We needed to talk things out, but I was afraid of making things worse. I was just so relieved he hadn’t walked away from me. “I don’t know. Right now I just want to curl up in bed with you.”
“Your wish is my command.” He picked me up and carried me upstairs.
I was snuggling into his side when he whispered in my ear. “I’m glad you don’t need extra adrenaline when we’re together.”
“What?” I sat up.
He grinned. “I never imagined you’d like to have sex when you think you’ll get caught.”
“What? Did Hailey tell you?”
“Of course not. We have all of Toby’s calls and messages recorded. I was a little surprised at first, but anyone who actually knew you would have figured out it wasn’t you. ‘How could I ever be over you or your body?’ That’s not Allie talk. It was Anne, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” I buried my face in his shoulder.
“I liked your response to not being able to walk after a night with him. Is that supposed to be a good thing? Now that’s more like you.”
“You’re mighty calm about this.”
“It’s easy to be when you’re in bed with me. I have to admit, it’s a good thing you told me that Toby kissed you. The hot tub comment may have sent me on a war path otherwise.”
“Yeah… I think Hailey was in shock.”
“You didn’t tell her?”
“I felt too icky. I told you because I needed it all out in the open.”
“Are you more awake now?”
“Why?” I picked my head up.
“You bailed on me for dinner, but I did bring you back something.”
“What?”
“Hold on.” He dashed out of bed and I heard him taking the stairs two at a time. He reappeared a minute later. I knew what would be in his hand before he stepped through the doorway.
“Whipped cream?”
“I’d take you and whipped cream over Bananas Foster any day.” He referred to the Brennan’s dessert specialty I loved.
“You’re forgetting something very important.”
“And what’s that?” He pulled back the blankets.
“I’m the one who’s going to be enjoying the whipped cream.”
Chapter Fourteen
“What exactly is a Maid supposed to do?” Anne asked as we sat squashed in the back of Michelle’s Camry on the way to a fitting. Michelle was the only one of us allowed to keep a car on campus, since the rest of us were freshman.
“We’re supposed to smile and look pretty, and to make sure Allie doesn’t ruin her dress when she uses the bathroom.” Michelle looked at us in the rearview mirror.
Anne nodded. “Got it. We’re like bridesmaids.”
“Except the ball isn’t my wedding.” I fidgeted. Being stuck in the middle seat is never fun.
“Nope, that’s not until this summer.” Hailey turned back to look at us. I could tell she’d been grinning when she made the wedding comment. “I can’t wait to see my dress.” Hailey may have been talking about the outfit, but it was the position she was most excited about.
“Are our dresses going to be like Hailey’s?” Tiffany asked. “Or are they just a little different?”
“Probably similar, but they won’t be quite as fancy.” Michelle turned onto the Laurents’ street. My stomach churned the way it always did when I thought about seeing Robert.
Tiffany put a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe he won’t be home. He isn’t exactly going to be part of the fitting.”
“You’re right. I don’t know why I let him intimidate me so much.”
She smiled. “He’s a supernatural king and your future father-in-law. I think I know why.”
“Maybe it isn’t so crazy…”
Michelle pulled into the drive, and even she looked nervous as she stepped out. I’d insisted Hailey sit in front in hopes that the two would talk, but I don’t think it did any good. They both jumped to walk in at my side. I held back a smile. Like there was any competition. Everyone knew whose side I’d take every time. Still, I was glad Michelle was going to be a maid. I knew it was an important olive branch to extend.
Helen opened the door with a huge grin on her face. “Come in, come in.” She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before greeting the rest of the girls. We followed her back into her sewing room.
“Is that Allie’s dress?” Anne’s mouth fell open when she caught sight of my gown. “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing.”
“I’m so glad you think so.” Helen beamed. “Should we do Allie first, or do you girls want to see your dresses?”
“Allie first. I can’t wait.” Hailey grinned. My expression matched hers. I hadn’t had time to think about it much over the past few weeks, but I was definitely excited to try it on again. I still couldn’t believe how little time had passed. Jess hadn’t even missed her first day of class yet because NYU was still on break. Suddenly, I lost all interest in trying it on. I wasn’t supposed to be enjoying things. My head throbbed and I felt dizzy.
“Allie? Are you okay?” Helen asked with concern.
“Yeah, I was just thinking about something.”
“Why don’t you take a seat, sweetie. We’ll let the girls go first.” She put a hand on my shoulder.
I smiled, glad she let it go so easily. I took a seat on an upholstered chair and watched my friends try on their black dresses. The Maid dresses were similar to Hailey’s but they didn’t have the ruby embellishment. Each dress was cut a little differently. Anne’s was strapless, Tiffany’s was a halter, and Michelle’s had spaghetti straps. It was hard to stay in a bad mood watching everyone dressing up. I had a smile on my face when I tried on my gown again. This time I had my silver heels with me. The room went speechless when Helen zipped me up.
“Wow. Levi is going to die.” Anne actually jumped up and down.
“He is, isn’t he?” Helen smiled. I wondered if it was awkward for her to talk about her son like that.
“Is there anything else we need to do or bring that night?” Tiffany asked.
“Just yourselves. I have escorts set up for everyone.”
“Escorts?” Tiffany asked nervously.
“You didn’t have to go through all of that trouble Mrs. Laurent.” Hailey smiled politely, but I could tell she was nervous about who she’d be paired up with.
“Tiffany, you’ll be with Jared. Anne, you’re with Owen.”
“Owen? Nice.” Anne grinned. Hailey shook her head. “What? I’m not gonna lie. Your brother’s hot.”
Tiffany hadn’t said a word, but she paled. We all knew she had a crush on Jared, but I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about having him as a date for the evening.
“Who am I paired up with?” Michelle asked impatiently. I could tell she was struggling to be polite.
Helen smiled. “As is expected, you will both be paired with humans.”
“What humans?” Hailey asked.
“Kyle and Kent Applewood.”
“Mark Applewood’s sons?” Michelle asked, her mouth hanging open.
“Yes, their father is Mark Applewood.” Helen smiled. She had expected the reaction.
“And I thought going with a prince was pretty cool.” I laughed. The Applewoods owned several major sport franchises in the southeast. They were some of the most eligible bachelors of our generation.
“Your date’s been waiting to escort you for a long time.” Helen smiled before putting a few pins in my dress.
“There’s no one else I’d rather go with.” I meant it with all my heart.
***
The next few weeks flew by, and I still hadn’t heard anything about Jess. I pretended to concentrate on my school work, but it was impossible. The only reason I was looking forward to the ball was that it was another opportunity to meet others in The Society.
“There’s one more thing.” Hailey held out a wooden box with a crow engraved on the top. We were all getting ready in my suite at the hotel. The ball was being held downstairs.
“Is this…”
“Yeah.”
I opened the box and gasped as I touched the glittering ruby tiara. “This can’t be for real.”
“Wow, that’s gorgeous.” Anne came up behind me. “Put it on.”
I was awe struck. It was a real tiara, the kind that only a princess would wear. “I can’t. My hands are shaking.”
“I’ll do it.” Hailey picked it up and placed it on my head. I was wearing my hair mostly down with just a little pulled back. Levi always loved when I wore it that way.
“How does it look?” I asked because everyone was staring at me.
“Incredible. You look incredible.” Michelle smiled.
I walked into the bathroom so I could look at myself in the full-length mirror. “I can’t believe I actually get to wear all of this.”
“You look gorgeous.” Tiffany put a hand on my arm.
“So do you. All of you look amazing.” They did. I hoped their dates were prepared.
“Are we ready, then?” Hailey asked.
I let out a slow, deep breath. “Yes. Are the guys waiting?”
“I think they’re in the lobby. We can head down, but why don’t you wait here for Levi,” Michelle suggested.
“That’s probably a good idea.” I was nervous, and Levi had a way of calming me down.
“See you in a few.” Hailey squeezed my hand before walking out of the room.
A knock on the door let me know Levi was there already. I opened it, stepping back to let him in.
“You—you look—” He appeared awe struck too.
“Are you actually speechless?”
He nodded. “Almost. You look amazing.” He reached out for my hands. “Absolutely amazing.”
“You look great, too.” He did. I loved how his tux fit him perfectly. It was charcoal gray with a vest—a different look for him, and it worked just like all the others.
“Not like you.” He let go of one of my hands so he could twirl me around. “I really don’t want to leave this room, but I’ll admit I do want to show you off.”
“I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
“Why would you? You look incredible. All you have to do is smile and be yourself.”
“Everyone’s going to be sizing me up, trying to see if you picked the right mate.” It was easy to forget that as far as anyone else knew, Levi had just randomly found a mate.
“Oh, I picked the right mate.” He leaned over and kissed me lightly. “I want to do a whole lot more than that, but I’ll probably be killed if I mess up your hair and makeup.”
“Probably. We should go anyway. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Ready, my love?” He held out his arm.
I linked my arm with his. “Ready.”
We kissed again in the elevator, and his lips promised that there would be a lot more to follow later.
When we reached the lobby, we walked directly to the ballroom. Levi’s parents waited in the foyer, right in front of the large entrance doors. I could hear music from within the room, and I wondered what the guests were doing. Would they all be waiting for us to come in?
“Breathtaking.” Helen embraced me warmly.
“You look amazing, and thanks so much for this gorgeous dress.”
“She enjoyed making it, Allie, and you do look stunning.” Robert gave me that unnerving smile of his.
“Thank you.”
“Are they ready for us?” Levi nodded to the closed doors of the ballroom.
Robert waved his arm. “Make your entrance.”
“Show time.” Levi squeezed my hand.
He knocked on the door twice and both doors swung open for us. I let him lead me through the dark entryway. We took a few steps in and my breath hitched. The room was absolutely incredible. I’d been in plenty of ballrooms, but none had ever looked like this one did that night. Strings of crystal and ruby lights hung down from the ceilings, while the dance floor was lined with red roses, each with tiny crystals tied onto the stems. But it wasn’t the décor that made me lose my breath, it was the people. The room was full of elegantly dressed men and woman who were all watching us. If it weren’t for Levi’s strong hand on my back, I might have had a serious problem continuing into the room. I’m usually not intimidated by large crowds, but knowing that the most important and influential members of The Society and the world were in that room was a lot to handle.
Levi led me over to the side just as his father and mother walked in. Helen didn’t look even remotely nervous as she made her elegant entrance. I wondered if I’d ever be as comfortable with it.
Robert and Helen stopped in the middle of the dance floor. Robert nodded to Levi, and we joined them.
Robert cleared his throat and waited for the voices to quiet. “Welcome. We are thrilled to have each of you here tonight. This has been an exciting year for our family and The Society. Most importantly, Leviathan has selected his mate, and your future queen. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her well over the past few months, and I assure you, she will be excellent for the position.”
Gotten to know me well? I don’t think I would have put it quite that way.
“Although traditionally my queen and I would have the first dance, we have decided to hand that honor over to Leviathan and Allison tonight.”
I took a deep breath as a waltz began to play. Levi led me perfectly, and I was able to forget everything else around me. The last time he’d danced with me in such a formal setting, he told me he loved me. I told him I didn’t feel the same way. I couldn’t believe it had been less than six months since that night.
The crowd broke into applause as the song ended. I leaned up and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Al. I love you, too.” He took my hand and led me over to the side so his parents could take their turn.
“Wow, you guys are the most adorable couple ever.” Anne dragged Owen with her as she came to join us.
“We are, aren’t we?” Levi put an arm around my shoulder.
“You make it sound like you’ve never seen them together.” Owen seemed to like arguing with Anne. She brought out a weird side in him.
She turned to him with a hand on her hip. “They just look so different tonight—so royal.”
“Because they are royal. He’s the prince and she’s his princess.”
Anne tapped Tiffany on the shoulder. “Tiff, can we change dates? Mine’s defective.”
Levi and I both laughed.
Jared answered for the speechless Tiffany. By the smile on her face earlier, she had no interest in changing dates. “I’d be happy to be both of your dates.” Jared raised an eyebrow.
“No, that won’t be necessary.” Owen took Anne’s arm. “Let’s give Allie and Levi some space.”
Jared and Tiffany followed them.
“Wow…drama.” Levi laughed.
“I know…normally I’d say it’s a lovers’ spat, but I really don’t think they’ve slept together.”
“Who’s slept together?” Hailey came up behind us, without her date.
“Your brother and Anne.” Levi grinned.
“Ewww, please tell me they haven’t.”
“They haven’t. Ignore him.” I rolled my eyes. “Where’s your date, Hail?”
“My escort was boring me to death talking about football.”
I laughed. “It’s kind of early in the night to get bored.”
“Maybe he wants me to do what Michelle’s doing with his brother.”
I followed her gaze to where Michelle was hanging all over her date. “The Applewoods are cute.”
“Excuse me?” Levi put an arm around my waist.
“I said cute. You’re hot and sexy, big difference.”
“Hot and sexy?” He pulled me against his side. “And you haven’t even had anything to drink yet.”
I bit my lip flirtatiously. “You could change that.” Levi and I always teased each other, and I loved it. Toby and I were so much more fo
rmal about things. I could really be myself with Levi, and I was pretty sure he could say the same thing.
“I will.” He kissed my forehead before leaving Hailey and I to talk. I had to give Levi credit, he always knew when that’s what I wanted.
“You two made quite the entrance.” Hailey fidgeted with her bracelet.
“Yeah? Did I look okay?”
“Fantastic. All the guys who hadn’t seen you yet are now joking about how Levi’s never going to get anything done.”
“What? Oh. Because we’ll be in bed a lot?”
“Lovely conversation topic, huh?”
“Well, if someone says it in front of you again, just say it’s a good thing Pterons don’t need a lot of sleep.”
Hailey laughed. “I’m glad you’re in a good mood. I’ve been worried.”
“Yeah, I know I’ve been a grump. I’m just—”
“Scared for Jess? I understand. I swear we’re going to get her.”
“I know.”
“Miss me?” Levi handed me a drink. I didn’t need to taste it to know what kind it was.
“A little.”
His arms came around me, and he pulled me back into his chest. “It’s kind of painful to be apart tonight. You look so good.”
“Don’t I look just as good from a distance?”
“Yes, but then I can’t touch you.”
“And on that note, I’m going to find my date.” Hailey nodded toward where he stood watching us. “I might need a drink first though.”
I laughed. “I’m sure you can find something to talk about.”
“We’ll see.” Hailey gave me a half wave before disappearing into the crowd.
“Ready to make the rounds?” Levi ran a hand down my bare arm. It gave me goose bumps.
“Sure. Ready as I’ll ever be.” I took a quick sip of the signature drink Levi still hadn’t told me the name of.
“All right, my princess, let’s meet the rest of your subjects.”
“Do you have to use terms like that?”
“What? It’s the truth.” He slipped his arm over my shoulder.
“It just makes things weirder.”
“Did you forget what’s on your head, love?” He touched my tiara.
“No.” How could I forget? The thing weighed a lot. That’s something people don’t tell you, a real tiara is heavy.
Found (The Crescent Chronicles #3) Page 11