Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

“She’s a student, her dad is a fucking Crown, Ares. You know this,” he tells me, but there’s a hint of a smirk that only irritates me further. He’s such an asshole. I’d love to deck him in the jaw, watch him go down, and walk out of this fucking house. But he knows I can’t. I’m meant to behave.

He turns away from me, pulling a blonde onto his lap as he settles on the couch our folks bought on their last trip to Italy. The white leather is a pain in the ass to keep clean, and I’m certain, after tonight, it will be curbside or heading to a charity store.

“Get the fuck out,” I spin on my heel and glare at Kelli who’s now pouting at both brothers ignoring her. It’s been years since I’ve wanted to fuck her, and having her here is nothing more than an annoyance.

“If you want me to leave, you’ll have to throw me out yourself,” she bites back, and I’m about to do just that when my gaze lands on someone behind her. The girl staring directly at me captures me more than Kelli ever did. Her gaze darts away, and her cheeks pink. Well, hello there. I think before looking at Kelli again.

“Suit yourself.” Smirking, I saunter by her causing her to huff in frustration. She thought she’d get a rise out of me, and normally, she would’ve, but this time, I have a new distraction to introduce myself to.

When I reach her, I notice her hands are twined around each other. Her fingers tremble as she glances around, not really looking at me. But the moment I step foot in front of her, those wide blue eyes meet mine.

“You’re new,” I tell her. Clearly, I’m off my game, stating the obvious. But being close to Dahlia isn’t as easy as I thought it would be as her perfume wafts my way.

She smiles, nods, and murmurs, “Well done. You’re very perceptive.” Her body is encased in soft, silky material I’d love to rip off. Perhaps she’ll allow me to do just that after I’ve gotten to know more about her. Tonight, I have my challenge set before me, and it’s to see what this beauty has beneath her black dress.

“How about I show you around?”

“Oh, it’s okay. I’m with a friend.” She waves her hand in the air, but I don’t see anyone else around her. She turns to look behind her and notices her so-called friend is nowhere to be seen.

“It seems she might have forgotten you’re here,” I remark, arching a brow when she glances back my way.

Her eyes remind me of a gemstone, the blue glinting in the lights coming from my mother’s fancy chandeliers. I wonder just how pretty those blues would shimmer with lust burning in them.

“I-I guess she’s found something to distract her,” she tells me. “You’re the guy who did that glass trick.” This time, she lifts her hand to clamp it over her mouth when she recognizes me from earlier.

I saw her watching me. I knew I had to speak to her, and now that I’m inches from her, I want more. The moment the thought crosses my mind, some drunk asshole bumps into her, causing her slender frame to slam into mine.

Instinctively, my arms shoot out to steady her, practically picking her up and placing her behind me. I grab the asshole who looks far too young to even be in college and drag him to the door.

I can feel her behind me, following me to the circular driveway, she watches as I launch him onto the cobbled stones. A grunt falls from him, his gaze lifting up to meet mine as I peer down at him.

“Hey man, what’s your beef?” He swipes his hands over his jeans as he pushes up to stand in front of me.

“This is my fucking house, and if I feel you’ve had enough, it’s time for you to leave,” I bite out. The gasp that sounds behind me makes my jeans feel tighter, and I can’t wait to hear more of those sounds fall from her plump, glossy lips.

Once the asshole is booted, I turn to the little flower who’s captured my attention. She’s stunning. I shouldn’t be so entranced by her, but I can’t stop my roving appraisal. Her long dark hair hangs to the middle of her back, and those wide circles of cerulean turn my blood hot and my body rigid.

I reach for her chin with my thumb and forefinger, tilting her head back, so she’s looking directly at me before I question, “Are you okay?”

She smiles, her cheeks tinting with a hint of a blush, and I’m thankful for the darkness shrouding us or she’d notice my growing bulge, which is ready to fuck her into next week.