Page 108 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)
Enjoying Eli’s company has been a dangerous secret to keep, but I think we’ve both enjoyed the deception. The hidden smiles and looks.
I thought I was living before he came into my life, but I was numb.
And I think he’s been numb, too.
Together, we brought color back into our minds. A kaleidoscope of emotions I hadn’t realized was closed off to me is suddenly accessible again.
“Ready?” Eli asks, smiling down at me.
I nod.
He kisses me quickly on the lips, there and then gone.
Maybe no one will be fazed. They’ll say, Oh, of course. We knew you two were circling each other for the better part of a year. This was bound to happen.
Besides, there’s the whole stereotypical lacrosse player and cheerleader thing. It’s almost meant to happen.
Amelie might be pissed, though.
She made it perfectly clear that the golden boys—Caleb, Eli, Theo, Liam—are the worst of the bunch. Every time Eli and I talked, even if it was to insult each other, she’d glare at us.
We make our way up the sidewalk.
There isn’t the usual loud music pouring from the house, and the curtains are drawn closed. Light slips out, illuminating the front lawn and walkway, but if I didn’t know any better, I’d say this was going to be a quiet affair.
Usually the music is so loud, it can’t be contained. Our ears always ring after it’s gone, too. An echo of the party staying with us.
“Are they going to freak out?” Sudden nerves twist my stomach.
I’ve been feeling on the verge of nausea all week, but this moment cements it. I’m ready to hurl.
He stops. “Listen, Riley.”
I tilt my head.
“Whatever happens, whatever their reaction…” He blows out a breath. “I don’t want anything to change between us. Fuck them, you know?”
“Right,” I say slowly. “You think they’re going to react badly?”
He frowns, then shakes his head. “Not at all. But trying to predict a cheerleader’s mood—”
I smack him, and he bursts out laughing.
“See?”
I try to withhold my smile. I can never last long, though, and soon it’s breaking across my face. I reach up on my toes, and he graces my lips with another kiss.
He lingers this time, and my face slowly heats.
“Let’s do this,” he says.
We climb the porch stairs and enter. The music is louder in here, but not so bad as to kill my hearing. It’s also…
“Are they playing classical music?” I whisper to Eli.
He shrugs. “Maybe Amelie’s sister switched it as a prank?”
We walk farther inside. My palm is hot on his arm, but he doesn’t complain. The party area is in the back of the house, down a few steps. The kitchen and living room are open, and they lead out onto an impressive patio with a pool. It’s a very airy home, built for entertaining.