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“Let’s dance.” Bente shoots a look at her son and a muscle in his jaw ticks.
“Cindi, would you care to dance?”
I don’t want to dance with him, and I wouldn’t even if he wasn’t being forced into asking either. It’s bad enough I have to dance with Bennet all night. If Dan were here, he’d dance with me and it would be fun, even the slow stuff because he’d whisper sexy things in my ear or make funny observations about the other guests.
“Of course, Prince Danon,” I say with another awkward curtsy. When we’re far enough away from his parents he leans down to my ear.
“Stop with the bloody curtsying, it’s aggravating.”
Shifting my jaw, I gather a breath. “I apologize, your highness,” I reply with a noticeable roll of my eyes.
“Good. Now let’s get this over with, little rabbit. There’s a barstool and a glass of thirty-year-old scotch calling my name.”
We’re halfway through the song before he speaks again.
“You looking to snag yourself a prince, Cindi?”
I frown, looking up at him. “What are you talking about?”
“The glass shoes, fluffy blue dress and white gloves. You’re trying to look like Cinderella.”
“No, I’m not. My friend picked out the dress and I happened to like it. And the glass shoes are a coincidence, not that it’s any of your business.”
“It is if you’re looking for a prince to bring home to Daddy.”
“Groan. Are you always this arrogant?”
He huffs. “I promise if you lose one of those shoes, Cindi, I’m not going to come looking for you.”
“You can call me Cindi, but I’d really rather you call me nothing at all after this dance is over, got me? I’m not looking to snag a prince, especially one as arrogant and spiteful as you.” I think of Dan, my Prince Not-So-Charming. He’s the only one I want. And in comparison, he’s a million times more charming than this jerk.
Prince Danon pauses mid dance and looks down at me. Flustered by our sudden stop, I lick my lips. “At least finish the dance so you don’t embarrass us,” I whisper.
“Certainly, Cindi.”
When the music stops, I leave him abruptly on the dance floor, but I can feel his eyes on my back.
Danon
Cindi heads back to her date, and I frown. I didn’t have to be such an asshole. She was nice enough until I insulted her. I am arrogant and spiteful, but I’m worried about Elle. I know she’s taking our separation hard. And dancing with Miss High Society makes me miss her even more. I’ve dialed her number a bunch of times and hung up, because it would only make things harder for her. And I can’t be selfish with her. Not any more. Not when I’ve fallen in love with her.
The thought makes me swallow hard. I’ve fallen in Love with Elle.
Scowling, I shove my way through the crowd of dancers to the bar and flag down the server. I’m in a dark mood, and the last thing I should be doing is drinking, but I’m out of fucks to give right now. I’m angsty and I should sneak out of here and go for a run, or hit the gym, find a game of basketball somewhere, anything to burn the beast growing inside me.
“Scotch on the rocks.” The bartender nods but I stop him as he reaches for the bottle on the shelf. “Nope, I want the Macallan.”
The guy pauses as if thinking it over. “You the Prince?”
“If it gets me my scotch faster, yes.”
“You are. I know.”
“Yeah? How?” I scan the room, tension bunching in my shoulders. This is my future and my skin crawls knowing it.
“I was warned you’d be the demanding asshole in the panther mask.”
“My reputation precedes me,” I say with a huff.
