Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
Playing: “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects
“Did you see Cody with Jessica Hancock?” Gabby whispers. We all look over and see the couple, their body language uncomfortable as they try to hide in the corner, their champagne glasses stiff in their palms. Jessica’s gown is a beautiful emerald and Cody’s tie matches it impeccably.
“Oh shit,” Quinn says as she gawks at them. “I have heard they’ve been on a few dates, but I thought they were just rumors.”
Gabby fixes a strand of her hair while looking into her compact mirror and scoffs. “Yeah, because he’s set to inherit his dad’s firm, so his parents set them up. They don’t look happy at all.”
No, they don’t. Still, I think it’s kind of smart for them to use this gala to announce their courtship. Several gossip-worthy things will probably happen today, and then their attendance will seem like a blip.
“Arranged marriages seem kind of… outdated?” Hannah says from her spot at the table, her yellow dress stunning under the chandelier lights. “I mean, why can’t he get to know someone he likes?”
“They have to vet the wife of their future heir,” Gabby sneers at Hannah like she is a child. “Why wouldn’t they be cautious? They know Jessica and her family, so they trust she’s a good choice.”
“But if he’s unhappy—”
“Gosh, Hannah. He’s going to make more money than most people can dream of. Who cares about being happy? He can buy gold golf clubs and go to the country club like every other unhappy husband in this town.”
Hannah shuts up and goes back to sipping her cocktail, visibly upset at the tone in our friend’s voice.
I put my hand on her shoulder for support, giving her a wink to know I agree with her.
She smiles, some of the tension falling away as Quinn and Gabby continue talking about other people’s lives to feel satisfied with their own.
“Stacey!” I hear from across the way. My mother’s hand is waving out to me, trying to get my attention as my father talks to a few gala attendees beside her.
I stifle my urge to roll my eyes and drink the rest of my vodka soda. “I’ll be right back.”
When I get to my parents, their painted smiles are already in full effect.
“Hi, darling,” my father says as he gives me a sideways hug.
My mother kisses both of my cheeks and introduces me to the couple they’re talking to like I don’t know every person in this miserable town.
“Where’s Brent? I thought he’d be by your side tonight,” my mother says.
I grit my teeth. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him.”
She puts her hand to her chest and gasps dramatically. “Is everything okay?”
My usual threshold for her bullshit is already half full. I look at the couple beside us, listening to our conversation with interest while pretending to listen to my dad’s boring recap of his trip to California.
“We’re fine,” I murmur. I know she’s not asking to be polite.
She wants to know if her daughter is wasting the opportunity of having an alpha by her side.
Too bad for her, because I don’t want an alpha.
I have my sights set on a certain dark-haired beta, one who likes to hook chains to his jeans, hang out with his friends in Oakson Lake, and perform in shitty dive bars because it makes him feel alive.
As soon as I think about him, there’s movement in my periphery.
When I look to see who it is, the most dashing sight awaits me.
Axl Ritchie, in his usual punk glory, standing there in an all-black tux, one single chain hanging by his side.
His shoes are fancy, a brand I should be able to detect, but I can’t stop staring at him as a full picture.
He’s beautiful, and he’s looking right at me.
Axl nudges his head to the side, motioning toward the empty hallway leading out of the ballroom. I discreetly watch him leave down that same path with the hope I’ll follow, and I have no intention of letting him down. Not anymore.
“I keep telling you, Stacey. That alpha is a good one. You need to figure out your future before someone else takes him from you.”
I give her a tight smile. “Yes, Mother. So you’ve told me repeatedly, but it takes two to tango. Now, I must excuse myself for a moment.” I turn to the others. “Too much vodka soda, if you know what I mean.”
“Stacey Hawthorne,” my mother chastises, but I’m already gone, moving into the hallway and further away from the ballroom that feels so constrictive despite its massive size.
The hallway is empty, and the further down I go, the harder it is to figure out where my drummer went.
But then there’s an arm reaching out from a doorway and pulling me in quickly so no one can see.
I let out a surprised yell, prepared to fight the mystery person, but then the smell of freshly stormed skies meets me, and his laugh echoes into the empty dining room we’ve found ourselves in.
“Fuck, Axl.” I hit his shoulder, but he doesn’t budge. “You scared me!”
“Sorry,” he says, but it doesn’t sound like he is one bit. “I thought it’d be better if people didn’t see us enter together.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I guess.” I look down at his suit.
The black material is tailored perfectly to his body, and the first few buttons of his shirt are undone so I can see the start of his chest. I’ve seen a lot of men in tuxes throughout my life, but this might be the first time I’ve finally understood their appeal.
“What’s that look for?” Axl asks with a playful grin. He steps closer, his hand going to my hip as he leads me backward. My back touches the wall softly and relaxes, loving the way he towers over me as he leans one arm above. My stomach flutters with desire, heat radiating off of him in droves.
“No reason.” I play coy, trying not to lose my composure by his proximity, but the way he’s looking at me is intimate, and it makes me giggle unintentionally.
“I guess I clean up well,” he remarks, satisfied by my reaction. “And so do you, but I already knew that. This dress is absolutely stunning.”
His finger comes up and hooks under the strap of my dress and lingers, feeling the smooth skin peeking from underneath. I bite my lip and move my arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t miss seeing you all dolled up for anything else.”
His voice is gentle, soft. It breaks something open in me.
I wish we could walk right out of this room hand-in-hand and dance in front of everyone.
I wish we didn’t have to think about anyone else and we could just be us.
Axl and Stacey, dancing rather than doing this metaphorical thing we’ve been doing for years now.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asks, noticing the direction my mind went.
“I just—” I sigh. “I wish I didn’t have to go back out there. I wish we could just leave. Go wherever we want.”
“Me too.” He brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear, his eyes trailing over my face. “We can stay here for a moment, before—”
He trails off, and I nod, agreeing, because I’d like nothing more than to stay in our bubble a little bit longer, far away from the judgemental people down the hall.
“How should we spend our time then?” I ask, my lips curving up.
“I can think of a few ideas.” He pulls me flush against him, my entire body igniting from the contact as my hands move to hold onto his jacket. Before he can say anything else, I tug him down and place my lips over his.
His scent spikes, like a rogue lightning bolt spooking us in the middle of the room.
It rejuvenates me, and I realize I want his rare beta scent all over me.
I want everyone I interact with at this gala to tilt their heads and wonder whose scent is covering my dress.
I want to hold this piece of him proudly, even if we can’t be honest yet.
Until then, I’ll find small ways to display him, to claim him.
Axl’s lips are smooth and delicious. He swallows my moans, grips my body, and holds me close, making me feel dainty in his arms. As things heat up, our kiss quickens, and I suddenly can’t feel enough skin.
My hands find his shirt, his beautiful shirt I love.
I don’t have the patience or will to think it through, so I rip it open, sending buttons flying to the crystal floor.
They bounce around, and Axl groans against me, cursing under his breath.
I’ll have to pay to fix his shirt later, but I don’t care, because now his bare chest is available to me and my hands are touching his skin, which is all I really wanted.
“You little minx,” he laughs under his breath before picking me up and wrapping my legs around him.
I let out a gasp, my core hitting his hard cock that’s jutting out from his tuxedo pants in an obscene display of desire.
He rubs it against me, and I suddenly wish my dress was short and accessible.
I pull it up higher, and he helps me in a rush of adrenaline, freeing my bottom half from the constraints of my dress as it bundles around my waist. He pulls me closer, and this time when his cock slides over me, I can feel him in his entirety.
A loud moan escapes, and he chuckles under his breath, kissing me with fervor before he balances me with one arm and moves his hand to the inside of my thigh.
“You have to be quiet, baby,” he whispers against my lips, his fingers moving slowly. I thrust my hips, trying to force any friction, but he persists. “You don’t want them to come here and see what I’m doing to you. Their perfect little angel, letting her devil take her any way he wants.”
My fingers lock into his hair. “Axl… please.”
“I fucking love it when you beg,” he groans, his fingers finally finding the wet material between my legs.
He massages it, letting the rough lace touch me in every sensitive place.
I let out a cry of relief, loving the way he manipulates my body with the slightest touch.
My hips move on their own, trying to get more friction, more swiftness from him, but then his hand is gone.