The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 1

Lying here with her was probably the best feeling in the world. Being the Prince of Illéa had its perks, but lying on the grass in the warm Angeles air next to the woman I...like so dearly couldn't compare to anything. I truly felt calm.

"Do you know when the last time was that I really looked at the stars?" I asked her. She shifted her body a little closer to mine as she replied.

"No idea."

"A tutor had me studying astronomy a few years ago. If you look closely, you can tell that the stars are actually different colors." I hoped she was impressed with my knowledge; I would do anything to get her to say she loved...

"Wait," she started, interrupting my thoughts, "the last time you looked at the stars was to studythem? What about for fun?"
I chuckled at the thought of having enough time to ever have fun.

"Fun. I'll have to pencil in some in between the budget consultations and the infrastructure committee meetings," I joked. "Oh and war strategizing which, by the way, I am terrible at."

"What else are you terrible at?" She asked smiling to herself. She begin to run her hand across my chest, making it extremely hard to concentrate. I thoughtlessly started to draw circles on her shoulder.

"Why would you want to know that?" I asked amused by her prompt.

"Because I still know so little about you. And you seem perfect all the time. It's nice to have proof you're not."
I propped my head on my arm and faced her. She couldn't possibly think that of me could she? I'm as far from perfect as they come and my father would definitely have something to say about that. I studied her face. Her perfect lips, her bright and beautiful blue eyes sparkling although it was dark out. If only she knew how badly I wanted to kiss those lips, how badly I wanted to tell her how I truly feel about her. She wouldn't think I was so perfect then.

"You know I'm not," I said.

"Pretty close," she retorted. I couldn't even focus properly because of the little flickers of touch that were passing along our bodies. Every time she touched me, it felt like magic.

I smiled and shook my head. "Okay then. I can't plan wars. I'm rotten at it. And I'm guessing I'd be a terrible cook. I've never tried, so--"

"Never?" She asked incredulous. I replayed her tone to find judgment, but not a hint of it was there.

"You might have noticed the teams of people keeping you up to your neck in pastries? They happen to feed me as well," I said with a smirk.

"More," she softly demanded. "What else are you bad at?"

How could I tell her? I wanted her to feel the tug from my heart as I pulled her close to me. "Recently I've discovered this one thing..."

"Tell," she said in a hushed tone as if sharing a secret with me.

"It turns out I'm absolutely terrible at staying away from you. It's a very serious problem," I said in all honesty.

"Have you really tried?" She smiled.

I paused to pretend to think. How could I stay away from a woman that is perfect for me? "Well, no. And don't expect me to start." I heard some rustling in the bushes and figured a guard was coming. America focused her attention to him as he emerged, pulling away from me slightly.

"Your majesty," he said with a bow. "Sorry to intrude, sir, but it's really unwise to stay out this late for so long. The rebels could-"

"Understood," I said sighing. I silently curse him out for ruining the moment. "We'll be right in." I turned toward America, frustrated at myself. "Another fault of mine: I'm losing patience with the rebels. I'm tired of dealing with them," I said offering her a hand to stand. I was exhausted with this constant cycle.

"Hey," she said turning my face toward her, "I had fun." I nodded. Sure she did. Did she want her life to be this way with me? Is that why she was so hesitant on allowing herself to feel for me the way I do her? Marrying a prince is no easy task, but I wished she could ignore that part.

"No really," she said sensing my thoughts. "We should do it again sometime. You can tell me which stars are which colors, because I seriously can't tell." I could tell she was just trying to make me feel better.

"I wish things were easier sometimes, normal," I sighed. She wrapped her arms around me, forcing me to drop the blanket I was holding.

"I hate to break it to you, Your Majesty, but even without the guards, you're far from normal."

I smiled. "You'd like me more if I was," I said once again allowing the doubt to seep in.

"I know you find it hard to believe, but I really do like you the way you are. I just need more-"

"Time. I know," I said. "And I'm prepared to give you that. I only wish I knew you'd actually want to be with me when that time was over." I've never been so honest about my feelings, but I wanted her to know how I felt without revealing too much, allowing my heart to be broken. She broke eye contact with me and looked down at the ground. My face fell.

"Maxon," she whispered. Oh how I wished she would just say my name over and over again. "I can't tell you that. But what I can tell you is that I want to be here. I want to know if there's a possibility for..." Was she saying what I think she's saying?

"Us?" I asked softly.

"Yes. I want to know if there's a possibility for there to be an us," she said smiling. My heart leaped at her words. Although it wasn't a promise, it was a possibility. I moved a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I think the odds are very high."

"I think so too. Just..time okay?" I smiled, happy with her answer. The night could have ended in worse ways. Impulsively, I bent down to kiss her gently. She parted her lips and welcomed my kiss. "Let's go," she said pulling away too soon.
I went up to my room and fell onto my bed with a happy sigh. I wish America would just make up her mind, but I didn't want to rush her or freak her out. I wondered what was stopping her. I removed my suit and lay in bed in just my boxers, prepared to read until I fell asleep. A knock came outside my door. I quickly put on some joggers and a white shirt and walked outside my room, expecting my mother. I opened the door to find Celeste in a very skimpy nightgown, standing in front of my guards.

"Your Majesty," she said curtsying low enough for her cleavage to show. "I know it's late but I was wondering if I might talk to you a moment?"

"Of course, my dear." We walked down to the back staircase near the kitchen. She turned to face me and suddenly leaned in to plant a kiss on my neck. Shocked by her impulsive actions, I didn't stop her right away. Gathering my senses, I gently pushed her off of me. "I'm sorry Celeste, but I thought you wanted to chat?" I said awkwardly.

"Oh my apologies, Maxon," she said in a sugary voice. "I came here with something to say, but I couldn't help myself after seeing your dashingly handsome face, and amazing body." She raked her eyes over me, incredibly seductive. She was still incredibly close to my face and I could feel the air getting thicker.

"I appreciate your compliments, my dear, but's it's a bit late for this type of rendezvous," I said running my fingers through my hair. I had to stop this before it got too far and my bodily instincts took over.
She straightened herself and stepped back. "Of course, another time then, Your Majesty," she said winking. She turned and walked away and I stood there completely stunned.