Playboy Princes: Royals of Arbon Academy

by Eve, Jaymin

  Nolan barked a laugh as he relaxed. "Of course she does."

  "She's planning her own party?" Jordan asked, and I gave a small nod. "Cool. It'll be fun. Mattie always throws great parties, and if Drake is hosting one the same night, we won't need to worry about Alex and his slimy hands all over you."

  My palm reader buzzed, and I gave it a quick glance. "I better run, Mattie's already at my room. Catch you guys later?"

  "You bet," Jordan replied, giving me a warm smile. "Thanks for coming to check on me. That was really sweet of you."

  I could feel Rafe and Nolan staring at me, and suddenly everything seemed all too... personal. Feelings-y.

  A flutter of awkwardness washed through me, and I peeled myself free of Nolan's side hug. "No worries." Without sticking around to make things even weirder, I hurried away and raced up the stairs to the girls wing.

  Chapter 10

  I eyed the colorful pile of silk and lace spread out across my bed with wariness and suspicion.

  "Where's the rest?" I finally asked Mattie after standing there in confusion for way too long.

  She frowned back at me. "The rest of what?"

  I waved a hand at the clothing on my bed. No, not clothing. Lingerie.

  "You said you were bringing outfit options."

  Mattie flipped her perfect copper hair and gave me a puzzled look. "Yeah, and…?"

  "You only brought underwear."

  "Uh," she replied, running her eyes over the array of delicate fabrics. "No, I brought lingerie."

  I rolled my eyes. Something I did a lot with her. "Okay, so I repeat. Where's the rest?"

  Mattie squinted at me. "Babe, I feel like you've missed the point of a lingerie party. These are the outfit options."

  "What?" I shrieked. "Since when is this a lingerie party? Mattie! What the hell?"

  She huffed, folding her arms over her chest. "Girl, I told you it was." She paused, her brow dipping in thought. "Didn't I? I'm sure I mentioned it. Or... if nothing else, I definitely meant to."

  "Oh my god," I groaned, falling forward onto my bed. "Mattie..."

  "Oh, stop it," she chastised me, whacking me on the butt with...

  "Did you just smack me with a pearl thong?"

  My friend held up the item in her hand to inspect, then grinned. "Oops, my personal shopper must have gotten carried away. Don't worry, they're all brand new. See? Tags attached." She showed me a price tag with a jaw-dropping figure on it. "No flap sweat has touched this pair. Yet." With a giggle, she tucked the pearl thong into her handbag, then turned back to me with a serious scowl. "Now, pick your outfit, Violet Rose Spencer. I want to see at least two princes cracking hard-ons when they see you tonight, or I've failed as your best friend."

  "Only two?" I joked. "Aim higher, girl." But my mind had already started playing out fantasies of the two princes that I hoped she meant... and their hard dicks.

  Fuck. Somehow it was getting worse. And I had seriously too many issues to deal with to be in this state of constant arousal over them.

  Yet, here we were.

  “So if we have to wear,” I said, flicking my fingers toward the scraps of lace, “that. What do the guys wear?”

  Mattie grinned, and suddenly I was much more interested in this little party.

  “Girl, you just wait and see.”

  Fuck, now that wasn’t playing fair. But I was intrigued, so her work here was done.

  Moving back to the pile, I shifted through them with more interest, finally settling on a black set. It was not as revealing as some of the lingerie, but it had these lace panels that cut down on the ass cheeks and across the top of the bra. It felt like it covered more, but there was a lot of skin peeking through.

  Stepping out of the bathroom, I had on the underwear, black heels, and a lace shawl that scraped the top of my thighs.

  “Are you sure this is normal?” I asked, running a hand over myself. “I’m practically naked.”

  Mattie’s eyes were wide as she gave me a once-over. “Holy shit, Violet. You look incredible. I don’t even understand why you wear clothes when you have that bangin’ body underneath.”

  Shaking my head at her, I let out a low sigh. “This is the physique I need to be a good fighter, and it’s better that people don’t realize I’m a good fighter until after I’ve kicked their ass. I like to hide this side until I need to bring it out. ”

  Mattie shrugged. “I’ll take your word for it. Personally, I like to let my assets shine.”

  She grabbed a set and disappeared into the bathroom, returning a minute later dressed completely in red.

  Unlike mine, hers was a thong, skinny straps across her hips the only thing holding it all together. Her bra didn't offer much more in the way of coverage, but I couldn’t actually see nipple. Not really.

  “You look hot,” I said with a smirk. “Even if I can tell you have a fully waxed vag in that piece of string.”

  Mattie laughed, her tits almost bursting free. “I won’t be the skimpiest dressed there. I can promise you that.”

  I held both hands up. “No judgment here. You wear whatever you’re comfortable with. Everyone else can get fucked.”

  She high-fived me, and then got straight to work on our hair and makeup. By the time we were ready to head to her party, we were flawlessly made up, and apparently, ready to rock out in our underwear.

  The hall was silent when we left, and I took a second to check my palm reader. I’d been decidedly ignoring it for the last few hours, turning it to silent.

  Twelve missed calls and twenty messages flashed up at me. Alex.

  Not tonight, dickhead. I’d deal with you tomorrow.

  Tonight, I was getting shitfaced.

  I was definitely gonna slip a nip at some point, but it’d be worth it to forget Alex for a few hours.

  Mattie led us along the silent hall, and I followed. I wasn’t closely paying attention to where we were going, but I was almost certain I’d never been here before.

  “Dean Morgan isn’t exactly aware I’m throwing this party,” she whispered, and I fought down my laughter.

  “Shocker.”

  She shrugged, the red straps of her bra moving across the dark creaminess of her skin. “He only thinks he owns this school. We’re the ones who are really in charge.”

  Truth. The royals owned everything.

  We ended up in a section of the school I definitely had not been to. It was a series of function rooms that all seemed to lead into a gigantic ballroom.

  “This is where the dance will be held soon,” Mattie said, no longer whispering. Apparently we were pretty far from the main part of the academy now. “We’re just going to utilize one of the smaller rooms out the back.”

  Good plan because the ballroom would hold ten thousand easily. Mattie was popular, but not that popular.

  We crossed the huge room to get to this smaller one, and as we got closer to the far side of the ballroom, I heard the music.

  “My people set it all up,” Mattie said, already moving her hips. “My door guys will stop any unwelcome assholes. It’s going to be amazing.”

  My heartrate picked up, and it wasn’t just the heavy bass pumping from behind the closed door. It was the thought of who might be on the other side.

  Mattie opened the door quickly, and two beefy dudes stepped forward as the music spilled out through the gap. The second they caught sight of Mattie, they averted their eyes but still managed to bow their heads. “Princess,” both of them said.

  “Nice job, boys,” Mattie said, striding into the room. “Appreciate your hard work.”

  They bowed again before resuming their positions at the door.

  “Oh, and this is my bestie, Violet. Keep an eye on her too, please.”

  She strolled off into the crowd then, leaving me awkwardly standing as two men tried to look at me, but not below my face. They were definitely professional, I’d give them that.

  “I can take care of myself,” I said before I abruptly turned
and marched after Mattie. I should never have agreed to wear an outfit I couldn’t conceal my weapon in. Although…

  A quick glance around told me that no one was concealing weapons here tonight, and at least that was some comfort.

  “Tits and ass everywhere, am I right?” Nolan all but slammed into me, smelling of tequila and sexy man. He wore…

  “What the fuck are you wearing?” I asked him, my eyes drawn to the tiny pouch that covered his dick and basically nothing else.

  Nolan had a ripped-as-fuck body, smaller than Jordan’s or Rafe’s, but definitely sports toned. All of it was on display, except what was covered by the dick-pouch. Even his entire ass cheeks were out there for the world to see.

  “You and Mattie suffer from zero confidence issues,” I said drily, and his smile grew.

  “Fuck hiding your body from the world.” He ran his gaze across me. “Especially with a body like that, New Girl. I get the hype. I really fucking get it.”

  I whacked him across his stomach. “Twincest, remember. Let’s dial it back.”

  Nolan threw his hands up. “Just making an observation. Like I said, there’s no room for another dick on your dance card. And that being the case, I’m taking mine somewhere else.”

  Shaking my head at the words that came out of that dude’s mouth, I moved further into the party, not sure I’d ever seen so much skin on display. Even at the pool.

  The room was dark though, allowing us the illusion of privacy, with strobe lights flashing on the main dance floor. Making my way to the bar, I ordered two cocktails straight up.

  “Whatever is gonna fuck me up,” I said to the chick taking my order.

  Her lips twitched. “I gotchu.”

  She was back in a few minutes with what she called “death by sunrise,” and I smiled in anticipation. She waved away the cash I pulled out for a tip. “All included. Just enjoy and be safe.”

  She was gone then, and I downed the first one in about one minute, picking up the second as Mattie found me.

  “Dude! You’re drinking death by sunrise. They make the flaming illusions look like soda. I’m super proud of you.”

  I snorted, the alcohol already going to my head. “I always wanted a friend who was a bad influence. I’m so glad it’s you.”

  Mattie laughed, throwing her arms around me. “I just overheard Zach, the fucking man-whore asshole pig-face, arguing with my bouncers over why he wasn’t allowed in. I’m pretty glad I stuck him on the blacklist. He’ll probably slink off to Drake’s party and bang any chick who will have him, but whatever.” She shrugged like she didn’t care, even though she clearly did. “All in all, Violet Rose Spencer, I think my lingerie party this year is going well.”

  “You do this every year…”

  My words trailed off as a familiar guy stepped into view. His dark hair was tousled, leading down to that perfect face, broad shoulders, and a pair of tight white boxer shorts that did fucking nothing to hide what he was packing below.

  “Jordy,” Mattie shouted, having followed my slack-jawed stare.

  Jesus. I was not going to survive. Not with my vagina or dignity intact.

  I downed the second cocktail, all the while knowing that was a very bad move. Fuck it. This was my night. One fucking night to escape my shitty reality.

  Like it wanted to prove my point, the palm reader lit up on my wrist, and I saw Alex’s name flash across the screen.

  Not tonight, asshole.

  Heat settled into my veins, the buzz sending me toward the crown prince waiting on the dance floor. He stood there, eyes locked on me, heat in those cognac irises as they traced over my body.

  “Wanna dance?” I said as soon as we were close enough to hear over the music. He took my hand, eyes never leaving me as he led me to the dance floor.

  The music had a slow, heady beat, and as Jordan laid his hand on my back beneath the silk shawl I wore, tingles chased across my skin. We moved together, and I let every thought leave my head, choosing to focus on the delicious prince under my hands.

  Literally.

  I traced across the broad planes of his muscled body… Boy was fucking perfection, only superseded slightly by his prickish best friend.

  Speaking of…

  Heat pressed into my spine, and since Jordan didn’t throw any punches—and I recognized the scent anyway—I knew it was Rafe. They danced with me between them, and when I couldn’t take it any longer, I spun to the Swiss prince.

  My breath caught, and all I could think of was fucking him again. “Cinderella,” Rafe rasped, his gaze on the lace panels of my underwear. I’d lost the shawl thing, so he had the full display.

  He wasn't in underwear, but he was shirtless, muscles and tatts eyefucking me. All he wore was a pair of black pants, fitted to his body, while the rest was there for my greedy gaze to devour.

  He leaned in even closer, breath brushing over my bare skin. “What the fuck are you doing, Violence?”

  There was no desire in his voice. It was harsh and abrasive, and this time when goosebumps rose over my skin, some of my fucking senses returned to me.

  What the fuck was I doing?

  What the fuck?

  This was not me. I didn’t parade around in my underwear like a desperate chick needing to attract a prince using lingerie and as much naked skin as I could.

  My body went cold, despite the heat of the alcohol still pumping through me. I froze between them, my gaze locked on the ground as a new sense of frustrated anger rose up inside of me.

  “I’m hiding,” I breathed, disgust coating my words. “Hiding from the reality of what I have to do.”

  It was loud in here, but Rafe heard me. His eyes bit into me, intense, darkly mocking in the way that only he could do.

  “What are you going to do about that?” he pressed.

  Jordan moved closer behind me. I could feel every hard line of his body, but it wasn’t sexual. He exuded the same intensity that Rafe did.

  “It’s time for me to take my life back,” I said, mostly to myself. I’d been in this position before, acting helpless… scared.

  No. Fucking. More.

  It was time for Violence to come out and play.

  Chapter 11

  “Nurse Reller tells me you’ve been avoiding her.”

  Dean Morgan didn’t fuck around. His beady eyes, like his fucking son’s, bored into me from the other side of his desk.

  “I’m not due for my next physical,” I replied, doing my best to keep the disgust from my voice. “There’s really no reason for her to summon me.”

  It had only been a few messages on my palm reader through the school network system—easy to ignore. But apparently it was time for them to up their game. Just like Alex had said they would.

  “There’s more for her to discuss with you than just your next physical,” he said, reprimand in his tone.

  Mattie leaned forward in her chair, uncrossing her legs as she did. “Is this the sole reason for your meeting with Violet? Surely this could have been passed on in a message through the palm readers?”

  Her voice was saying don’t fuck with me, you’re not royalty. And I’d never loved her more.

  The dean cleared his throat. “No, of course not. I just wanted to make a point to mention that health should not be ignored. The nurse probably has some vitamins or supplements for her to take, and that’s in Violet’s best interest.”

  Yeah, sure it was. Probably something to make me the most fertile woman on the planet. As it stood, Alex wouldn't be putting an heir in me unless he could through the power of positive thought.

  Or rape.

  And I’d fucking kill anyone who tried to touch me like that.

  “Is that everything?” I asked, keeping my tone as carefully even as possible, considering the anger burning through my veins.

  Dean Morgan cleared his throat and shot Mattie a small frown. He was clearly pissed off that she’d come with me but couldn’t tell her to leave the room without risking insult to a ro
yal. The rules and double standards at Arbon Academy constantly confused me, but I trusted Mattie to know what was what.

  “One other thing that we need to discuss, Ms. Spencer,” he finally continued when Mattie made no move to leave. “Several complaints have been made against you from other students. Now, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that, er, scholarship students have a higher level of expectation around conduct”—Mattie snorted—“and that it’s a serious breach of contract if you’re found to be disrupting the Arbon way of life.”

  I blinked at him a few times, trying to understand just what exactly he was saying. I mean, sure, I was well aware of the fact that the rules were a whole lot stricter for me than anyone else. But…

  “I’m sorry, what?” I frowned. “What complaints? From whom?”

  Dean Morgan sighed, looking uncomfortable and annoyed. “Several students have alleged that you’ve been conducting yourself in a manner less than becoming of an Arbon Academy student.” He paused, his mouth tightening. “Ms. Spencer, we take the betrothals of our royal students very seriously. Any attempts to interfere—"

  "Hold up," I snapped, cutting the dean off mid-sentence. "I'm not even going to poke at the fact that you're all so casual about students being betrothed like we're in medieval times. But whose relationship is this actually about? I'm dating Alex." I swallowed back bile at that statement. "Who I was led to believe lost his fiancée in a tragic accident several years ago." Blergh. More bile. "So how exactly my relationship with him is damaging anyone’s engagement, I don't…" I trailed off as the pieces clicked in my brain. Then I laughed. "Of course. Claudette. She thinks I'm chasing Rafe?"

  It made sense, in a bitchy, mean-girl bullying kind of way. I’d just never realized things like this happened outside of old teen movies.

  The Dean’s face flushed, and he adjusted his tie. This whole topic was so incredibly juvenile I’d bet the dean of the most prestigious university in the world never would have imagined himself dealing with it.

  Nonetheless, here we were.

  "Ms. Spencer." Dean Morgan sighed again. "Claudette and several of her peers have expressed concerns that you—"