he lifts his hand, his pointer finger leading the way toward the top of my left shoulder. A shiver runs through me as his fingertips trail across the bare skin and over the curve of my shoulder, moving lower and lower down my arm.
Green Eyes studies as his brother’s touch drifts over me, only flicking his eyes up to meet mine as he says, “He’s right. No one else here—or anywhere—can compare.”
I swallow hard as I suddenly realize the air has shifted between us. It’s not heavy with sorrow, but thick with attraction.
I challenge them, finding their lines a bit unbelievable. “You’ve seen every woman inside to come to this conclusion?”
Green Eyes smiles bigger, a playfulness in his heated stare. “Every single one.”
Squinting at him, I softly shake my head. “Liar.”
The one with blue eyes and a silver chain peeking out from his shirt tugs my hand, pulling my gaze, and keeping my hand in his. His smooth voice caresses my ear. “But we definitely aren’t lying about you.”
My stomach flutters, my body burning up. “Well, thank you.”
I’ve flirted with guys, sure, but never two at the same time, who are looking at me like they’re going to devour me. This is all overwhelming, but I don’t think I want it to stop.
“Is there a reason you’re out here and not dancing the night away? Or did you desperately want to comfort two broken brothers?” Blue Eyes smirks.
Rocking my head side to side, I hum. “I don’t know.
I really like getting dressed up like this, only to ditch the party and hang out in the backyard.
It’s kind of my thing. Although I don’t think”—my eyes shift, scanning around the massive garden, at least what I can see—“this counts as a backyard.”
“Sure it does,” Blue Eyes says. “It’s back behind the house.”
“Right. Of course.” I chuckle, returning to the question at hand.
I debate on how truthful I want to answer.
Since I’m playing dress-up tonight and this version of me won’t exist tomorrow, I speak honestly, as I have all night.
“My stepmother is a cruel, horrible woman. I needed an escape.” I pause, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
“And I happen to love comforting broken brothers.”
Blue Eyes acts offended. “Are you telling me we aren’t your first?”
I giggle, suddenly very aware that each of them is holding one of my hands. “I don’t know. I’ve gotten a lot of offers …” I tease. “But you guys are the first ones I’ve taken.”
“Honored,” Green Eyes whispers right into my ear, and I nearly jump away from him. I had no idea he had leaned forward. “We’d hate to have to fight another set of brothers over you tonight.”
Blue Eyes chuckles arrogantly. “But we would.”
“Good to know,” I hum, my entire body humming with excitement.
I’m thankful for the mask. At least it’s able to hide some of my shyness and pink cheeks.
Jules would be losing her absolute mind over this if she could see me right now.
“And you guys?” I ask. “Do you just love fountains, or did you need an escape too?”
Slowly, Green Eyes allows his smile to stretch free, the corners of his eyes crinkling ever so slightly. “I happen to love the fountain. And we”—he gestures to his brother—“also have a horrible stepmother and need some air from the stuffy party.”
“Well, I’m glad I could help distract you both.” I bite down on my smile. “Anytime.”
My heart aches at the thought because the truth is that anytime isn’t an option.
“What’s your name?” The other one pulls my attention back to him, eagerness in his deep blue stare.
Fear snakes up my throat of telling them the truth, of the idea that this could get back to Adrianna.
I don’t know who they are, but with the way they’re flirting and making me feel, I think I’d rather not know.
That will only make leaving tonight that much harder.
I’d rather them just exist in this magical night that ends at midnight, without them crossing over into reality. Unfortunately, that’s not an option.
“Can we skip the names? Just for tonight.” I try to persuade them, as if there could possibly be a tomorrow.
“So mysterious,” Blue Eyes coos, studying me for a second before stepping back and lifting my hand to his lips. “Then I think I’ll be Prince Charming, and I’ll call you … Princess.”
His brother at my side mutters with a chuckle, “You’re such an idiot.”
I playfully scoff and turn toward Green Eyes, giddiness coursing through me as I lean into our royal characters. “Do you not think I am worthy of being a princess?”
A full smile breaks across his lips, humor twitching the corners before he snaps into character. “Of course you are, Your Highness. My sincerest apologies.”
A genuine cackle slips free from my lips, and I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle it. His eyes immediately fall to my mouth, darkening instantly.
He stares for a moment without blinking. My core warms, and I swallow hard. When I clear my throat, his eyes fly back up to mine, a coy smile on his lips.
I use my best royal accent. “And what might I call you, good sir?”
“Well, if you’re the princess and he’s Prince Charming. I’ll be your knight in shining armor.” I can tell he thinks this is silly, but he’s playing along anyway, and that alone earns him some points.
“And you called me an idiot,” Prince Charming retorts.
“Shove it, A—” He cuts himself off before redirecting his attention to me and dropping his posh accent. “Well, Princess, how can we make your night better? Lord knows you’ve already improved ours tenfold.”
Noisy chatter sounds again, this time growing closer. I stand up taller, suddenly nervous and on edge, as if I’m doing something wrong.
“Come with us,” Knight murmurs softly, his voice quiet.
I nod before I know what I’m agreeing to. “Where are we going?”
“The perfect place for a princess.” He pushes off the fountain, pulling me with him, my hand still in both his and his brother’s.
Prince Charming follows behind, and a giggle tears through me. This is the craziest and most exciting thing I’ve ever done.
My heels click along the laid bricks as we follow down a path deeper into the hedge maze. A soft yellow glow casts over us from the flickering lights strewn on the hedges. And my heart skips a beat at the feeling of both of their hands in mine.
We may be going by aliases and playing parts, but it feels incredibly real to me.
“You’ll love it,” Knight tells me, taking a left and down a new path.
I make a mental note to remember the route so I can escape when the time inevitably comes.
I suck in a gasp of amazement when we take another left, and the most beautiful place ever comes into view.
Knight stops in his tracks, gesturing forward with his outstretched hand toward a gazebo, centered in a circular cutout in the hedges.
A little slice of heaven shut away from the world.
The white wooden gazebo is closed off, similarly to the ones I’ve seen on campus—wire and mesh sealing the openings of a normal enclosure, creating a private little spot.
Wrapped around every inch of the structure are small glowing lights, and vines encase the wood and wire, flowers every few inches. It’s straight out of a fairy tale.
“It’s beautiful.” My voice is barely audible as I slowly approach it, their hands still in mine.
I lead the way along the gazebo toward the back, where I find the entrance, an opening instead of a door. Inside is just as gorgeous.
Beautiful tiles line the floor with a chandelier hanging above. A thousand twinkling crystals and lights illuminate the space. A cushioned bench sits along the side of the left wall with a couple of throw pillows.
I could literally stay here forever and be happy.
“I’m glad you like it,” Knight whispers, bringing my hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss.
“And we can still hear the music,” Charming points out. “Perfect for a dance.”
Knight releases my hand and politely steps back, giving us the floor.
Charming spins me under his arm and pulls me closer to him, one hand in mine and the other finding my waist. “Shall we?”
The orchestra’s song comes to an end, and as they flow right into their next track, I recognize it immediately. An instrumental version of “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift. One of my favorites.
“I think we shall. As long as my Knight doesn’t get too jealous.” I grin, glancing over to where he has taken a seat on the bench.
“I don’t mind. Besides, I think we’re okay sharing you as long as we’re lucky enough to have you at all.”
A frog forms in my throat. I’ve never felt so wanted before, not like this. “Good to know.”
Charming spins me under his arm again, and I giggle. My stomach levitates inside of me as his hand falls to my waist, his long fingers wrapping around me, more intently and intimate than before.
His other hand holds mine out to our side as he takes control, leading with confidence and experience.
“Not your first dance, I take it?” I ask, looking straight up at him, more aware of his height with our close proximity. If it wasn’t for the heels, the top of my head would hit just beneath his collarbone.
“Not exactly. First time with you though, so I’d say it’s special.” His voice softens as he speaks, his blue eyes dropping down to mine.
“Are you always so smooth?” I grin, pursing my lips.
He tucks his tongue into his teeth with a smile. “Most of the time, yeah. I want to woo you. Is it working?”
I shrug, frowning with furrowed brows, tipping my head side to side. “We’ll see. The night’s not over yet.”
“Oh, really?” His eyes narrow, like he’s facing a challenge he’s happy to accept.
He releases my hand and moves it to my waist, where both of his hands tighten.
In one smooth movement, he lifts me up in the air, spinning me around.
A squeal vibrates out of me, and I kick my feet behind me.
I’m flying through the air, free as I’ve ever been, and my eyes start to water.
I quickly blink it away, not wanting to ruin this perfect moment.
His smile is contagious, pure glee in his stare.
I think they needed tonight just as badly as I did.
Gently, he lowers me, sliding me down his chest until my face hovers above his, our lips only inches apart.
My breathing is heavy and sporadic. Goose bumps erupt on my body, and I feel so … alive, unlike anything I’ve felt before.
“How about now?” His voice is husky and rough.
His eyes entrap mine, freezing every forming thought.
Slowly, I nod, my gaze dropping to his full lips. “A little.”
He smirks, and I think for a second that he might kiss me, but instead, he lowers me to my feet and looks up behind me as the song comes to an end.
I nearly jump out of my skin when Knight murmurs into my ear, his warm breath striking me like lightning, “I think it’s my turn.”