The Prince is Having a Ball

Part 2

Part 2

 

The look on Victor’s face can only be described as awe, and it makes me blush redder than my dress. Technically, I’m here as North’s escort, his “plus one”, but I’m positive that won’t stop Victor from trying to get me alone.

“Name,” the man in a top hat and tails barks at me. He’s standing at the entrance to the swanky country club that’s the location the Morgan’s chose to host their event. Valet had already taken the Porsche away, and I couldn’t help but notice North’s jaw clench when he had to hand over the keys. It was kind of funny.

“She’s with me,” Victor calls out from his place welcoming people inside, “Er, they’re with me, I mean.”

“And are they on the list, Mr Morgan?” Good Lord, this man is a snooty jerk, and his tone insinuates that he has no respect for Victor. I feel North’s body tense, and I tighten my grip on his elbow.

“Well, considering the list is for a Morgan family event, and I’m in the Morgan family, as you just demonstrated, then it doesn’t really matter if they’re on the list or not. I say they’re allowed in, then they’re allowed in. Do we have a problem?” Victor’s face and voice are the coldest I’ve ever witnessed.

“Your mother instilled a dress code, sir,” the angry little man in tails says with a reddening face, enunciating the word sir as if to show his disdain for it.

Dress code? North and I are dressed to the freaking nines. Heck--we’re dressed to the TENS! Victor himself looks a little confused. But then North pulls me around the man, who sputters his protest, but Victor shuts him up with a stern look. I didn’t even know Victor could give stern looks!

“Sorry about that, Princess,” he swoops in and kisses my cheek, “God, you look incredible.”

I smile, blushing and looking down.

“So, we’re here. What now?” North’s voice is harsh, and when I look up at him, he’s scanning the area, probably for potential threats or something.

“Well, actually, through those doors is the event. I have to play my part as dutiful son and greeter for another fifteen minutes or so,” his eyes scan up and down my body, lingering on my more-pronounced-than-usual cleavage, “but I’ll make it quicker.”

“Okay,” I mutter. I’m super nervous to walk through those double doors. Why did I agree to come to this party again? Oh yeah, because Mr Blackbourne wanted Victor to have some support and backup if he needed it, and I had volunteered. Stupid…

Victor reaches out and tips my chin up so I’m looking at him, “Everything’s going to be fine, okay?”

I force myself to smile, “Okay.”

Victor looks up and over at North, and I know they’re doing their communication thing. Whatever. I’m used to it by now. Then a few couples swoop in the door behind us, and Victor sighs, then puts on a fake smile, and weaves around us to greet them.

North turns to me, placing his hand on my cheek, rubbing with his thumb, comforting. I know he doesn’t want to be doing this any more than I do. He’s here for me. I’m here for Victor. Okay, he’s here for Victor too, but didn’t volunteer until I did.

Gently, ever so lightly, North bends and places his lips to mine. It’s the touch of a feather, but it shoots tingles up my spine all the same. I know he intended for this to be a quick peck, to let me know he’s here with me, but I can’t help but to lightly run my tongue over his lips. Sorry--can’t help it. I’m drawn to him.

I feel his lips curve up in a smile, but he still pulls back. Now I can see the smile--it’s an insanely cocky grin, and I’m totally busted. He knows the effect he has on me. Dammit.

I feel like I have to take back the control, take back the upper-hand, so I cock my head to side, thoughtful, and say, “The Porsche? We’re leaving the engine on.”

His eyes are focused on my mouth, and I watch as they narrow slightly in confusion, then widen, quickly meeting my own. His mouth parts, and I know he’s picturing our little fantasy we cooked up earlier. The engine has the sexiest purr, and I do want it to be running when North gets my own engine revving. Just like that, the upper hand is mine.

“Shall we?” I ask with a grin, motioning to the double doors.

North groans, “You are a She-Devil tonight. I’m gonna be thinking about you and me and that fucking Porsche this whole time. Torture, baby, torture.”

My mind flits back to what Mr Blackbourne told me last night, “Anticipation makes it that much better.”

“Consider yourself lucky that I don’t just throw you over my shoulder and go to that car right now,” North growls, eyes dark.

“Hmmm, I might consider that unlucky…” I know I’m playing with fire, but North always revs up this fiery side in me.

“What are you two still doing in here? Are you waiting for me? I can just slip away now, then,” Victor pops up at our sides, and it takes a lot of effort to break my gaze from Norths’.

“Okay then. Let’s do this,” I say with a smile at him, and Victor smiles back.

Victor takes my other elbow, so I’m bookended by two beautifully handsome men in black tuxedos. So much for staying behind the scenes at this thing and not sticking out.

Two other men in top hats and tails swing the ballroom doors open for us, and as we step in I almost choke. Even without two men on my arms I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. The room is a sea of black and white--no colors.

It’s a freaking black and white ball, and I’m wearing bright red.