Royal Prick (A Stepbrother Romance #2)(23)
She fuels your rage, and stokes the flames of desire inside of you. She’s the match needed to end it all. Together we’re like gasolin, and fire. No good for each other. A single spark could end up burning both of us beyond repair.
Still I’ll be damned if I didn’t want to risk sticking my hands into the flames for one last burning touch.
Chapter Ten
-Noelle
I wish I could say things with Royal got less complicated that night, but they didn’t; they just got more confusing. My body hummed, and tingles cascaded across my skin whenever my mind drifted to him and the things that he said to me. The thoughts of my body lying firmly on top of his strong, warm chest was causing my heart to race and desire to pulse through me. Royal was the king of vaginal clenches.
I couldn’t believe the * embarrassed me like that, even if it was just in front of him. He had a death wish. I was sure of it, or maybe it was just me he was trying to kill. Whether it was with embarrassment or lust, I wasn’t sure. Still his confession only made me want him that much more. I wanted to be that band-aid that could cover all of his wounds and protect him from the pain, but that just wasn’t a realistic thought.
“Earth to Noelle?” Jordan’s snarky and slightly drunk voice met my ears. We were supposed to be at the party already but stopped at the Falls to get our pre-drink on. I already downed a couple shots of whiskey and knew I needed to slow down in order to get us to Sasha’s house.
“I’m listening. I’m just a little lost inside of my own head right this second.” I lied. I wasn’t listening at all. I was however stuck inside my head, trying to figure out what Royal’s confession really meant.
“Well, it doesn’t matter either way. Supposedly Sasha and Royal are going to be official or something? It was all over Facebook.” Jordan paused to take a drink from the bottle of Jack Daniels, and then swiped her hand across her lips to get rid of any access liquor before offering the bottle back to me. I declined with a shake of my head.
“Mmmm, Facebook official? That must mean real life official then.” We both laughed, our laughter echoing out onto the lake before us. It was so peaceful out here, the moon casting a shadow out onto the water, and the stars seemed brighter out here away from the glow of the city lights. I could stay here forever.
“I’m going to miss you next year.” Jordan sounded sad, and a pout formed on her face.
“Our friendship is stronger than any amount of distance that could separate us,” I assured her then turned my attention up to the stars. Jordan was all I had when it came to friends; or even people that didn’t judge me. Without her, the last couple of years would’ve been one hot ass mess.
“I’m not saying it’s not strong, I’m saying I’m going to miss you. As in miss seeing you every day. Miss our talks. Miss coming out here. Miss you in general.” Oh great, drunk Jordan was about to make her first appearance of the night.
“Don’t be so emotional, Jo! I won’t be that far away from you. A city over at most.” It wasn’t a lie, at least not really. I planned to stay close to home, however, that way before Royal came crashing into my life and my mom got a hard on about every little thing I did. I needed an escape, and college would give me just that. The glow of the moon settled onto us, the heat of the night causing sweat to form on the back of my neck. I knew Jordan was getting emotional; it was just the kind of drunk she was.
“I’m going to be okay, everything is going to be okay.” She sniffled through her sentence, and I couldn’t help but reach across the center console of the Jeep and wrap my arms around her, as much as I could in this small space. She leaned into my body, laying her head on my shoulder. We stayed like that for a short time before she pulled away from me wiping any stray tears from her eyes.
“Enough of the emotional bullshit from me. We have plans to f*ck Sasha’s party up, so let’s get going.” She adjusted herself in the seat, and then took another chug from the Jack Daniel’s bottle before screwing the cap back on and placing the bottle in the backseat, out of sight and reach.
Just as I placed the car in drive to head toward the party, my phone chimed signaling that I had a text message. My head started to pound at the mere thought of it being my mother. The nagging and lecturing that would ensue if she found out what I was doing right this second.
Jordan grabbed my cell from the cup holder, her fingers entering the code with ease. Note to self, change password.
“It’s from Fuckboy.” I could hear the confusion in her voice.
“Who the hell is Fuckboy?” was the next question asked from her.
“What did he say?” I asked, instead of answering her. I decided the day that Royal hooked up with Sasha that his name would officially be Fuckboy. He fit the bill more than anyone else I knew.
Jordan shook her head. “He said: Don’t come to the party tonight. Stay home in the royal palace, princess.” She read the text word for word, more confusion settling into her features. Anger seared through me. Who the hell did he think he was telling me where I could and couldn’t go?
“Royal is the only guy that calls you princess, what the f*ck? Why is his name Fuckboy? Are you f*cking him? Did you seriously not tell me?” Jordan started, realization finally hitting her. Great! I rolled my eyes. I didn’t care if Royal didn’t want us— or preferably me— at the party. None of those things mattered to me. He should’ve known telling me not to go would only make me want to rebel against anything he had to say.