Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(28)

He chooses exactly that moment to look my way, and as soon as his eyes lock onto mine, I feel my stomach sink. What the hell was I thinking coming down here?

His expression is unreadable, but I can see from the fire blazing in the depths of those luminous blue eyes, that firstly, my presence is entirely unwelcome and secondly, that he knows exactly who is responsible for throwing his precious trophies in the ocean.

I fully expect him to cross the vast natatorium and drag me upstairs to his balcony, so that he can throw me off it—so that I can join his belongings as they float out to sea. But he doesn’t make a move.

I force myself to turn away and I down the rest of my drink, although I’m all too aware of the way those eyes are boring a hole into me. If only looks could kill, I’m sure I’d be dead by now.

I let out a long breath as I slam my glass down on the marble bar surface. Whatever restless rebelliousness was in my system earlier, is now long gone, and I want nothing more than to crawl back into bed and disappear. Even if I probably won’t be able to sleep a wink until this goddamn party is over, and the deafening bass stills.

Unfortunately, I’ve barely made it off the bar stool when I’m faced with those blazing blue eyes up close, as Raph glowers down at me.

“I specifically recall telling you that you weren’t invited.” His voice is as cold as ice in contrast to that fire.

Although I’d been only all too ready to leave this party, his tone makes me change my mind pretty damn quickly. If only to prove a point to this asshole.

“And I specifically recall telling you that if you think you can threaten me and bark orders at me, then expect me to roll over and obey, then you have another think coming, asshole.”

He smirks in response and I want nothing more than to wipe it off his perfect face.

His eyes travel the length of me and despite feeling overdressed earlier in comparison to the swimwear-clad crowd, I suddenly feel exposed in my vest and sleep shorts.

I’m equally aware of his lack of clothing as he stands much too close, wearing nothing but black swim shorts. But I refuse to look and it’s probably the most self-control I’ve ever had to exert.

“I think your exact words were royal asshole, actually.”

I’m both surprised that he actually remembered what I’d said, that he’s capable of remembering anything other than his name being spoken in praise and chanted in glory, and at the same time, I’m pissed as hell that he has the gall to throw those words back at me.

I open my mouth to give him something else to remember, but he’s already continuing.

“I’ll give you one chance to get the hell out of here. One. Go back upstairs. Now. And I’ll pretend I never saw you down here.”

My answer is simple.

“No.”

“No?” He says it as if he’s never heard the word before, which is probably true. I can’t imagine anyone having the balls or in the case of every single girl on this damn planet, the self-control, to ever refuse him. The heir to the goddamn throne. He’s probably never wanted for anything in his entire life. Well, I’m more than willing to educate him.

“No.” I repeat. “N.O. As in I won’t be following your orders, your highness,” I mock.

His perfect features twist in displeasure. Then he cocks his head to the side as he regards me thoughtfully, like a formation on a chess set. Considering his next move before he goes in for the kill.

I wonder why he hasn’t yet brought up his goddamn trophies. But I’m not about to give him an opening to do just that, so I continue before he can fill the space between us with more of his poisonous words.

“Seeing as you insist on cranking the bass high enough to wake the dead, and seeing as you thought it would be a good idea to plaster my walls with pictures of tits and ass, hiding away in my room isn’t much of an option right now.”

He flashes that infuriatingly arrogant smile then.

“I thought you’d be used to seeing tits and ass everywhere. Does it remind you of home?”

Bastard.

I bite down on the responding insult working its way up my throat because he’s just not worth it.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” I ask coolly, quirking an eyebrow.

I can see from the heat in his expression, that it has the desired effect.

“Because if that’s the case, then I think I’ll just sit down and pour myself another drink. I’d ask you to join me, but I don’t drink with assholes, so if you don’t mind …” I add, sounding much braver than I feel. Because right now, I feel intimidated as hell. But there’s no way I’m about to let him see that.

The heat in his gaze blazes to an almighty inferno and I was right to feel intimidated. I’m suddenly all too aware that I’m feeding a fire that will most likely burn me alive.

“I do mind, actually,” Raph replies, his eyes darkening.

I open my mouth to retort, but we’re suddenly interrupted.

“What do we have here?” Baron’s voice travels from behind Raph.

I look up to see those striking aquamarine eyes peering at me from over Raph’s shoulder. He flashes me that panty dropping smile. But with the two of them towering over me like a pair of line backers, it’s impossible to feel anything other than intimidated.

Across the natatorium, I can see Lance looking over at us from the pool edge. The flash of alarm in his expression tells me that if I’m not already worried, then I sure as hell should be.