Chapter 5 #2
The door opened into the foyer of the guys’ residence, polished black marble floors shining and the faint hoppy aroma of beer washing over us.
Faxon had arrived several minutes before us and waited just outside the elevator, one hand held to his earpiece.
He held up his other hand, stopping us before we could step into the flat.
“We’re just waiting for the all clear, Your Highness. There are more people here than we anticipated, so it is taking a little longer to sweep the place. Do you mind waiting?”
“No problem.” I smiled and stepped back to where Adelaide stood patiently. “I’m so sorry,” I murmured, bending my head close to hers so she could hear me over the sound of the party raging farther into the flat.
“For what?” she asked, tilting her head.
I gestured toward Faxon. “The hold up.”
“Yes, I’m sure you planned this just so you could keep me in this elevator a little longer.” She let a sly grin cross her face.
I chuckled nervously and ran my hand over the back of my neck, wishing I had been smart enough to do such a thing.
I had never minded the bodyguards and security protocols.
I knew they were there for my protection and—unlike my brother—didn’t try to evade them.
Yet for the first time I was a little embarrassed and couldn’t articulate why.
Maybe it was the longing that I sometimes felt to simply be normal… whatever that meant.
Faxon nodded and spoke briefly into his earpiece before turning back toward us. “Thank you for your patience, Your Highness. We’re good to go.”
“Of course. Thank you, Faxon.”
I interlaced my fingers with Adelaide’s and led her through the doors into the party.
Faxon wasn’t exaggerating when he said there were more people here than expected.
The penthouse had a spacious open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the balcony at the far end.
Past the crowd of partiers, the city and mountains played off each other, lit by starlight. Our country was breathtaking.
We wove our way around the clusters of people littering the open space.
Against the wall to the right, an enormous flat-screen television played music videos, the sound carrying through the space via sleek speakers on either side.
The living-room furniture had been moved to create a dance floor where bodies now swayed and gyrated.
Those not dancing were perched on the furniture, making out against the walls, or playing a variety of drinking games.
A loud cheer rose from my left and I glanced over to see a group at the long glass table that divided the living space from the kitchen. Someone had just sent the tiny ball into the red cup, and the students were cheering on the girl as she chugged the beer.
“Oliver!” a familiar voice shouted.
I searched, finally finding Chauncey in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, waving his hands to get my attention. I gave him a nod and then pointed to the kitchen with my free hand.
I bent down close to Adelaide. “Can I get you a drink?” She nodded, allowing me to lead her to the sleek kitchen with its shining appliances.
Adelaide paused by the metal tubs filled with beer on the massive stone island; I shook my head and, with a cheeky grin, led her to the glass-front refrigerator where I knew I’d find the good stuff hidden behind a bin of fresh broccoli and beets.
“Hey, man!” Vince called, slipping into the kitchen from the balcony as I popped open two bottles of my favorite craft beer. “Oh hey, Adelaide. I’m glad you could come!” he added with a warm smile.
“Thanks! This is quite the party.” She waved the neck of the bottle I had just handed her vaguely at the crowd of people.
Vince’s grin turned sheepish, though I knew he was quite pleased with himself. “Yeah, this one got a little crazy. I think everyone is just happy to have the semester over with.”
“I know that’s right.” I laughed and clinked bottles with him.
I had never minded school, but I was glad to be done with university and moving on to the next chapter. I wasn’t sure exactly what the future held, but I would be happy to settle in back in Altborn, travel, and do some good work for our country.
“Oh yeah? You didn’t enjoy this semester?” Adelaide gave me a sassy grin.
“There were parts.” I winked and didn’t miss the slight blush that ran across her cheeks.
“Vince, you’re up!” A girl with bright red hair and freckles called from the beer-pong table.
Vince finished his beer, tossing the bottle in the recycling. “Do you guys want to play some beer pong with Angela and me?”
I looked to Adelaide, ready to follow her lead, and she shrugged her shoulders. “Why not. It’s been a while since I’ve played.”
After making our way to the table with Vince and his latest flame, we helped reset the game for our round.
“Do you remember the rules?” I asked Adelaide.
“Yeah, it’s pretty easy. Not quite neurosurgery. Or Spanish,” she answered with a wink.
Vince called to me from across the table, “Are we playing Xavier rules?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Um, no.”
“What are Xavier’s rules?” Adelaide asked, her mouth quirked in amusement.
“Xavier’s version includes removing an article of clothing every time you miss the cup,” Vince deadpanned.
Adelaide burst out laughing. “Yeah, I’d need a few more drinks before I was ready for those rules.” I quickly talked my dick down as the thought of her naked body flitted through my mind.
We played a few rounds while the party went on around us. Eventually, Vince and Angela had almost their whole triangle left, while Adelaide and I were down to only three cups.
“I’m so sorry. I suck at this,” Adelaide grumbled as she prepared for her next turn.
“Here.” I handed her the small white ball and then stepped behind her. “Let me help you.”
I wrapped my hand around her delicate wrist and guided her hand up.
“On the count of three, just flick your wrist, okay?” I whispered into her ear.
She nodded. “One, two, three.” She flicked her wrist and let go of the ball.
As the ball sailed through the air and bounced once on the table, I felt her body tighten in anticipation.
I rested my hands on her hips and gave a little squeeze as we watched the ball land right in the cup.
“Yes!” Her hands shot above her head in victory and then she spun around and wrapped them around my neck in a tight hug.
“Good job, Laidie,” I praised, the nickname rolling off my tongue unbidden. I inhaled an intoxicating blend of strawberries and something floral as I pressed my face against the crook of her neck.
“Yeah, yeah. It was just one cup, we’re still kicking your asses,” Vince yelled above the bumping music.
My knees almost buckled while my dick hardened at the sound of Adelaide’s responding giggle. We continued playing, sinking the ball in only one other cup before Vince and Angela cleared the table.
I turned to Adelaide. “Do you want to go dance?”
“Actually, I could use some fresh air.”
“Okay.” I grinned and laced our fingers together and led her to the balcony door.
As soon as we stepped outside and closed the door behind us, I heard her take a deep inhale, her shoulders relaxing as she exhaled.
I walked us over to the balcony’s edge and released her hand as I leaned my elbows on the railing.
“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous up here,” Adelaide said as she looked out at the city lit up below us.
“Definitely not a bad view.”
“I bet it pales in comparison to the views from your fancy palace.”
“Honestly, now that you mention it, it’s been years since I’ve really stopped to appreciate the scenery at home.” I took a swig from the half-drunk beer that was still dangling between my fingers. “God, that sounds so entitled, doesn’t it?”
She huffed a laugh. “Yeah, it does.”
“Hey now!” I nudged her shoulder gently with mine. “You weren’t supposed to agree. Give me a little grace.” I winked and downed the rest of the beer. “Are you having fun?”
Her face lit with a smile. “I really am. Thanks for inviting me. I don’t typically go to many parties, but this has been really nice.”
“I’m glad you came.”
She turned and met my gaze, assessing me. Her lips parted briefly like she was about to say something, but she closed them and stayed silent.
I slid my arm around her waist and drew her closer to my side. I was surprised by the fact that she had let me be so affectionate tonight. Maybe she’s feeling the same pull I am.
Her heels gave her a few inches and brought the top of her head level with my chin. I looked down at her and her beautiful green eyes met mine. Her plump, crimson-painted lips parted as she pressed her body into me. I lowered my head to hers, our lips just a hair's breadth apart.
A bang against the window to my right startled us out of the moment.
A compact woman with a blunt black bob slammed her hands against the glass over and over, yelling my name.
Her eyes grew feral when she spotted Adelaide and her shouts turned to a string of obscenities directed toward the woman beside me.
“Your Highness!” Faxon ran up to Adelaide and me, appearing from the shadows, seemingly out of nowhere. “You need to come with me.”