Fearless: A Little Taste Of Heaven
Chapter 8
Book: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir
Pairing: Prince/King Liam x MC (Riley Brooks), Drake Walker x OC (Alyssa Devereaux)
Series Premise: Riley Brooks and Alyssa Devereaux became best friends as freshmen at Syracuse University, a borderline-sisterhood that lasts forever after. When Riley meets a handsome prince and is asked to compete for his hand in a mysterious faraway kingdom, she invites Alyssa along for moral support.
What the girls think will be a crazy temporary adventure becomes two sets of happily ever afters … with twice the shenanigans to show for it.
A/N: This series is written in loving collaboration between @bbrandy2002 and @burnsoslow.
Thanks to the talented @charlotteg234 for a video she made for me for my birthday back in May that sparked an idea and I ended up using and embedding in this chapter. It has been edited by me, so the crappy parts at the end of that video of our favorite timeshare salesman are all my doing lol
Chapter Warnings: Smut 🍋🍋 and language
Series Warnings: Smut 🍋🍋, language, canon violence (gun violence, bombing, terrorism), drug use, probably more stuff as we think of it. By reading this series, you agree that you are at least 18 years old and are prepared to deal with adult themes.
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In the frigid cold of Lythikos, Riley and Alyssa stepped out of a nearby consignment store that sold second-hand formal dresses and hopped into the Beaumont limo with their loot: a white satin, form fitting gown with a fur stole to match for Riley, and a strapless, periwinkle princess gown with sparkly snowflakes on the lacing for Alyssa. The dresses had never been worn and were priced well below what they’d have spent at Olivia’s swanky boutique. It was a no-brainer.
Later that evening, after they’d explored the duchy’s shopping district, the pair got to work primping in the dressing room of Alyssa’s suite for several hours before heading down to the ballroom of the Nevrakis chateau to catch up with Maxwell and take part in the evening festivities; what that included remained to be seen.
After a brief, friendly exchange, Riley glanced around the room, noting the name cards at each place setting, but she couldn't find hers or Alyssa’s name anywhere.
“So, where do we sit, Max?”
Maxwell shifted nervously on his feet. “Yeah, about that. You see, it turns out I’m sitting at the head table with Olivia and the Prince ...”
“And Riley and I are sitting …?” Alyssa prompted, knowing there was something he wasn't telling them.
Unable to meet their expectant gazes, his eyes drifted to the ceiling, flawlessly beating around the bush. “Um … you two are at the farthest table in the back,” he mumbled, pointing across the room.
The girls followed the direction of his finger pointing to a dimly lit table next to the service door where Drake was already sitting alone, nursing a whiskey and a hefty scowl. Alyssa’s stomach flipped briefly at the sight of him before Riley jumped in, taken aback.
“Olivia put us in the back!”
“Riley, don’t get upset,” Maxwell tried to soothe, desperate to keep his suitor from making a scene. "I tried to get the both of you moved closer to the front, but Olivia wouldn't hear of it. Just try to make the best of it for tonight."
She scoffed. “That’s easy for you to say. You get to pow-wow at the head table while I'm stuck watching Olivia rubbing her grubby man-eating claws all over Liam from the nosebleed section.” Just the thought of having to witness another day of the Duchess' lame attempts at seduction soured her stomach.
“I know, I know, and I'm so sorry about that, but unfortunately seating charts are for the hostess to make, and I don’t think Olivia wants any competition tonight. None of the other suitors are sitting at the head table either,” he pointed out.
That fact still didn’t sit well with Riley, but at the same time there was no justification for this level of jealousy. Sure, it was an obvious slight by Olivia meant to demean both girls, but Liam had never given her any indications not to trust him. And though they were intimately closer than he was to the other ladies competing for his hand, he technically wasn't committed to Riley.
Simply put: she just missed him.
Plus he made kind of an off-handed remark the day prior to kiss her princess parts better after her fall on the ice. And by God, that was as good as a verbal contract in her eyes.
Once Maxwell walked away to take his seat, Alyssa gently but insistently tugged at Riley's elbow, pulling her away. "Come on, Ri. At least in the back, we won't have to sit with a bunch of assholes"
"Maybe I want to sit with the assholes," Riley murmured sadly as she shuffled along.
"I'll try to fill that void for you," Alyssa snarked. "I'm always up for a good challenge."
They weaved their way through the mingling crowd to their drafty table in the back corner. A brooding Drake straightened as they approached, the scowl he previously wore disappearing before rising to his feet to pull out a limping Alyssa's chair. "Welcome to the table of exiles, ladies." Riley watched, awestruck, at the gentlemanly attention Drake paid to Alyssa, right down to pushing her chair in.
Riley stood next to her own chair, patiently waiting for Drake to pull hers out too. Instead the man retook his seat and reached for his glass. She chuckled to herself as she smoothed down the satiny fabric over her backside and sat down. "Hmm … do I have to treat you a certain way to get my chair pulled out?" she teased, knowing all about his and Alyssa's moonlight lip locks the night before.
A blushing Drake stammered, “She has a hurt ankle! I was just trying to help!”
Riley scoffed with a snort. "My ass." This was followed by a yelp from the pain of a pointed toe shoe bumping into her shin and Alyssa burning her with a pair of shut the fuck up eyes. "Oww, you didn't have to hit the bone."
Eager to change the subject, Drake looked at Hana, taking her seat at the table and asked, "So, you got stuck back here with Olivia's little pawns too? Can't say I'm surprised."
Placing a crisp red napkin across her lap, she answered as trays of lobster bisque circulated around the room. "It seems that way. You don't appear to be too upset about it, though."
He lightly chuckled, yet was anything but amused. "After so many years of this kind of treatment, you learn to grow a thick skin. Besides, we don't have to sit next to all the assholes …" Riley cast a knowing look at Alyssa, who had said the exact same thing less than five minutes ago. "And I get to sit with two pretty girls … and Devereaux."
"Hey!" Alyssa protested. She jerked away, giggling, from the playful nudge he gave her arm.
Riley glanced across the room, her eyes landing on Liam, who was eating his dinner, engaged in jovial conversation with Olivia. A painful knot formed in the pit of her empty stomach at seeing the two so chummy with one another. Of all the suitors vying for Liam's hand – with the exception of herself -- she thought Olivia appeared to be the only one who truly cared for him beyond just the title. Having spent only a brief moment with Liam since arriving in Lythikos, Riley was beginning to feel a bit … forgotten by him. Ugh, can I get anymore needy?
In her mind, the duchess was her biggest competitor in this competition. The redhead was fierce, smart, cunning, experienced and, according to Liam, his oldest friend. If anyone had the best shot at being chosen to be his bride, Olivia definitely had the upper hand.
Feeling a ferocious growl in her tummy, Alyssa clutched her stomach and scanned the room. "Where the hell is our food already? I'm starving, and those tiny little breadsticks aren't going to cut it."
"Don't get your hopes up, Devereaux. Where we're seated, we'll be the last to eat … if there's any food left by then." He half-heartedly shrugged. "All by design, Pip."
She grimaced at the pangs in her stomach increasingly demanding her attention. "But I'm so hungry, and there's lobster bisque and buttery bread. I've waited all day; I have to have something to eat, now."
"I have a pair of edible panties I bought at that novelty store we stopped at earlier," Riley offered. "Want me to run up and get them? They're strawberry."
Alyssa nibbled at the tip of a grissini, contemplating her choices. "No … but If we don't get something to eat in the next five minutes, ask me again." She searched around, spotting a nearby waiter making his way around with a tray full of piping hot bisque when an idea formulated in her head. "Hey, Ri ... Remember how we got quicker service at that diner in Buffalo?"
Knowing exactly where Alyssa was going with this, a slow spreading grin grew on Riley’s face as Drake and Hana glanced between the two friends, trying to figure out what they were up to. On Alyssa's wink, the girls shot up from their seats, Riley's arm wrapping tightly around Alyssa's back, her other hand grasping an elbow to steady her. When Alyssa's arm stretched lazily across her forehead, allowing her body to sway slightly, Riley waved frantically to gain the attention of the server closing in on them.
Concerned, Drake sat up higher in his chair. "Is she okay? What the hell's going on?"
"Waiter, please," Riley begged as the man shifted his heavy tray to his side and scurried up to the pair. "My friend. Please help her." Riley jiggled Alyssa's arm, who practically had jello for limbs at this point. "Stay with me, Alyssa! Don't go near the light."
A couple of heads turned from surrounding tables at the commotion as Alyssa's eyes began to float and flutter, her voice weak and shaky. "Riley, I can’t hang on. If only I had something to eat." She paused for a split second, a small tear forming in her eye. “And I never even got to see a Bears Super Bowl win! Goodbye, cruel world …”
Riley's head dropped into Alyssa's shoulder as she sobbed into it. "I'll never let go, Alyssa. I'll never let go." Just as Alyssa's legs gave way, Drake bolted up in time to catch her lifeless little body in his arms.
"Devereaux!" He pulled her close to his chest. Hana now stepped in to fan her hands in front of Alyssa's face. Even more ball attendees were now suddenly interested in what all the fuss was taking place in the back.
The waiter, not buying any of it, lifted a single bowl from the tray, setting it down on the table before her. "I'll give you a bowl of soup for your troubles and … a five out of 10 on the acting."
Snapping out of her ruse as if nothing even happened, Alyssa cheerfully lifted herself up from Drake's bulging arms and dropped back into her seat, scooting it forward and grabbing her spoon. "I'll take it!"
Hidden behind Riley's back was another bowl she had swiped during the melee. She placed it on the elegant setting between her and Hana before plopping down with satisfaction. "Want to chow down with me, Han?" she offered her new friend.
Drake's mouth watered while he eyed Alyssa's spoon daintily dipping into her bowl. The smell of onion and garlic tantalized his senses, while her pretty little mouth blowing steam away from the hot soup awakened certain parts of him below the belt. He swallowed the lump in his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his seat to adjust himself.
Feeling a pair of hungry eyes on her, Alyssa grinned before groaning in delight. "Mmm, this soup tastes so amazing."
Drake licked his lips. "Riley and Hana are sharing. You, uh … you think I can have some of yours, Devereaux?"
Alyssa took another slow bite, licking the underside of her spoon so as not to miss a single drop while taking pleasure in the beads of sweat that were trickling on his forehead. "Hmm, I don't know, Drake. I mean, after all, you said I wasn't pretty. I'd hate for you to have to share food with someone you find so hideous."
Drake smirked, picking up his spoon and ladling up a piece of lobster from her bowl without protest before leaning in closer to where only she could hear his smoky voice. "Maybe it’s because I think you're beautiful."
Panties officially soaked.
Alyssa clenched her thighs together. A shiver rippled down her spine, still able to feel the warmth of his words lingering on her ear.
He's just starving is all. He didn't mean it. It was just so he could get some food, she reasoned, filling her lungs with air and longingly remembering the vibrator still tucked away in her luggage.
Despite the heat on her face, she managed to answer coolly. "Well, if you're gonna try that hard, you might as well eat."
Drake studied her for a moment, wondering – no, hoping – maybe he got to her a little. Alyssa's face was glowing pink, the spoon in her hand was slightly shaky, but did she like it that he told her she was beautiful? Or … just the opposite? Did he make it worse? He stuffed the meaty bite into his mouth without the answers he desired. Fuck! Friends, Walker. Just friends.
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Several minutes after the rest of Olivia’s guests had finished dining, a server finally placed the long-awaited individual bowls of bisque in front of Alyssa, Drake, Hana, and Riley. The girls looked down with wrinkled noses at the already-congealed mass of greasy lumps garnished with only a few parsley sprigs and black pepper. Alyssa picked up her bread roll on the side plate, noting the rough feel of stale and crusty in her palm, then tapped it on the edge of the table. “Look at this shit. It doesn’t even break.”
Riley took a hesitant whiff of the concoction she scooped up with a spoon and dropped it back into her bowl. “What in the hell is Olivia trying to feed us? It smells like feet!”
Feeling braver than he appeared, Drake reached for his spoon, sifting through his bowl to find ‘a good bite.’ “I’m starving, and I only had half of Devereaux’s. I'm going for it.”
“You are not seriously going to eat that?” Alyssa questioned in disgust, rather than as a demand. “Who knows how long she’s had that sitting back there in the kitchen, just waiting for this very moment right here?”
Even Drake couldn’t deny his nemesis had it in her to serve him not just cold food, but possibly tainted at that. As he pushed the food away, the clang of a spoon against a champagne flute rang out, drawing everyone’s attention to the front.
Olivia stood poised at the microphone, a rare genuine smile taking shape as hushes echoed throughout and all eyes diverted in her direction. Even the girls couldn't deny the Duchess exuded radiance and beauty tonight, though they'd cut their own tongues out before admitting it aloud.
"Hello dear guests, and welcome to the Nevrakis family’s chateau …" Olivia began her introduction to kick off the night's festivities. “It means so much to me that you would join me in the place that’s so dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy the festivities as much as I will.. Now everyone, please join me up front to begin the Cordonian Waltz.”
“The what?” a puzzled Riley asked as Maxwell was making his way toward her.
“The Cordonian Waltz,” Hana reiterated. “All the suitors are expected to perform it tonight. Maxwell didn’t tell you?”
A panicking Riley screwed up her face and pointed at it. “Does this look like the face of someone who knows what’s going on?”
“Okay, okay, Riley. This isn't a crisis.”
Yes, it was.
Alyssa had gone into full-blown panic mode. With a busted-up ankle, this wasn’t even something she could really help her with. She tried to sound calm and reassuring for Riley, but even she knew the alarm in her voice was failing her. “Rashad taught it to me after we arrived in the country. I can’t dance tonight – lucky for you and our bet –” she glanced at Drake “– but I can try to give you a quick rundown.”
“Me too,” Hana hastily offered.
Riley sat bug-eyed and frozen as the two attempted to give her as much information as they could in 20 seconds, knowing it was most likely all in vain, but worth an effort to try. Knowing he screwed up, Maxwell appeared next to Riley, already apologizing for his mistake and vowing to lead her through it the best he could.
“Can you remember all that, Ri?” Alyssa asked hopefully.
“Suuuure. I mean, how hard could it be, really?” Riley nodded her head, sarcasm dripping like water from her tongue. “Just step forward, then step back. Let Maxwell grind on my ass a couple of times. I’ll trade partners and let the next man do it to me all over again. It’s like an organized royal orgy.” Riley slapped her hand into Maxwell’s offered one and gave one last teary glance over her shoulder at her friends. “Get your phones ready. I’m about to be a YouTube sensation.”
"That's the spirit!" Maxwell exclaimed.
“You've got this, Ri. Just let Maxwell lead you and you’ll do fine!” Alyssa hollered back from her seat as the pair made their way to the dance floor, with Hana following behind. Now that Riley was out of earshot, it was time for her to panic and put some kind of plan in motion to cause a distraction. Ignoring the ache in her ankle, she desperately turned to Drake, who was already expecting it.
His shoulders shook from a chuckle, sensing her desperation. “Don't even think about it, Devereaux. I am not getting involved in whatever scheme you are trying to conjure up in that head of yours. I’m the one who always seems to get blamed for the fallout of your little shenanigans.” He shuddered from the memory of the eyes of the entire court on him as the Queen forced him to pick up the condom balloon from the lawn she assumed he threw at her.
No matter how desperate Alyssa was to save her friend from what was no doubt going to be complete and utter humiliation, asking Drake to risk getting blamed for another of her ideas was out of the picture … but she still needed his help.
“I’m not asking you to take the fall,” she stated calmly. “Just help me brainstorm a way to distract everyone so they don’t notice Riley.” Placing her tiny hand gently on his, her bright blue eyes pleading, she softly begged. “Please, Drake.”
And he was done. Why the hell could he not resist this woman? It was like she constantly cast some voodoo magic spell on him and he was powerless against its forces. He wanted to hate himself for it but, goddamn, she was the only woman who had ever done that to him.
Drake eased his hand away from hers because if he didn’t, he was likely to erupt in his jeans right there. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair, “All right, Devereaux, I’ll help you figure this shit out.”
As grateful as she was to hear that, an embarrassed Alyssa pulled her hand back into her lap, thinking Drake was put off by her touching him. She forced the best smile she could muster and simply thanked him before mulling over ideas.
On the dance floor, Riley stepped in front of Maxwell within a loose circle that had formed, feeling like she was going to hurl any second. While he placed one hand at her waist and raised her hand into a classic ballroom pose, it was hard to miss Olivia curtsying to Liam before he swept her into his arms.
“Hey, now. Don’t watch them,” Maxwell insisted as he pulled her a bit closer and the music began. “Watch me, okay?” Riley forced her attention away from Liam and onto her partner with a nervous nod; it was time to get real-real serious, fast. As the music picked up, the couples began the waltz. “Follow my lead.”
Maxwell took one step forward … and so did Riley. Their bodies instantly collided into each other, both letting out painful grunts. “Oh, shit, I’m so sorry, Maxwell,” a bumbling Riley apologized, feeling the front of her shoe dig into Maxwell’s foot as he quickly attempted to get her back into formation and glide her backward. There was nothing pretty about their glide down the length of the room either as Riley clumsily shuffled her feet the best she could along to the pressure Maxwell was putting on her hand. Before they reached the end, her dress caught under one of her heels, causing her to stumble and slip before Maxwell’s quick reflexes caught her.
“Oh my God, Riley! How are you so bad at this?” Maxwell questioned, instantly changing his tune when she gave him a pointed glare back that reminded him he was at fault for not teaching her.
“I know … I’m sorry. But look, in a second, I’m going to twirl you around. You don’t have to do anything but relax and let me do all the work.”
Riley took a quick gander around in time to watch Olivia grasp Liam’s hands and glide into an elegant twirl. Making a mental note of how it was done, Riley relaxed her body as he suggested, feeling Maxwell spin her around so she was facing out, then drawing her back against him and winding his arms tightly around her waist.
“That better be a phone in your pocket, Max,” Riley quipped as the youngest Beamont's hips ground in what felt quite scandalously into her backside.
Alyssa was watching the whole thing from the back with her hands sort of covering her eyes. “How bad is it, Drake?” The two of them hadn’t come up with anything they thought would be even close to salvaging this disaster.
Not holding back any punches, Drake simply stated. “Not gonna lie to ya: it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. Kinda feel bad for her.”
“Oh no,” Alyssa grumbled as she separated her fingers to peek through them. Her heart plummeted when Maxwell finished a spin and it was clear Riley was experiencing the dizzying effects of it. Her best friend staggered around, bumping into Kiara, who returned a not-so-nice look to her followed by a frustrated Riley flipping her off. Smatters of laughter and guffaws swallowed the air.
In hopeless despair, Alyssa spun around and anxiously snatched up one of the candles burning in the centerpiece at the table.
"No!" Drake reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist. "I told you, we're not setting the table on fire."
Trying to muscle her way out of Drake's clutches, Alyssa clenched her teeth together and told him in no uncertain terms, "I will not let her down! Do you understand me? I will burn this entire fucking chateau to the ground before I let them laugh at her again."
Before Drake could reason with her any further, the table slightly shook, and the two looked over to find Leo — who they didn’t even know was in Lythikos — just as he breathlessly plopped himself down and reached for the roll on Hana's discarded plate.
"Don't go burning the place down just yet, Lady Alyssa. Something tells me that in two shakes of a lamb's tail, no one will remember Riley's performance here tonight."
"Why?" Alyssa asked, even though it didn't matter; if Leo did anything at all to help this fiasco, who was she to question it? Curiosity won out, though."What'd you do, Leo?"
His devious grin was the last thing she saw before the lights shut off in the ballroom. Through the glare of candles on the table, Alyssa made out the former prince rubbing his palms together mischievously before telling her, "It's showtime."
Dancing had come to a halt while attendees pondered over what was happening with the lights, then a white screen slowly dropped from the ceiling over the stage. Olivia put her hands on her hips and narrowed her steely eyes at the audio/visual room window in the back. Through the dim candlelight, it was difficult to make out who was manning the system.
"What is going on here? I never authorized any of this!" she spat, gesturing up to the screen lit brightly with illuminated numbers flashing a countdown.
With the disaster of her waltzing thankfully on hold for the time being, Riley took a relieved breath for the first time in what felt like ages, believing Alyssa had figured out some kind of plan to save her ass. She played innocent and as surprised as the other guests around her, who all watched the screen when it cut to a video clip of Liam giving an interview. There was nothing strange about that … until it showed him falling drunk into a pool with Latto’s song Big Dick Energy playing over it. The next set of clips sort of took a life of their own from that point, and not in a good way.
She and Maxwell slowly turned to one another as the video compilation only made Liam look worse the more it played.
“Oh. My. God …”
Like everyone else confused around him, it took a moment for Liam to figure out what he was watching on the screen above him. When it zoomed in on his bulging crotch, it hit him like a fucking semi truck plowing right into him. His sun-kissed face paled lily white.
"No, no, no, no. This … this isn't happening."
He had called his brother last night, knowing Olivia would likely give Riley a hard time today, and hoped his prankish sibling could help. Since Leo was better than anyone at creating diversions, Liam expected his big brother might unleash dogs in the ball or set off stink bombs; never in his wildest dreams had he expected to become the butt of Leo’s joke.
He should have known.
Not sure if this was all a nightmare, Liam harshly scrubbed his eyes while a compilation of videos played featuring everything from drunken videos of him partying with Leo years ago, to him passing out in a pool, to grinding on the sister of Leo’s ex-girlfriend at a costume party onboard a cruise ship, to flipping the camera off, to spliced, edited interviews that made him sound like some sexual creep, to him saying “fuck” a lot … and that was just for starters. For the straight-laced prince, this was a rare side of him no one had ever had seen, and most of it was heavily edited. He pressed his fingers to the sides of his temples, jaw slack and knees shaky.
"What the hell have you done, Leo?"
Still seated at the head table, Constantine and Regina were appalled at the video AND the lyrics playing.
… Pussy juicy, Minute Maid …
Face flushed and crinkled up, Regina clung to the string of pearls around her neck, a crimson glow spreading to her cheeks at the brashness of her stepson. “Oh, my word.” She turned to her husband seated next to her, looking like he was close to blowing a gasket.
“Why on earth would Olivia play such a vile video of Liam?
Connie had no answer. Connie had no words. The man was frozen in outrage and disgust. The weight of lead on his chest only intensified as he watched his second-born son -- the heir to his throne — seemingly describing the enormity of his own dick and how he "nailed" someone. The elderly Countess of Burns briefly interrupted his thoughts, clutching her chest at a nearby table and gasping, "My God, the shame," before fainting into the arms of her husband.
The King slapped his napkin onto the table and turned around in his chair. He shot a dubious look toward the back at Drake Walker, who was laughing so hard he had tears pouring from his eyes. That was, to say, until Drake suddenly felt the king's death stare on him, knowing exactly where the man thought the blame for this debauchery laid at that moment. Though Drake found the situation hysterical because he had been there for most of the things played on that video, he snapped out of it real quick. He stilled his body, waving his hands in defense, and shook his head fervently. He’d be damned if he was taking the fall for this incident.
When Constantine's eyes slid onto Alyssa, she shook her head in disappointment, as if terribly offended. “Just awful,” she mouthed back to the monarch. Sure, she felt horrible for Liam, and it was likely most of those clips were played out of context, but nothing bad would happen to the Prince in the end. Thanks to this diversion, Riley, however, would now live to compete another day, and for that she was grateful to Leo.
And speaking of the devil, in the darkest part of the room behind them sat Leo, barely able to contain the convulsing of his body while watching his handiwork. When Constantine's eyes popped wide open, recognizing his oldest son's form, he shot up from his seat.
"Oh, shit! The old man looks pissed," Leo snickered as he sprang out of his chair. "Deuces." And as quick as he came, he flashed a peace sign and disappeared out a side door before Constantine could catch up to him.
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An hour had passed and most people recognized that what took place during the ball was just some kind of joke, but the aftermath left no one laughing. Trying to stay out of the way, Riley had rejoined Alyssa and Drake at the back table while King Constantine shouted obscenities and threats at everyone and anything that moved. It was understandable that he was angry over his son’s embarrassment, but in most people’s minds, they knew it was just a harmless prank. Constantine made it out to be the event that would bring shame and dishonor to the Rys reign. Caught in the middle of it all was a haggard-looking Liam, desperate to repair any damage that could come from that video and his reputation. In the back of his mind, he could get over the video, but his father’s behavior was something else entirely. Why was he making such a fuss over it?
Considering the ball never started again – with security on the prowl for Leo, Olivia trying to play damage control, and Constantine making a jackass of himself – the girls and Drake decided to head on out.
Riley lingered at the door and glanced back one last time as Liam was doing his best to reassure his father the situation wasn’t as dire as the King was making it out to be. Riley’s heart grew heavy at watching the man she cared deeply for, working so desperately to maintain the calm, but she saw the trouble in his eyes -- the spark was missing. This trip had been hard on him for some reason, and she had zero guesses as to why.
For a split second she caught his eye, noticing how his gorgeous face softened when he saw her. She smiled back just before he was dragged once again into his father's complaints.
“Riley?” Alyssa called from the foyer of the ballroom. “You coming?”
Letting the door swing closed behind her, a subdued Riley twisted her lips in thought before answering, “No. You go on ahead. I think I’m gonna walk outside and get some air for a bit.”
Alyssa gave her a questioning look. “Oookay. Well, I’m going to change and probably check out the library if you need me.”
Riley gave a thumbs up and eyed a beige-colored pea coat left unattended on the coat rack. It was freezing outside and a long way back to her room; she’d return it after her walk.
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After fondly hanging the new-old sparkly dress in the closet, Alyssa ditched the strapless bra and changed into flannel pajama pants, thick socks, and a T-shirt under a thermal under a thick Yankees hoodie, figuring three layers was enough to disguise her unfettered breasts. Olivia kept the keep as cold as her icy heart; the layers had multiple purposes. Scrubbing her face clean of makeup, Alyssa pulled her hair up into a messy bun and exchanged her contacts for glasses. No one will see me in the library, she reasoned. How many of the other suitors can even read? Ignoring her loudly-complaining stomach, she grabbed her newest romance and headed for the library, excited to read in one of the overstuffed chairs she’d spied in there.
His arms full of the feast he’d swiped from the kitchen, Drake made his way back to his room, surprisingly content with the way the evening had ended up. The only thing he felt bad about was that he didn’t know where Alyssa had gone; she definitely hadn’t had enough to eat, either –
He stopped short, peering through the library window. A small figure sat curled in the chair near the unlit fire, a thick book in her hands. Pip.
Maybe he stood there a moment longer than he would have for someone else, but he had never seen her looking so … casual. Her face was delicately pale and soft-looking, and the baggy pajama pants and sweatshirt engulfed her frame.
He’d almost swallowed his tongue at the sight of her earlier in the evening. Somehow, she took his breath away even more now.
Shaking his head to clear the unwelcome thought, he pushed the door open. Good thing I took enough food to share. “Hey, Devereaux.”
Alyssa looked up and let out a squeak, her only available reaction when the rest of her brain was busy processing Drake’s appearance – handsome face and a body that was fucking yoked – and the fact that he was holding food that smelled incredible. She could have wept. “Hey,” she croaked after a moment.
His eyes dropped to her book, and his lips twitched with a barely-suppressed laugh. “What the hell are you reading?”
Having momentarily forgotten everything, including possibly her middle name, Alyssa turned her book around to look at the cover and immediately set it in her lap, face down. Her ears burned. “It’s nothing – a light read –”
“Pretty sure I just read the title on that thing as Fire In Her Hole.” Before he finished the sentence, he collapsed in laughter, almost dropping the food in his arms.
Alyssa began speaking way too quickly. “Look, it’s just a romance about a coal miner and the environmental activist trying to get him and his co-workers to switch to cleaner energy –” But his guffaws were contagious, and she melted into helpless giggles along with him. “Leave me alone. Actually, don’t. What did you steal from the kitchen?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“On how much of that book you’re going to read out loud to me.”
Alyssa dropped the text like it was actively on fire. “No! You’re not serious,” she cajoled. “It’ll ruin your appetite.”
His eyes twinkled. Had she noticed how richly brown they were before? “If it’s interesting enough to have you hiding out in this room away from everyone else, maybe you should share with the class, Miss Devereaux.” Drake unwrapped one of the thick sandwiches he’d assembled in the kitchen. “If not, no worries. I’ll be fine eating three of these by myself.”
Her mouth watered. “There – there are three?”
He took a bite. “Mmm-hmm. Used the leftover roast duck and soaked a slice of gravy in between the layers.”
“A Moistmaker,” she whispered involuntarily.
“A what now?”
“Never mind.” Alyssa swallowed and picked up the book, adopting a prim, matter-of-fact tone. “‘Now, you see here, Clint Wayland! Coal is fixin’ to ruin this town with pollution and it’s time to make a change!’
‘Darlin’,’ Clint drawled, ‘I was born with coal and I’ll die with coal. But’ – he looked Tierney up and down with drunken lust in his pine-green eyes – ‘maybe I found somethin’ else worth gettin’ dirty for.’” Alyssa looked down at her feet. “Can I have a sandwich now?”
Drake couldn’t even catch his breath, unable to remember the last time he’d laughed so hard. “‘Drunken lust’? ‘I was born with coal and I’ll die with coal’? You read this shit?”
Pouting to hide her answering grin, Alyssa snatched a sandwich from his arms before he could fight her. “All reading is good for you.”
He smirked, his stomach flipping a little at the pleasured moan she let out at the first bite of the sandwich. “Something tells me the court wouldn’t agree.”
“Fuck the court,” she said, mouth full, and he snickered again. “And who are you to judge me? What do you read? Humping Horses Weekly?”
Her timing couldn’t have been worse; Drake had just taken a sizable bite of his own, and her cheeky attempt at an insult caused him to snort-wheeze, bits of bread, gravy, and roast duck flying out of his mouth onto the plush carpeting.
Alyssa and Drake each froze for a moment … before laughing even louder and harder. When they finally calmed down, she grinned at him. “Thanks for dinner.”
“No problem.”
-------------------
A few minutes of crisp, fresh air was exactly what Riley needed. The last two days in Lythikos had been quite the whirlwind, what with her mishap on the ice yesterday, Alyssa having shared that she and Drake kissed – but that it meant “nothing” – and Olivia's mistreatment of both girls. Add to that whatever the hell that was that took place earlier in the ballroom -- poor Liam.
Riley plucked off a row of tiny icicles hanging from shrubbery as she strolled around the chateau, thinking back to that video earlier. Who was that girl Liam was dancing quite provocatively with and had supposedly "nailed"? Did he love her? Was she just a fling? She shook those thoughts away because the weary look he wore while Constantine made a spectacle of himself concerned her more.
She wound her way to the rear side of the keep, parking herself on a freezing concrete bench. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky looked as if someone had swept a bottle of colorful glitter across the heavens; it was even more breathtaking than Alyssa had described. Serene, peaceful, and calm.
The sound of a sliding glass door from the nearby patio pulled her from the daze she was under. Startled, Riley jumped to her feet, unsure if she was permitted on this area of the grounds. Deciding it'd probably be best if she headed back in, the sound of Liam clearing his throat and letting out a long, drawn out exhale stopped her dead in her tracks. She spun around in time to see his limp body stepping away from the door and dragging himself back inside.
There were steps that led up to the patio … should she sneak up there and check on him? That had to be his room.
Riley flexed a brow as she thought, Um, duh.
Creeping through the snow to the foot of the steps, she stretched her neck to see if anyone was around who might catch her and found herself stumped that security was nowhere in sight. If she were an assassin, this would be too easy.
At the top of the landing, the large sunken hot tub instantly captivated Riley with steam rising from water that was illuminated in magentas and fuschias; the heat billowing from its surface was a welcoming touch to her exposed cold legs. Stepping past it, the image of Liam slumped in a chair came into view with one of his hands gripped firmly on a tumbler of amber-colored liquid atop a wood grain desk. He appeared troubled and tired; his black bow tie was undone and hanging like strips of crumpled wallpaper from both sides of his collar. Bathed in stress, one could allude, but still no less handsome and appealing as usual. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t look up until Riley had crossed the threshold into his room, where she remained until she knew it was okay to trudge further inside.
“Liam,” she greeted softly, his darkened blue eyes now fixed on her, “Are you okay? If you want me to go, I will. It’s just that I was taking a walk outside, and I heard you --”
A smile – the first one Riley had seen on his face in hours – brightened his face. “Riley. Please stay.” He stood and brushed his lips over the back of her hand. “I promise – you’re a breath of fresh air right now.”
That was a relief to hear, considering he didn’t seem like he wanted anyone around at that moment. Riley eased her way inside further and closed the door. “I’m sorry about that video. Lyss filled me in on Leo’s part. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think anyone really took it too seriously.”
She must have struck a nerve because his jaw tensed momentarily before he took a sip of his drink. It occurred to her that someone actually had taken that video of him seriously: Constantine. Realizing her mistake, she screwed up her face, mentally scolding herself. "Well … I guess not everyone."
He shook his head. “No, not everyone … but I don’t really want to think about them. I … I want to think about you. You came to find me, Riley?” A light had come into his eyes.
She nodded nervously. “I just – you looked so down – You can talk to me. Whatever it is, I’m here for you. I know your father got pretty angry in the ballroom earlier …” She waited for him to answer and thought he was going to when he released another loud exhale and tilted his face upward to match her gaze on him.
“Come here,” he said as he rolled his chair back a bit and curled his palm to motion her over to him. His voice was low but commanding; the lust behind those two words alone sent a shiver down Riley’s spine and left her belly flip-flopping. When she stepped behind his desk, he wheeled back several inches more, then placed a firm hand on her hip and slid her over further until she was directly in front of him. A subdued Liam separated his knees wider, rolling towards her until his still-seated body caged Riley in between him and the desk. “Let's not discuss my father right now," he insisted, before crawling his fingertips up her stomach. "Maybe I've got something else in mind.” He smiled with mischievousness. “I want to show you how much I … appreciate you coming to look for me.” His voice had lowered to a near-growl.
Riley's eyes bulged.
She didn’t know what was happening or what to do, but her heart was pounding a million miles a minute.
It was instinct that made her thread her fingertips soothingly through his silky, golden locks -- she cared about this man more than she ever imagined. She had definitely missed this closeness; it had been far too long.
He glanced up, briefly scanning her quizzical face like he was thinking long and hard about something, then a gleam of lecherousness sparked within the blues of his irises. Catching on, Riley bit down hard on her lower lip, feeling the intense heat that was gearing up between them.
Liam meticulously pulled the belt tie loose around her waist and opened the coat wider. Planting a kiss over the silk of her dress just below her navel, his mouth moved several inches below that and kissed again.
Riley blinked hard several times, feeling that old familiar ache between her legs and the wetness of her arousal collecting there. Was this really happening? Oh, God she wanted it to happen.
“Please, Liam. Please,” she croaked while his massive hands coasted up over her ribcage, across her heaving breast, then down her slender arms, landing on her ass.
Liam grasped her backside roughly before snapping to his feet and bunching the bottom of her dress up over the curve of her waist.
Their lips collided wildly, thrashing to take possession of the other's tongue. While this was happening, Liam yanked her thong down to her knees then hoisted her up onto the desk.
“I'm tired of waiting. I need you, now.” His words were spoken with such power and entitlement, Riley wasn’t sure she could have stopped him even if she were crazy enough to want to. This man held the keys to the kingdom … and apparently the ones that got him inside her panties.
Swept up in the moment, Riley swiped the desk clear, unfazed by the crash of his glass and papers hitting the floor. She cast one sensual look in his direction before he gently yet insistently pushed on the prominence of her chest until her back lay flush with the desktop. The thong and her shoes were stripped and tossed aside before her knees were thrust apart.
Liam's head disappeared between her quivering thighs. Riley twisted and writhed at the feel of his warm tongue slowly gliding through her slit, grinding herself further into him, desperate for friction. Rhythmic flicks of his tongue on her clit drowned her in a flood of pleasurable sensations only intensified by the large finger slipping inside her, pumping in and out several times before sliding in another.
Fisting a section of his hair and holding him in place, Riley held nothing back as her whimpers and cries echoed throughout the room and possibly beyond She wasn't about to give two fucks if anyone heard, considering Liam appeared unbothered by it. If anything, her noises of pleasure only made him lick and pump into her faster, suck harder, grip her thigh tighter. There would no doubt be bruises on that left thigh in the morning from his fingertips digging into her skin and holding her in place.
This man -- this sweet, sexy man -- had morphed into beast mode, and he was all hers in that moment, ravaging her pussy with his mouth like it was his last meal.
And feast on her he did. Skillfully. Ceaselessly. Without mercy. The trifecta of every one of her sexual desires playing out as if it were recorded straight from her daydreams.
She spread her legs further under his tight grip, baring it all for him because Liam Rys owned her. Anything he wanted to taste and touch was all his. Nothing would be withheld
The noises coming from her were animalistic, bordering on unworldly. When vibrations from his hum and ministrations revved up, she felt a jolt of electricity surge through her body, clouding her vision and causing every single muscle from top to bottom to seize up.
Clenching her eyes shut, Riley arched her back off the desk. "Holy fuck, Liam!"
She outstretched both arms to each corner of the desk and dug her fingernails like sharp claws into its oak finish. It was the most intense, invigorating orgasm she'd ever experienced, and she was fucking soaked. No climax, including the ones she gave herself, came close to what just ripped through her body. He, however, was far from finished with her yet.
As Riley was coming off her high, she was keenly aware of the sound of a zipper coming undone. Before she had a chance to think, to breathe, to mutter a single word, the tip of his thick cock slid through her glistening folds before spearing into her. She tried to hold back the wail that erupted from her, but she'd never felt as full and stuffed as when he buried himself to the root inside her. Her breaths ceased to exist for a time as the stretching at her core was surreal. BDE was no shit.
"You're so ... beautiful ... my Riley," he grunted with each pump and piston of his pelvis, looping his arms under her knees to bring them up higher ... closer... creating a better angle. "I've never felt ... this way ... about anyone."
God, those words hit her hard and fast, like an arrow finding its target straight to the heart. She would tell him the same if she could formulate words that could find their way past the plethora of gasps and erotic noises.
He kept going and going, working into her slowly one minute then picking up the pace the next before pulling back again. It was a revolving door of pleasure and the most sensational pain possible. Liam was fucking into her with purpose, and in her mind it teetered between complete adoration and carnal lust.
With Liam's thumb stroking and strumming her already sensitive nub and the fierce stretching between her legs, Riley was close to coming undone again. When her legs shook and her pussy clenched down around the thick cock plunged inside her, Liam dropped her legs and braced a hand behind her neck, pulling her into an upright position.
Face-to-face, his darkened eyes burned right into hers as they both panted in tandem.
"Look at me when I make you come," he ordered.
"Liam!"
Riley's mouth dropped open, head flying back with a whine before her tight center convulsed around his cock.
Satisfied with his work, Liam cupped her jaw and crashed his mouth onto hers, roaring out a indescribable moan before thrusting one ... two ... three more times, until finally spilling himself with the force of explosive shrapnel inside her.
Riley held onto his muscled shoulders as they both trembled through their climaxes. Their sweaty bodies eventually collapsed like rag dolls into one another in shuttering embraces. The sounds of heavy breathing drowned out the silence.
"That was ... incredible," Riley eventually said, her words coming out muffled into his chest.
Liam answered with a tender kiss on top of her head. "I've wanted to feel you since New York, Riley. I don't know how many times I have dreamt of this moment with you, holding you like this in my arms, touching and feeling every inch of your perfect body. But now that it's finally happened, I can say without a shadow of doubt, my dreams didn't do it justice.This must be what heaven feels like."
"I feel that way too." Riley smiled softly, then lifted her flushed face from his body and accepted his lips on hers.
His loving face changed into one of concern. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He stroked his fingers gingerly through her dark hair. "I wanted to savor this moment with you when the time came, but all my frustrations from today, and the stress, and wanting you for so long made me --"
"Shhh," Riley quieted him. That he even had to question her after that back-blowing experience wouldn't do. She needed him to understand that the euphoric sensations burrowed inside her, as well as his slowly receding cock, was the best of her life. "Let's make something perfectly clear, right now: If I have to piss you off myself to get that again … " She only hoped there would be an again. "I will do it every damn time."
Liam barked out a laugh; it was good to see that spark and hear happiness from him again. "Good to know. Because I have no commitments for the rest of the evening and since I have you here all to myself …" He kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear and rasped mischievously, "I have plans for you, my dear. Big plans."
“But you already kissed my … injury better!”
“Better … but not best.”
--------------------
The following morning, Alyssa, limping, dragged her bags down the winding staircase of Lythikos Keep with Olivia, Kiara, and a host of other suitors as they prepared to depart for the capital. Where the hell was Riley? she wondered. She had no information besides a text full of cucumbers, squirt emojis, and exclamation points paired with the words “don’t wait up,” but since Riley had never returned to her room the night before – yes, Alyssa had repeatedly checked until she fell asleep, exhausted, at 3:30 a.m. – and she and Liam were still both missing, it seemed something promising had happened between the Crown Prince and his favorite suitor. If so, they definitely had Leo to thank for it –
“What’s on your mind with that little smile, Pip?” asked a lazy voice from beside her. “Thinking about Clint and – Tierney, was it? – getting down and dirty with clean energy?”
Alyssa blushed to her hairline at Drake’s voice – and words – but kept her composure. “You wish. I’m waiting for Riley and –” she lowered her voice to a whisper “-- hoping she and Liam … um … quenched the fire in her hole. So to speak.”
He snort-laughed again. She found it oddly adorable. “Understood, although that’s a picture I’ll be happy to never have in my head again.”
Before she could reply, the entire gathered group collectively looked to the top of the stairs, their attention caught by some dreadfully off-key singing. “I’ve been drinking coffee … and I’ve been eating healthy … know I keep it squeaky … savin’ up my energy …”
“Good morning, Riley!” Alyssa nearly shrieked, before Riley could caterwaul Ariana’s request to “fuck me ‘til the daylight.” “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
The dazed-looking brunette had walked past Alyssa and toward the kitchen, still humming. “Hmmm? Oh! Lyss!” A brilliant smile lit her gorgeous face. “Hiiiiiiii! I need to tell you about –”
“YES, WE SHOULD TALK. IN THE LIMO!” Alyssa’s voice raised even higher in pitch. Drake started to scrub a grin off his face – one that faded quickly on its own once he saw the curious eyes looking their way.
He sighed. “Are you guys ready for the Regatta?” he asked. Why do I always do this?
“Huh?” Riley finally registered Drake’s presence. “Drakey!!!! Heyyyy!” To his shock, she threw her arms around him and reached up to affectionately ruffle his hair. “It’s so good to see you!”
He stepped back so quickly that she almost fell to the ground. “Are you wasted?” he hissed.
She straightened and glared at him. “I’m happy. Are we all supposed to be gloomy automatons around here?”
As he shook his head, Alyssa piped up, “Maybe you could tell us about the Regatta?”
Shooting her a grateful look, Drake explained, “It’s a boat race. Just a couple days away. Ever been sailing, Pip?”
Alyssa bit her lip thoughtfully. “No. But it sounds cool! Do I get to wear a jaunty captain’s hat?”
With a chuckle, Drake pulled out his phone and scrolled through to find some photos. As Alyssa oohed and ahhed at the majestic watercraft, he explained, “No. You’ll be on Rashad’s boat, and you’ll have nothing to do but not fall off.” The very idea of it had his stomach twisting suddenly.
“My boat will be the … LOVE BOAT!” Riley announced gleefully, apparently not having processed anything else Drake had said.
Alyssa laughed. “Let’s get you in the limo, Lover Girl.”
