He got off the bed and crossed over to me, then wrapped his arms around me while pressing gentle kisses to my face and lips. “Babe, of course I do. I want you with me all the time.” Pulling back so I could see him better, he turned surprisingly serious eyes on me. “Do I need to do a better job of letting you know how I feel?”
I swallowed roughly. “No, you show me. It’s just … some guys don’t like chicks in their space.”
Alex chuckled. “I knew you were my future wife from the first second I saw you. As far as I’m concerned, the last month without you in my bed has been a complete waste.”
Holy shit. I mean, he was saying all the right things and I was into fucking everything about this guy, but it was also a lot. His wife? I mean, he was a crown prince.
“Can you even marry a commoner?” I asked, my question loud in the silence that followed.
Alex had said he’d tell me about the obligations of royals, but we’d never gotten around to that conversation.
Alex guided me to the bed and pulled the thick, navy duvet back so I could slide in underneath. “I will marry whomever I damn well want, and screw the arranged marriage bullshit,” he said as he got in next to me. “I’m telling you now, Violet Spencer. I choose you. Any chick that can catch a soccer ball like you, be as classy and strong as you are—even when in hard situations—and not to mention how smart and beautiful you are... You’ve got it fucking all. I’d be an idiot not to see that, and despite my father’s regular disparaging remarks about my intelligence, I’m no idiot.
Jesus. Could this night get any better.
“I’m glad I met you,” I said, snuggling closer to him and letting my eyes close as exhaustion washed over me. Ever since I’d gotten injured, my body had been working triple-time to try and heal, and it’d left me a wrung out mess by the time I fell into bed every night.
Alex held me close until morning, when his clever fingers slid into my wet heat, and I ended up getting fucked doggy style against his headboard. It was one of my favorite positions, and I came hard and fast, clawing at the frame, trying to hold on.
“Best. Morning. Ever,” I gasped breathlessly, trying to get my heart under control.
“I wish we could stay in bed all day,” Alex murmured against my skin, his fingers stroking down my spine.
I laughed. “We already have, kind of.” A glance at the clock on his nightstand told me it was already mid-morning. Thank fuck there were no classes today, on account of the visiting international team. “But don’t forget you’ve got a game tonight, babe.”
Some of the dreamy sexiness left his features, and I saw the determination that made him such a phenomenal athlete fill his face. “Yeah, and we’re going to destroy them.”
It would be my first chance to watch an actual game, and I was beyond excited. “I’ll be in the stands cheering you on,” I said.
Alex slapped me on the ass before hauling his out of bed. “Better be, love. Pretty sure you’re my new good luck charm.”
Love? Well, that was a new one.
I followed him into the bathroom, and we both showered quickly. Then got dirty again, and then showered again. Between kisses, I broke the news to him that we couldn’t do the hotel over the weekend. As far as he was concerned, I’d be helping Mattie on an assignment for environmental science class—something he’d taken surprisingly well. Then again, the whole point had been to do exactly what we’d just done in his dorm room instead.
Eventually I got dressed and turning on my palm reader. I’d shut it down last night, to prevent any distractions.
Messages buzzed at me. Over and over.
Flicking through them, I saw a ton from Mattie asking where I was. One from Nolan requesting another movie night. And one from Jordan asking where the fuck I was.
Something told me that wasn’t solely from Jordan. It had a very Rafe vibe about it, but then again, those two were best friends for a reason.
“I gotta head to the field, Coach makes us do these team bonding things before big games,” Alex said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me toward his door. “Want me to walk you to your room?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m all good. You go and do your thing, and I’ll see you after the game.”
He opened his door, and as we stepped out I realized that the hall was full of people. Eyes turned to me, and I fought the blush that wanted to rise to my face. Alex didn’t seem to notice or care, leaning in to kiss me before he turned and strode away, all relaxed and smiling. Meanwhile, I was about to do a fucking walk of shame through most of the population of the school.
No one said anything, but that didn’t stop them from staring.
“Nothing to see here,” I finally said, biting the words out. “Mind your own business.”
A few smirks and then people went back to whatever bullshit they’d been doing before I’d stepped out and created a scene.
“They’re just not used to anyone being in Alex’s room,” Nolan said, falling into step with me.
I hadn’t even noticed him there, and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved that he’d been in the hall to witness my humiliation.
“Alex doesn’t date girls?”
Nolan snorted. “He fucks girls and sends them on their way. You’re the first to make it until morning.”
Oh, well, that was both awesome and gross at the same time.
“Were you here to check up on me?” I asked, wondering if his appearance was a coincidence or not. Nolan’s room was nowhere near Alex’s, so why was he in this hall? “And shouldn’t you be heading for the soccer field?”
Nolan shot me a measured stare. “Mattie was worried about you. We all were. You shouldn’t just turn your palm reader off, especially after what happened with Brandon.”
Immense guilt slammed into me, and I wondered how I’d turned into the shitty friend. “I’m really sorry,” I said softly. “I just wanted to be with Alex and not have all the judgment.”
At the end of the day, that had been the reason. I hadn’t wanted anyone to talk me out of spending the night with him.
“The fact that we knew you were with Alex and we still worried should tell you everything you need to know about him,” Nolan said shortly.
A sigh escaped because I knew there was no way I was ever changing their minds about the Australasian prince. The hatred was deeply ingrained after all these years. Mattie had slightly come around, but the guys … not a chance.
“Anyway, I’d better get to team meeting,” Nolan added, before glancing at my palm reader. “And you should reply to those messages.”
I nodded, and he leaned over and kissed my cheek before turning to walk away. My chest hurt, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.
Back in my room, I took another shower and changed into some torn-up jeans, black boots that ended just above the cuffs, and a long-sleeved black shirt. It was freezing outside, so I added a biker jacket to match the boots, figuring I could take it off in the heated stadium.
A loud knock on the door startled me just as I was grabbing my palm reader. “The fuck, bitch?” Mattie said as the door swung open.
I laughed. “Good morning to you as well. Glad to see the princess decorum classes are paying off.”