At the very least, I’d been given the opportunity to throw him one last kick-ass party.
It was a wild affair. All of our friends began to gather in my hotel suite, bringing along gifts and booze and gorgeous women on their arms. The music was blaring over the suite’s intricate sound system. There was no doubt in my mind we were going to get a noise complaint, but I could easily handle any fees should they arise. People were dancing up a storm in the living room, grinding against one another as their drinks went straight to their heads.
Andrew found me amidst the crowd and clapped me on the shoulder. His cheeks and nose were bright red, eyes half-hooded, the stink of beer radiating from his mouth.
“My man!” he cheered, slinging his arm over my neck. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
I laughed. “Not nearly enough,” I yelled over the music.
“I love you,” he slurred. “You’re the best. The greatest earl to ever live. The best!”
“You already said that.”
“Oh, are those hors d’oeuvres? You really thought of everything!”
I slipped out from beneath the weight of his crushing arm and gently nudged him in the direction of the table full of little snacks. “Knock yourself out, mate.”
I took a step back from the crowd and admired the business. The noise, the movement, the colorful lights that flashed in sync with the music. This was what I lived for. I couldn’t see myself settling down like Andrew could. I supposed there was nothing wrong with it. I was a young man in my prime, a real go-getter. Time was a finite thing for someone like me. When I returned home, it would be nothing but responsibilities and taking care of the estate. Such was the life of prince. A lesser-known prince, but still. So, while I was here, away from all the crippling expectations and pompous circumstance, I was going to enjoy every second of freedom.
I happened to be close enough to the front door to hear someone knocking. I peered through the little peephole to find a familiar blonde waiting on the other side.
“Miss Milch,” I cheered, answering so quickly a rush of air whipped past the both of us from the momentum of the door’s swing. “I’m glad you decided to drop–”
All of the words in my vocabulary fell out of my head upon seeing Hannah in her tight black dress that had a plunging neckline. The fabric hugged her curves in a way that made it impossible to look away. From her voluptuous wide hips to her full breasts to the sleek curve of her back –I was amazed. When I saw her at the receptionist’s counter yesterday evening, I happened to think she was cute. But now I found myself face to face with an absolute goddess and I wasn’t too sure how long I’d been standing there in stunned silence. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was curled into an adorable messy bob, which somehow drew my attention directly to her vibrant amber eyes.
“Are… Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?” she asked sheepishly, tugging at the thin strap of her dress. She nibbled on her lower lip and I think I nearly died. How was it possible for someone to look as beautiful as she did? I knew it sounded like a cliché, but surely Hannah must have been an angel plucked straight from the heavens.
I stepped out of the way and swept my arm out in a grand gesture. “Come on in,” I said, keeping my voice as level as possible.
The little smile she gave me nearly fried my brain. “Thanks,” she said as one of the waiters I’d hired from the bar downstairs passed by and handed her a champagne flute.
I placed my hand on her back. Not too low, because let’s face it. I was still a gentleman.
Hannah looked about the space, clearly dazzled by the extravagance of the party, judging by the cute little twinkle in her eyes.
I leaned in so she could hear me over the music. “Would you like to dance?”
She raised her champagne flute. “I have two left feet. Maybe I’ll stick to drinking for a bit.”
I shrugged, snapping up a fresh glass of champagne off of a passing waiter’s serving tray. “You’re about three drinks behind, then.” I tipped my head back and drained my refreshment. “Make that four.”
Hannah smirked, her grin a little crooked. It was actually kind of charming. There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that told me she was up for the challenge. She followed by example, dipping her head back to down her drink in one go.
I clapped my hands and laughed. “This is going to be fun.”
“Is that a promise?” she quipped without missing a beat.
I grabbed another two glasses of champagne, handing her one. I winked at her, relishing the way her cheeks flushed bright pink. “To wilder nights,” I cheered.