Page 4 of My Dark Prince
“The only person you’re going to embarrass is yourself.”
Lie.If he wanted to, Ollie could compete professionally. As soon as he could walk without toppling over, his Prussian grandmother, a six-time Blackpool winner, taught him the box step.
“I’m too hot for my own good.” He led me to the center of the dancefloor and stopped. “I have to suck at something.”
Head bowed, he peered up at me. He wore a mischievous glint in his eyes and a dangerous smirk on his bee-stung lips. My heart exploded into a million butterflies. With my parents gone, would this be our last summer together? The thought sent bile up my gut. I swallowed it down, placing my palm in his outstretched hand. As soon as his fingers clasped mine, the song died down.
I jerked my arm back, hoping my cheeks didn’t betray my nerves. “Saved by the bell.”
He straightened, retrieving my hand as if it were natural. “Just wait.”
On cue, the orchestra began Tchaikovsky’sThe Sleeping Beauty. His chuckle trickled into my ears like Corinthian bells. I made the mistake of glancing up at him, just in time to catch him light up. He was too lovely. It was so unfair. He should be ugly as sin. Then I’d have him all to myself and still love him, not even an ounce less. That was Oliver’s best kept secret. His gorgeous exterior was no match for how perfect he was within.
He laced an arm around my back, tugging me closer. “Well, well, if it isn’t your song.”
“My song?” I blinked, trying desperately to anchor myself to the present. To forget the bomb my parents had dropped before Ollie had arrived.
“Yeah. You’re the sleeping beauty, silly.”
“I am very much awake … though a nap sounds just about right,” I joked, uncomfortable with how older couples cleared the way for us, their eyes lingering on our smooth movements.
From the outside, it must’ve looked like Ollie and I had practiced for years. We moved together like a river meeting an ocean, spinning and swirling, our bodies tangled tight. I pretended for one sweet moment that he was mine, and I was his. That my parents didn’t betray me. And that I knew, and had always known, the love of a home. One with a heartbeat, not an address.
“Your name is Briar Rose, just like the princess.” Ollie dipped me while our arms stretched. “Plus, you look like her.”
“She’s a fictional character, Oliver.” I raised my leg, tipping my toes to the sky.
Around us, people clapped. Five minutes ago, they hadn’t even noticed me a gust of wind away from death.
“So? You’re a dead ringer for the Disney character.” He studied me with hungry eyes. “Long, dark-blonde hair, arched brows, pink lips.” He paused and frowned, taking a better look at my face. “No fingernails.”
This time, he earned a genuine laugh. I swatted his chest. No way did he make me laugh after the news I’d heard. Like always, Oliver managed the impossible.
“I do have fingernails.” I waved my hands to prove my point.
“Barely. You munch on them like they’re fucking spice cakes, dude.”
“I lead a stressful life, okay?”
“I get it. It’s hard being so beautiful and smart when everyone around you is average. I have the same problem. We should start a club.”
Another wave of laughter rolled through my chest. “Knock it off. You’re being annoying.”
“Made you smile.” His eyes twinkled with humor. “Knew I could, too. I’m irresistible like that.”
You have no idea.
I returned my hand to his, sobering up. “How was your year?”
“Hmm. Let’s see.” He tipped me down, my breasts leveled with his eyes. Well, breasts was a big word for what they were. “School was fine. My dad is building three more hotels in Japan, which means he hasn’t been home as much.”
“How was that?”
“No one noticed.”
I knew he was kidding in the same way I knew he loved his family fiercely. In our circles, people treated their families like trading cards, something to be shuffled around when the need arose. Against all odds, the von Bismarcks actuallylikedeach other.
I pouted, rubbing my thumb against his wrist. “I’m sorry you spent the year away from your dad.”
