Chapter 23 #2
Returning his hug, I whispered, “It’s okay. I just wasn’t prepared.” Moving my mouth next to his ear, I asked as softly as possible, “Is it safe to assume that I’m to treat everyone except you four as a potential threat?”
His arms tightened a fraction, but he nodded. “Wayne’s sisters are safe as well.”
“Got it,” I replied and stepped back from him. “You should go get showered and changed since we have to meet your parents soon.”
He slid his fingers along my jaw until he cupped it in his hand. “You don’t wish for me to join you in the shower?”
My heart beat faster and my lower body tightened in anticipation. “That might make us late.”
Smiling, finally, he said, “You’re right. I’ll leave you to get ready, but do not leave the room until one of us come for you. Understand?”
I saluted him and said, “Yes, sir.”
He snarled and pulled me against his chest to nip my neck. “Tease.”
With a final kiss to my cheek, he adjusted himself in his pants and hurried out of my room.
After locking the door, I hurried to the bathroom to shower and get ready.
The hot water felt amazing and I would have stayed beneath the waterfall showerhead the entire day if I could have. As it was, I took the quickest shower I could, then returned to the wardrobe to select a dress to wear while meeting the High King and Queen.
My eyes kept straying to the stardust dress, but it didn’t seem appropriate for this event. Hopefully soon I would find a time to wear it.
Instead, I chose a beautiful blue dress that hugged my frame and showed just the barest amount of cleavage. There were tons of makeup supplies, but I had very little experience applying it, so I opted for eyeshadow that complimented the dress and my complexion and some mascara.
I’d ask Wayne’s sisters for help with makeup as they were clearly skilled in the application, if today’s view of them said anything. Learning to braid my hair like they had today was also at the top of my list.
After putting on a pair of white slip-on shoes, there was a knock at the door.
Peering through the door as I cracked it open, my mouth dropped open at the sight of Zeke in a formal suit that was perfectly tailored for his large frame.
The way the dark fabric hugged his large shoulders and tapered waist was sinful.
He smiled and asked, “Can I come in?”
After swallowing my drool, I stepped back to let him inside.
His gaze swept around my room before returning to me. “You look beautiful.”
“You clean up well, too, Giant,” I teased, trying to hide my arousal behind humor.
Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, and whispered, “Are you ready to go?”
Nodding, I took a deep breath to center myself and said, “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Extending his bent elbow to me, he smiled and said, “Then let’s get this over with.”
“What happens after we meet with them?” We hadn’t discussed anything beyond the greetings since they were the most important.
“A banquet and then we’ll escape to Preston’s room,” he answered.
“I am hungry,” I admitted.
From his pocket, he produced a piece of small plastic bag with three crackers and a small cheese stick inside. “I thought you might need a small snack to tide you over.”
“You’re amazing,” I breathed as I stuffed a cracker and piece of the cheese into my mouth.
He waited until I finished the snack before pulling open my door and ushering me outside.
In the hallway stood the rest of my princes, all in formal attire with hair nicely styled.
“You all look great,” I praised.
Gage kissed my cheek and rested his hand on my lower back. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.”
He raised my wrist up and kissed his mark. “That dress will look even better on my bedroom floor.”
My head fell back as I laughed and asked, “Do cheesy lines like that usually work on females?”
“I don’t usually need lines when I just lead with being a prince,” he teased back.
I leaned forward and nipped his neck. “Brat.”
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. “My heart belongs to one female and that’s you.”
My eyes widened a second before I pressed a chaste kiss to his lips and whispered, “I love you, too, Gage.”
“Oh, I know. You’ve been head over heels for me since we met.” He winked, but I could tell he was as emotional about our first expression of love as I was.
I wanted to say more, but we couldn’t delay too much longer.
Wayne walked to my door, pressed a device I’d never seen before against the doorknob, and waited until it clicked before putting the device into his pocket and turning to me.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Securing your door so that no one but the five of us can enter it,” he explained and kissed my cheek on the opposite side from Gage. “You look beautiful.”
“Come, we’re going to be accused of making them wait as it is, but we shouldn’t delay longer,” Preston said. He held out his hand and I stepped forward to set mine in it.
“The dark grey suits you,” I commented.
He smiled down at me and leaned close to whisper, “Every color suits me, pet.”
Rolling my eyes at the massive ego, I said, “Right, how could I suggest otherwise?”
“Let’s go,” he said and tugged me forward. “Time to face my parents.”